3:162 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and comes from him as his own voice and revelation to people, perfect and true and profitable for every need.FE 444.3+4 It teaches true doctrine, exposes error and sin, sets wrong conduct right, and trains in righteous living.FE 444.3+2 By these uses it makes the servant of God complete and thoroughly equipped for salvation and for every good work.FE 444.3+2 It is the authoritative and infallible revelation of God's will, the sufficient and perfect rule of faith and practice and the test of all doctrine and experience.GC88 d.6+4 Its truths were given by the Holy Spirit through human writers in human words, so it bears both the divine mind and human individuality, and it makes readers wise unto salvation through faith in Christ.FE 444.3+4

All Scripture is inspired by God and comes from Him as His voice, revelation, and communication to people for teaching truth, exposing error, correcting wrongdoing, and training in right living.FE 444.3+4 Fully received and studied as God's voice, it shows how to reach eternal happiness and gain heaven's treasures, supplies what is needed for salvation and godly living, and makes the person who serves God complete and fully equipped for every good work.FE 444.3+3 Knowledge from other books cannot take its place or make people wise for salvation, so it deserves reverent attention, careful study of the full meaning of its words, priority over worldly interests and pleasures, and comparison of related passages from every side until one passage unlocks another and true meaning is revealed.FE 444.3+3 Its use is connected with becoming wise unto salvation through faith in Christ and continuing in learned truth despite deception.Ms 130, 1906, par. 39

The word for inspiration means Scripture is breathed out by God with vital, life-giving power, just as He breathed into man the breath of life and made him a living soul.ST Oct 3, 1900+1 Like its Author it is perfect and true, not fiction, and therefore demands serious appreciation as spiritual food to be taken personally and lived by in every word from God.Lt 76, 1900, par. 5–8+1 The same God who made man a living soul has breathed the breath of life into His Word, so it must be studied far more than it is, with a heart open to receive its instruction and taken as counselor showing readers themselves as they are.ST Oct 3, 1900+1 Those who study it asking the Lord for wisdom become wise unto salvation, while those who turn from the Bible and from books that make its truth easy to understand take responsibility for their course upon themselves.Lt 29, 1900, par. 17

What the Father and the Son in the councils of heaven deemed essential for the salvation of man was defined from eternity and given in Scripture by inspiration as infinite truths that finite beings can comprehend.STE 10.2+1 It was given so the man of God may be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works, glorifying his own life and the lives of fellow men not only by possessing truth but by communicating it.STE 10.2+1 This lays the charge to preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, because the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.Ms 8, 1896, par. 9–11

Scripture unites the divine and the human: its truths are from God by the Holy Spirit through dreams, visions, symbols, and figures, while they are expressed in human words with varied styles reflecting different writers, ages, rank, occupation, and mental and spiritual endowments.GC88 c.4–d.2+3 God sheds light into the minds and hearts of His servants, qualifies human agents, and guides the mind in the selection of what to speak and what to write, and those who receive the truth embody the thought in human language according to their own style, experience, and power of perception and appreciation.RH Aug 30, 1906+2 One writer presents one phase of a subject more strikingly than another, so what looks like discrepancy or contradiction to the superficial reader is underlying harmony to the thoughtful reverent student, with varied aspects uniting in a perfect whole adapted to meet the wants of men in all circumstances and experiences of life.RH Aug 30, 1906 The treasure is entrusted to earthen vessels and conveyed through imperfect human expression, yet it is none the less from heaven as the testimony of God revealing divine power full of grace and truth, an expression of the mind and will of God and therefore a perfect rule of faith and practice, whose divine message joined with human expression does not weaken its authority but should strengthen faith in it as God's word.RH Aug 30, 1906+3 Inspiration acts on the writers themselves, who are filled with thoughts by the Holy Spirit rather than having words or expressions dictated, so their own minds shape the words and thoughts and Scripture bears the mark of human individuality while combining the divine mind and will with the human mind and will, as in Christ who is Son of God and Son of man.RH Aug 30, 1906+2 Rejecting parts of Scripture as merely human overlooks that divine and human are combined in God's work of redemption, as they are in Christ who took human nature to reach humanity.5T 747.1

