The Profitableness of Scripture.
We have here two great affirmations concerning the Scriptures. First, they are inspired of God; next, they are religiously profitable.
I. First, however, it is necessary to bear in mind the distinction between inspiration and revelation. Inspiration is an inbreathing and vital quickening of whatever may be the normal faculties of a man, whereby their natural force and religious sensibilities are augmented; such as we conceive the processes of the Holy Ghost to be in ordinary religious life, only, here, special in its forms and measures. Revelation is knowledge imparted from without: facts and truths of which we are ignorant are made known to us. If every inspiration is not a supernatural revelation, neither is supernatural revelation a mere inspiration of natural faculty. Both are to be distinctly recognised.
II. The Apostle affirms that the sacred writers are inspired of God God-breathed, the recipients of a Divine afflatus. The range and variety of the profitableness of Scripture must be noted. It is a book for human life; not for churches nor for devotions only, but for every domain and relationship of human beings. (1) It is profitable for doctrine, for teaching true ideas or principles of religious life. It makes men wise unto salvation. Men feel and act according to the thoughts and sentiments which they entertain. No wise man will undervalue correct theological notions: they are indispensable conditions of goodness. According to the Apostle the Scriptures are the distinctive source of our theological teaching. True doctrines concerning God and religion are revealed in the Bible. (2) The other great idea of the profitableness of Scripture is represented by the words "reproof," "correction." Be the book historically what it may, come whence it may, its moral and religious ministry to men cannot be denied it: and it is the most conclusive evidence of its Divine authority. As a book of moral and religious truth only will it live: as such only need we wish it to live. So long as human souls feel sin and sorrow, so long will they prize the salvation and comfort of the Scripture.
H. Allon, The Indwelling Christ,p. 123.
References: 2 Timothy 4:1. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. v., p. 272. 2 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:2. Church of England Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 157. 2 Timothy 4:1-22. Expositor,1st series, vol. x., p. 443. 2 Timothy 4:2. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. i., p. 129. 2 Timothy 4:4. Christian World Pulpit,vol. xx., p. 40; Plain Sermons by Contributors to "Tracts for the Times,"vol. v., p. 287.