Warning Timothy against deception by "evil men and seducers," and the likelihood of those who would live godly lives being persecuted (See 2 Tim. 3:12-13), Paul counseled him, "Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (verses 14-15.)Then, explaining the worth of the scriptures, Paul wrote: "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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (verses 16-17.)

Elder Bruce R. McConkie in Volume 1 of Doctrinal New Testament Commentary defined scripture:

"Anything spoken by the Father, Son, or Holy Ghost, by the angels of heaven, or by mortal man when moved upon by the Holy Ghost, is scripture. Such spoken words are the will, mind, word, and voice of the Lord. (D&C 68:1-5.)

"Since it is a comparatively rare thing for mortal man to hear the personal voice of Deity, or to converse with angels, it follows that most scriptural utterances are given to man by revelation from the Holy Ghost. These statements, made by the power of the Spirit, consist of the identical words which the Lord Himself would speak under the same circumstances. They are indeed the Lord's words because He authorizes and directs the Holy Ghost to influence and guide men in giving utterance to them." (p. 56.)

In Volume 3 of that work, Elder McConkie explained: "Since scripture includes all inspired utterances, it embraces much more than the standard works standing alone. Indeed it is the spoken testimony, the oral scripture which makes the fire of conversion burn in the human soul with an unquenchable flame. (2 Ne. 33:1.) Much of our instruction, doctrine and reproof comes from this source; hence, the need for living prophets to guide the Church and warn the world. But in the eternal sense even oral scripture "is recorded in heaven for the angels to look upon. (D&C 62:3.)" (p. 114.)

*****

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Sunday School course of study on the New Testament, lesson No. 39.

Information compiled by R. Scott Lloyd

Sources: Bruce R. McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary; October 1987 and October 1988 general conferences.