God-Breathed

First Christian Church of Chicago
Jan 19
2 min read

Scripture Focus: 2 Timothy 3:16–17

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (NIV)

Devotional Thought

We have all received words that changed us — a mentor’s guidance, a parent’s reassurance, a friend’s encouragement. Their words shaped who we became. But Scripture offers something even more profound: the very breath of God speaking into your life.

Interpretation

Paul tells Timothy that Scripture is “God-breathed,” a vivid way of saying it originates in God’s own life and Spirit. The Scriptures are not merely human reflections about God but God’s communication through the power of the Holy Spirit through human authors who wrote from real places and challenges. To a young pastor facing competing claims and pressures, this was stabilizing truth: Scripture is completely trustworthy because its source is divine.

Paul continues by informing Timothy that the purpose of Scripture is not just to make us smarter. It has the purpose of transforming our lives. Not only is that its purpose. It is fully capable of making that happen.

Contemporary Relevance

In a world crowded with opinions and constant noise, God’s Word remains your sure foundation. It is a reliable foundation because it does not originate in the thoughts, ideologies, and fantasies of people. It proceeds from the very mind of God. Just as breath escapes our lungs, Scripture proceeds from the lips of God. Scripture does not just inform — it shapes, corrects, forms, and aligns your life with God’s heart. It invites a conversation where God speaks and you respond. Reading the Bible is not checking a box; it is entering a relationship where the Living God addresses you directly.