“For I desire mercy and not sacrifice,
“And the knowledge of God more than offerings” (Hosea 6:6).
 
In this call to repentance that is being sent out through the prophet Hosea, God uses an extreme statement to make His point about the importance of absolute sincerity as a person attempts to worship or to develop a relationship with Him.
 
All worshipers under the law of Moses were aware that God required sacrifices in their worship of Him—that was a given. Here, however, the prophet says God wants mercy and a knowledge of Him more than sacrifice. 
 
His point is not that they should discontinue sacrifice—rather, his point is that it is of no spiritual benefit if they sacrifice but fail to show mercy to others and fail to have a knowledge of God.
 
Jesus carried this teaching over to His law in Matthew (9:13). His point is the same: obeying the commandments is of no spiritual benefit if a person has no depth or sincerity in doing so. Jesus teaches that obeying His commandments is essential but so are compassion and a recognition of the supremacy of God in every aspect of our lives.
 
Love,
Joe

Fourth and final in a series of studies of 2 Timothy 3:14-17
 
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
“that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”      (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
 
This second letter to the young preacher Timothy has been for the purpose of grounding him in the faith that comes only through a knowledge of the scriptures and of implanting within him the determination to follow all that he has learned without fail. As well, he is to teach others to do the same.
 
Learning the scriptures will make Timothy “complete” or “perfect” as a man of God, meaning he has all that he needs pertaining to life and godliness; thus, he can obey them without having to question whether he is pleasing God.
 
The scriptures, furthermore, prepare him for all aspects of the work he has been sent to do among God’s people—that is, “for every good work.”
 
In these instructions to this young preacher, Paul has given wonderful instructions to Christians of every generation about what it takes to please God and be spiritually successful. We learn God’s word, put its teaching into practice in our own lives, and communicate what we have learned to those whom we can influence.
 
Love,
Joe

Third in a series of studies of 2 Timothy 3:14-17
 
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
“that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” 
​(2 Timothy 3:16-17).
 
Continuing his instruction to the young preacher Timothy, Paul tells him two more points for which the scriptures are profitable: for reproof and for correction. While these two words convey almost the same meaning in English, there was a distinction in the original language.
 
“Reproof” means “correction, censure, or conviction” (Thayer), carrying with it the idea of making a person aware of his unrighteous behavior. When one is reproved, he is made aware of his sin.
 
“Correction” means “restoration to an upright or a right state, correction, improvement” (Thayer), pointing more to the restorative aspect of this process. After a person is made aware of his sin, he must take the steps given in scripture to show that he is giving up his unrighteous behavior if he wants to please God.
 
Paul’s desire for Timothy is that he will be “a complete” man of God himself and also that he will be able to assist those whom he teaches in living the way God wants them to live and in accomplishing the work in which every Christian must be involved (“equipped for every good work”).
 
Love,
Joe

Second in a series of studies of 2 Timothy 3:14-17
 
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
“that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”      (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
 
In this context, “Scripture” refers to the Old Testament, although the same point applies to the New Testament. “Inspiration” means God dictated the words He wanted the writers to record, the same words that made Timothy “wise to salvation.”
 
“Doctrine” means teaching or instruction. So, if one wants to please God, he must take heed to teaching found in the scriptures because they will provide a spiritual benefit. The Old Testament teaches us about God and His expectations for mankind. The New Testament provides instruction about the practices God wants His children to follow under the new system.
 
And that is exactly the point Paul emphasizes to the young preacher here: Timothy was to teach that the scriptures came directly from God, and believers of all ages must listen to them to receive the spiritual benefits desired.
 
Love,
Joe