Using the Bible Properly

[Hopefully]

“Keep on telling everyone these truths. And warn them before God not to argue about words. Such arguments don’t help anyone, and they ruin those who listen to them.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭

“Accuracy in handling God’s truth is crucial. So Paul is not discouraging careful Bible study. Truth matters greatly and error always causes harm.

Rather, Paul is here combating those who like to get into intellectual banter over obscure points of doctrine, but who are not seeking to grow in obedience to God.

These scholars like to prove their superior intelligence by winning theological debates. But the point of Scriptural knowledge is not to fill our heads but to change our lives. To use the Bible for knowledge without application is to misuse it.”

1. It is possible to use the Bible to make progress in ungodliness (2:14, 16-18).

The words (2:16), “it will lead to further ungodliness,” are literally, “they will make further progress in ungodliness.” The false teachers claimed that their teaching would help you move ahead in your spiritual life. Paul sarcastically says, “Yes, you will make progress all right—progress in ungodliness!” Paul piles up words to drive home this frightening point: “useless,” “ruin of the hearers” (2:14); “further ungodliness” (2:16); “spread like gangrene” (2:17); “gone astray from the truth,” “upset the faith of some” (2:18).

The improper use of the Bible is not a harmless activity. It destroys lives! That’s one reason James 3:1warns, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.”

2. God’s people should use the Bible to make progress in godliness (2:15, 19).

The Bible wasn’t given to satisfy our curiosity about the end times or to fill our heads with facts. It was given to help us grow in godliness. 

From Bible.org 

Lesson 12: Using the Bible Properly (2 Timothy 2:14-19)

 

 

 

 

[nagzie harb]

 Proverbs 25:2  It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out.

[enoob57]

2 Tim 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
KJV
our responsibility

2 Tim 3:15-17

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
KJV
God's promise to you if you do the work....

[Hopefully]

““Remember the lesson I told you: Servants are not greater than their master. If people treated me badly, they will treat you badly too. And if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours too.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:20‬ ‭ERV‬‬

This is why there is no need to argue. God tells us some people will not agree with us, but it’s important to spread the word because some will agree.  
 

[BibleStudent100]

12 hours ago, Hopefully said:

Rather, Paul is here combating those who like to get into intellectual banter over obscure points of doctrine, but who are not seeking to grow in obedience to God.

Spot on Hopefully!

We find that Paul tells Timothy “not to fight about words” and to “reject empty speeches.” (Read 2 Timothy 2:14, 16, 23.) Some members of the congregation were promoting apostate teachings. Also, it appears that others were introducing controversial ideas. Even if the latter were not directly unscriptural, they were divisive. They resulted in bickering and arguing over words, creating a spiritually unhealthy atmosphere. Hence, Paul stressed the need to “reject foolish and ignorant debates.”  How does this advice impact us today?  When exposed to unscriptural teachings, regardless of the source, we must decisively reject them.

 

[Ray12614]

Certainly we need to study scripture, that is really an hallmark of authentic Christianity. But all teachings, when going down the trail where those topics lead us, those trails should always end up back at Jesus our Savior.

What I have observed (and a few times participated in) is that the train of thought about bible truths sort of goes off the tracks, and is derailed so to speak. The train never gets back to Jesus who is the destination focus of the OT and NT.

Without Jesus,  well . . . . . we have nothing left but points of doctrine. Always at the end doctrinal discussions, we should focus back on Jesus . . . . 

Jesus said it like this . . . . Yes, I know Jesus was speaking to the unbelieving Jews . . . but the principal remains . . . . 

John_5:39:  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

[Hopefully]

Thank you

[Michael37]

On 9/17/2021 at 11:07 AM, Hopefully said:

“Keep on telling everyone these truths. And warn them before God not to argue about words. Such arguments don’t help anyone, and they ruin those who listen to them.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭

“Accuracy in handling God’s truth is crucial. So Paul is not discouraging careful Bible study. Truth matters greatly and error always causes harm.

Rather, Paul is here combating those who like to get into intellectual banter over obscure points of doctrine, but who are not seeking to grow in obedience to God.

These scholars like to prove their superior intelligence by winning theological debates. But the point of Scriptural knowledge is not to fill our heads but to change our lives. To use the Bible for knowledge without application is to misuse it.”

1. It is possible to use the Bible to make progress in ungodliness (2:14, 16-18).

The words (2:16), “it will lead to further ungodliness,” are literally, “they will make further progress in ungodliness.” The false teachers claimed that their teaching would help you move ahead in your spiritual life. Paul sarcastically says, “Yes, you will make progress all right—progress in ungodliness!” Paul piles up words to drive home this frightening point: “useless,” “ruin of the hearers” (2:14); “further ungodliness” (2:16); “spread like gangrene” (2:17); “gone astray from the truth,” “upset the faith of some” (2:18).

The improper use of the Bible is not a harmless activity. It destroys lives! That’s one reason James 3:1warns, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.”

2. God’s people should use the Bible to make progress in godliness (2:15, 19).

The Bible wasn’t given to satisfy our curiosity about the end times or to fill our heads with facts. It was given to help us grow in godliness. 

From Bible.org 

Lesson 12: Using the Bible Properly (2 Timothy 2:14-19)

Back in the day the fellowship I was in ran a School of the Bible with 4 Terms of night classes spread equally over 2 years, which could be started in any term. Wonderful.

 

[Sower]

On 9/16/2021 at 6:07 PM, Hopefully said:

. But the point of Scriptural knowledge is not to fill our heads but to change our lives.

"and the Word was God"

God is light.

the word is light. 

As a young believer, I started memorizing scripture. I prayed for much wisdom. I prayed for more wisdom.

Perhaps a decade later, God spoke to me about learning the word. I likened it to saying that God supplied me with a truck load of tools to use in my new Christian walk. I continued to ask for more wisdom, (tools) and God spoke to me, saying "you're not using the tools that I have supplied you with already, why should I give you more?

The realization Hit me hard.

I realize that well done is better than well said. Be a better Steward of the wisdom God has already given me. Sow some seed..... through my talk, and my walk.

[bropro]

On 9/17/2021 at 5:49 AM, Hopefully said:

““Remember the lesson I told you: Servants are not greater than their master. If people treated me badly, they will treat you badly too. And if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours too.”
‭‭John‬ ‭15:20‬ ‭ERV‬‬

This is why there is no need to argue. God tells us some people will not agree with us, but it’s important to spread the word because some will agree.  
 

Below are definitions of debate gone to extremes. There is a healthy debate, but when it turns to strife and contention, testimonies are damaged, people are offended, new converts are confused, and people searching for the Lord may end their search if they see that the body of Christ is full of contentious people. If I am in a debate and see it going in this direction I will pull out, because I would rather lose the debate than to lose my testimony of Christ. There are things more important than winning an argument.

Debate: Strife, contention, wrangling. Metaphorically, it means love of strife

Romans 1:29 (KJV)
²⁹  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

2 Corinthians 12:20 (KJV)
²⁰  For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: