Holy Scriptures

Most popular Bible passages, #8:

2 Timothy 3:16, the New Testament

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Though this counsel was originally intended for Timothy, a bishop in Ephesus, we can all benefit from it. Paul explains how reading the Bible (scripture) can help us live the way God expects us to live.

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God"

When you and I are inspired, we are mentally stimulated to do something or to feel something. If the source of this inspiration is our Father in Heaven through His Holy Spirit, we are also stimulated spiritually. The Bible and other scriptures constitute inspiration from God to His servants, the prophets, which they recorded for the benefit of you and me.

"profitable for doctrine"

Doctrines are God's truths and the foundation of a person's faith in God. By reading the Bible and other scriptures, we will know the truth.

 "for reproof, for correction"

God's disapproval of sin is obvious in the scriptures. Sometimes when we are not making the best choices, reading the scriptures will remind us to straighten up and fly right. Often, this is not something we want to hear, but our Heavenly Father wants us to be happy and He will forgive us as we recognize our mistakes and try again to do what is right.

"for instruction in righteousness"

Studying the scriptures will help us do good things. We will be kinder to our spouses and children, more sympathetic to people experiencing hard times, and more eager to help someone when they need help.

Todd Christofferson said, "The scriptures enlarge our memory by helping us always to remember the Lord and our relationship to Him and the Father. They remind us of what we knew in our premortal life... And as these things penetrate our minds and hearts, our faith in God and His Beloved Son takes root."