so that the man of GodThis phrase refers to individuals who are dedicated to serving God, often used to describe prophets or leaders in the Old Testament, such as Moses (
Deuteronomy 33:1) and Elijah (
1 Kings 17:18). In the New Testament context, it extends to all believers, particularly those in ministry, emphasizing their role as representatives of God's will. The term "man of God" underscores a life committed to divine service and spiritual maturity.
may be complete
The idea of being "complete" suggests spiritual maturity and wholeness. It implies a process of growth and development in faith, aligning with passages likeJames 1:4, which speaks of perseverance leading to maturity. This completeness is not about perfection but about being fully developed in character and faith, equipped to handle life's challenges and fulfill God's purposes.
fully equipped
This phrase indicates being thoroughly prepared and furnished with everything necessary for a task. In the context of 2 Timothy, it suggests that Scripture provides all the tools needed for spiritual growth and effective ministry.Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor of God, which believers are to put on, symbolizing the spiritual resources available to them. The concept of being equipped also ties into the idea of discipleship and training, as seen in Jesus' preparation of His disciples.
for every good work
The emphasis here is on the purpose of being equipped: to engage in good works. This aligns withEphesians 2:10, which states that believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works, prepared in advance by God. The phrase underscores the active nature of faith, where believers are called to live out their faith through actions that reflect God's love and righteousness. It highlights the transformative power of Scripture in guiding believers to live lives that honor God and serve others.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul- The apostle who authored the letter to Timothy, providing guidance and instruction for church leadership and personal conduct.
2.
Timothy- A young pastor and protégé of Paul, recipient of the letter, tasked with leading the church in Ephesus.
3.
Ephesus- The city where Timothy was stationed, known for its diverse culture and challenges to Christian teaching.
4.
The Church- The body of believers to whom Timothy ministered, facing false teachings and moral challenges.
5.
Scripture- The sacred writings referred to by Paul, which include the Old Testament and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
Teaching Points
The Role of ScriptureScripture is essential for equipping believers. It provides the foundation for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness, ensuring that the man of God is prepared for every good work.
Completeness in ChristThe term "complete" (Greek: artios) suggests maturity and readiness. Believers are called to grow in their faith and understanding, becoming fully equipped through the Word of God.
Equipped for ServiceBeing "fully equipped" (Greek: ex?rtismenos) implies having all necessary tools and resources. Christians are to use their God-given gifts and the guidance of Scripture to serve others effectively.
Practical Application of FaithThe ultimate goal of being equipped is to engage in "every good work." This involves active participation in ministry, community service, and living out one's faith in daily life.
Guarding Against False TeachingsIn the context of Ephesus, where Timothy ministered, false teachings were prevalent. Scripture equips believers to discern truth from error and stand firm in their faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Timothy 3:17?
2.How does 2 Timothy 3:17 equip us for "every good work" today?
3.What does "thoroughly equipped" mean in the context of Christian living?
4.How can we apply 2 Timothy 3:17 to our daily spiritual practices?
5.How does 2 Timothy 3:17 connect with Ephesians 2:10 about good works?
6.In what ways can church leaders use 2 Timothy 3:17 for ministry training?
7.How does 2 Timothy 3:17 define the purpose of Scripture in a believer's life?
8.What does "thoroughly equipped for every good work" mean in practical terms for Christians today?
9.How does 2 Timothy 3:17 support the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Timothy 3?
11.What is the purpose of Instruction in Righteousness?
12.What are the core beliefs of Lutherans?
13.What is the purpose of Instruction in Righteousness?
14.What defines a consistent Christian lifestyle?What Does 2 Timothy 3:17 Mean
Setting the StagePaul has just declared, “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Verse 17 now gives the purpose of that divine inspiration. Think of it as the destination on a map the previous verse unfolded. Scripture is never an end in itself; it is God’s chosen means to shape His people. Similar purpose statements appear in passages likeEphesians 4:12, where Christ gives gifted leaders “to equip the saints for works of ministry,” andJohn 17:17 where Jesus prays, “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”
The Man of God• In Scripture, “man of God” is a title for those who speak and live under God’s authority—Moses (Deuteronomy 33:1), David (Nehemiah 12:24), and Timothy himself (1 Timothy 6:11).
• It reminds us that identity precedes activity. God forms a person before He commissions a task.
• By extension, every believer indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8:9) is called to be such a “man” or “woman” of God.
Complete• “Complete” carries the idea of being mature, well-rounded, lacking nothing essential.Colossians 1:28 echoes this aim: “that we may present everyone perfect in Christ Jesus.”
• Scripture does not leave gaps; it furnishes the full counsel we need for life and godliness, just as2 Peter 1:3 affirms, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.”
• Maturity is not theoretical. It shows up in character, choices, and perseverance under pressure (James 1:4).
Fully Equipped• Picture a craftsman’s toolbox or a soldier’s armor. God’s Word outfits us with everything required to meet real-life situations (Ephesians 6:17 calls the Bible “the sword of the Spirit”).
• The equipping is ongoing. As we study, memorize, and obey, the Spirit sharpens each tool—discernment (Hebrews 5:14), wisdom (Psalm 19:7), courage (Joshua 1:8-9).
• There is no need to search elsewhere for spiritual essentials. Scripture is sufficient, reliable, and ready for daily use.
Every Good Work• “Every” leaves no category untouched—home, church, workplace, community.Titus 3:1 urges believers “to be ready for every good deed.”
• Good works are prepared by God beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). Our role is to walk in them, guided by the principles and promises of His Word.
• The verse guards us from selective obedience. If the Bible equips for all good works, then all of life is sacred ground for service.
Putting It Together• Immerse: Regular, prayerful reading opens the toolbox.
• Internalize: Meditation and memorization drive truth from head to heart (Psalm 119:11).
• Implement: Obedience turns equipment into action, whether correcting a child, sharing the gospel, or enduring hardship (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
• Inspire: Equipped believers encourage others, multiplying ministry (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Summary2 Timothy 3:17 shows God’s endgame for His Word: to shape people who belong to Him into mature, fully outfitted servants ready for any righteous task He sets before them. Scripture supplies what we need, the Spirit energizes our obedience, and the result is a life that consistently displays good works to the glory of God.
(17)
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.--The "man of God" here is no official designation, but simply designates the Christian generally, who is striving, with his Master's help, to live a life pleasing to God; and the "good works" have no special reference to the labours of Timothy and his brother presbyters, but include all those generous and self-sacrificing acts to which, in these Epistles, so many references have been made.
It was in the Holy Scriptures that the true servant of the Lord, the man of God, would find defined with clearness and precision the nature of those works the Holy Spirit was pleased to call "good."
Verse 17. -
Complete for
perfect, A.V.;
furnished completely for
throughly furnished, A.V.;
every good work for
all good works, A.V. Complete (
ἄρτιος); only here in the New Testament, but common in classical Greek. "Complete, perfect of its kind" (Liddell and Scott).
Furnished completely (
ἐξηρτισμένος, containing the same root as
ἄρτιος); elsewhere in the New Testament only in
Acts 21:5 in the sense of "completing" a term of days. It is nearly synonymous with
καταρτίζω (
Matthew 21:16;
Luke 6:40;
2 Corinthians 13:11;
Hebrews 13:21;
1 Peter 5:10). In late classical Greek
ἐξαρτίζω means, as here, "to equip fully." As regards the question whether
the man of God is restricted in its meaning to the minister of Christ, or comprehends all Christians, two things seem to decide in favour of the former: the one that "the man of God" is in the Old Testament invariably applied to prophets in the immediate service of God (see
1 Timothy 6:11, note); the other that in
1 Timothy 6:11 it undoubtedly refers to Timothy in his character of chief pastor of the Church, and that here too the whole force of the description of the uses and excellence of Holy Scripture is brought to bear upon the exhortations in ver. 14, "Continue
thou in the things which thou hast heard," addressed to Timothy as the Bishop of the Ephesian Church (see, too, ch. 4:1-5, where it is abundantly clear that all that precedes was intended to bear directly upon Timothy's faithful and vigorous discharge of his office as an evangelist).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
so thatἵνα(hina)Conjunction
Strong's 2443:In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.theὁ(ho)Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.manἄνθρωπος(anthrōpos)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.of GodΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.may beᾖ(ē)Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.complete,ἄρτιος(artios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 739:Perfect, complete, fitted, ready. From arti; fresh, i.e. complete.fully equippedἐξηρτισμένος(exērtismenos)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1822:From ek and a derivative of artios; to finish out; figuratively, to equip fully.forπρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.everyπᾶν(pan)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.goodἀγαθὸν(agathon)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 18:A primary word; 'good'.work.ἔργον(ergon)Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2041:From a primary ergo; toil; by implication, an act.
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NT Letters: 2 Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be (2 Tim. 2Ti iiTi ii Tim)