Purposeful Study

A quick glance through a religious bookstore or the religion section of bookstore will show that there is great fascination with the end of the world, and naturally, of Christ's ' return. Many people spend a great deal of time in reading various books and trying to study passages such as I Thessalonians 4:13-17, I Thessalonians 5:1-5, II Timothy 3:1-9, and II Peter 3:1-13. Studying these passages is certainly not a bad thing, but along the way many lose sight of the purpose of Bible study.

When we study the scriptures it is not simply to accumulate knowledge. Nor is it a mental exercise. It is not done in order to impress others with our understanding. It is done so that we might better understand what the will of God is. If you glanced at the passages above (and I certainly encourage you to do so before continuing), you notice that I left a few verses off of each passage. Each of these is completed with a “therefore” type statement. When one of the inspired writers of scriptures used the word “therefore,” it means he is about to conclude his statement with an application.

When Paul wrote in II Thessalonians 4:13-17 about the dead in Christ rising before the living upon Christ's return, he concludes in verse 18 by telling us to comfort one another with these words. It was not simply to provide a fact of interest, but to give Christians comfort.

In I Thessalonians 5:6-11, Paul concludes telling the church in Thessalonica that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night by warning them to always be prepared for it. Again we see that there was a purpose to Paul writing other than just to provide interesting points of information.

In II Timothy 3:10-17, Paul concludes warning Timothy about people by admonishing him to not walk in such ways. Instead, Timothy was to continue in the truth.

In II Peter 3:14-18, Peter concludes a passage on the earth's destruction by fire with an admonishment to be diligent. Without making application from the information, the passage would hold less value for the Christians receiving the letter from the apostle. Likewise, we must be sure to make application from each passage we study.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

II Timothy 3:16-17

We see then what Paul tells us scripture is useful for. It is there that we may learn the doctrine (that is, the teaching) of Christ. Through the word of God, we can understand what the Lord wants. We see that Paul tells us that it is useful for reproof, that is, in showing error and exhorting to righteousness. Paul states that scripture is good for correction. We all must repent in our lives, that we may put away sin and follow the Lord. He also tells us that scripture is good for instruction in righteousness, that is, the word of God teaches us how we may walk blameless before the Lord.

And if we use the scriptures in this way, not just to gain knowledge or accumulate facts, we will be made complete and mature before God. We will be equipped with all that we need that we may do good works, that is, the things which God has commanded. Let us strive not only to study, but to study purposefully!