The final installment of my musings on NT 3:16s

Here we are again, and I'm ready to write this time. Besides my unending boredom, I desire to finish this project. However, I am also sad to see that it is almost over. Oh well, here goes...

2 Timothy 3:16

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness."

This verse speaks two different messages. The first is that all Scripture is inspired by God and everything in the Bible is God's Word. Basically, it has authority over all other writings because it is the Word of God.

Secondly, all Scripture is useful. Therefore, as Christians, we must strive to increase our knowledge of The Bible so that we may teach the gospel, rebuke sin, correct said sin with godly behavior, and to train ourselves in righteousness. Hence I decided to undertake a project where I increased my own scriptural knowledge.

Hebrews 3:16-19

"Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."

This group of verses shows that humans, by nature, sin against God and want to refuse His gifts. Considering whom Paul is writing to, it is obvious why he brings up the parallel of the Promised Land and the wandering of the Israelites. But really what Paul is alluding to is that no man may enter the kingdom of Heaven a sinner. (see Matthew 7:21-23) Only through Jesus Christ is our sin forgiven, and thus this passage is vital.


1 Peter 3:15-16

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

Probably my favorite set of verses written by Peter. All Christians must understand their faith and be able to meet challenges set by nonbelievers and those who work against Christ. For example, I have seen many videos on YouTube attempting to "disprove" God and Jesus. Even I, with my limited Scriptural knowledge, can refute their claims. However, the purpose of this is not to prove them wrong, but to get them to seek Christ as their own Savior. If you attack them, then really you aren't much better than they are. The wrath that you might feel in regards to their blasphemes against Our Lord is still sinful, and will do nothing to help them. Honestly, it is hard for me to not get angry when I argue about ANYTHING, let alone something so important. Therefore, I ought to pray for guidance and help in this matter.

2 Peter 3:16

"He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."

Peter is talking about Paul here, if you didn't know. But the main point of this verse is that people will "interpret" Scripture to suit their own means. This is bad. It leads to your destruction. People have been distorting Scripture since the days of the early church, and it seems to get worse and worse every day. Note that this leads "to their own destruction." Do not fall pray to this trap.

1 John 3:16

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."

This verse embodies the Christian view of love. Self-sacrificing love that transcends humanity and is purely God-like. Also known as Agape. Yay!

Revelation 3:15-16

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm- neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

What a way to end this series! Jesus, speaking here in John's dream, expresses that we must be "hot." He means that our faith should burn in us like the Holy Spirit, emanating from every fiber of our body and soul, thereby showing itself to all, and glorifying God in the process.

Basically, the 3:16 verses in the New Testament are full of win. Now I need some more verses to write about, so if you have any suggestions...