2 Timothy 3:17

2 Timothy 3:17

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

a. NLT: God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. NIV: so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

c. Young’s Literal Translation: that the man of God may be fitted -- for every good work having been completed. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

d. Amplified Bible: So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

1. “That the man of God may be perfect…”

a. That [Strong: 2443 hína, hin'-ah; probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result):—albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.]

b. [the] man [Strong: 444 ánthrōpos, anth'-ro-pos; from G435 and ὤψ ṓps (the countenance; from G3700); man-faced, i.e. a human being:—certain, man.]

c. [of] God [Strong: 2316 theós, theh'-os; of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:—X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]

d. may be [Strong: 5600 ō, o; the subjunctive of G1510; (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with G1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be:—+ appear, are, (may, might, should) be, × have, is, + pass the flower of her age, should stand, were.]

e. [Strong: 3588. [ho] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [ho] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, ‘Hē  hē, hai, tas.]

f. [Strong: 3588. [tou] ὁ ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: [tou] ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.] [Additional variants: tē, hoi, oi, tēn, ta, tēs, tois, tais, tō, tōn, tou, hé, ‘Hē  hē, hai, tas.]

g. perfect [Strong: 739 * rtios, ar'-tee-os; from G737; fresh, i.e. (by implication) complete:—perfect.] [Zodhiates: Complete, sufficient, completely qualified.] [Strong: fresh, i.e. (by implication) complete:--perfect.] [Thayer: fitted, complete, perfect, having reference to special aptitude for given uses.]

2. “…thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

a. thoroughly furnished [Strong: 1822 * exartízō, ex-ar-tid'-zo; from G1537 and a derivative of G739; to finish out (time); figuratively, to equip fully (a teacher):—accomplish, thoroughly furnish.] [Zodhiates: To complete entirely, to furnish or fit completely. The use of exartizo and its root artios, appears redundant but actually conveys a subtle nuance. It reads “that the man of God may be competent because he has been equipped, outfitted, furnished.”] [Thayer: to complete, finish, to furnish perfectly, to accomplish…]  

b. unto [Strong: 4314 prós, pros; a strengthened form of G4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e. pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of, i.e. near to; usually with the accusative case, the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, i.e. whither or for which it is predicated):—about, according to , against, among, at, because of, before, between, ([where-]) by, for, × at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), + together, to ([you]) -ward, unto, with (-in). In the comparative case, it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.]

c. all [Strong: 3956 pâs, pas; including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:—all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), × daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.]

d. good [Strong: 18 agathós, ag-ath-os'; a primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun):—benefit, good(-s, things), well.]

e. works [Strong: 2041 érgon, er'-gon; from a primary (but obsolete) ἔργω érgō (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act:—deed, doing, labour, work.]

1). One of the designed purposes of the Scriptures is to equip us thoroughly. The following passage from Psalm 119 says it well.

a). Psalm 119:97-104 O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my dedication.

119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.