That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The man of God is every believer who belongs to God and serves Him, especially the minister, and to be perfect is to be complete, mature, and fully fitted for service, thoroughly supplied and equipped for every right duty in every part of life. All Scripture is breathed out by God, a perfect and sufficient revelation of His will and the supreme infallible rule of faith and life by which every teaching is tested, plain in itself without needing human wisdom or tradition to make it understood. It makes complete through doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, making wise unto salvation through faith in Christ and shaping character, giving strength against evil and guarding against deception. This furnishing comes only by diligently searching the Scriptures daily and prayerfully, comparing passage with passage, with a humble heart taught by the Holy Spirit, and by receiving the Word into the heart and obeying it in daily conduct. So understood, the verse opens a path of continual advancement toward perfection of Christian character in this life, whose standard is Christlikeness and being perfect in one's sphere as God is perfect in His, shown in a pure, loving, obedient life and faithful ministry to others.
Words and Phrases
That the person belonging to God may be complete means mature and in good working order, fully prepared and fitted for service, not merely flawless in one's own estimation. Scripture brings this maturity through its teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, which shape character and conduct and expose error, and resisting that correction does not make it untrue. Neglecting such study leaves character deformed and brings reproach on the cause of Christ, so searching Scripture should be counted more important than excelling in other branches of knowledge, and it qualifies believers to explain the word intelligently. Being in this working order is practical, involving sin confessed and repented of, drawing near to God, clearing the King's highway and helping with means, living in perfect harmony, being present at meetings armed and equipped for service and ready to speak with any interested person, praying daily and amid daily duties, working for lost sheep, drawing strength from Christ with deep gratitude, and laboring together with Him in sustaining evangelistic effort rather than remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, and backslidden. The same completeness opens a path of continual advancement toward perfection of Christian character, whose ideal and standard is Christlikeness — becoming good, pure, noble, and elevated — for as God is perfect in His high sphere of action, man may be perfect in his human sphere. That ideal is higher than the highest human thought can reach, given in the holy law as a transcript of God's character and in the standard given by Jesus Christ, requiring continual striving and constant progress onward and upward.
The man of God is the believer who serves and belongs to God, including every believer and in a special sense the minister and shepherd of the flock. Continuing in the things learned and assured of from childhood in the holy Scriptures, which make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ, equips every believer to cooperate heartily in warning that Jesus is soon coming again. For the minister of the gospel the perfecting and furnishing come through visiting families under his watchcare, becoming acquainted with their real needs, difficulties, and spiritual hindrances, and ministering to those needing clearer light. In that pastoral labor he gives needed counsel, cautions, warnings, and reproof in the words of the living oracles rather than his own words, working as a faithful shepherd and steward, and by faithfully visiting and searching the Scriptures with people he gains entrance to their hearts and strength and power for duty. Being thus furnished qualifies him to do the full work of a true shepherd after convicting souls of the claims of God's law and teaching repentance toward God and faith in Christ, instead of excusing himself and leaving the finishing work to others, by disciplining himself to deal with minds and keeping a store of practical subjects investigated and entered into in spirit, to present plainly and forcibly at the right time and place, giving each a portion in due season and feeding the flock with food that gives spiritual strength and health. The same readiness is tested in family life, where tenderness, love, gentleness, patience, and courtesy, and well-ordered household management, show fitness to lead others and win souls.
To be thoroughly furnished is to be completely supplied and equipped for action, fully received and studied as God's voice teaching the way to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures. That equipment comes as the meaning of Scripture is sought thoroughly rather than superficially, with earnest attention to the full meaning of words and with related passages compared to explain one another. It is pictured as armor for successful warfare against the evil in the world, the Bible being the armory where provision is made for the struggle. In that picture loins are girt about with truth, righteousness is the breastplate, faith the shield, salvation the helmet, and the word of God the sword of the Spirit with which to cut through the obstructions and entanglements of sin. So equipped, with truth rejoicing, purifying, and ennobling the life, joined with prayer and faith and with living faith accepting Christ as righteousness, the Word becomes the weapon for gaining access to hearts dead in trespasses and sins, profitable for all things and effecting a sound and solid work for God in the salvation of souls.
All good works means every good and right work and duty in every circumstance and stage of life, for people of every age, in heart, home, labor, and conduct, in small and great duties alike. The Bible teaches the whole duty and the whole will of God, laying out with distinctness the duties and obligations of old and young, so that when the heart is pure and godliness dwells within it is seen in life, conversation, and all dealings with others in doing what Christ says, every action shining with holy luster and clothed with power through Christ's presence as the source of light and power. Its clear truths correct wrong traits, humble pride, shape inward character and outward conduct, and teach justice, purity, kindness, and compassion, while those who follow their own judgment instead of God's revealed will turn away from its guidance. By earnest study duty is made plain and clear and the safe path shown, negligence that loses the waymarks is exposed, and its precepts treasured in heart and mind govern the whole life now and prepare for the future life. Its meaning is plain in itself without needing human interpretation, which confuses the mind and sets aside God's commandments for human traditions and maxims, and its words, with Christ's words running through as threads of gold binding the whole as a complete system of truth of which Christ is the living center, remain a pleasant and profitable study for the young with help, comfort, and instruction for a lifetime. If made the guide of life its teachings lead the soul upward, elevate the mind, improve the character, and give peace and joy to the heart, and increased knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ gained from it brings increased faith, confidence, obedience, and assurance of Christ's love.
Timothy's Setting
Paul's charge to continue in what had been learned and firmly held points to the holy writings known from childhood, which impart wisdom leading to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Timothy had learned those Scriptures from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice and put their lessons into practice, so that they exerted a moral and religious influence in shaping his character. Continuing in them means treasuring them as a rare and valuable treasure, growing in quick discernment of their meaning, sharing with others the light graciously received, and staying in the God-appointed work of bringing many souls to Jesus. That same continuing equips every believer to cooperate heartily with those proclaiming that Jesus is soon coming again when judgments cause thinking men and women to pause, and it includes the missionary work of watching for souls as one who must give account, even taking up the unwelcome task of seeing defects in the church and plainly pointing them out.
The promise of being made complete and fully equipped for every good work belongs to remaining faithful amid growing deception, departure from the faith, persecution, and the perils of the last days. In such a time believers are to remain in the Scriptures they have learned rather than depend on other people for guidance, seeking God's counsel through them as a sufficient source of instruction for those responsible for their work. They are not to seek new and strange doctrines or pry into the mysteries of the future life, but to make this present life such as God can approve by practicing the lessons He has given, with perfection seen in Jesus who was sinless in thought, word, and deed and who calls for self-denial, cross-bearing, and following Him. Those given precious light on the Scriptures receive wisdom and grace as they seek God for the special work of opening the Scriptures to the people, and God makes their trials a means of glorifying His name by using them to perfect in them the work of His grace and not giving them up to become the sport of enemies.
Daniel and his companions illustrate this setting, for they had only the Old Testament, which they treated as the foundation for building character and as an authority requiring obedience. As they studied it God gave them wisdom, and its teaching, correction, and instruction in righteousness made clear the whole duty of people of every age. Bible education that gives children a firm understanding of the reasons for their faith, helps them understand the Scriptures for themselves, prepares them for positions of trust, and strengthens them against temptation can likewise prepare them for important responsibilities, as Daniel's God-given wisdom and understanding prepared him to serve faithfully as a statesman in Babylon.
One description in the chapter of people who accept error applies to the exercise of complete control by one mind over another in mind-cure.
Nature of Scripture
All Scripture is given by divine inspiration, the voice of God speaking to the soul, written by holy men taught by the Holy Spirit both what to record and in what words, and no portion is to be treated as less inspired or set aside. Its plain declarations are the authority to consult directly, teaching, exposing error, correcting conduct and training in righteousness so that God's servant is made complete and fully equipped for every good work, and those responsible for their work should seek God's counsel through it rather than depend on other people for guidance. Studied rather than merely read, the Word supplies the knowledge and guidance needed in every circumstance, teaches people to use their God-given abilities, directs them to obey God, and received personally and made part of character and action it is the source of spiritual life and strength that sustains the Christian life. It grounds the minister's work of preaching the gospel and gives Scripture as the means by which that work is carried out.
