Paul's well-known statement about the inspiration of the Scriptures, in 2 Tim. 3:16, has been translated into English in three different forms. The A. V. renders it, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness," etc. The R. V. gives it, "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching," etc.; and it gives as an alternative rendering, "Every scripture is inspired of God, and is profitable," etc. If the A. V. rendering is correct, then the word "scripture" undoubtedly means the Old Testament, and the apostle asserts that it is all inspired of God. If either of the renderings in the R. V. is correct, the [467] term "every scripture," if it stood alone, might mean any scripture or writing whatever, whether in the Old Testament or not. But it does not stand alone. It is connected in the immediate context with the "sacred writings," or "the holy scriptures," in which Timothy had been instructed from his childhood, and these are undoubtedly the Old Testament writings. Now, whether Paul, speaking of these, says, "Every scripture is inspired of God and profitable," or "every scripture inspired of God is profitable," he in either case recognizes the inspiration of the writing referred to, in the one case assuming it, and in the other asserting it. All three of the renderings, therefore, convey the positive testimony of Paul to the divine inspiration of the Old Testament, while the one in the text of the R. V. carries with it the idea that if any other Scripture than those in the Old Testament is inspired of God, it also is profitable for the same divine purposes.

[SEBC 467-468]