The ten commandments are an exception as wholly divine composition, spoken by God Himself and written by His own hand, unlike the rest of the Bible.RH Aug 30, 1906 All Scripture was dictated by the Holy Spirit in the sense that holy writers penned literal truth exactly as told and never testified to falsehoods, with inspiration lifting the writing above human weakness and prejudice.4T 9.1–2+1 From Adam to the apostles the Bible therefore gives a plain, unvarnished, authentic history of actual individuals and genuine experience without glossing over truth or suppressing moral defects, frailties, and sins even of good men, and this impartial honesty is one of the best evidences of the authenticity of the Scriptures, unlike human biographies that hide faults and present faultless saints of immaculate piety.4T 9.1–2+1 Had the Bible been written by uninspired persons it would have presented quite a different appearance and would have been a discouraging study to erring mortals contending with natural frailties and the temptations of a wily foe, while the stern facts are revealed for reasons finite minds cannot fully comprehend.ST May 31, 1910

No person may divide Scripture into inspired and uninspired parts or pass judgment on which portions deserve trust, and no part may be treated as only lightly inspired, belittled, misinterpreted, misapplied, weakened, diminished, or set aside in favor of another.8MR 131.1+3 Higher criticism that makes light of the full inspiration of this divine book is infidelity and unbelief, and brings lack of success, while the Bible must be exalted in all labor and people brought to know the wisdom and power in the Word of God.Ms 46, 1893, par. 17 Its truths are both plain enough for all to understand and profound enough to require deep thought, and understanding grows progressively as God's Word opens to the mind, though finite people cannot fully grasp its deep mysteries and doctrines.Ms 16, 1889, par. 9–10 The verse does not close the canon or end inspiration and does not prove that spiritual gifts have ceased, for Paul himself kept adding to Scripture after writing it and John wrote Revelation about thirty years later.EW 109.1–3+1 God gave His Word in writing through holy men of old as they were moved by the Spirit, rather than leaving it to oral transmission and traditional unfolding, which would allow people to add material that was not inspired.6MR 176.1

God's holy, educating Spirit is in His word, so a light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page, truth is revealed there, and words and sentences are made bright and fitting for the occasion as the voice of God speaking to the soul.HSP 19.7 The Holy Spirit is the Author of the Scriptures, and all God has revealed is inspired and useful for the progressive work of sanctification through constantly adding the graces of the Spirit.Ms 178, 1903, par. 5–6 Every revealed truth must therefore be searched to its depths and learned in all its bearings on practical daily life, kept before the mind as the motives God gives to lead men to believe and obey Him, and taken earnestly because it decides the saving of the soul and fitness to become saints of the Most High and members of His family.Ms 178, 1903, par. 5–6

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable, and every part of it deserves study, including the Old Testament as well as the New.ED 190.2–191.1+1 The Old and New Testaments sustain a close relation to each other and have one divine Author, and studying both together gives further evidence of that unity while teaching how to form characters that reveal Christ's attributes.2MR 192.2 They illuminate one another and both reveal God's glory in Christ, the Old presenting Him through the patriarchs, the sacrificial service, the law, and the prophets, and the New presenting Him in His life, death, and resurrection and through the Holy Spirit, with their truths continuing to disclose deeper meaning to earnest seekers, so that where a careless reader sees nothing a careful student finds living truth deserving as much attention in the Old as in the New.CT 462.2–3 The truths Timothy learned as a child were part of this divine revelation given for instruction, to be taught in the home by parents and joined to the events of daily life, God's dealings with His people, and the promise of the coming Redeemer.CE 60.2–3 Faithfully studied and received into the life, the word of God in both Testaments gives spiritual wisdom and life, is to be cherished as sacred, and with faith in Christ's power to transform the life enables believers to do Christ's works and live rejoicing in the Lord.JIOKP 41.1+1

No part of Scripture should be passed over as unworthy of serious study, since all is inspired by God and useful.GC88 324.1 This includes the Bible's chronological passages and prophetic periods, which are as much God's word and as worthy of serious study and careful consideration as any other part.GC88 324.1+1 Because God revealed these periods, they should not be passed over when seeking to understand what He has disclosed.GC 323.2–324.2

Scripture includes the Bible's varied forms — history, biography, songs and praise, prayer, and prophecy — and the term embraces the whole treasure and treasure-house of revealed knowledge, whatever form it takes.Ms 175, 1901, par. 10–11+1 It is useful for teaching, rebuking and exposing error, correcting wrong conduct, and training in righteousness.Ms 175, 1901, par. 10–11+1 It is a guide to a higher, better life pointing the way of salvation through Christ, and a source of instructive history and biography.MYP 273.4

This includes the book of Revelation, which is given for instruction and should be studied reverently.Ms 143, 1901, par. 64–69 Its visions disclose past events, present realities, and future events, including prophecies whose fulfillment extends to the end of time.Ms 143, 1901, par. 64–69 All Scripture so teaches, exposes error, corrects what is wrong, and trains in righteous living, so that God's people may be complete and equipped for every good work.Ms 143, 1901, par. 64–69

Scripture comes from God and is useful for teaching, exposing error, correcting, and training in right living, and with the following verse shows that it equips God's people for every good work, giving a complete guide to human duty.Ms 55, 1898, par. 18+1 It contains infallible wisdom and should be studied as a central guide and not treated as merely one book among many, for its pure, heavenly instruction is essential to the usefulness of students.Ms 55, 1898, par. 18 Its truth carries authority and calls for obedience, giving clear knowledge of duty and serving as the foundation for character.Lt 34, 1900, par. 10–13+1 Daniel and his companions studied the Old Testament as their authority, foundation for character, and guide, learning God's will and seeing their duty clearly, with God opening its meaning to them in answer to their faith, and Daniel's life is an example of Scripture's history that deserves deeper study.Ms 55, 1898, par. 18+2 The history of ancient Israel serves the same profitable purposes, its failures warning against repeating them while God's step-by-step guidance and care encourage believers to move forward.Lt 100, 1897, par. 13–15 The Old and New Testament accounts and teachings instruct in obedience to God, faith in His power to save, and the consequences of rebellion, shaping character after the divine likeness, with teachings, commands, and principles to be studied, obeyed, and lived out, and obedience to God's commandments presented as the condition for receiving life and sharing in the divine nature.Lt 342, 1907, par. 7–8

All Scripture is profitable in four ways: for teaching doctrine and truth, for reproving and exposing error and sin, for correcting wrong conduct and setting things right, and for training and instructing in righteous living.FE 444.3+4 Fully received and studied as God's voice, it shows how to reach eternal happiness and gain heaven's treasures, supplies what is needed for salvation and godly living, and makes the man of God complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.FE 444.3+4 Its meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared, one passage unlocking another and examination of what the texts say on the same subject from every side revealing their true meaning, and its riches require personal searching that puts the Word before worldly interests and pleasures because it makes wise unto salvation through faith in Christ and unto eternal life.FE 187.2+2 Its truths concern what is essential for salvation, knowledge from other books cannot take its place or make wise for salvation, those who receive them are to share them with others, and its use is connected with continuing in learned truth despite deception.FE 444.3+2

Scripture serves as a test of character that reveals spiritual disease and prescribes its infallible remedy, with guidance for every circumstance.Lt 42, 1907, par. 9–12 God's commands promote health of mind and body, and its remedies are infallible when received in faith and faithfully practiced, instruction especially suited to Christian physicians and nurses who need deep study of the Word.Lt 42, 1907, par. 9–12 Spoken by Paul to Timothy, the verse requires those who watch for souls as those who must give an account to exercise clear discernment to see defects existing in the church and to take up the unwelcome missionary work of plainly pointing those defects out.Ms 59, 1898, par. 17–18 Warnings and reproof are as greatly needed at this time as at any period of earth's history, warnings will come discovering the hidden things of darkness, some individuals require plain words of reproof for sin, and resisting needed personal reproof and correction does not make what Scripture says untrue, while spiritual discernment helps recognize its truth.Ms 59, 1898, par. 17–18+2

The reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness are given as essential light on many points regarding the management of schools, and all that light must be carefully heeded and strictly regarded.11MR 168.2–4+2 No one should be a teacher in those schools who has not had an experience in obeying the Word of God, so that the education is of a different character than that given at Battle Creek College, where popular amusements were brought in under a deceptive garb and sanctioned to the harm of all connected schools, not traveling over the same ground but giving students who have had an abundance of self-pleasing amusement a different kind of education that prepares them to go forth for any service, for without that different character there is no need for the expense of purchasing land and erecting buildings.11MR 168.2–4+2 That reproof calls for heart consecration and change of course to reach a higher standard, and meeting it with cool indifference, silent contempt, and persistent resistance shows no living connection with Christ, a mind debased by its own course with no disposition to change, self-satisfaction, and love for no one but self.Ms 14, 1891, par. 10 The same inspired words about being holy in all conduct because God is holy, fearing God who judges each person's work without partiality, and being redeemed from empty tradition not with silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish or spot are to be read carefully and obeyed, for sisters entering the work of dress reform the verse means to walk circumspectly and to labor in a way that corresponds with the burden of the message.Lt 19, 1897, par. 28–29 Scripture given by God is also profitable teaching to correct reckless talking and train believers in sober, circumspect words and acts, holy example and soul-winning, with instant prayer and constant watchfulness in the unceasing battle for life against Satan and his host in the last days where the armor must never be laid aside.18MR 370.3–4