The Bible is a perfect revelation of God's will and a perfect, sufficient, infallible rule of faith, practice, doctrine and life, the supreme divine authority and detector of error by which every teaching, claim of inspiration and controversy is to be tested. It is given as guide and counselor to make the man of God perfect and thoroughly equipped for every good work, teaching the whole will of God concerning us and giving exactly what is needed in all circumstances in which we may be placed. The perfection it aims at is seen in Jesus, who was sinless in thought, word and deed and calls for self-denial, cross-bearing and following Him, so that those who represent God in the world make this present life such as God can approve by practicing the lessons God has given, rather than seeking new and strange doctrines or prying into the mysteries of the future life. It serves as a standard for character and a guide for doctrine and experience, giving the members of His family directions for keeping the heart with all diligence, and through studying it each person is to learn duty, with the Holy Spirit as its interpreter. So studied, not merely read, it furnishes a storehouse of knowledge that enables improvement of every God-given endowment, teaches obligation to use the faculties given, and by its precepts guides to obedience to God's requirements.
Scripture contains everything essential and all necessary information for salvation and duty, teaching the whole will of God concerning the sons and daughters of Adam, the science of salvation, and exactly what is needed in all circumstances, with Christ as its living center binding it as a complete system of truth. Searching it makes people wise unto eternal life, enlightens about how to receive the crown of life and enter the joy of the Lord, and is sufficient preparation for eternal life. It is the great lesson book and rule of life teaching the character to be formed for future immortal life, making plain every duty and making every lesson comprehensible to fit men for eternal life and to make men and women and youth wise unto salvation, revealing the Father and the Son through the gift of Christ and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. It is like a treasure house to become the important book in schools and homes, where children are taught to search the Scriptures for doctrine, reproof and instruction in righteousness instead of filling the mind with false theories about education and frivolous stories that cheapen thought and prevent conversion to love of God's Word. Searching and studying the Word gives strength of intellect and gives light and understanding to the simple, with angels of God close beside the searcher, and appreciating the Word requires praying for the advancement of truth and then working for it from sincere hearts, using the means God has provided rather than expecting miracles where means exist. Faith and practice make believers living epistles known and read of all men.
Its light is plain in itself like the noonday sun and does not need human wisdom, tradition, priests, councils, popes, church fathers, kings, worldly science or other books to make it comprehensible. It gives light by itself without needing the dim light of tradition and custom, the glimmer of earthly torchlight beside the noonday sun, or the fables and utterances of priests and ministers to save the student from error, so the divine Oracle is to be consulted and the Scriptures searched as the counsel of God. Fully received and studied as God's voice, the Bible teaches the way to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures and makes people wise unto salvation, unlike human writings and ideas that cannot make wise unto salvation and can dilute and mislead. Human words, however great, cannot make a person perfect and thoroughly equipped for every good work, and understanding Scripture's spiritual truths requires the light of the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is inspired truth for spiritual food, not fiction, containing the whole will of God and the science of salvation including the gift of life in Christ Jesus, and by earnest study duty is made plain and clear, the safe path is shown, and negligence that loses the waymarks is exposed. Its meaning is plain in itself without needing human interpretation, which confuses the mind and sets aside God's commandments for human traditions and maxims, and its precepts are to be treasured in heart and mind to govern the whole life now and prepare for the future life, while increased knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ gained from it brings increased faith, confidence, obedience and assurance of Christ's love.
Both Old and New Testaments are profitable and to be studied, the Old Testament no less than the New deserving study, since every part of Scripture is inspired by God. Its mysteries come from human weakness and ignorance, not from God's intent to conceal, for God intends its truths, including those difficult to grasp, to be understood and received as far as human minds and capacity allow. Its meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared and used to explain one another, comparing passages on the same subject and comparing one text with clearer texts, through which its teaching, correction and instruction in righteousness equip the man of God to be complete and fully prepared for every good work.
How Scripture Equips
Scripture makes the person of God complete and ready for every good work through its usefulness for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Fully received and studied as God's voice, it contains everything essential and all necessary information for this completeness, teaching the way to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures. Its meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared and used to explain one another, and this calls for seeking thorough knowledge of its full meaning rather than settling for superficial knowledge. Together with the preceding verses on inspiration and wisdom unto salvation, it shows that searching the Word makes people wise unto eternal life, unlike human writings that cannot do so.
It makes people wise unto salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus, especially in days of growing deception and departure from the faith where continuing in the Scriptures provides the instruction needed for faithful Christian life and work. Received and studied as God's word, it gives instruction that leads to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures, which worldly learning cannot replace. It is the great lesson book teaching the whole will of God concerning the sons and daughters of Adam, the rule of life teaching the character to be formed for future immortal life, making plain every duty and making every lesson comprehensible to fit men for eternal life. It makes men and women and youth wise unto salvation with the science of salvation plainly revealed, revealing the Father and the Son through the gift of Christ and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, giving light by itself without needing tradition and custom, earthly torchlight beside the noonday sun, or fables and utterances of priests and ministers to save from error or to make it comprehensible. So the divine Oracle is to be consulted and the Scriptures searched as the counsel of God and the voice of God speaking to the soul, with faith and practice making believers living epistles known and read of all men.
Its teaching, correction, and instruction in righteousness shape character and conduct, and neglecting it leaves character deformed and brings reproach on Christ's cause. Received as God's voice and lived out through Christ's grace, it strengthens and expands the mind, humbles pride, guides in what God approves, and forms a character fitted for immortal life affecting eternal destiny. Its instruction diagnoses spiritual diseases and provides a remedy for every spiritual ailment, its commands benefiting both mind and body when received in faith and faithfully practiced, applying to every circumstance and condition including the work of sanitarium physicians and nurses who need to study it deeply. Its teaching is to be learned each day by teachers and students, taught to children and students, received into the heart and practiced, correcting wrong traits and teaching justice, purity, kindness, compassion, conversion and obedience, and keeping Christ before students in this way is like eating from the tree of life. Studying Scripture in this way is to be treated as more important than excelling in other fields of knowledge, and equips believers to explain God's word intelligently.
God's Word received personally and made part of character and actions is the source of spiritual life, strength, and power that sustains and strengthens the Christian life and experience. Thorough study of and obedience to the Word fully equips for every good work and especially fortifies to meet the wily foe in an emergency, following Christ who overcame Satan by repelling him with Scripture alone when He could have used His own divine power, leaving a useful example showing how to overcome. The Bible is the armory where provision is made to equip for successful warfare against the evil that is in the world, so that to be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works means to have loins girt about with truth, righteousness for a breastplate, faith for a shield, salvation for a helmet, and the word of God as the sword of the Spirit with which to cut through the obstructions and entanglements of sin. Its instruction is therefore to be obeyed, not merely heard, for searching Scripture opens its truths to understanding, strengthens hope through its promises, kindles the heart, guards against deception, delusion, speculation and false doctrine, and holds up a high ideal for a minister of Christ by pointing out the duties devolving on him. Its teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness make the Word essential for Christian workers, who can be caught in sin when they neglect to study it.
Studying to Be Equipped
Being made complete and fully equipped for every good work comes through the inspired Scriptures that make wise unto salvation, and it calls for seeking thorough knowledge of their full meaning rather than settling for superficial knowledge. The Bible has the highest claim to reverent attention, and the importance of seeking a thorough knowledge of it can hardly be estimated. Daily study has a sanctifying, uplifting influence on the mind, binds the Word to the heart as friend and guide in perplexity, makes it the rule of life and the guide to a higher, holier life, and opens the highest source of wisdom. Old and young, especially the young, must not neglect it for other books and idle stories but must give it time every day, must not rest with superficial knowledge but must learn the full meaning of the words of truth and drink deep of the spirit of the holy oracles. Thoughtful attention to how one passage bears on another reveals deeper meaning and wisdom for salvation, for meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared and used to explain one another.
