The purpose of the Bible

(J. R. Miller, "Devotional Hours with the Bible" 1909)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness — so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Paul has no uncertain word about the inspiration of the Scriptures. The Bible alone is the Word of God. Holy men wrote it as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. There are other good books in the world — but none like the Word of God.

We ought to read the Bible reverently — since God speaks to us in its pages.

We ought to believe it — for His Word must be absolutely true.

We should obey it — since what God commands must be right.

We may yield our whole life to its influence — to be guided and fashioned by it.

Scripture is profitable for teaching — that is, for instruction in all matters that concern life.

It is profitable for rebuking — it shows us our sins, our follies, our mistakes.

It is profitable for correcting — to bring us back from wrong ways to right ways.

It is profitable for training in righteousness — it gives us instruction for all true and beautiful living.

"So that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." The purpose of the Bible is to make complete men of us. If we follow it in everything — it will show us the right way, it will reveal to us the perfect ideal of Christian character, it will inspire us to holy living.