2 Timothy 3:16

Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable (pasa graph qeopneusto kai wpelimo). There are two matters of doubt in this clause. One is the absence of the article h before graph, whether that makes it mean "every scripture" or "all scripture" as of necessity if present. Unfortunately, there are examples both ways with both pa and graph. Twice we find graph in the singular without the article and yet definite ( 1 Peter 2:6 ; 2 Peter 1:20 ). We have pa Israhl ( Romans 11:26 ) for all Israel (Robertson, Grammar, p. 772). So far as the grammatical usage goes, one can render here either "all scripture" or "every scripture." There is no copula (estin) in the Greek and so one has to insert it either before the kai or after it. If before, as is more natural, then the meaning is: "All scripture (or every scripture) is inspired of God and profitable." In this form there is a definite assertion of inspiration. That can be true also of the second way, making "inspired of God" descriptive of "every scripture," and putting estin (is) after kai: "All scripture (or every scripture), inspired of God, is also profitable." Inspired of God (qeopneusto). "God-breathed." Late word (Plutarch) here only in N.T. Perhaps in contrast to the commandments of men in Titus 1:14 . Profitable (wpelimo). See 1 Timothy 4:8 . See Romans 15:4 . Four examples of pro (facing, with a view to, for): didaskalian, teaching; elegmon, reproof, in LXX and here only in N.T.; epanorqwsin, correction, old word, from epanorqow, to set up straight in addition, here only in N.T., with which compare epidiorqow in Titus 1:5 ; paideian, instruction, with which compare Ephesians 6:4 .