Devine Scripture

2 Timothy 3:17

What does 2 Timothy 3:17 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Timothy 3:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Timothy 3:17 means

The goal of Scripture’s inspiration and usefulness is practical and pastoral: “that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” God intends His Word to produce mature servants whose beliefs and behaviors align with His will. Completeness does not mean sinless perfection, but being well-formed, competent, and ready for the tasks God assigns. Scripture equips by shaping doctrine, character, and skill. In a world of counterfeits, the Word furnishes what is needed for real ministry—truth to teach, error to confront, paths to correct, and righteousness to pursue. Timothy’s sufficiency lies here, not in human wisdom.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So that the man of God may be complete, trained and made ready for every good work.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

that the man of God may be fitted--for every good work having been completed.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

that the man ofGod may be complete, fully fitted to every good work.

Context

This closing verse concludes Paul’s argument about Scripture’s divine source and practical effect (verses 16–17) and, by extension, the entire chapter’s concern with deception and endurance. Having warned of perilous times and false teachers, Paul ends by pointing to God’s Word as the comprehensive provision for faithful ministry. The flow readies Timothy for the solemn charge that follows in the next chapter, grounding his calling in the sufficiency of Scripture to equip him for every good work.

v.16Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness:

v.17This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 119:98

    Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me.

  • 1 Timothy 6:11

    But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

  • 2 Timothy 2:21

    If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master’s use, prepared unto every good work.

  • 2 Corinthians 9:8

    And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:

  • Acts 9:36

    Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

  • Nehemiah 2:18

    And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, as also of the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

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