2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (NLT)
2 Timothy 4: 1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (NLT)
This in actuality is a part of the letter that Paul wrote to Timothy that are connected. I have no understanding as to why it was divided by those that assigned chapters and verses to the Bible when this division of the Bible was created.
16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
All – pas – all, any, every, the whole {Strong’s concordance} [Strong’s]
Scripture – graphe – a document i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it) [Strong’s]
From the breakdown of the word “graphe” in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament [TDNT]. Paul’s usage of the words “All scripture” was to show the gentiles that had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. That all the writings of Holy Scripture which included what we now call the Old Testament were important to Christianity as well. For at that time it was not called the Old Testament, but the Tanakh.
Is given by inspiration of God – theopneustos – from theos (God) and pneo (to breathe hard); divinely breathed [Strong’s]
“It is thus evident that the author is differentiating the writings ordained by God’s authority from other, secular works.” [TDNT]
Paul when giving these instruction to Timothy, which as you go through 2 Timothy you see and understand. That there were false teachings going about in the Christian communities. Thus he was showing that when you bring the teachings of the letters which would one day become the New Testament. That when you combined these letters with the Tanakh. All would see that the true teachings of God would join together in Holy harmony. This was also showing the young Christian groups that the Tanakh was also a part of their teaching and something to embrace and to learn from. Not just the letters that were circulating throughout their communities.
Is profitable – ophelimos – helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous [Strong’s]
Doctrine – didaskalia – instruction (the function or the information; that which is taught) [Strong’s]
Reproof – elegcho – proof, conviction [Strong’s]
“’Proof’,’ means of proof’ with a view to convincing and refuting” [TDNT]
Correction – epanorthosis – a straightening up again [Strong’s]
“In 2 Timothy 3:16 we are told that Scripture can teach us how the believer may attain to salvation. Since Scripture originates from God’s Word, it is profitable for teaching, for the conviction of the sinner, and for instruction in righteousness. There is obviously a planned sequence in this list of nouns. If between the conviction of the sinner and his instruction in righteousness there is a reference to “epanorthosis,” this can only mean that the convicted sinner receives the restoration, i.e., the amendment in conversion {unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15)}, which only God can give. Hence here, too, there is an eschatological determination of “epanorthosis.” Though, in accordance with the general structure of the Pastorals, we have a stronger orientation to ethical outworking.” [TDNT]
Eschatology – a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Instruction – paideia – education or training [Strong’s]
Righteousness – dikaiosyne, dikaiosune – equity, justification [Strong’s]
a: equity – 1) the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality; 2) something that is fair and just [Dictionary.com]
“The concept of law exercised so strong an influence on the understanding of all social relationships that even theological reflection on the fellowship established between God and man (humanity) was decisively affected by it. One may say that law is the basis of the view of God in the OT in so far as it is proved especially by the usage of the OT. The concept of law is expressed by a series of terms which are used not merely for the relations of God to man and man to God, but also for the conduct of both God and man as determined by these relations. If vital religious relationships and interconnexions are regulated by a religious norm. It is obvious that this norm is valid for all social relationships, and therefore that law fashions the ethical norm.” [TDNT; Vol. II page 174]
“The reference here is to right conduct or a godly walk.” [TDNT; Vol. II page 210]
An important note to place here:
“World-class scholar Bruce Metzger said that compared with other ancient documents, there is an unprecedented number of New Testament manuscripts and that they can be dated extremely close to the original writings. The modern New Testament is 99.5 percent free of textual discrepancies, with no major Christian doctrines in doubt. The criteria used by the early church to determine which books should be considered authoritative have ensured that we possess the best record about Jesus.” [The Case for Christ pg, 280]
This however does not apply to the NIV Bible, which has changed or removed several important elements from the text. This Bible if used should be replaced with either the KJV or a NLT as soon as possible.

