Every scripture is God breathed and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training, in righteousness.1
Scripture is profitable for teaching in righteousness. The word for teaching here is didaskalía which means teaching, instructing, properly it means applied-teaching; derived from didáskō, to "teach", its root is daō, to "learn". So literally teaching is to cause to learn, to instruct, impart knowledge. Teaching is applying instructions as it especially extends to its necessary lifestyle (applications), it is to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, to explain, expound, a thing. This is the idea of the Christian faith, teaching being applied, faith with works. Faith comes through the Word of God, through hearing instruction, it must be applied else it is dead.
Scripture is profitable for reproof in righteousness. This word for reproof is elegchos which means persuasion, a proof, reproof.3 Reproof is re, with regarding or reference to proof, so the idea is that you are re-proofing or persuading a person from proof that already exists. It implies there is proof, evidence to begin with. This word elegchos is used in the Biblical definition of faith; Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence(elegchos) of things unseen.4 There is persuasion, reproof of things unseen, an internal persuasion from God. The focus is not on punishment, blame and disapproval, not of correction (correction is mentioned also in this verse) but the focus is on persuasion. At the root of elegchos is elégxō – properly to convince with solid, compelling evidence (prove wrong, connect). Punishment can be a mechanism in reproof but without reproof or proof to begin with it it is surely used wrong. Scripture is good at persuading, reproof.
Persuasion is the essence of the Biblical model of conflict resolution, it is the foundation of inalienable rights, presumption of innocence, and of discipleship. Applied teaching uses persuasion and Paul writes that the things he taught were from revelation of God, not man.2 Many believers are good at correcting without teaching; punishing and blaming without persuasion. The definition today of reproof is even of criticism or blame.3 But we know our God perfects us through Agape Love into following his instructions. God uses this concept of a good shepherd, brotherly love, a father and son relationship to help prove to us what our relationship with him and others should be. He is meek and lowly, wanting to persuade us; He says come let us reason together, let us settle this, let me persuade you, says the Lord.4 Boldly with confidence approach his throne, he is a Father who loves, who wants to persuade you, to convince you he is true.
Paul speaks of transformation by the renewing of the mind. We can develop thinking that is not good. A Computer Scientist writes computer programs that consist of proper instructions to the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. These instructions perform certain functions, they have an end result. We have a CPU, instead of central processing unit made of silicon we have organic brain. Instead of electronic memory we have organic memory, it is our brain. Our brain uses electric signals of life instructions to program it. If our past experiences have been programmed into our memory incorrectly we must reprogram it or give it new instructions. When something arises like conflict resolution we go to the instructions we have stored in memory, our CPU executes these, sometimes our instructions are bad. Like a computer program which overwrites these instructions of binary code on physical memory, our brain needs new instructions to rewrite or code new instruction, new organic path ways in our brain. We sometimes call these habits.
Scripture is profitable for correction in righteousness. The word for correction is epanórthōsis which means correction, reformation, setting straight (right) again; (from epí, "on, fitting" intensifying anorthóō, "make straight") – properly, restored to its (original) proper condition; hence, correction (referring to something that is aptly "straightened out"); naturally looks to the response (effect), its end result.5 Correction implies that there is a proper condition to begin with, this would be from teaching. If there is no teaching, the way is not straight to begin with, first must come teaching and instruction. Correction without instruction brings condemnation, accusation, such allows the enemy to operate. The end result of correction is to straighten out, to restore to its proper condition. Correction looks to the response, the consummation, the end result, which is to edify, to build up. As believers we build up faith, hope, and love, without these, correction is nothing. Scripture is profitable for correction.
Scripture is profitable for training in righteousness. The word used for training is paideía which means discipline, training; (its root is país, a child) – properly, instruction that trains someone to reach full development (maturity). Training in child development is done in the context of maturity; elementary, middle, and high school. John writes of spiritual maturity levels; child, young man, father.6 If I try to teach high school level to someone with an elementary level maturity they will not understand, I must give them teachings on their level, milk for a child. This applies in instruction but more importantly in correction and reproof. A baby must develop teeth to eat meat, to feed a baby meat before it can eat would seem ridiculous but we do this with spiritual food. It is like giving dogs something sacred or pearls to a pig, they have no understanding of such. Scripture is good for training.
