¹⁶All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Today’s passage is one of the most important in Scripture, but critics accuse believers of circular reasoning when we use it to assert that the Bible is inspired or inerrant. The statement is contained within the Bible, so its self-testimony, they say, does not carry weight. Sounds convincing, but upon closer consideration the scale tips clearly in favor of the biblical apologist.

First, this passage puts the fact on record that the Bible asserts itself to be inspired. If the Bible is not true when it speaks of itself in this way, then how could we know whether any of it is true? It is an all-or-nothing concept.

When Paul wrote this verse, not all of the Scripture had been written yet (the gospel of John and Revelation, to name just two), so wouldn’t this refer only to things written before that? But, we note that he does not apply this statement to “the Bible” but to “all Scripture.” Later writings that would come under that classification of “Scripture” would surely be included.

Now if the Bible is inspired, and we believe that it is, the implications are enormous. The word “inspired” means “God-breathed.” It is the very Word of God. He spoke creation into existence: “Then God said . . .” (Gen. 1:3, etc.) “The voice of the Lord is upon the waters . . . The voice of the Lord is powerful . . . majestic . . .” (Ps. 29:3–4). The Word is the powerful voice of God speaking into His creation. And the written Word is God powerfully speaking into our lives. If by His nature, as the One who defines truth, God cannot lie (Titus 1:2, Heb. 6:18), then what He says must be true, without error, that is, inerrant. If, on the contrary, the Bible teaches anything erroneous, God would be a liar. In that case, we would have no foundation for anything in life being true, since the ultimate reality of existence is God Himself. So we conclude that since God is truth, then His Word, the Scripture, which is God’s communication to us, is also true and without error.

Finally, we must move beyond apologetics and get to the meat of the passage. The Word of God is “adequate.” That means it is completely capable and completely sufficient to equip a Christian for “every good work.” This does not mean every Christian can do every good thing, but it does mean that what God has called him or her to do, He prepares that person sufficiently to accomplish. To put it more personally, what God calls us to do, He also prepares us to do. We will lack nothing essential to completing it.

Lord, I believe You have equipped me for the task You have laid in front of me.