Verse 17 – That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)
The man – Anthropos – man-faced i.e. a human being [Strong’s]
Of God – theos – a diety, God [Strong’s]
Perfect – artios – complete [Strong’s]
“At 2 Timothy 3:17 ‘artios’ is used in a sense to denote what is right or proper, and more particularly what is becoming to a Christian, obviously with a moral accent…..” [TDNT; Vol. I pg. 476]
Thoroughly furnished – exartizo – to finish out; to equip fully [Strong’s]
“…. ‘exartizo’ means to bring to a suitable state for Christian moral action.” [TDNT; Vol. 1 pg. 476]
Works – ergon – from a primary “ergo” (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation) act. [Strong‘s]
2 Timothy 4:1 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (KJV)
Charge – diamartyromai – from “dia” denoting the channel of an act; through; and “martureo” to be a witness, i.e. testify. – to attest or protest earnestly or hortatively [Strong’s]
a: hortatively – urging to some course of conduct or action [the Free Dictionay.com]
Before – enopion – in the face of {Strong’s]
The Lord – kyrios – supreme in authority, i.e. controller [Strong’s]
Jesus – iesous – of Hebrew origin Yehowshuwa – from Yhovah from hayah, to exist; and yasha, to be open, wide or free i.e. to be safe, to free to succor – Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader. [Strong’s] It must be also noted that Jesus’ name was very common at this time frame which fits into Isaiah 53.
Christ – christos – from chrio, through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil i.e. to consecrate to an office or religious office. – anointed i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. [Strong’s]
“Paul senses a distinction between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus. When he uses the former the original thought is that of the man Jesus whom God raises up and to whom He accords the dignity and position of the Christ, the Messianic deliverer. Conversely, when he uses the latter the original thought is that of the pre-existent Christ who has revealed Himself in a man, in Jesus of Nazareth.” [TDNT; vol. IX page 541 note 321]
Judge – krino – to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially) [Strong’s]
Quick – zao – to live [Strong’s]
The dead – nekros – dead [Strong’s]
Appearing – epiphaneia – a manifestation [Strong’s]
a: manifestation – The definition of a manifestation is the proof of the reality of something, often a site or a smell. [Your dictionary.com]
“’Epiphaneia’ is used in the NT only as a religious term, mostly for the future eschatological appearing of Christ.” [TDNT; Vol. 9 pg. 10]
Kingdom – basileia – royalty, i.e. rule or realm [Strong’s]
Verse 2 – Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Preach – kerysso – to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) [Strong’s]
The word – logos – the teachings of Jesus to the disciples that eventually became the gospels.
Be instant – ephistemi – from “epi” (of time, place, order), and histemi – to stand; to stand upon, i.e. be present [Strong’s]
In season – eukairos – opportunely [Strong’s]
Out of season – akairos – inopportunely [Strong’s]
“exercise your office, deal with members of the community who need your official help when in your judgement it is your duty to do so, whether it be convenient for them (or for you?), or not.” [TDNT; vol. III pg. 462]
Reprove – elegcho – see above
Rebuke – epitimao – from “epi” (of time, place, order), and “timao” to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish. [Strong’s]
a: censure – strong criticism or disapproval [Cambridge dictionary]
b: admonish – to tell someone that they have done something wrong [Cambridge dictionary]
Mathew 18:15 – “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”
Exhort – parakaleo – from “para” – near, i.e. from beside, at, the vicinity of; and “kaleo” – to call; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
a: invoke – to request help from someone, especially a god, when you want to improve a situation [Cambridge dictionary]
b: imploration – earnest supplication [Merriam-Webster dictionary]
b1: earnest – characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind [Merriam-Webster dictionary]
b2: supplication – Think of a supplication as sort of a prayer, a request for help from a deity. The word carries a sense of awe and adoration with it, suggesting something tentative, even servile, a respectful appeal to a higher power. [Vocabulary.com]
c: hortation – The act of exhorting, inciting, or giving advice; exhortation [your dictionary.com]
d: consolation – something that makes someone who is sad or disappointed feel better [Cambridge dictionary]
Longsuffering – makrothymia – forbearance [Strong’s]
a: forbearance – the quality of being patient and being able to forgive someone or control yourself in a difficult situation [Cambridge dictionary]
Doctrine – didache – instruction (the act or the matter) [Strong’s]
In summation of this study we find that it is important to read and know that Bible. This will lead us to a righteous live in the sight of the Lord. We are also to help one another when they stumble or do not follow the teachings of the Word and stray off course. We are to in some case to expect to be insulted, berated and yelled at. However, we are called to stay calm, but not surrender. To push forward with the love of God within us to help those that have turned away from God and their Savior Jesus Christ. To help them understand that a sin is a sin and to live in this sin will lead ultimately to the judgement by Jesus Christ Himself upon His return to this reality. Where this will lead is another topic for another time.