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Why it is profitable to study the Bible

 Jesus Christ  

There are reasons why it is beneficial to study the holy Scriptures. Here are five essential ones. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable [1] for teaching, [2] for reproof, [3] for correction, [4] for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped [5] for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16, 17).

1. We are ignorant of God’s will

Concerning all of mankind, including the Jews, God indicated, through the prophet, David, that “there is none who understands” (Rom 3:11; Ps 14:2). God knows that everyone is ignorant of His will. So, all Scripture is “profitable for teaching” us and giving us a clear under- standing of God’s will and commandment for our lives.

Even more, “the untaught… distort… the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Pe 3:16). Therefore, we need to be taught by “all Scripture” so that we will not distort, pervert, misuse, or twist them and their meaning and purpose, and by doing so be condemned by God. Indeed, we need to be “diligent,” not lazy or neglectful, in our study of them so that we will then be able to use them “accurately” (2 Tim 2:15)

2. We are bad or evil, not good.

Jesus said, “No one is good except God alone” (Mk 10:18). We are all somewhat bad. Likewise, Jesus broadly charged people (including His disciples) with “being evil,” even the leading religious men of His day (Mt 7:11; 12:34).

So, all Scripture is “profitable… for reproof”. We need to be reproved by them because we are not good, but evil. Paul even reproved his fel- low apostle, Peter, a Jew, for act- ing badly toward Gentile Christians (Ga 2:11-14). Peter reproved Simon, a new convert, for acting evil about one of the gifts of God (Act 8:20).

Reproof can give wisdom (Pr 29:15). We are foolish. We need wisdom. We need to be reproved to be saved (READ Pr 10:17; 15:10; 15:31). We need proved, tested, convinced or convicted of the evidence, the truth, which is what re- proof is supposed to accomplish.

3. We are wrong or mistaken about it

Concerning a variety of basic subjects in the Scriptures (such as marriage, adultery, the resurrection, heaven, and other things), Jesus told certain leading religious men  that they were “mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures” (Mt  22:29). Again, He told them that they were “greatly mistaken” (Mk 12:27).

So we can see that the leading religious men in Jesus’ day were wrong about certain Bible subjects, even very important basic ones. So all Scripture is “profitable… for correction.” We all need corrected by the Scriptures, especially leaders.

4. We are unrighteous (sinners)

Concerning the whole world, God said, “there is none righteous, not even one” (Ro 3:10). And, “All un- righteousness is sin” (1 Jn 5:17). So, we all have sinned in some form of unrighteousness. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Ro 3:23). Therefore, all Scrip- ture is “profitable… for training in righteousness.” For the unrighteous (those who continue in sin) will not be saved (1 Cor 6:9).

5. We are not prepared for good works, especially our own character!

Concerning the whole world, God said, “there is none who does good, there is not even one” “together they have become useless” (Ro 3:12; Ps 14:3). Even more, the prophet said that our “righteous deeds” can still be “filthy” because of our “iniquities,” our sin (Isa 64:6). It is like conducting an event to raise money for charity, but getting intoxicated while doing so! This is not holy or good. The intoxication defiles the good work, as do other sins of condemnable nature. “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified [made holy], useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim 2:21). We must clean up our act so that any good work or deed we do is not defiled by our own sin! So, the Scriptures can prepare us “for every good work,” especially in the sense of personal purity.

 

Conclusion

Every time we study the Bible, there are five essential benefits which God wants us to receive. As Jesus indicated, many religious leaders are mistaken about even simple subjects in the Scriptures, and therefore are misguiding their many followers on them.

 

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