1957 Bible Studies - page 194

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BIBLE STUDIES Verses 16, 1 7 : Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness:  that

the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

There being no verb " t o be " in verse 16, scholars have differed on

where " is " should be placed to give the sense of the original. We judge

the R. V. marginal reading to be better than the text of the R. V. : " Every scripture is inspired of God, and profitable. " What is true regarding the inspiration of the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi, is true also of the New, but not of the Apocrypha.  The latter is not in the canon of Scriptures, though Rome holds it to be.  The Jews to whom the Old Testament Scrip-tures were committed do not place the Apocrypha among the Holy Scriptures. Peter classes Paul’s writings among the Scriptures (2 Peter 3. 16).  Paul claims that what he wrote was the commandment of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14. 37). The change made in the Levitical law by the Lord in Mark 7. 18, 19, and repeated in Acts 10, is said to be the word of God (1 Timothy 4. 5). The New Testament must not be added to or taken from (Revelation 22. 18, 19) equally with the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 4. 2; 12. 32; Proverbs 30. 5, 6). Because every Scripture (Graphe, writing, is never found in the New Testament for any other writing than Holy Scripture) is God-breathed, it is therefore profitable for teaching.  The persons who read and meditate in the inspired Scriptures will be taught by them ; they will also convict the reader of wrong done, and they will correct, that is, put straight, and bring back to a pristine state. They will also instruct or discipline in  righteousness : all this with a view to fit or make perfect the man of God, so that he may be one who is completely furnished, fitted or prepared to every good work.

Besides the individual reading the Scriptures and applying its teaching to his life, there is great profit to be derived from the public reading, exhortation and teaching of the word (1 Timothy 4. 13), especially by such as are gifted of God for such work.

J. M.

INFORMATION 1. We hope to commence publication (God willing) of Mr. John Miller’s notes on the Revelation. This subject is obviously worthy of very serious study in these last days, and we shall be able to profit much from our brother’s arduous labours. We are greatly indebted to Mr. Miller. Please inform those who have not placed an order for next year’s Bible Studies.

2. We have already received two special contributions for 1958. May we have more soon ? These articles provide variety, and are profitable both to writers and readers.

Printed in England by James Harwood Ltd., Derwent Street, Derby.