Every scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing mistakes, for correcting, and for training character. — 2 Timothy 3:16
This famous passage from Paul has certainly been abused. It’s sometimes used as a justification for reading the Bible literally. Actually, Paul was referring to the Old Testament, since the New wasn’t around when he was writing to his young friend Timothy. I think the apostle was saying that everything in the Scriptures (and we can add the New Testament here) points to Jesus and his message. So, read, study, discuss, pray, reflect on the passages, individually and with others.
However, there’s one thing that’s usually omitted when people quote this verse. It’s what comes before it.
Paul praised Timothy for having “paid attention to my teaching” and for having taken notice of the abuse and ordeals the apostle went through in proclaiming the gospel (3:10-13). It’s as if Paul was pointing to himself as a role model for the young church leader. It’s like, “You can trust what I’m saying because I believe it so strongly I’m willing to die for it if need be.”
If we want to understand Scripture, it’s good to have a role model. Someone who lives the faith with integrity. Someone who’s tried to live what they’ve read. Someone who’s seen both the highs and the lows and still keeps the faith. Talk to them, see how they carry themselves, get to know them better.
Sure, studying the Bible opens up a lot of things for us. But someone who lives the Bible can help us understand it even better.