Inspired ~ "God Breathed" - The Scriptures are written by God to His people.  They also have been preserved by the Spirit of God, in the Hebrew and Greek, that we might have confidence that we have before us the infallible Word of God: "...being immediately inspired by God, and by His singular care and providence, kept pure in all ages, are therefore authentical" (Westminster Confession of Faith, I. VIII). "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21).

Profitable ~"The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture ... we acknowledge the inward illumination of the Spirit of God to be necessary for the saving understanding of such things as are revealed in the Word" (WCF I. VI); "...they are to be translated into the vulgar language of every nation unto which they come, that, the Word of God dwelling plentifully in all, they may worship Him in an acceptable manner; and, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, may have hope" (WCF I. VIII).

Doctrine ~ The teaching or instruction of the Scriptures. The truth of God revealed to us in written form and illumined to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The Scripture word for doctrine also refers to the authority of the teacher. We might ask ourselves whether it is the authority of God or that of man that informs us as to what we believe, and therefore, how we act upon that belief. "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning (doctrine), that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). "The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man, or church; but wholly upon God (who is truth itself) the author thereof: and therefore it is to be received, because it is the Word of God" (WCF I. IV).

Reproof ~ This is a conviction which brings about a change as the truth is revealed by the Spirit. The change comes from within and is (should be) manifested by an outward change of one's character and/or actions. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). "...through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part doth overcome; and so, the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (WCF XIII. III). "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever" (2 Peter 3:18).

Correction ~ This word is found only in 2 Timothy 3:16 (see below), meaning to set something that was wrong, right again; To be corrected when wrong, especially concerning moral and ethical beliefs and actions. An example is the use of the teaching of the moral law of God in our homes and churches, as well as to the nations to glory of Christ the King! The Heidelberg Catechism asks this question (115), "Why will God then have the ten commandments so strictly preached, since no man in this life can keep them?" Its answer, "First, that all our lifetime we may learn more and more earnest in seeking the remission of sin and righteousness in Christ; likewise, that we constantly endeavor and pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, that we may become more and more conformable to the image of God, till we arrive at the perfection proposed to us in a life to come."

Instruction ~ This word originally referred to the teaching of children. The Lord applies this kind of instruction to all of His adopted children, those redeemed by the precious blood of His Son, our Savior, Christ Jesus. This word has much to do with discipline, which the world around us abhors. The instruction is to be "in righteousness," referring to that which is right and just as claimed by the Triune God of Truth and Righteousness. He alone is the standard of our faith and practice; i.e., "The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man" (Larger Catechism # 5). We, in the righteousness of Christ alone, are to die to sin and live to Him. We are to put on the new man "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:23-24).

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

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