A second text that helps us understand the need to apply God’s Word through the Sunday sermon is found in 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2. While Peter reveals that God’s divine power has given the believer everything he needs for life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ, Paul reveals that this knowledge arrives through the proper proclamation, interpretation, and application of the inspired Scripture. In 2 Timothy, Paul reveals the purpose and place of God’s Word and its proclamation in the Christian life.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching (2 Tim 3:16-4:2, ESV).
Paul begins by explaining that all Scripture is God-breathed. By Scripture, Paul refers to the sacred writings he spoke of in verse 15. The word for Scripture (graphe) was a word that had been used to refer to the Old Testament. However, by the time Paul wrote this letter, it also came to be used of the Apostles’ inspired writings. All that had yet to be written of the completed sacred writings at this point were the writings of the Apostle John. By this time, Christians recognized these books and letters as sacred writings from God. Peter agreed with this sentiment through his statements in 2 Peter 3:14-16, acknowledging these writings as Scripture.
Further, Paul identifies these writings as God-breathed. This word claims that the entire Bible owes its origin and contents to God. The Holy Spirit guided the human authors so they wrote what God wanted them to write. Thus, Scripture originated in God’s mind and was communicated from God’s mouth by God’s breath, so it is rightly called the Word of God.
God gave His Word for a specific purpose. Paul explains this purpose through four statements. These four statements provide two categories: What the Christian should believe and how the Christian should act. First, the Scripture reveals what a Christian should believe. Paul reveals that the Scripture explains doctrine. This means that the primary function of the Bible is instruction. It is not a motivational book. It is not a self-help book. It is a book that teaches the Christian what to believe. Paul explains the idea of instruction in further detail in Romans 15:4, where he states that Scripture was written to teach the believer so that they might have hope in their walk with God.
Second, the Scripture reproves the believer. This word refers to the Scripture’s ability to convict by refuting error and rebuking sin. Thus, Scripture serves to warn the believer. Warnings, based on the word, must be issued so that errors in doctrine and conduct are refuted in the spirit of love. In so doing, these Christians use the Scripture for its God-given purpose.
Third, the Scripture corrects the believer. This word refers to the Scripture’s ability to help individuals restore their belief or personal practice to the proper state before God. Thus, a primary purpose of Scripture proclamation is to apply the message to restore the believer’s faith.
Finally, the Scripture instructs the believer. This word is often translated as discipline. In Ephesians 6:4, Paul uses the word to refer to a system of discipline a parent uses to help their child develop a godly character. In this text, Paul uses the word to describe a system of discipline to lead to a holy lifestyle. Thus, a regular regimen of Bible study serves to discipline the believer in a holy life. Used properly, the believer applies the Word received into action for life change.
The fourfold purpose of Scripture results in a fully formed and mature believer. Paul concludes chapter three with the statement that the fourfold purpose of Scripture makes the believer complete and fully supplied to accomplish all that God calls him to accomplish. Stott notes, “At all events, it is only by a diligent study of scripture that the man of God may become complete, equipped for every good work.” God uses His Word to equip His people for His work.
For this reason, Paul commands the pastor to preach the Word faithfully. Paul charges the pastor to herald and proclaim the Word out loud. This heralding is to be a priority for the pastor. Paul then gives the content of this proclamation: the Word. This proclamation is not simply motivational speaking but a proclamation of God’s inspired, sufficient Word.
As the pastor heralds the Word, Paul instructs the pastor on the reasons and methods of this proclamation through three vital terms. First, the pastor is to reprove. As shown earlier, the purpose of the Word is to refute error and rebuke sin. Thus, the pastor must highlight this purpose in the proclamation of the Word. The believer must be conscious of his sin so that he may repent. It means that the herald applies the Word of God to sinners and that their sin is pointed out as a violation of God’s standard and will through this application. The message of sin is not popular. However, the pastor’s role is not to determine what the congregants perceive as felt needs and then to meet those needs. This reproving is the faithful proclamation of the Word of God, which allows the Word of God to confront sin.
Similarly, the pastor must also rebuke. This word is a strong word used for Jesus’ rebuke of the demons. It consists of a verbal challenge, whereby one is openly or publicly charged with error or sin. The seriousness of sin must not be toned down. As the pastor preaches God’s Word, the issues must be so clearly drawn that the erring Christians and the unconverted can see their own dreadful, sinful condition. In short, Christians should not always walk away from the presentation of God’s Word feeling good about themselves.
Finally, the preacher must herald God’s Word for exhortation. The idea of exhortation means that with pertinent reproving and rebuking, there must be tender encouragement. Exhortation means that those who have been rebuked need encouragement. Each person must be shown how sin can be forgiven, and their spiritual life strengthened. To rebuke without instruction is to leave the root cause of the error untouched. Faithfully applying God’s Word brings the grace necessary into the sinner’s life to encourage conformity to Christ’s image.