Why Scripture is Sufficient

I am writing this out in part because of a recent discussion I read on a Christian forum, and in part because of some study I have been doing on my own lately.

If there is any wiggle room or general vagueness within Scripture, you can be sure there are at least three different interpretations of the text. You can see this with 2 Timothy 3:16, which says,

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness".

Some take this to mean that Scripture is sufficient to lead us in our Christian walk. It fulfills what we need. It meets the requirements. So, in essence some might say it's a good rule or guide book for life.

I don't think that's an appropriate interpretation of the text. The focus is not necessarily on the profitability, but on the source: Scripture is God-breathed. It is the Word of God.

Scripture is profitable for one reason - because it is breathed out by God.

Something I found rather interesting was looking up the structure of the Greek words in this verse. (here) The one little word that got my attention was "and" - "kai" in the Greek. It can mean many different things:

"and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so

Apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words -- and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet."

It seems to me that the structure of the verse implies that the two ideas go together. The profitability springs from the idea of Scripture being God-breathed. One might say "All Scripture is God-breathed and therefore profitable...." Because it is from the mouth of God, it is profitable and sufficient to make a man competent for every good work (v17).

This verse is of course always tied in with 2 Peter 1:20-21, where we see Peter's reasoning:

"...knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit." (ASV)

So Scripture is God-breathed; not from men, but through men who were moved by the Holy Spirit to write and speak the words that God gave to them. All through history God has taught His people what to say; He has given them the words to speak; He has been active in the communication of His own character and glory. If Scripture were not inspired by the infallible, inerrant God of the universe, it would not be profitable. There is no spiritual benefit in following error. There is no sufficiency unless it is given by God himself.