2 Timothy 3:16 (ASV)

Passage

Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

Nearby Context

2 Timothy 3:14 But abide thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a babe thou hast known the sacred writings which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:16 Every scripture inspired of God [is] also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.

2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "scripture", "inspired", "profitable", "teaching", "reproof", "correction", "instruction", and "righteousness". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "scripture" and "inspired", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 15's "And that from a babe thou hast..." into verse 17's "That the man of God may be...", so "scripture" and "inspired" belong inside that flow. In 2 Timothy context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "scripture" and "inspired" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.