Scripture is good for teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness. This word for righteousness is dikaiosýnē which means justice, justness, righteousness (from díkē, "a judicial verdict which declares someone approved or disapproved") – properly the approval of God which refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (after His examination). My righteousness is in Jesus; he created all things, breathing into man and scripture his life. He is good. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.7
Lord, I Need You
Scripture is profitable for reproof in righteousness. This word for reproof is elegchos which means persuasion, a proof, reproof.3 Reproof is re, with regarding or reference to proof, so the idea is that you are re-proofing or persuading a person from proof that already exists. It implies there is proof, evidence to begin with. This word elegchos is used in the Biblical definition of faith; Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence(elegchos) of things unseen.4 There is persuasion, reproof of things unseen, an internal persuasion from God. The focus is not on punishment, blame and disapproval, not of correction (correction is mentioned also in this verse) but the focus is on persuasion. At the root of elegchos is elégxō – properly to convince with solid, compelling evidence (prove wrong, connect). Punishment can be a mechanism in reproof but without reproof or proof to begin with it it is surely used wrong. Scripture is good at persuading, reproof.
Persuasion is the essence of the Biblical model of conflict resolution, it is the foundation of inalienable rights, presumption of innocence, and of discipleship. Applied teaching uses persuasion and Paul writes that the things he taught were from revelation of God, not man.2 Many believers are good at correcting without teaching; punishing and blaming without persuasion. The definition today of reproof is even of criticism or blame.3 But we know our God perfects us through Agape Love into following his instructions. God uses this concept of a good shepherd, brotherly love, a father and son relationship to help prove to us what our relationship with him and others should be. He is meek and lowly, wanting to persuade us; He says come let us reason together, let us settle this, let me persuade you, says the Lord.4 Boldly with confidence approach his throne, he is a Father who loves, who wants to persuade you, to convince you he is true.
Paul speaks of transformation by the renewing of the mind. We can develop thinking that is not good. A Computer Scientist writes computer programs that consist of proper instructions to the central processing unit (CPU) of a computer. These instructions perform certain functions, they have an end result. We have a CPU, instead of central processing unit made of silicon we have organic brain. Instead of electronic memory we have organic memory, it is our brain. Our brain uses electric signals of life instructions to program it. If our past experiences have been programmed into our memory incorrectly we must reprogram it or give it new instructions. When something arises like conflict resolution we go to the instructions we have stored in memory, our CPU executes these, sometimes our instructions are bad. Like a computer program which overwrites these instructions of binary code on physical memory, our brain needs new instructions to rewrite or code new instruction, new organic path ways in our brain. We sometimes call these habits.
Scripture is profitable for correction in righteousness. The word for correction is epanórthōsis which means correction, reformation, setting straight (right) again; (from epí, "on, fitting" intensifying anorthóō, "make straight") – properly, restored to its (original) proper condition; hence, correction (referring to something that is aptly "straightened out"); naturally looks to the response (effect), its end result.5 Correction implies that there is a proper condition to begin with, this would be from teaching. If there is no teaching, the way is not straight to begin with, first must come teaching and instruction. Correction without instruction brings condemnation, accusation, such allows the enemy to operate. The end result of correction is to straighten out, to restore to its proper condition. Correction looks to the response, the consummation, the end result, which is to edify, to build up. As believers we build up faith, hope, and love, without these, correction is nothing. Scripture is profitable for correction.
Scripture is profitable for training in righteousness. The word used for training is paideía which means discipline, training; (its root is país, a child) – properly, instruction that trains someone to reach full development (maturity). Training in child development is done in the context of maturity; elementary, middle, and high school. John writes of spiritual maturity levels; child, young man, father.6 If I try to teach high school level to someone with an elementary level maturity they will not understand, I must give them teachings on their level, milk for a child. This applies in instruction but more importantly in correction and reproof. A baby must develop teeth to eat meat, to feed a baby meat before it can eat would seem ridiculous but we do this with spiritual food. It is like giving dogs something sacred or pearls to a pig, they have no understanding of such. Scripture is good for training.
Scripture is good for teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness. This word for righteousness is dikaiosýnē which means justice, justness, righteousness (from díkē, "a judicial verdict which declares someone approved or disapproved") – properly the approval of God which refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (after His examination). My righteousness is in Jesus; he created all things, breathing into man and scripture his life. He is good. He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.7
Lord, I Need You