How Bible Study Can Enrich Your Life

The Bible comes alive when we dissect its content. Like any piece of literature, a failure to read and absorb the Bible's message cheats our souls' stability in the Lord. The New Testament authors, like the apostle Paul, encouraged believers to examine the written word to avoid not only fake teachings but to benefit from the wisdom of the truth it offers for personal growth (1 The 5:21). In 2 Timothy, the apostle shared two essential advice to his young companion Timothy in the First Century. Timothy might have been in his late 30s to 40s; the scripture does not speak of his age, but Paul referred to him as a young man. For instance, Paul instructed him to avoid giving others any reason to despise his youth (1 Tim 4:12). He also called Timothy to flee from youthful lust. Those desires are typical of the young mind (2 Tim 2:22). Hence, He considered the scripture study a vital endeavour to combat Timothy's setbacks in the first century. First, Paul taught, "study to show yourself approved unto God" (2 Tim 2:15). The context of that scripture indicates that the apostle was hammering on the dangers that false teachers posed to the church. Timothy needed to show himself approved to God. During that period, Paul had already sensed the intrusion of false teachers within the body of Christ. He left Timothy at Ephesus to warn men against false teaching when Paul went into Macedonia (1 Tim 1:3). So, he cautioned him to be an example by endeavouring to cut the word of truth straight. What does that mean? The Greek word the author used means to "guide the word of truth along a straight path (like a road that goes straight to its goal), without being turned aside by wordy debates or impious talk, according to William Arndt (Arndt, William, et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 722. Print). Still, ὀρθοτομεῖν (Orthotomein) appears to be a medical term that emphasizes the care that a surgeon exercises when operating a patient to avoid harm to the person's overall health.

Similarly, the biblical student must explain the scripture contextually and accurately to avoid confusion and misapplication, which may cause harm to people's spiritual lives (2 Pet 3:16-16). All false doctrines started with a twisted version of the truth (Gal 1:6-9). So, Timothy was to guard against that by diligently applying himself to the word.

Second, Paul explained the authority and authenticity of the scripture to him. He began by showing that Timothy had learned the scriptures from a Child, that contributed to his knowledge of the gospel (2Tim 3:15). The scriptures he referred to were mainly the Old Testament that bore witness of Jesus as the Messiah of the world (ROM 1:1-5, 1Cor 15:1-4, John 5:39ff). Timothy's insight into God's plan led him to salvation in Christ (2 Tim 1:9; 2:10). However, He needed to assure himself of the reality of scripture to avoid instability in the faith. In Verses 16 and 17, Paul addressed the inspiration of the word, underlining the reliability of the scripture by showing it's a revelation from God. At the time, many doubted the truth concerning Jesus, as the case is today (John 8:12-32). But, since God inspired scripture, he breathed into it, we have no reason to question the written word. God cannot lie, so everything he said about Jesus and his will is valid (Titus 1:2). Furthermore, scripture is infallible because the Holy Spirit, through the medium of God, guided the holy men who spoke to record scripture correctly (2Pet 1:15-21). Hence, what we have in the Bible did not originate with humans, even though God used them. Our study of the Bible would significantly enhance if we understood that the Bible is an inspired document and reveals God's message to our lives.

Finally, the apostle handled the uses and purposes of the scripture to stir Timothy's loyalty to the word. For example, God revealed it for doctrinal reasons, "the act of teaching, teaching, instruction" (Arndt, William, et al. A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament and other early Christian literature 2000: 240. Print. That word means teaching). One needs a reliable source to learn about God and his will because human opinions cannot guarantee truth (Prov 14:12; 3:5,6). The word is for reproving. In Greek culture, the term (elegmon-reprove) suggested "the act of presenting evidence for the truth of something, proof, proving;" the act of charging a person with wrongdoing, accusation, expression of strong disapproval, Reproof, censure, Correction (Job 6:26; 13:6). In the quest for truth, people are going to deviate from time to time, assume positions that they think are right, which may not be so. No one is perfect. Hence, reproving is critical to point people to the truth (Acts 17:2-11, 1Pet 3:15). Correction follows Reproof. Correcting the mistake is vital once you discover you are on the wrong track. James, a biblical expert, defined Correction as "a straightening up again, i.e. (fig.) rectification (reformation):—correction."

(Strong, James. A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible, 2009: 30. Print). We can only advance when we return to the proper standard (Isaiah 55:7). The Bible is God's supreme rule for humanity. Hence, anything, doctrine, or practice that does not align with it is faulty and needs correcting (Matt 15:9). It is for Training also. The Bible is a book of discipline education for the individual's moral and ethical growth. James explains paidĕia, the Greek word for Training, as Education or Training; by implication, disciplinary Correction:—chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture" (Strong, James. A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 2009: 54. Print). Those are uses God outlines in the Bible for the scripture. The ultimate objective is to make you, the individual, a more competent servant for his cause. Therefore, reading the scripture diligently, acknowledging its authority and authenticity, and considering its usages in everyday life can enrich your knowledge and ability to serve God adequately. The time to begin that critical journey is now