ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

Of all the great texts in the Bible that deal with God’s Word, Second Timothy 3:15—4:2 is probably the most comprehensive of all of them (unless Psalm 119 is the exception). In this text alone, God made at least 10 affirmations about His Word.

God’s Word is simple.

Paul said that Timothy knew God’s Word “from a child,” implying its simplicity. In one of the few recorded prayers of Jesus, we read where He said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight” (Matthew 11:25-26). David stated that God’s Word “gives understanding to the simple” (Psalm 119:130), and that “The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).

God’s Word is knowable.

Paul said that Timothy “knew” God’s Word, implying its knowability; throughout the Bible it declares its knowability. Jesus once said that God’s Word is the truth (John 17:17) and that we can “know the truth” (John 8:32a). Jesus also said, “If anyone wants to do [God’s] Will, he shall know concerning the doctrine…” (John 7:17a). Paul said, “by revelation [God] made known to me the mystery (as I wrote before in a few words, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)…” (Ephesians 3:2-4). In fact, Peter said that it’s “through the knowledge of the Lord” that we have “escaped the pollutions of the world,” after which he went on to say that “it would have been better for” us “not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from” it (Second Peter 2:20-21).

God’s Word is powerful.

Paul said that Timothy knew the Scriptures “which are able,” implying its great power. The Bible has many references affirming its great power. Paul said that the Gospel of Christ “is the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16).

He also said that “the message of the cross is…the power of God” (First Corinthians 1:18). Again Paul said that “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (Second Corinthians 10:4), and one of those weapons is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). And, of course, we can’t overlook Hebrews 4:12 which says that “The Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”