Thorough, diligent study makes complete and thoroughly furnished, filling with Bible truth so as to show the falsity of views that conflict with the Word in the perils of the last days, not be moved by every new doctrine, understand why one believes as one does, learn to love God and His truth, imitate the life and character of Christ, choose to obey God rather than yield to the world when the test comes, and be ready always to give an answer for hope with meekness and fear. Parents, youth, and little children all need this furnishing through earnest study and thoroughness in Sabbath-school lessons. Careful, patient, prayerful searching and comparing related passages makes truths understood and retained, brings the mind under the influence of the Spirit, and prepares for useful service, while neglecting Scripture for light reading leaves a person not thoroughly furnished for good works. Casual, mechanical reading and memorizing are not enough; the Word must be searched diligently, prayerfully, and daily with earnest attention, digging deep as for hidden treasure.
Understanding its spiritual truths requires the light of the Holy Spirit, for human words however great cannot make perfect and thoroughly equipped. Its truth must be planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit, reclaiming from sin and keeping steadfast on the path to glory through teaching, correction, and training in righteousness. Its teachings must be understood with a sincere heart and practiced willingly, as the whole mind and heart are molded by the Holy Spirit and divine power works together with human effort to prepare for service. Only a mind converted, sanctified, and cleansed by the Spirit can see divine power in the Word and discern its heavenly deep things, seeking a Thus saith the Lord for divine direction instead of human methods and mere worldly science. Judgment not perverted by false principles or long practice of false principles will discern the deep things given by the Spirit, the heart will be made open to teaching, and the leadings of the Spirit through the Word become the guide.
Personal searching of all inspired Scripture through doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction gains knowledge of a personal, abiding Saviour, so that experience rests on the living Word and not on feeling. The more the Word is studied the more it takes possession of the mind and opens the divine purpose more deeply, enabling help to others and, by appropriating its precious promises, finding help and assurance with light shining brighter and brighter unto the perfect day in knowing Him whose going forth is prepared as the morning. This furnishing includes knowledge gained by study and put into practical life. The Bible is the reliable textbook for teaching and conduct, and its instructions are to be read, understood, and practiced rather than replaced by uncertain claims of revelation.
God's Word gives light and understanding, so it must be searched, received, and obeyed rather than neglected or replaced with fables. It must be carefully studied, taken to heart, and followed in daily life so that it shapes character and equips to live by God's commandments. Received and studied as God's voice and lived out through grace, it strengthens and shapes mind and character, preparing for eternal life. Taken to heart, obeyed, and practiced in daily conduct rather than merely heard or repeated as theory, it renews character, brings safety, and makes believers living lights and examples.
Such earnest study fills the mind with truth and proof of doctrine, enabling showing the falsity of conflicting views, giving an intelligent reason for hope with meekness, meeting unbelief and opposition, and standing when tested. Careful study, especially in Sabbath school during youth, provides the knowledge needed to be thoroughly equipped with proof of doctrines taught in the Word. Daily study thoroughly furnishes unto every good work, and obedience is not drudgery but brings happiness and true pleasure with refining, elevating power on character. Daily study of the words of life strengthens the intellect, furnishes knowledge of the grand and glorious works of God in nature, and gives through the Scriptures correct knowledge of how to live to enjoy the greatest amount of unalloyed happiness. The student is furnished with Scripture arguments to meet the doubts of unbelievers and remove them by clear light of truth, is fortified against the temptations of Satan, and is prepared to give to every one that asks a reason of the hope within.
Equipped for Ministry
The verse means that Scripture fully equips the minister for every good work by making him skillful in personal pastoral labor, and that perfecting comes through visiting families under his watchcare, becoming acquainted with their real needs, difficulties and spiritual hindrances, and ministering to those who need clearer light. It enables him to give needed counsel, cautions, warnings, faithful admonitions and reproof in the words of the living oracles rather than his own words, presenting appropriate and applicable lessons that each case needs, kindly teaching how to apply them. This is done in the Spirit of Christ with a heart aglow with His love and with love for souls for whom He died, working in Christ's lines as a faithful shepherd and steward, winning hearts and gaining a home in their hearts with strength and power for duty. Such equipping does not come by preaching to churches alone but by wise and experienced workmen entering families house to house, conversing about spiritual advancement, organizing companies to seek lost souls, awakening the missionary spirit, and giving each member some labor to perform as laborers together with God. Being furnished from inspired Scripture also means studying and knowing its practical subjects well enough to correct disorder, preserve unity, and present the right spiritual food plainly and forcefully at the time and place people need it, nourishing the flock and building up the cause.
Preaching that fulfills the verse gives what is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, with tact in rightly dividing the Word of truth and giving each person the fitting portion of spiritual food at the right time on every occasion. It presents the matter intelligently in simple, plain, forcible language so the weakest and most unlearned can comprehend, so that no one coming to the Lord in humility, truth and unfeigned sincerity ever seeks Him in vain. It forbids setting intricate subjects aside as better left alone and requires declaring the whole truth of God without reserve or holding it back because hearers will not like it, including the origin of evil and its results, the redemption of the fallen race made possible by Christ giving His own life, and Christ and immortality brought to light, against Satan seeking to confuse minds and counterwork the work of God. Treating truth in a humorous style fails this purpose, and being so furnished qualifies the true shepherd to complete the work after convicting souls of the claims of the law and teaching repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, instead of excusing himself and leaving that finishing burden for others. This requires disciplining himself to deal with minds, studying to have a store of investigated practical subjects he can enter into the spirit of, feeding the flock with proper food that gives spiritual strength and health instead of presenting an argumentative subject when spiritual food is needed, using wisely the material God’s Word supplies rather than building with worthless materials that make labor vain and to be burned, and depending wholly on God and remaining open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance to present truth suited to those before him rather than relying on rigid, prearranged sermons.
Readiness for every good work includes dignified conduct in the pulpit with appropriate posture, gestures, dress, decorum, refined and dignified bearing, and solemn, carefully chosen speech. It avoids coarse or irreverent expressions, amusing anecdotes, jokes meant to amuse, comic illustrations, sarcasm, and wordplay at an opponent’s expense. Voice and manners can be improved and should be cultivated. It also includes showing tenderness, love, gentleness, patience, and courtesy in family life, for managing a household well is a practical test of readiness to lead others and win souls to Christ.
Equipping for service extends to training youth and students in schools, Sabbath schools, and homes, for their minds need the Word for instruction to qualify in the few days of probation left for future eternal life, so they may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. This furnishing comes not from forms and ceremonies but from keeping the mind in pursuit of something tangible that can be taken into the higher grade, with the Bible as the highest and most important textbook in educating in practical Christianity to prepare them to serve God, bless others, work in churches, help bring people to Jesus, bear trust and responsibility, and resist temptation. It requires very simple teaching given line upon line and precept upon precept, fixing one verse in the mind, studying it prayerfully to understand thoroughly every word, then presenting it with reverent, earnest thought rather than skimming the surface, bringing simple plain ideas into contact with mind and heart. Scripture’s teaching is to be taught to children and students, received into the heart and practiced, keeping Christ before them as like eating from the tree of life, with careful, patient, prayerful searching and comparing related passages so truths are understood and retained, the mind brought under the Spirit’s influence and prepared for useful service. Careful study, especially in Sabbath school during youth, supplies proof of doctrines taught, enabling a faithful disciple to give an intelligent explanation of the word given to guide footsteps to the eternal shores, in contrast to whiled hours in amusement and worldly conversation that put God out of thought and heart and to exalting the temporal above the spiritual and eternal; parents must gain this furnishing themselves by disciplining their minds and becoming conversant with Scripture instead of pleading trifling excuses, so they can read with their children and teach them, for neglecting Scripture for light reading leaves a person not thoroughly furnished.
Those who teach must themselves believe the truth they present and experience its power, remaining humble and contrite before God. They must go to the Word for a Thus saith the Lord and leave human methods behind, seeking God’s counsel through inspired Scripture as a sufficient source of instruction for those responsible for their work rather than depending on other people, turning from finite men as weak as themselves to One infinite in wisdom, to the Fountainhead, instead of human ideas that dilute and mislead and instead of mere worldly science. Scripture teaches truth, exposes error, corrects faults, trains in right living, and makes complete, and only a mind converted, sanctified, and cleansed by the Spirit, with judgment not perverted by long practice of false principles, can see divine power in the Word and discern its heavenly deep things, with heart open to its teaching and with the leadings of the Holy Spirit through the Word as guide. Men of ability and talent are to look to God to be taught by Him and search the Scriptures, accepting discipline and conversion, depending on God, since the Just has suffered for the unjust and there is no excuse for turning away.
Perfection in Daily Life
The verse opens a path of continual advancement toward perfection of Christian character, with Christlikeness as its ideal and standard. That standard includes everything good and pure and noble and elevated, requiring continual striving and constant progress onward and upward. God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach, given in His holy law as a transcript of His character and in the standard given by Jesus Christ. As God is perfect in His high sphere of action, man may be perfect in his human sphere.
Perfection is attainable in this life through Christ's grace, and is shown in a pious, truthful, merciful, loving life that shines with holiness. Scripture is the perfect rule given as guide and counselor to make complete, and its perfection is seen in Jesus, who was sinless in thought, word, and deed and calls for self-denial, cross-bearing, and following Him. For those who represent God this means making this present life such as God can approve by practicing the lessons given, keeping thought and action pure amid confusion and temptation, rather than seeking new and strange doctrines or prying into the mysteries of the future life. When the heart is pure and godliness dwells within it is seen in the life, in conversation and in all dealings with others in doing what Christ says, with every action shining with holy luster and clothed with power because Christ, the source of light and power, is present. God has provided through the death of His Son for every soul to be thus equipped, so that believers shine as lights and reveal the gospel through character and service, with character fitted for immortal life. Its teaching supports the duty to improve abilities and religious experience rather than offer careless work to God, preparing for faithful service complete in Christ.
Being furnished is shown in confessing and repenting of sin, drawing near to God, clearing the King's highway and helping with means, being in perfect harmony, and being on hand at meetings armed and equipped for service and ready to talk with anyone interested. It means praying daily and while going about daily duties, working for the lost sheep, drawing strength from Christ with deepest gratitude, and laboring together with Him in sustaining a special evangelistic effort instead of remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, and backslidden while the Word is presented. Daily reading of the Bible furnishes by giving the correct standard of right and wrong and of moral principle, and fixed principles of truth from the Word are the only safeguard for youth and the best shield for the young exposed to temptation in associations in acquiring an education. This furnishing gives strong purpose and resolute will that close open doors to temptation and to influences unfavorable to Christian character, make earnest for the right, put honoring God first and faithfulness to humanity second in performing the duties each day brings and in meeting its trials and bearing its burdens with firmness, and with earnest and untiring effort, strong purpose, and whole trust in God qualify for a useful life in this world and give fitness for the immortal life. Loving the Scriptures and searching them when there is opportunity to come into possession of the rich treasure makes thoroughly furnished, and having this love for searching is assurance that Jesus is drawing the person to Himself. Merely reading in a casual way is not enough; the furnishing comes by seeking to comprehend the lesson of Christ in order to comply with His requirements, by sinking the shaft deep into the mine of truth to discover its rich treasures, for the Scriptures are given for benefit and instruction in righteousness. Diligent daily study deepens desire for spiritual truth, has a sanctifying influence on life, and serves as a faithful guide in perplexity, turning the mind from light reading that weakens spiritual exercise toward what is spiritually beneficial. The Bible teaches what nothing else can teach, holding treasures of sacred truth as the voice of God to man; made the rule of life and heeded when it speaks, it refines, elevates, and sanctifies and equips for every good work, yet it lies neglected while worthless literature and fictitious stories are greedily devoured. To be made perfect by the Word there must be reading and understanding and keeping its preciousness before the mind, recognizing and putting away everything that diverts from God's service, including story magazines, novels, cheap worthless literature and worthless productions in the home that are a power for evil to youth. Satan works with all ingenuity to spoil interest in the Word, to engross minds with things that close the door of the heart to eternal interests, to keep men and women and youth untouched by the messages of warning and invitation coming in these last days, and to hinder sanctification through belief of the truth.
The verse calls all churches at this time to wake out of lethargic slumber, trim lamps with the grace of God, and let them shine forth in clear, bright rays to a world in darkness. It sets the great work of bearing a message to fit up a people to stand in the day of the Lord by coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Being thoroughly furnished for every good work belongs with being hid in God, sanctified, and elevated in the solemn time in which we live. The Word fully prepares publishing workers for every line of missionary effort when trained in Bible lines, rooted and grounded in principles of truth, with minds molded by God and a personal connection with Christ and personal experience of His saving power. Through the communicated Word they receive practical ideas for working every part of the vineyard to bring the best returns and to keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment. A mother diligently studying the Word is equipped to train her children to resist evil and help develop in them the likeness of God, while seeking to reflect Christ in daily life and duties. Diligent study of God's Word prepares medical students for their other studies and qualifies medical missionaries to do their work, giving knowledge of lessons and strengthening memory. Physicians, mothers, and teachers are each thus made complete for their part.
History illustrates the furnishing, for Wycliffe's knowledge of Scripture and pure life demonstrated the truths he preached and put biblical teaching into practice. The Bible is a perfect revelation of God's will and a sufficient rule for faith and practice, through which each person is to learn duty, with the Holy Spirit as its interpreter. It is intended as a lesson-book for all people, from childhood through adulthood and for study throughout life, bringing into closer connection with the Creator and giving clearer knowledge of His will. The Waldenses taught children Scripture from an early age, and every truth discovered reveals more of God's character, with Scripture serving as communication between God and humanity. Witnesses in every age held the Bible as the only rule with faith in Christ as sole mediator and the true Sabbath, obeying God rather than human commands.
The verse belongs with studying God's plan of salvation rather than seeking wisdom in ideas that turn people from God. Its warnings and reproof carry the weight of God's Word, calling to listen to God's voice and heed counsel rather than setting correction aside when it conflicts with wishes. Rather than human theories and philosophical or theological speculation, Scripture gives the eternal truths set forth by prophets and apostles. It directs to the truths and reforms needed in the generation as the true authority for those teachings.
Scriptures and the messages God sends are given to perfect experience, and they are not to be measured by finite human ideas. That truth from the Lord is grand, beautiful, and harmonious. Judging inspired messages and deciding which part is from the Lord and which part is merely human judgment puts out spiritual eyesight, leaving blinded and deceived.
Knowing God the Creator and Christ the Redeemer as revealed in Scripture is true education, and Scripture is the perfect standard of truth to be given the highest place with the Bible as textbook. Sin has cut people off from direct communion with God, and weakened powers make them unable to interpret nature rightly; creation still bears witness to its Creator, but its testimony is partial and imperfect, so the written Word is needed as a fuller revelation. Prayerful study of God's Word above every other book gives knowledge of being accepted of God, convincing of sin, plainly revealing the way of salvation, bringing to view a bright and glorious reward, revealing a complete Saviour, and teaching that salvation can be expected only through His boundless mercy. Scripture provides what is needed to train the mind for holiness, usefulness, and happiness, and reveals God's character and moral perfection, which human authorities and other books cannot replace. The Bible contains what is needful for the soul's salvation, strengthens and disciplines the mind, and guides wisely in the affairs of life, so that studying divine things enriches the mind, humbles self, and exalts God and His truth. Learning what is true from God's Word and works strengthens the mind, purifies the heart, and helps become more like Jesus, with angels helping in understanding this truth. Such study strengthens intellect and memory and prepares learners for usefulness now and immortal life.
The man of God is every believer who belongs to God and serves Him, especially the minister, and to be perfect is to be complete, mature, and fully fitted for service, thoroughly supplied and equipped for every right duty in every part of life.
All Scripture is breathed out by God, a perfect and sufficient revelation of His will and the supreme infallible rule of faith and life by which every teaching is tested, plain in itself without needing human wisdom or tradition to make it understood.
It makes complete through doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, making wise unto salvation through faith in Christ and shaping character, giving strength against evil and guarding against deception.
This furnishing comes only by diligently searching the Scriptures daily and prayerfully, comparing passage with passage, with a humble heart taught by the Holy Spirit, and by receiving the Word into the heart and obeying it in daily conduct.
So understood, the verse opens a path of continual advancement toward perfection of Christian character in this life, whose standard is Christlikeness and being perfect in one's sphere as God is perfect in His, shown in a pure, loving, obedient life and faithful ministry to others.
Words and Phrases
That the person belonging to God may be complete means mature and in good working order, fully prepared and fitted for service, not merely flawless in one's own estimation. Scripture brings this maturity through its teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, which shape character and conduct and expose error, and resisting that correction does not make it untrue. Neglecting such study leaves character deformed and brings reproach on the cause of Christ, so searching Scripture should be counted more important than excelling in other branches of knowledge, and it qualifies believers to explain the word intelligently. Being in this working order is practical, involving sin confessed and repented of, drawing near to God, clearing the King's highway and helping with means, living in perfect harmony, being present at meetings armed and equipped for service and ready to speak with any interested person, praying daily and amid daily duties, working for lost sheep, drawing strength from Christ with deep gratitude, and laboring together with Him in sustaining evangelistic effort rather than remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, and backslidden. The same completeness opens a path of continual advancement toward perfection of Christian character, whose ideal and standard is Christlikeness — becoming good, pure, noble, and elevated — for as God is perfect in His high sphere of action, man may be perfect in his human sphere. That ideal is higher than the highest human thought can reach, given in the holy law as a transcript of God's character and in the standard given by Jesus Christ, requiring continual striving and constant progress onward and upward.
The man of God is the believer who serves and belongs to God, including every believer and in a special sense the minister and shepherd of the flock. Continuing in the things learned and assured of from childhood in the holy Scriptures, which make wise unto salvation through faith in Christ, equips every believer to cooperate heartily in warning that Jesus is soon coming again. For the minister of the gospel the perfecting and furnishing come through visiting families under his watchcare, becoming acquainted with their real needs, difficulties, and spiritual hindrances, and ministering to those needing clearer light. In that pastoral labor he gives needed counsel, cautions, warnings, and reproof in the words of the living oracles rather than his own words, working as a faithful shepherd and steward, and by faithfully visiting and searching the Scriptures with people he gains entrance to their hearts and strength and power for duty. Being thus furnished qualifies him to do the full work of a true shepherd after convicting souls of the claims of God's law and teaching repentance toward God and faith in Christ, instead of excusing himself and leaving the finishing work to others, by disciplining himself to deal with minds and keeping a store of practical subjects investigated and entered into in spirit, to present plainly and forcibly at the right time and place, giving each a portion in due season and feeding the flock with food that gives spiritual strength and health. The same readiness is tested in family life, where tenderness, love, gentleness, patience, and courtesy, and well-ordered household management, show fitness to lead others and win souls.
To be thoroughly furnished is to be completely supplied and equipped for action, fully received and studied as God's voice teaching the way to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures. That equipment comes as the meaning of Scripture is sought thoroughly rather than superficially, with earnest attention to the full meaning of words and with related passages compared to explain one another. It is pictured as armor for successful warfare against the evil in the world, the Bible being the armory where provision is made for the struggle. In that picture loins are girt about with truth, righteousness is the breastplate, faith the shield, salvation the helmet, and the word of God the sword of the Spirit with which to cut through the obstructions and entanglements of sin. So equipped, with truth rejoicing, purifying, and ennobling the life, joined with prayer and faith and with living faith accepting Christ as righteousness, the Word becomes the weapon for gaining access to hearts dead in trespasses and sins, profitable for all things and effecting a sound and solid work for God in the salvation of souls.
All good works means every good and right work and duty in every circumstance and stage of life, for people of every age, in heart, home, labor, and conduct, in small and great duties alike. The Bible teaches the whole duty and the whole will of God, laying out with distinctness the duties and obligations of old and young, so that when the heart is pure and godliness dwells within it is seen in life, conversation, and all dealings with others in doing what Christ says, every action shining with holy luster and clothed with power through Christ's presence as the source of light and power. Its clear truths correct wrong traits, humble pride, shape inward character and outward conduct, and teach justice, purity, kindness, and compassion, while those who follow their own judgment instead of God's revealed will turn away from its guidance. By earnest study duty is made plain and clear and the safe path shown, negligence that loses the waymarks is exposed, and its precepts treasured in heart and mind govern the whole life now and prepare for the future life. Its meaning is plain in itself without needing human interpretation, which confuses the mind and sets aside God's commandments for human traditions and maxims, and its words, with Christ's words running through as threads of gold binding the whole as a complete system of truth of which Christ is the living center, remain a pleasant and profitable study for the young with help, comfort, and instruction for a lifetime. If made the guide of life its teachings lead the soul upward, elevate the mind, improve the character, and give peace and joy to the heart, and increased knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ gained from it brings increased faith, confidence, obedience, and assurance of Christ's love.
Timothy's Setting
Paul's charge to continue in what had been learned and firmly held points to the holy writings known from childhood, which impart wisdom leading to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Timothy had learned those Scriptures from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice and put their lessons into practice, so that they exerted a moral and religious influence in shaping his character. Continuing in them means treasuring them as a rare and valuable treasure, growing in quick discernment of their meaning, sharing with others the light graciously received, and staying in the God-appointed work of bringing many souls to Jesus. That same continuing equips every believer to cooperate heartily with those proclaiming that Jesus is soon coming again when judgments cause thinking men and women to pause, and it includes the missionary work of watching for souls as one who must give account, even taking up the unwelcome task of seeing defects in the church and plainly pointing them out.
The promise of being made complete and fully equipped for every good work belongs to remaining faithful amid growing deception, departure from the faith, persecution, and the perils of the last days. In such a time believers are to remain in the Scriptures they have learned rather than depend on other people for guidance, seeking God's counsel through them as a sufficient source of instruction for those responsible for their work. They are not to seek new and strange doctrines or pry into the mysteries of the future life, but to make this present life such as God can approve by practicing the lessons He has given, with perfection seen in Jesus who was sinless in thought, word, and deed and who calls for self-denial, cross-bearing, and following Him. Those given precious light on the Scriptures receive wisdom and grace as they seek God for the special work of opening the Scriptures to the people, and God makes their trials a means of glorifying His name by using them to perfect in them the work of His grace and not giving them up to become the sport of enemies.
Daniel and his companions illustrate this setting, for they had only the Old Testament, which they treated as the foundation for building character and as an authority requiring obedience. As they studied it God gave them wisdom, and its teaching, correction, and instruction in righteousness made clear the whole duty of people of every age. Bible education that gives children a firm understanding of the reasons for their faith, helps them understand the Scriptures for themselves, prepares them for positions of trust, and strengthens them against temptation can likewise prepare them for important responsibilities, as Daniel's God-given wisdom and understanding prepared him to serve faithfully as a statesman in Babylon.
One description in the chapter of people who accept error applies to the exercise of complete control by one mind over another in mind-cure.
Nature of Scripture
All Scripture is given by divine inspiration, the voice of God speaking to the soul, written by holy men taught by the Holy Spirit both what to record and in what words, and no portion is to be treated as less inspired or set aside. Its plain declarations are the authority to consult directly, teaching, exposing error, correcting conduct and training in righteousness so that God's servant is made complete and fully equipped for every good work, and those responsible for their work should seek God's counsel through it rather than depend on other people for guidance. Studied rather than merely read, the Word supplies the knowledge and guidance needed in every circumstance, teaches people to use their God-given abilities, directs them to obey God, and received personally and made part of character and action it is the source of spiritual life and strength that sustains the Christian life. It grounds the minister's work of preaching the gospel and gives Scripture as the means by which that work is carried out.
