Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 5
January 21, 1954
NUMBER 36, PAGE 2,3b

Humanity's Greatest Treasure: The Profitable Word

Charles E. Crouch, Baltimore, Maryland

The Apostle Paul said, "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) In this passage the apostle clearly presents the origin and the purpose of the scriptures. In it he declares that the scriptures are "also profitable." But little study is required to discover that God's word is profitable for many reasons.

First, it is profitable because of its origin. In determining the value of words, men usually consider the source of those words. The counsel of the world's great minds is being sought in our day in efforts to bring peace to the world. The words of millions of others must be ignored in this search, because there is no profit in them. It has always been true that the words of a Benedict Arnold are not so highly regarded as the words of a Lincoln. The value of words is partly determined by their origin.

Thus we believe Paul when he declares that "every scripture inspired of God is also profitable." The holy scriptures were delivered to us in New Testament form by holy men of God as they were directed by the Spirit of God. Jesus said to the twelve, "When he, the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all truth." (John 16:13) It was this divine guidance which insured to us the profitable word of God. The apostles were not left with fallible memories to convey the message of God. After Jesus had returned to heaven and the apostles were together ready to begin their work, "they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:4) Later on we have this view of a Spirit-guided apostle at work: "Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth." (1 Cor. 2:13) Again Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:1, "But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith." We see therefore that the New Testament stoutly affirms that the apostles were guided in their teaching, and preserved from error, by the Spirit of God. When men hear their message, it should then be accepted "not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God." It is God's wisdom and his counsel to all the pilgrims of earth. It is profitable because of its divine origin.

The word of God is profitable because of its power. Some men have thought themselves to possess great power. They have wielded it for a time, sometimes wisely and then again otherwise, and then passed on to their destiny. Some have left a trail of blood behind them because of their power. But there is no power on earth today which can equal the power of God's word. "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword." (Heb. 4:12) It is declared that Christ upholds "all things by the word of his power." (Heb. 1:3) We also learn that this universe, in all of its beauty and immensity, came into being, having been "framed by the word of God." (Heb. 11:3) God spoke and the world was created. His word is that powerful when either spoken or written. It is the same word, which Paul terms the gospel, which is God's power to save. (Rom. 1:16) James also refers to the word of God and affirms that it is "able to save your souls." (James 1:21) A further characteristic suggesting the supreme power of God's word is given by Peter: "The word of the Lord abideth forever." (1 Peter 1:25) This cannot be said of any mortal's words. Only God has uttered eternal and all-powerful words. For this reason we agree with Paul that God's word is profitable.

A third reason which suggests the profitable nature of the word of God is the design for which it is given. Paul declared this purpose in these words: "For teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." It scarcely needs to be said that God's word is supremely suited to accomplish this design. The Holy Spirit was given to certain men to guarantee the perfection of the scriptures. Being thus complete, the New Testament serves today as a complete and final authority in all matters of religion. It is our final court of appeal. We have no need in religious matters for any other standard or any other authority than the New Testament. Further, we dare not have any other, for it is plainly said that, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God." (2 John 9) God's word is designed to equip the Christian fully in every religious matter. Further equipment is not only unnecessary; it is also sinful.

Finally, the word of God is profitable because of the commands and promises it contains. With reference to its commands, John has declared that "his commandments are not grievous." Therefore they ought not to be considered burdensome or irksome. The grace of God has been manifest to us in many ways. The supreme gift was His own Son, Jesus. But next to that, God's commandments are one of the greatest measures of His grace. It is by His commands that we are guided to obtain the blessings of Jesus Christ. Acting by faith, we are commanded to repent of sin, confess our faith, and be baptized for the remission of sins. Then we are commanded to be faithful unto death. These commandments are of divine origin, and they are given to us, not as arbitrary rules to show that God is in control, but as simple directives guiding us into the way of salvation and into paths of righteousness. Directions given to a blind man are appreciated. A man who is lost appreciates instructions given to show him the way home. It is lamentable, however, to see men today regard God's instructions to lost souls as grievous to be borne and only to be spoken against. The word of God is profitable to all who desire to be saved. It is profitable because its blessed commands direct us into Christ where we find all spiritual blessings. If we follow these simple directions, we will be saved eternally. If we regard them as contemptible, we will be eternally lost.

With reference to the promises of God's word, we must also say, "It is profitable." In an unstable and changing world, many have fled for refuge to the solid promises of the scriptures. When the words of men fail, as they do in the hour of death, the promises of God give comfort and strength to troubled souls whose faith in God lead them to that fountain filled with blood. We all need the profitable word of God. We need the power it contains. We need the salvation it describes. We need to live the life it has designed. We need to obey its commands for our own welfare. We need the comfort, the assurance and the hope which only the promises of God's word can give. If we are thus standing on the promises of God, steadfast in our faith, we can rejoice with the Apostle Peter: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."

"Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable."