Equipping the believer for Every Good Work

 

"That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Tim 3:17)

This verse is part of a larger passage where the Apostle Paul is encouraging Timothy, his protégé and fellow worker in the ministry, to continue in the things he has learned and to remain faithful to the Scriptures.

The phrase "man of God" is used throughout the Bible to refer to someone who is called by God to serve Him, whether as a prophet, priest, or other servant. In this context, it likely refers specifically to those who are called to be ministers of the Gospel.

The goal of Scripture, as Paul explains, is to equip these ministers for every good work. This means that the Scriptures provide everything they need to be effective in their ministry, including knowledge, wisdom, guidance, and power. By studying and applying the Scriptures, ministers can be thoroughly furnished and prepared to carry out their calling.

But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. (1 Tim 6:11)

However, it's important to note that this verse isn't just relevant to ministers of the Gospel. It applies to all believers, as the Scriptures are the means by which we can know God's will and be equipped to do good works in our daily lives. Whether we are called to full-time ministry or not, we can all benefit from a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and a commitment to applying them in our lives.