This week we have the last in our three-part series on the subject, “Your mouth, My word.” Sorry for the interruption but it was thought that an article on Thanksgiving was necessary. (Editor)
YOUR MOUTH, MY WORD (3)
In this third article, under the above heading, we shall continue our study from Paul’s pen but God’s words! Recall that each one of Paul’s four phrases are “advantageous” to us, if we are willing to receive God’s “chastenings” (Heb. 12:6) which are not always easy to receive but receive them we must!
The third word is “correction” and is the Greek “epanorthosis” which means: “restoration to an upright or right state.” This gives us a look at a person who is bent over and needs a “straightening up again,” a “rectification” (Strong). It is looking at a person who has gone wrong, spiritually but the word of God has the power to lift him up again. That is, if the God breathed word is received and obeyed.
The fourth word is “instruction” and is the Greek “paideia” which means: “tutorage, that is, education or training; by implication disciplinary correction: – chastening, chastisement, instruction, nurture.” (Strong). Here Thayer will enlarge our thoughts, as he says: “the whole training and education of children (which relates to the cultivation of mind and morals, and employs for this purpose new commands and admonitions, new reproof and punishment) It also includes the training and care of the body.” But, Paul puts the word “instruction” with the word “righteousness;” thus, the “instruction is in “righteousness” as this is the greatest need and achievement of mankind! Righteousness equals justification and justification equals righteousness! In other words, if a person is “righteous” he is saved and if a person is justified, he is saved! At the same time, if a person is not “righteous” he is not saved and if a person is not “justified” he is not saved!
Let us not forget that each of these four words has before them that little word “for,” which we have learned is a forward-looking word. But, where do we stand spiritually, in relationship to each of Paul’s words? Whatever our state, the inspired word of God “is “profitable” as it looks forward into every area of life’s spiritual need.
Therefore, the apostle of Christ concluded with these words: “that the man of God maybe perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” More information needs to be given about the Greek word from which we get our words, “thoroughly furnished,” these two words come from the one Greek word, “exartizo,” which means: “to complete, finish 1a) to furnish perfectly” (Thayer). The idea here may be expressed this way, the word of God completely fits us for its intended purpose! Not one thing needs to be added to the “All scripture is God breathed words! In fact, if we add to it or take away from it, Paul informed the churches of Galatia, and by them, us: “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:6-8). Then, to these words we recall the words of the apostle John: “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9). If there were any place for additions, or taking away, then, the words of John would not be necessary; they should not even be in the “God breathed” words!
When it comes to our needs in pleasing God, he has given us all, the totality of what will make us “thoroughly furnished unto all good works!” No man, nor angel, has the right to change one word of what Paul writes: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Once more, what is the purpose of “All scripture?” It is: “That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Therefore, let each of us ask: “Where do I stand?” Have I made use of all that God has given me? There is so much more that could and needs to be written about the text of these three articles, but one can only write so much in a short space.
Frank R. Williams