The Bible is a perfect revelation of God's will and a perfect, sufficient, infallible rule of faith, practice, doctrine and life, the supreme divine authority and detector of error by which every teaching, claim of inspiration and controversy is to be tested. It is given as guide and counselor to make the man of God perfect and thoroughly equipped for every good work, teaching the whole will of God concerning us and giving exactly what is needed in all circumstances in which we may be placed. The perfection it aims at is seen in Jesus, who was sinless in thought, word and deed and calls for self-denial, cross-bearing and following Him, so that those who represent God in the world make this present life such as God can approve by practicing the lessons God has given, rather than seeking new and strange doctrines or prying into the mysteries of the future life. It serves as a standard for character and a guide for doctrine and experience, giving the members of His family directions for keeping the heart with all diligence, and through studying it each person is to learn duty, with the Holy Spirit as its interpreter. So studied, not merely read, it furnishes a storehouse of knowledge that enables improvement of every God-given endowment, teaches obligation to use the faculties given, and by its precepts guides to obedience to God's requirements.
Scripture contains everything essential and all necessary information for salvation and duty, teaching the whole will of God concerning the sons and daughters of Adam, the science of salvation, and exactly what is needed in all circumstances, with Christ as its living center binding it as a complete system of truth. Searching it makes people wise unto eternal life, enlightens about how to receive the crown of life and enter the joy of the Lord, and is sufficient preparation for eternal life. It is the great lesson book and rule of life teaching the character to be formed for future immortal life, making plain every duty and making every lesson comprehensible to fit men for eternal life and to make men and women and youth wise unto salvation, revealing the Father and the Son through the gift of Christ and the illumination of the Holy Spirit. It is like a treasure house to become the important book in schools and homes, where children are taught to search the Scriptures for doctrine, reproof and instruction in righteousness instead of filling the mind with false theories about education and frivolous stories that cheapen thought and prevent conversion to love of God's Word. Searching and studying the Word gives strength of intellect and gives light and understanding to the simple, with angels of God close beside the searcher, and appreciating the Word requires praying for the advancement of truth and then working for it from sincere hearts, using the means God has provided rather than expecting miracles where means exist. Faith and practice make believers living epistles known and read of all men.
Its light is plain in itself like the noonday sun and does not need human wisdom, tradition, priests, councils, popes, church fathers, kings, worldly science or other books to make it comprehensible. It gives light by itself without needing the dim light of tradition and custom, the glimmer of earthly torchlight beside the noonday sun, or the fables and utterances of priests and ministers to save the student from error, so the divine Oracle is to be consulted and the Scriptures searched as the counsel of God. Fully received and studied as God's voice, the Bible teaches the way to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures and makes people wise unto salvation, unlike human writings and ideas that cannot make wise unto salvation and can dilute and mislead. Human words, however great, cannot make a person perfect and thoroughly equipped for every good work, and understanding Scripture's spiritual truths requires the light of the Holy Spirit. All Scripture is inspired truth for spiritual food, not fiction, containing the whole will of God and the science of salvation including the gift of life in Christ Jesus, and by earnest study duty is made plain and clear, the safe path is shown, and negligence that loses the waymarks is exposed. Its meaning is plain in itself without needing human interpretation, which confuses the mind and sets aside God's commandments for human traditions and maxims, and its precepts are to be treasured in heart and mind to govern the whole life now and prepare for the future life, while increased knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ gained from it brings increased faith, confidence, obedience and assurance of Christ's love.
Both Old and New Testaments are profitable and to be studied, the Old Testament no less than the New deserving study, since every part of Scripture is inspired by God. Its mysteries come from human weakness and ignorance, not from God's intent to conceal, for God intends its truths, including those difficult to grasp, to be understood and received as far as human minds and capacity allow. Its meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared and used to explain one another, comparing passages on the same subject and comparing one text with clearer texts, through which its teaching, correction and instruction in righteousness equip the man of God to be complete and fully prepared for every good work.
How Scripture Equips
Scripture makes the person of God complete and ready for every good work through its usefulness for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Fully received and studied as God's voice, it contains everything essential and all necessary information for this completeness, teaching the way to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures. Its meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared and used to explain one another, and this calls for seeking thorough knowledge of its full meaning rather than settling for superficial knowledge. Together with the preceding verses on inspiration and wisdom unto salvation, it shows that searching the Word makes people wise unto eternal life, unlike human writings that cannot do so.
It makes people wise unto salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus, especially in days of growing deception and departure from the faith where continuing in the Scriptures provides the instruction needed for faithful Christian life and work. Received and studied as God's word, it gives instruction that leads to eternal happiness and heaven's treasures, which worldly learning cannot replace. It is the great lesson book teaching the whole will of God concerning the sons and daughters of Adam, the rule of life teaching the character to be formed for future immortal life, making plain every duty and making every lesson comprehensible to fit men for eternal life. It makes men and women and youth wise unto salvation with the science of salvation plainly revealed, revealing the Father and the Son through the gift of Christ and the illumination of the Holy Spirit, giving light by itself without needing tradition and custom, earthly torchlight beside the noonday sun, or fables and utterances of priests and ministers to save from error or to make it comprehensible. So the divine Oracle is to be consulted and the Scriptures searched as the counsel of God and the voice of God speaking to the soul, with faith and practice making believers living epistles known and read of all men.
Its teaching, correction, and instruction in righteousness shape character and conduct, and neglecting it leaves character deformed and brings reproach on Christ's cause. Received as God's voice and lived out through Christ's grace, it strengthens and expands the mind, humbles pride, guides in what God approves, and forms a character fitted for immortal life affecting eternal destiny. Its instruction diagnoses spiritual diseases and provides a remedy for every spiritual ailment, its commands benefiting both mind and body when received in faith and faithfully practiced, applying to every circumstance and condition including the work of sanitarium physicians and nurses who need to study it deeply. Its teaching is to be learned each day by teachers and students, taught to children and students, received into the heart and practiced, correcting wrong traits and teaching justice, purity, kindness, compassion, conversion and obedience, and keeping Christ before students in this way is like eating from the tree of life. Studying Scripture in this way is to be treated as more important than excelling in other fields of knowledge, and equips believers to explain God's word intelligently.
God's Word received personally and made part of character and actions is the source of spiritual life, strength, and power that sustains and strengthens the Christian life and experience. Thorough study of and obedience to the Word fully equips for every good work and especially fortifies to meet the wily foe in an emergency, following Christ who overcame Satan by repelling him with Scripture alone when He could have used His own divine power, leaving a useful example showing how to overcome. The Bible is the armory where provision is made to equip for successful warfare against the evil that is in the world, so that to be perfect and thoroughly furnished unto all good works means to have loins girt about with truth, righteousness for a breastplate, faith for a shield, salvation for a helmet, and the word of God as the sword of the Spirit with which to cut through the obstructions and entanglements of sin. Its instruction is therefore to be obeyed, not merely heard, for searching Scripture opens its truths to understanding, strengthens hope through its promises, kindles the heart, guards against deception, delusion, speculation and false doctrine, and holds up a high ideal for a minister of Christ by pointing out the duties devolving on him. Its teaching, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness make the Word essential for Christian workers, who can be caught in sin when they neglect to study it.
Studying to Be Equipped
Being made complete and fully equipped for every good work comes through the inspired Scriptures that make wise unto salvation, and it calls for seeking thorough knowledge of their full meaning rather than settling for superficial knowledge. The Bible has the highest claim to reverent attention, and the importance of seeking a thorough knowledge of it can hardly be estimated. Daily study has a sanctifying, uplifting influence on the mind, binds the Word to the heart as friend and guide in perplexity, makes it the rule of life and the guide to a higher, holier life, and opens the highest source of wisdom. Old and young, especially the young, must not neglect it for other books and idle stories but must give it time every day, must not rest with superficial knowledge but must learn the full meaning of the words of truth and drink deep of the spirit of the holy oracles. Thoughtful attention to how one passage bears on another reveals deeper meaning and wisdom for salvation, for meaning becomes clear as related passages are compared and used to explain one another.
