Πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἔλεγχον, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος, πρὸς πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθὸν ἐξηρτισμένος. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
All Scripture is God-breathed and beneficial for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, having been fully equipped for every good work.
Exegetical Analysis
The clause begins with πᾶσα γραφὴ, “every Scripture” or “all Scripture,” with πᾶσα modifying γραφὴ in a way that invites syntactical ambiguity. The construction could refer to each passage of Scripture individually or to the whole canon collectively. The predicate θεόπνευστος (God-breathed) stands as a theological assertion without a copula, likely implying an ellipsis of “is” (ἐστίν). The asyndetic structure draws attention to this divine origin. Following that, the text lists four prepositional phrases introduced by πρὸς, each denoting a different function of Scripture: διδασκαλίαν (instruction), ἔλεγχον (reproof), ἐπανόρθωσιν (restoration or correction), and παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ (training in righteousness). These build a crescendo of pedagogical and moral purposes. The final clause, introduced by ἵνα, marks a purpose: ἄρτιος ᾖ, “may be complete,” followed by a participial phrase ἐξηρτισμένος, “having been equipped,” pointing to a completed state. The accumulation of functional terms with πρὸς and the strong final result clause mark this as a climactic statement on Scripture’s role in spiritual formation.
Interpreting the Sacred Patterns
The structure of this passage unfolds like a liturgical formula, not merely an educational directive. The repetition of πρὸς creates a rhythmic progression of Scripture’s fourfold utility, which would likely have been memorized and meditated upon by early Christian communities. Is γραφὴ here referring only to the Hebrew Scriptures, or is it already embracing emerging apostolic writings? The ambiguity is purposeful. The verse balances a universal statement about divine origin—θεόπνευστος—with a very pragmatic application. The verbs ᾖ (subjunctive of εἰμί) and ἐξηρτισμένος (perfect passive participle of ἐξαρτίζω) imply that completeness is both a potential state and an achieved equipping by God. This duality reinforces the process of sanctification. The participle also hints at an external agent—God’s Spirit, perhaps—doing the equipping through Scripture. The construction does not command but describes: it draws the reader into awe rather than duty.
Where Word Meets Worship
This verse locates the breath of God not in ecstatic prophecy but in graphe—Scripture. The term θεόπνευστος is rare, possibly coined by Paul, and it encapsulates a theology of divine immanence through text. Scripture is not merely inspired but exhaled by God, retaining the warmth of His presence. That it is ὠφέλιμος—profitable—grounds the transcendence in usefulness. Scripture is not a relic but a tool, shaping the human soul. The description of the “man of God” (ὁ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωπος) evokes images of prophets like Moshe or Timotheos himself, whose lives are molded by divine words. To be ἄρτιος is to lack nothing, to be whole; and to be ἐξηρτισμένος is to be armed—prepared for every good work. Scripture thus does not merely inform but transforms, not merely teach but forge. Its breath becomes our breath.
Exegetical Feature Table
| Greek Word | Form | Lexical Meaning | Interpretive Role | Exegetical Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| θεόπνευστος | Adjective, nominative singular feminine | “God-breathed” | Descriptive predicate | Coined or rare term emphasizing divine origin |
| πρὸς διδασκαλίαν | Prepositional phrase | “for teaching” | Functional clause | Initiates a four-part list of Scripture’s uses |
| ἵνα ἄρτιος ᾖ | Subordinate purpose clause | “so that … may be complete” | Final cause | Describes the telos of Scriptural usefulness |
| ἐξηρτισμένος | Perfect passive participle, nominative masculine singular | “having been equipped” | Descriptive result | Highlights divine action completed in the believer |
Infused with Fire, Armed with Scroll
There is a quiet revolution in this sentence. Unlike thunderous theophanies or prophetic oracles, here the divine comes wrapped in parchment. God breathes not through storm but through script. Each word bears weight: θεόπνευστος speaks of intimacy, ὠφέλιμος of function, and ἄρτιος of integrity. What is offered to the reader is no less than formation—of mind, of heart, of calling. In a world distracted by novelty, this verse anchors us in permanence. The breath that once animated dust into man now animates man into disciple, worker, image-bearer. And what is the goal? Not mere knowledge, but readiness—for every good work. Scripture does not merely speak; it equips. And those who listen well do not merely learn—they live, sent with scroll in hand and Spirit in breath.