God's word carries special weight and is useful for reproof and correction, and that teaching applies to the testimonies of the Spirit of God set in the church.TEPD 76.1 They warn and correct, call people back to God's word, and should not be dismissed when they challenge someone's course.TEPD 76.1

Through its teaching, exposing of error, correcting of wrong, and training in right living, all Scripture makes the servant of God perfect, complete, and thoroughly furnished unto every good work, supplying all that is needed for salvation and godly living and every duty.FE 444.3+4 Fully received and studied as God's voice, it shows how to reach eternal happiness and gain the treasures of heaven, giving wisdom that leads to salvation which knowledge from other books cannot supply or replace.FE 444.3+2 What the Father and the Son in the councils of heaven deemed essential for salvation was defined from eternity and given as infinite truths that finite beings can comprehend, and its meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared, one passage unlocking another and examination of what the texts say on the same subject from every side revealing their true meaning.FE 187.2+1 Its riches therefore demand reverent attention, careful study of the full meaning of its words, and personal searching that puts it before worldly interests and pleasures because it makes wise unto eternal life.CT 139.3+1

The perfection and standard thus held out is continual progress toward perfection of character, which is Christlikeness, including everything good and pure and noble and elevated.STE 210.1+2 Scripture gives an object to reach and a standard to gain, opening a path of continual advancement that requires continual striving and constant progress onward and upward.Ms 16, 1896, par. 25–26+1 Man may thus be perfect in his human sphere even as the Father in heaven is perfect in His high sphere, reaching God's ideal which is higher than the highest human thought and transcribed in His holy law.Ms 16, 1896, par. 25–26 God's word in this way can make people wise, guide them, and bring them to perfection in Christ, equipping them to grow in education and religious experience and to serve faithfully.FE 214.2

This furnishing must be believed and experienced, not only repeated, by possessing truth and by communicating it to glorify one's own life and the lives of fellow men.STE 10.2+2 Those who present truth, whatever their calling, must keep contrite and humble, laboring in the spirit of Christ, subduing self and walking humbly before God, and then God will reveal Himself to them as laborers together with Him.Ms 24, 1896, par. 6–8 Its teachings are to be understood with a sincere heart and practiced willingly and walked by carefully and taken personally, for the standard covers every part of life while the Holy Spirit shapes mind and heart and divine power works with human effort to make a person complete in Christ and ready for good work.Lt 6a, 1893, par. 8–9+1 It is to be worked like a mine for hidden treasure and never left for human revealings or imaginings, for as spirit and life and incorruptible seed it brings the new birth and lasts forever while human flesh and glory fade, is preached in the gospel, gives eternal life in knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, and used as It is written defeats Satan.14MR 192.3–193.1 Those who receive truths concerning what is essential for salvation are to share them with others, laying the charge to preach the word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine, because the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts heap to themselves teachers having itching ears.FE 408.1+1

Perfection requires discipline and training in the school of Christ to make the man of God perfect in character and fully equipped for every good work.Ms 97, 1893, par. 9–10 This world is God's workshop where every stone to be used in the heavenly temple must be hewed and polished until fitted for its place.Ms 97, 1893, par. 9–10 Those who are defective in character, conduct, habits, and practices must therefore heed counsel and advice and accept reproof and correction.Ms 97, 1893, par. 9–10 Christ commits to human under-shepherds the work of setting things in order under His direction through thorough preaching of the Word and personal labor watching for souls, and refusal to be trained and disciplined leaves one as an unpolished stone cast aside at last as useless.Ms 97, 1893, par. 9–10

All Scripture is inspired by God and gives the knowledge needed for salvation as an authoritative, infallible revelation of God's will and His whole will for people.GC88 d.6+2 It stands as the standard of character, the revealer of doctrine, and the test of religious experience.GC88 d.6+1 It is a sufficient, perfect rule of faith and practice, a guide and counselor for life that equips people for every circumstance and every good work.ST Jul 30, 1902+3 It is profitable for teaching truth, exposing and rebuking error, correcting wrong conduct, and training in right living, so that the man of God may become complete and perfect.GC88 d.6+4 Those who represent God are therefore to hold to what He has already given, practice its lessons, and live in a way that gains His approval, instead of seeking new and strange doctrines or prying into the mysteries of the future life.RH Apr 26, 1906+1

Every doctrine and religious claim must be tested by Scripture, including every claim to inspiration.GC 249.1+3 No pope, council, church father, king, or civil authority has the right to control the conscience in religious matters against it.GC 249.1+1 To accept no doctrine that does not rest on the authority of Scripture stood at the foundation of the Reformation and opposed papal claims to authority.GC88 125.2 True Christianity receives the Word of God as its treasure of inspired truth, rather than setting it aside in favor of human reason, imagination, papal claims, or imagined inspiration.GC88 193.3+1 Scripture therefore keeps its authority in the church and must not be displaced or suppressed by human religious power, but its truths that expose error are to be taught and followed.4SP 87.1–88.1

Scripture plainly reveals the way of salvation and every duty, making people wise unto salvation and preparing them for eternal life and good works.FE 390.3+1 Its truths needed for salvation are clear to ordinary people, not to ministers alone, and its lessons and duties are comprehensible without tradition, human teaching, or religious authorities supplying the light needed to understand them.FE 390.3+2 It is the oracles of God, addressed as directly to each reader as the voice of God speaking from heaven, and must be received as the rule of life, without which there is no hope of reform.ST Jun 7, 1883 It must be gained by personal study in humility and faith, with unwavering confidence in its supreme authority and with earnest prayer for the aid of the same Spirit who inspired it, because that aid is indispensable to understanding its teachings and discerning spiritual things.ST Jun 7, 1883 When studied in this way it exerts a molding influence on the mental and moral powers, quickening and ennobling the intellect, purifying the soul, shaping the whole character by humbling pride and teaching justice, purity, kindness, and compassion, and erecting a mighty barrier against iniquity.ST Jun 7, 1883+1

God's Word is the all-sufficient, unerring rule for faith and practice and the sure guide for identifying error and falsehood.GC88 186.1–2 Replacing it with changeable feelings or personal impressions rejects that standard and opens the way for Satan to control minds.GC88 186.1–2 People lose their way when they follow their own judgment instead of God's revealed will.RH Jun 11, 1908 Scripture must not be judged by human science, feelings, impressions, speculation, or critical reconstruction, and the Bible is plain and clear so that all who are willing may understand it.2MR 192.2 The Old and New Testaments sustain a close relation to each other, and studying both provides further evidence that they have one divine Author.2MR 192.2

The Bible needs no tradition or human teaching to make it clear or to save readers from error.FE 390.3 Mixed with human inventions, it is no longer a safe guide, but remains the reliable guide for faith and conduct when kept pure.Lt 4, 1893, par. 9–11 In preaching, its effect is weakened when its profitable truths for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness are mixed with unrelated thoughts or matters that distract from the subject, and what has no bearing on the subject should be left out.STMW7 43.1+1 God's representatives must preach the Word and give people that profitable teaching rather than treating truth in a humorous style, cultivating tact to rightly divide the Word and give every person on every occasion his portion in due season, and not shunning to declare the whole truth of God even when it will not please the hearers.Ms 27, 1888, par. 3 Even matter designed as reproof should not be named when it has no bearing on the solemn sacred truth under consideration, and profit comes when Christ is kept uplifted and the mind is concentrated on only a few vital points with real connection to the text.Lt 94, 1896, par. 2–4

God's written word gives a fuller revelation of Him than nature can provide.ED 16.3 Nature still speaks of its Creator, but sin has made its testimony partial, and fallen people, with weakened powers and limited vision, cannot interpret it rightly.ED 16.3 Scripture is God's holy word and a sure guide to the way of life and salvation, clearly setting out the plan of salvation and God's claims and distinguishing sacred truth from false teaching.ST Dec 14, 1882 It is given to be counselor in all difficulties and guide in all the relations of life, reigning supreme in heart, home, and business, stamping thought, word, and deed with its divine impress, and to those who obey it is the tree of life possessing the elements necessary for the formation of a perfect character.ST Oct 3, 1900 Understanding and obeying Scripture bears on eternal destiny, so that destiny for eternity depends on the effect its teaching produces, and believers must search it carefully and prayerfully to learn and do God's will.ST Dec 14, 1882+1 It points to eternal life, prepares people to answer for their hope, and gives them strength and firmness in spiritual conflict, and the Bible will be the standard by which people are judged in the last day, so neglecting it leaves them unprepared.SG4 178.3