Thorough, diligent study makes complete and thoroughly furnished, filling with Bible truth so as to show the falsity of views that conflict with the Word in the perils of the last days, not be moved by every new doctrine, understand why one believes as one does, learn to love God and His truth, imitate the life and character of Christ, choose to obey God rather than yield to the world when the test comes, and be ready always to give an answer for hope with meekness and fear. Parents, youth, and little children all need this furnishing through earnest study and thoroughness in Sabbath-school lessons. Careful, patient, prayerful searching and comparing related passages makes truths understood and retained, brings the mind under the influence of the Spirit, and prepares for useful service, while neglecting Scripture for light reading leaves a person not thoroughly furnished for good works. Casual, mechanical reading and memorizing are not enough; the Word must be searched diligently, prayerfully, and daily with earnest attention, digging deep as for hidden treasure.
Understanding its spiritual truths requires the light of the Holy Spirit, for human words however great cannot make perfect and thoroughly equipped. Its truth must be planted in the heart by the Holy Spirit, reclaiming from sin and keeping steadfast on the path to glory through teaching, correction, and training in righteousness. Its teachings must be understood with a sincere heart and practiced willingly, as the whole mind and heart are molded by the Holy Spirit and divine power works together with human effort to prepare for service. Only a mind converted, sanctified, and cleansed by the Spirit can see divine power in the Word and discern its heavenly deep things, seeking a Thus saith the Lord for divine direction instead of human methods and mere worldly science. Judgment not perverted by false principles or long practice of false principles will discern the deep things given by the Spirit, the heart will be made open to teaching, and the leadings of the Spirit through the Word become the guide.
Personal searching of all inspired Scripture through doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction gains knowledge of a personal, abiding Saviour, so that experience rests on the living Word and not on feeling. The more the Word is studied the more it takes possession of the mind and opens the divine purpose more deeply, enabling help to others and, by appropriating its precious promises, finding help and assurance with light shining brighter and brighter unto the perfect day in knowing Him whose going forth is prepared as the morning. This furnishing includes knowledge gained by study and put into practical life. The Bible is the reliable textbook for teaching and conduct, and its instructions are to be read, understood, and practiced rather than replaced by uncertain claims of revelation.
God's Word gives light and understanding, so it must be searched, received, and obeyed rather than neglected or replaced with fables. It must be carefully studied, taken to heart, and followed in daily life so that it shapes character and equips to live by God's commandments. Received and studied as God's voice and lived out through grace, it strengthens and shapes mind and character, preparing for eternal life. Taken to heart, obeyed, and practiced in daily conduct rather than merely heard or repeated as theory, it renews character, brings safety, and makes believers living lights and examples.
Such earnest study fills the mind with truth and proof of doctrine, enabling showing the falsity of conflicting views, giving an intelligent reason for hope with meekness, meeting unbelief and opposition, and standing when tested. Careful study, especially in Sabbath school during youth, provides the knowledge needed to be thoroughly equipped with proof of doctrines taught in the Word. Daily study thoroughly furnishes unto every good work, and obedience is not drudgery but brings happiness and true pleasure with refining, elevating power on character. Daily study of the words of life strengthens the intellect, furnishes knowledge of the grand and glorious works of God in nature, and gives through the Scriptures correct knowledge of how to live to enjoy the greatest amount of unalloyed happiness. The student is furnished with Scripture arguments to meet the doubts of unbelievers and remove them by clear light of truth, is fortified against the temptations of Satan, and is prepared to give to every one that asks a reason of the hope within.
Equipped for Ministry
The verse means that Scripture fully equips the minister for every good work by making him skillful in personal pastoral labor, and that perfecting comes through visiting families under his watchcare, becoming acquainted with their real needs, difficulties and spiritual hindrances, and ministering to those who need clearer light. It enables him to give needed counsel, cautions, warnings, faithful admonitions and reproof in the words of the living oracles rather than his own words, presenting appropriate and applicable lessons that each case needs, kindly teaching how to apply them. This is done in the Spirit of Christ with a heart aglow with His love and with love for souls for whom He died, working in Christ's lines as a faithful shepherd and steward, winning hearts and gaining a home in their hearts with strength and power for duty. Such equipping does not come by preaching to churches alone but by wise and experienced workmen entering families house to house, conversing about spiritual advancement, organizing companies to seek lost souls, awakening the missionary spirit, and giving each member some labor to perform as laborers together with God. Being furnished from inspired Scripture also means studying and knowing its practical subjects well enough to correct disorder, preserve unity, and present the right spiritual food plainly and forcefully at the time and place people need it, nourishing the flock and building up the cause.
Preaching that fulfills the verse gives what is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, with tact in rightly dividing the Word of truth and giving each person the fitting portion of spiritual food at the right time on every occasion. It presents the matter intelligently in simple, plain, forcible language so the weakest and most unlearned can comprehend, so that no one coming to the Lord in humility, truth and unfeigned sincerity ever seeks Him in vain. It forbids setting intricate subjects aside as better left alone and requires declaring the whole truth of God without reserve or holding it back because hearers will not like it, including the origin of evil and its results, the redemption of the fallen race made possible by Christ giving His own life, and Christ and immortality brought to light, against Satan seeking to confuse minds and counterwork the work of God. Treating truth in a humorous style fails this purpose, and being so furnished qualifies the true shepherd to complete the work after convicting souls of the claims of the law and teaching repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ, instead of excusing himself and leaving that finishing burden for others. This requires disciplining himself to deal with minds, studying to have a store of investigated practical subjects he can enter into the spirit of, feeding the flock with proper food that gives spiritual strength and health instead of presenting an argumentative subject when spiritual food is needed, using wisely the material God’s Word supplies rather than building with worthless materials that make labor vain and to be burned, and depending wholly on God and remaining open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance to present truth suited to those before him rather than relying on rigid, prearranged sermons.
Readiness for every good work includes dignified conduct in the pulpit with appropriate posture, gestures, dress, decorum, refined and dignified bearing, and solemn, carefully chosen speech. It avoids coarse or irreverent expressions, amusing anecdotes, jokes meant to amuse, comic illustrations, sarcasm, and wordplay at an opponent’s expense. Voice and manners can be improved and should be cultivated. It also includes showing tenderness, love, gentleness, patience, and courtesy in family life, for managing a household well is a practical test of readiness to lead others and win souls to Christ.
Equipping for service extends to training youth and students in schools, Sabbath schools, and homes, for their minds need the Word for instruction to qualify in the few days of probation left for future eternal life, so they may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works. This furnishing comes not from forms and ceremonies but from keeping the mind in pursuit of something tangible that can be taken into the higher grade, with the Bible as the highest and most important textbook in educating in practical Christianity to prepare them to serve God, bless others, work in churches, help bring people to Jesus, bear trust and responsibility, and resist temptation. It requires very simple teaching given line upon line and precept upon precept, fixing one verse in the mind, studying it prayerfully to understand thoroughly every word, then presenting it with reverent, earnest thought rather than skimming the surface, bringing simple plain ideas into contact with mind and heart. Scripture’s teaching is to be taught to children and students, received into the heart and practiced, keeping Christ before them as like eating from the tree of life, with careful, patient, prayerful searching and comparing related passages so truths are understood and retained, the mind brought under the Spirit’s influence and prepared for useful service. Careful study, especially in Sabbath school during youth, supplies proof of doctrines taught, enabling a faithful disciple to give an intelligent explanation of the word given to guide footsteps to the eternal shores, in contrast to whiled hours in amusement and worldly conversation that put God out of thought and heart and to exalting the temporal above the spiritual and eternal; parents must gain this furnishing themselves by disciplining their minds and becoming conversant with Scripture instead of pleading trifling excuses, so they can read with their children and teach them, for neglecting Scripture for light reading leaves a person not thoroughly furnished.
