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Sufficiency of Scripture for Guidance in Christian Living

The sufficiency of Scripture for Christian living is rooted in the belief that "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16 BSB) [6]. This divine inspiration means that God is fully responsible for the content of Scripture, even while human authors were actively involved in its composition [11]. The Holy Scriptures are capable of making individuals "wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" from infancy [8].

The Bible itself is referred to by various names that emphasize its divine origin and authority, such as "the Word," "Word of God," "Word of Christ," "Word of truth," and "Holy Scriptures" [1]. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [1].

For Christian conduct, the Scriptures provide guidance on numerous aspects of life. Believers are called to live in a manner that reflects their faith, including believing God, fearing God, loving God, and obeying God [2]. This involves following God's example and striving for holiness [2, 4]. Holiness is commanded in Scripture and is necessary for worship and for seeing God [4]. The character of God and Christ serve as the standards for holiness [4].

Diligence is also a key aspect of Christian living, with Christ serving as an example of diligence [3]. Believers are called to be diligent in seeking God, obeying Him, hearkening to Him, striving for perfection, cultivating Christian graces, and guarding against defilement [3]. This includes diligence in "labours of love" and in following every good work [3].

The example of Christ is presented as perfect and is to be conformed to in various virtues, including holiness, righteousness, purity, love, humility, meekness, obedience, and self-denial [5]. Christians are also called to minister to others, show benevolence, forgive injuries, and overcome the world, all following Christ's example [5].

Paul summarizes principles for Christian behavior, stating that believers should do everything for the glory of God and avoid giving offense or harming another person's faith [10]. This means that Christian behavior should be guided by what is best for others rather than personal privilege [10].

While the sufficiency of Scripture is affirmed, it is also understood that human sufficiency comes from God. As 2 Corinthians 3:5 states, "not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God" [7]. The Holy Scripture is seen as a safeguard for the soul and possesses an elevating and taming power [9]. The wisdom provided by Scripture helps believers live out their salvation [11].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
  6. II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (BSB) — All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
  7. 2 Corinthians “not that we are sufficient of ourselves, to account anything as from ourselves; but our sufficiency is from God; -- 2 Corinthians 3:5”
  8. II Timothy “II Timothy 3:15 (BSB) — From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
  9. CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: expected a Messiah, ib. ; their reception of Christ, and candor in hearing Him, rewarded by the gift of faith, 122 ; praised for believing without miracles, after teaching only, 123 , 125 ; name of, a term of reproach against Christ, 197 . Sanctification, of the Jews only negative, of Christians positive, 48 . Satan, cast down by Christ's death, because not deserved by sin, 250 . Scribes, the robbers of the fold, 213 . Scripture, Holy, its elevating power, 1 , 4 , 7 , 8 ; its taming power, 10 ; its inspiration, 2 , 4 ; safeguard of the soul, 11 ; pu”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:31: 10:31-33 Paul concludes his discussion by summarizing the two principles that are to guide Christian behavior in issues like this: (1) Believers are to do everything for the glory of God (see Col 3:17; 1 Pet 4:11); (2) believers are not to give offense and should avoid doing anything that would harm another person’s Christian faith (cp. 1 Cor 8:9, 13; 1 Jn 2:10). Christians’ behavior is to be guided by what is best for others rather than by personal privilege (cp. Rom 14:13-15, 19-21; 15:1-2). These two basic principles lie at the heart of Paul’s advice on”
  11. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”
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