Scripture interprets itself, with one passage unlocking another, so related texts on the same subject must be brought together and examined from every side until their true meaning and harmony appear.FE 187.2+3 This comparing of passage with passage reveals connected truth that quick reading misses, and it recovers truths buried under superstition and error.CE 100.2+3 Nothing contrary may be added to what is thus found, for Scripture so understood is clear in all things necessary and is the rule by which doctrine is judged.GC 202.3–203.2 Its spiritual riches are often hidden and call for mental effort and prayerful study, with God's Spirit impressing the mind with light, enlarging thought and giving wisdom leading to salvation.CE 100.2+2

Superficial knowledge is not enough, for the full meaning of the words of truth must be learned and the spirit of the Scriptures deeply drunk in.MYP 283.3+2 Reading a set number of chapters daily or memorizing a set amount without careful thought about the meaning profits little, and merely repeating words gives no positive instruction.ST May 1, 1907+1 Each statement calls for thoughtful attention, with the mind fixed on one passage until its significance is clear and its relation to the plan of salvation is evident, which is of more value than reading many chapters with no definite purpose.CE 100.2+2 The Word must be studied verse by verse with will to comprehend and patient digging like a miner for hidden ore, sinking the shaft deep rather than meeting it with indifference.Lt 122, 1896, par. 17–18

Study is to be diligent, earnest, reverent and thorough, searching the Bible for oneself alone before God with prayer for an understanding heart.CE 115.1+2 It deserves the highest claim to reverent attention above all other books, to be read daily and bound to the heart, sanctifying and uplifting the mind and pointing the way to eternal life and a higher, holier life.CT 139.3+2 The Word is to be put before the sciences and before temporal interests and pleasures, with at least as much earnest study as the sciences receive, because it contains what is essential to make the person of God complete and to make wise for eternal life.CE 115.1+3 Such thorough furnishing with Bible truth enables adults and children to expose views conflicting with God's word, to stand unmoved by every new doctrine in the perils of the last days, to know why they believe, to love God and His truth, to choose obedience when tested, to testify of Christ in whom all hope of everlasting life centers, to imitate His spotless life, and to give an answer for their hope with meekness and fear.ST Mar 6, 1879 Neglect deforms character and makes words and acts a reproach to Christ's cause, while faithful disciples become able to give an intelligent explanation of the Word as a lamp to the feet, parents make it their constant guide with their children instead of pleading trifling excuses, and every professor religiously heeds the injunction to search the Scriptures.ST Oct 30, 1884+1

The Holy Spirit who inspired the Word is its only interpreter and must guide the reader for it to be understood savingly.GC88 93.1+3 That aid is indispensable, for He flashes heavenly truth into mind and heart, rescues truth from error, opens rich hidden passages, discerns deep truths, and makes hearts receptive.Lt 122, 1896, par. 17–18+1 Therefore Scripture must be received with unwavering confidence in its supreme authority as the oracles of God addressed as directly to each reader as the voice from heaven, and studied in humility and faith with a humble, meek, lowly heart, asking wisdom of God and setting aside preconceived theories, prior ideas, human maxims and sinful practices.Lt 122, 1896, par. 17–18+1 So studied with earnest prayer, it exerts a molding influence on mental and moral powers, quickening and ennobling the intellect, purifying the soul, erecting a mighty barrier against iniquity, and becoming springs of heavenly comfort when appreciated and obeyed.Lt 122, 1896, par. 17–18+1

Apparent mysteries do not mean God intends to conceal truth, but reflect human weakness or ignorance.ST Apr 25, 1906+1 Earnest seekers may understand even difficult portions as far as capacity allows, with truths coming into ever fuller view and giving new strength and life to mind and heart, while neglecting those portions risks missing important truths.ST Apr 25, 1906+1

The surrounding verses bind this study to continuing in what has been learned and firmly assured, remembering trusted teachers and knowledge of the holy Scriptures from childhood.Ms 130, 1906, par. 39+2 Those Scriptures make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ and, with this verse and the next, make God's worker mature, complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.Ms 149, 1907, par. 10–13+3 Believers are therefore to remain grounded and faithful amid increasing deception, evil, false teaching and intolerance of sound doctrine, carefully studying and heeding this counsel and cooperating with messengers of truth as judgments cause thinking people to pause and the warning of Christ's soon coming is proclaimed.Ms 130, 1906, par. 39+3

All Scripture makes people wise for salvation through faith in Christ, makes the way of eternal happiness plain, holds the whole will of God and the science of salvation, and points to Christ as complete Saviour, pattern, and source of life and power.FE 444.3+4 Fully received and studied as God's voice it shows how to gain heaven's treasures, equips for every good work, and gives the knowledge needed for salvation as authoritative revelation of God's will.FE 444.3+2 No knowledge from other books can take its place or make wise for salvation, and its riches must be searched for oneself with priority over worldly interests and pleasures because it makes wise for eternal life.FE 444.3+2 Its use stands connected with continuing in learned truth despite deception, remembering trusted teachers, and knowing the holy Scriptures from childhood.Ms 130, 1906, par. 39+1

Received as counselor in all difficulties and guide in all relations of life, Scripture is to reign supreme in heart, home, and business, companioning the soul when alone and unseen, holding it continually under control, and stamping thought, word, and deed with divine impress.ST Feb 3, 1904+2 Taken personally as food is taken for physical nourishment and made part of life, it is the source of spiritual life and power, strengthens character and intellect, elevates thought, gives vigor to the faculties, and guards against sin.ST Feb 3, 1904+3 Lived out through Christ's grace and received into the character in faith, it forms fitness for immortal life, companionship with angels, and completeness in Christ, purifies the heart, and makes more like Christ.Ms 22, 1895, par. 4–7+2

Its truths educate mind and heart, strengthen and enlarge thought, teach the use of abilities, and bring firm, far-reaching knowledge of God and Christ, joy, peace, heavenly wisdom, and understanding of God and his character.FE 393.1–2+4 Earnest study brings its truths into ever fuller view and gives new strength and life to mind and heart, develops breadth of mind and nobility of character, and softens and purifies the heart while strengthening the mind.ST Apr 25, 1906+2 Apparent mysteries reflect human weakness or ignorance rather than God's intent to conceal, for its truths are meant to be understood as far as human capacity allows through thoughtful, patient, prayerful study with passages compared and the Spirit impressing the mind.ST Apr 25, 1906+1 Through knowing and following God's word people can rise from ignorance and degradation to become God's children, learn humility and dependence on God's help, and grow in the gift of life in Christ with duty made plain and clear as light guiding in safe paths.Lt 76, 1900, par. 5–8+1

It equips as an armory for spiritual conflict, exposing and condemning sin, overthrowing strongholds, distinguishing truth from error, and protecting against Satan's deceptions, fables, foolish theories, and false teaching in the perils of the last days.Ms 21, 1901, par. 2–3+4 God has provided in it abundant means for successful warfare against evil in the world, with loins girt about with truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit which is the word of God to cut through obstructions and entanglements of sin.RH Sep 15, 1910+1 Diligent, thorough study so furnishes adults and children with Bible truth that they can show the falsity of views conflicting with God's word, will not be moved by every new doctrine, understand why they believe, learn to love God and his truth, and choose to obey God rather than yield to the world when the test comes.ST Mar 6, 1879+1 A mind open to its sanctifying truths will not be misled, but becomes firm in the word that testifies of Christ in whom all hopes of everlasting life are centered, obtains knowledge of Christ to imitate his spotless life, and is ready always to give a reason for the hope within with meekness and fear.ST Mar 6, 1879+2

Ministers are charged before God and Christ as judge of the living and the dead at his appearing and kingdom to preach the Word in season and out of season with reproof, rebuke, and exhortation in patience and teaching, staying alert, enduring hardship, and fully carrying out gospel ministry.Ms 89, 1898, par. 25–27+2 Preaching means truth as it is in Jesus with Christ and him crucified as the burden to all nations, bringing every sinner into direct communication with Christ and interposing nothing between soul and Saviour, rather than sophistry, fables, pleasing devices, carnal lines to attract people, or working for means to flow into the treasury.Ms 89, 1898, par. 25–27+1 It authorizes plain faithful dealing so wrong is called by its right name, sin is not excused as righteousness, and order is kept in the church, because the time comes when people will not tolerate healthy teaching but follow their own desires, gather teachers to please themselves, and turn from truth to fables.Ms 89, 1898, par. 25–27+2 Quick discernment in the Scriptures is a rare treasure to be used to impart received light and bring souls to Jesus, for light not improved will be taken away, and leaving God-given Scripture ministry for self-chosen projects brings failure and lacks God's approval.Lt 94, 1892, par. 12–13+1

