Scripture That Matures

all writing [scripture] is God breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, for rearing of children, that in righteousness so that the man of God exists perfectly equipped for all good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The words of Jesus are useful to mature the child. We have to be careful and complete when we teach about good works. There are two types of works, works by themselves and works that come from maturity or perfection in Christ. Some people justify (having a right stance before God) themselves by their works and others know justification is by grace through redemption, the blood of Jesus, and received through faith (Galatians 2:15-21). If I go back to the Law and build up that which Jesus tore down I nullify the grace of God for if righteousness could be obtained through it Christ died for nothing. In the new covenant, the words of Jesus are to mature us so that from righteousness flows fruit of good works.

You have cut yourself off from Christ, you who are trying to be justified in laws; fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4)

Is "all scripture" useful? No, here Paul tells this church they have cut themselves off from going back to the old testament justification through works. The word "cut yourself off" also means rendered useless but since in context Paul is talking about false brothers coming into the church and requiring them to adhere to things from the Law, like circumcision, the word is used in regard to this. The word "all" in Greek is to be used in context of that being spoken.* If we take it out of context we wrongly apply scripture and build incorrect doctrines. We can use all to mean scripture from the Old Testament is useful, so we can bring in things like tithing and circumcision and try to build up the old again and require these things in the new. 

the one we proclaim, exhorting all men, and teaching all men in all wisdom so that presenting all men mature in Christ.*

Useful scripture and wisdom presents all mature in Christ. The word exhorting νουθετέω (nouthetéō, from noús, "mind" and íthēmi, "to place") properly, to place in the mind. Jesus is our wisdom from God.*  And the church is to be presented to him in splendor, honor, and righteousness. So just as Jesus gave himself up for the church his servants give themselves up to proclaim and teach, exhorting, bringing to mind that which is useful and essential to mature the church.* 

Rather we speak God's wisdom that hidden in mystery which God predetermined before the ages to the extent of our glory (1 Corinthians 2:7)

God sent his Son to establish a new covenant, sending his Word among us and breathing his Spirit within us. Jesus was no mere man speaking the words of God in God's house but he exists the owner of the house, making the words of God and his name known among men. Such an oath is of better promises and words that give life thus profitable and useful to mature men. The Word is greater than Moses who was a mere man of God. For the church to go back to justification by works of the Law is to cut off or sever from the Vine, the life flow of the church. 

There are weak and useless things that do not mature the church.* A child is inexperienced about the teachings of righteousness (Hebrews 5:12-14). So it is important that scripture is useful in rearing children. Serving in the temple and adhering to laws and principles like the Mosaic Law do not mature  (Hebrews 7:11-12; Hebrews 7:18-22; Hebrews 9: 9-16)

he gave the apostles the prophets, the evangelist, the pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for the work of the ministry until we all attain... unto mature adulthood... so that we are no longer children... but speaking truth in love, grow up into him who is the head... (Ephesians 4:11-16)

What is useful and essential is that which matures the church.* It is good to do good works, our works are to shine as a light in this world. However, our works are to exist fruit of maturity in Christ. If so we are using scripture properly in the church to mature children into adults, "profitable for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, for rearing of children, that in righteousness so that the man of God exists perfectly equipped for all good works." This is what it means to be God's workmanship to do and walk in them. If our works are not from maturity then we have not yet discerned what is essential and pleasing to God, what God purposed in the new covenant.*

... because from childhood you know the sacred writings, that powerful to give you wisdom to the extent salvation through faith that is in Christ Jesus. All writing [scripture] is God breathed and profitable for teaching... (2 Timothy 3)

Taking the word "all" in context of that being spoken we read Paul brings to our mind scripture which is useful unto salvation (of spirit, soul, and body) is that "through faith that is in Christ Jesus." Tus the scripture useful is that from faith not all scripture. From childhood speaks of maturity through the sacred writings about Jesus, the new testament, though at that time the Jews may have been raised under the old testament scriptures. 

The sons of Abraham exists those of belief, of the promise, so in the old as earthly children they were under a guardian of the Law until the time of Christ and were counted righteous through belief. Paul warns us that men will be lovers of self and will deviate from that which is essential, worthless in regards to faith, and will lead children astray (2 Timothy 3:1-8). Faith was not of the Law, so Paul's warning and exhortation was to the church of Galatia to not be led astray by false teaching and perversion of the gospel (Galatians 1:6-7; Galatians 2:1-6; Galatians 2:15-21; Galatians 3; Romans 4:13...). 

filled with fruit of righteousness that through Jesus Christ, to the extent the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:10-11)

We exist the glory and praise of God when we are conformed to the image of his son, bearing fruit outwardly of that inward change.* It is profound what Jesus said that some will prophesy, cast out demons, and do mighty works in his name but not even know him (Matthew 7:22-23). To know and discern what is essential so to be mature to the glory and praise of God is much different than doing works in his name. Maturity is really not doing works so much as it is becoming transformed, imitators of God as beloved children, reflecting the glory of God through us as we are being conformed to the image of Christ. The scripture that matters will bring about maturity to the glory and praise of God.

let us continue to hold fast to the hope that we confess, not wavering for the promise is faithful and accordingly think to stimulate one another to the extent of love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Ref:

Hebrews 1:1-4; Hebrews 2:10-13; Hebrews 3:1-6; Hebrews 4:2; Hebrews 5:14; Hebrews 6:9-20; Hebrews 7:28; Hebrews 8:6-13; Hebrews 9:1; Hebrews 10:1-10; Hebrews 10:15-18