Those who teach must themselves believe the truth they present and experience its power, remaining humble and contrite before God. They must go to the Word for a Thus saith the Lord and leave human methods behind, seeking God’s counsel through inspired Scripture as a sufficient source of instruction for those responsible for their work rather than depending on other people, turning from finite men as weak as themselves to One infinite in wisdom, to the Fountainhead, instead of human ideas that dilute and mislead and instead of mere worldly science. Scripture teaches truth, exposes error, corrects faults, trains in right living, and makes complete, and only a mind converted, sanctified, and cleansed by the Spirit, with judgment not perverted by long practice of false principles, can see divine power in the Word and discern its heavenly deep things, with heart open to its teaching and with the leadings of the Holy Spirit through the Word as guide. Men of ability and talent are to look to God to be taught by Him and search the Scriptures, accepting discipline and conversion, depending on God, since the Just has suffered for the unjust and there is no excuse for turning away.
Perfection in Daily Life
The verse opens a path of continual advancement toward perfection of Christian character, with Christlikeness as its ideal and standard. That standard includes everything good and pure and noble and elevated, requiring continual striving and constant progress onward and upward. God's ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach, given in His holy law as a transcript of His character and in the standard given by Jesus Christ. As God is perfect in His high sphere of action, man may be perfect in his human sphere.
Perfection is attainable in this life through Christ's grace, and is shown in a pious, truthful, merciful, loving life that shines with holiness. Scripture is the perfect rule given as guide and counselor to make complete, and its perfection is seen in Jesus, who was sinless in thought, word, and deed and calls for self-denial, cross-bearing, and following Him. For those who represent God this means making this present life such as God can approve by practicing the lessons given, keeping thought and action pure amid confusion and temptation, rather than seeking new and strange doctrines or prying into the mysteries of the future life. When the heart is pure and godliness dwells within it is seen in the life, in conversation and in all dealings with others in doing what Christ says, with every action shining with holy luster and clothed with power because Christ, the source of light and power, is present. God has provided through the death of His Son for every soul to be thus equipped, so that believers shine as lights and reveal the gospel through character and service, with character fitted for immortal life. Its teaching supports the duty to improve abilities and religious experience rather than offer careless work to God, preparing for faithful service complete in Christ.
Being furnished is shown in confessing and repenting of sin, drawing near to God, clearing the King's highway and helping with means, being in perfect harmony, and being on hand at meetings armed and equipped for service and ready to talk with anyone interested. It means praying daily and while going about daily duties, working for the lost sheep, drawing strength from Christ with deepest gratitude, and laboring together with Him in sustaining a special evangelistic effort instead of remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, and backslidden while the Word is presented. Daily reading of the Bible furnishes by giving the correct standard of right and wrong and of moral principle, and fixed principles of truth from the Word are the only safeguard for youth and the best shield for the young exposed to temptation in associations in acquiring an education. This furnishing gives strong purpose and resolute will that close open doors to temptation and to influences unfavorable to Christian character, make earnest for the right, put honoring God first and faithfulness to humanity second in performing the duties each day brings and in meeting its trials and bearing its burdens with firmness, and with earnest and untiring effort, strong purpose, and whole trust in God qualify for a useful life in this world and give fitness for the immortal life. Loving the Scriptures and searching them when there is opportunity to come into possession of the rich treasure makes thoroughly furnished, and having this love for searching is assurance that Jesus is drawing the person to Himself. Merely reading in a casual way is not enough; the furnishing comes by seeking to comprehend the lesson of Christ in order to comply with His requirements, by sinking the shaft deep into the mine of truth to discover its rich treasures, for the Scriptures are given for benefit and instruction in righteousness. Diligent daily study deepens desire for spiritual truth, has a sanctifying influence on life, and serves as a faithful guide in perplexity, turning the mind from light reading that weakens spiritual exercise toward what is spiritually beneficial. The Bible teaches what nothing else can teach, holding treasures of sacred truth as the voice of God to man; made the rule of life and heeded when it speaks, it refines, elevates, and sanctifies and equips for every good work, yet it lies neglected while worthless literature and fictitious stories are greedily devoured. To be made perfect by the Word there must be reading and understanding and keeping its preciousness before the mind, recognizing and putting away everything that diverts from God's service, including story magazines, novels, cheap worthless literature and worthless productions in the home that are a power for evil to youth. Satan works with all ingenuity to spoil interest in the Word, to engross minds with things that close the door of the heart to eternal interests, to keep men and women and youth untouched by the messages of warning and invitation coming in these last days, and to hinder sanctification through belief of the truth.
The verse calls all churches at this time to wake out of lethargic slumber, trim lamps with the grace of God, and let them shine forth in clear, bright rays to a world in darkness. It sets the great work of bearing a message to fit up a people to stand in the day of the Lord by coming up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. Being thoroughly furnished for every good work belongs with being hid in God, sanctified, and elevated in the solemn time in which we live. The Word fully prepares publishing workers for every line of missionary effort when trained in Bible lines, rooted and grounded in principles of truth, with minds molded by God and a personal connection with Christ and personal experience of His saving power. Through the communicated Word they receive practical ideas for working every part of the vineyard to bring the best returns and to keep the way of the Lord to do justice and judgment. A mother diligently studying the Word is equipped to train her children to resist evil and help develop in them the likeness of God, while seeking to reflect Christ in daily life and duties. Diligent study of God's Word prepares medical students for their other studies and qualifies medical missionaries to do their work, giving knowledge of lessons and strengthening memory. Physicians, mothers, and teachers are each thus made complete for their part.
History illustrates the furnishing, for Wycliffe's knowledge of Scripture and pure life demonstrated the truths he preached and put biblical teaching into practice. The Bible is a perfect revelation of God's will and a sufficient rule for faith and practice, through which each person is to learn duty, with the Holy Spirit as its interpreter. It is intended as a lesson-book for all people, from childhood through adulthood and for study throughout life, bringing into closer connection with the Creator and giving clearer knowledge of His will. The Waldenses taught children Scripture from an early age, and every truth discovered reveals more of God's character, with Scripture serving as communication between God and humanity. Witnesses in every age held the Bible as the only rule with faith in Christ as sole mediator and the true Sabbath, obeying God rather than human commands.
The verse belongs with studying God's plan of salvation rather than seeking wisdom in ideas that turn people from God. Its warnings and reproof carry the weight of God's Word, calling to listen to God's voice and heed counsel rather than setting correction aside when it conflicts with wishes. Rather than human theories and philosophical or theological speculation, Scripture gives the eternal truths set forth by prophets and apostles. It directs to the truths and reforms needed in the generation as the true authority for those teachings.
Scriptures and the messages God sends are given to perfect experience, and they are not to be measured by finite human ideas. That truth from the Lord is grand, beautiful, and harmonious. Judging inspired messages and deciding which part is from the Lord and which part is merely human judgment puts out spiritual eyesight, leaving blinded and deceived.
Knowing God the Creator and Christ the Redeemer as revealed in Scripture is true education, and Scripture is the perfect standard of truth to be given the highest place with the Bible as textbook. Sin has cut people off from direct communion with God, and weakened powers make them unable to interpret nature rightly; creation still bears witness to its Creator, but its testimony is partial and imperfect, so the written Word is needed as a fuller revelation. Prayerful study of God's Word above every other book gives knowledge of being accepted of God, convincing of sin, plainly revealing the way of salvation, bringing to view a bright and glorious reward, revealing a complete Saviour, and teaching that salvation can be expected only through His boundless mercy. Scripture provides what is needed to train the mind for holiness, usefulness, and happiness, and reveals God's character and moral perfection, which human authorities and other books cannot replace. The Bible contains what is needful for the soul's salvation, strengthens and disciplines the mind, and guides wisely in the affairs of life, so that studying divine things enriches the mind, humbles self, and exalts God and His truth. Learning what is true from God's Word and works strengthens the mind, purifies the heart, and helps become more like Jesus, with angels helping in understanding this truth. Such study strengthens intellect and memory and prepares learners for usefulness now and immortal life.