Scripture supplies faithful admonitions and fitting lessons for personal visiting and house-to-house labor among families, to be chosen to meet need and presented in Christ's spirit and love for souls for whom he died to win hearts, rather than devoting too much time only to preaching to churches.Ms 76, 1893, par. 1–6+2 By using the words of the living oracles rather than his own words to give counsel, cautions, warnings, and reproof, the gospel minister becomes skillful in administering the Word.Ms 76, 1893, par. 1–6 When acquainted with members and learning their difficulties, hindrances, and need for clearer light, Scripture supplies what each soul needs, giving rich experience, insight into real wants, a place in hearts, and strength as faithful shepherd and steward.Ms 76, 1893, par. 1–6+1 It supplies clear points of truth with reproofs, warnings, and encouragements to reach those strayed from God, to be used with earnest prayer for heavenly light and every available means to restore them from darkness and unbelief, for indifference incurs God's displeasure.3T 99.4

Scripture is the highest textbook and foundation for education in schools and homes, to be made central, diligently searched by children and youth, and trusted above learned authors, human methods, mere worldly science, and frivolous stories.FE 444.3+4 Searching it strengthens the intellect while angels stand close beside the searcher, whereas filling the mind with frivolous stories cheapens thought and keeps the mind from conversion to love for God's word.Lt 32a, 1910, par. 18–22 Those guided by the Holy Spirit direct education to God through the Scriptures rather than exalting human teachers and writings, seeking a Thus saith the Lord, for a mind trained only in worldly science cannot see the deep things of God.Lt 85a, 1899, par. 4–5+1 A mind converted, sanctified, and cleansed by the Spirit sees divine power there, becomes open to teaching, judges rightly the deep things given by the Holy Spirit, and finds the ordinary means of grace made effective.Lt 242, 1903, par. 15–17 Its instruction is especially suited to Christian physicians and nurses and to mothers, medical workers, and all callings, serving as test of character that reveals spiritual disease and prescribes its infallible remedy with guidance for every circumstance promoting health of mind and body when received in faith and practiced.Lt 42, 1907, par. 9–12

The verse calls believers in the present time to wake out of lethargic slumber, trim lamps with grace, let them shine in clear bright rays to a dark world, and do the great work of fitting up a people to stand in the day of the Lord.RH Dec 20, 1906+2 In a time of special blessing when the Word is presented in evangelistic effort and judgments cause thinking people to pause with warning that Jesus is soon coming, the church must not remain self-satisfied, indifferent, backslidden, and uninfluenced, but awake, search the heart by light of the Word, confess and repent discovered sin, be in harmony, clear the way, help with means, be on hand armed for service, pray and work for the lost, and labor with Christ in gratitude while cooperating with messengers of truth.RH Dec 20, 1906+1 Those long favored with present truth and knowing Scriptures from childhood must continue in things learned and assured, hold to what God has given and practice it for his approval, following Jesus sinless in thought, word, and deed as highest example, instead of seeking new strange doctrines or prying into mysteries of the future life.RH Apr 26, 1906+2

Its instruction governs daily conduct, for all Scripture must be carefully considered, laid to heart, studied, and carried out into daily life to form character, since keeping the ten commandments is impossible without regarding and obeying its truths.18MR 368.1–4+2 It is God speaking to the soul each day, whose teachings when lived out prepare for every duty and good work, so young people should study carefully, treasure truths in hearts, and let commands govern conduct.4T 441.1+1 It clearly presents salvation truths and instruction in righteousness as standard judging right and wrong, protecting the young from temptation and teaching them to honor God, serve others faithfully, and meet duties and trials with cheerfulness and courage.CT 438.1–2 It corrects reckless talking and trains in sober, circumspect words and acts, holy example, soul-winning, instant prayer, and constant watchfulness in the unceasing battle for life against Satan where armor must never be laid aside, including seeking counsel for marriage and choosing reading and companions.18MR 368.1–4+1

The chapter's teaching on persons accepting error forbids one mind exercising complete control over another mind.Lt 121, 1901, par. 15–16