2 Timothy · Chapter 3 · Wisdom
2 Timothy 3:16 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
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Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,"
KJV · King James Version
"All3956 scripture1124 is given by inspiration of God2315, and2532 is profitable5624 for4314 doctrine1319, for4314 reproof1650, for4314 correction1882, for4314 instruction3809 in1722 righteousness1343:"
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses all, given, inspiration, doctrine, while the WEB renders these as every, breathed, teaching. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
2 Timothy 3:16 in 2 Timothy 3
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 2 Timothy 3:16 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 2 Timothy 3. Read the full chapter →
- v.14 But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them.
- v.15 From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
- v.16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
- v.17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Book background
About the Book of 2 Timothy
- Testament
- New Testament
- Genre
- Pauline epistle
- Author
- Paul
- Date written
- c. 66–67 AD
- Audience
- Timothy — and through him, every Christian minister
- Chapters
- 4
2 Timothy is Paul's deathbed letter — a torch passed to Timothy. He charges him to guard the gospel, endure suffering, preach the Word "in season and out of season" (4:2), and reach his finish line as Paul has: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (4:7). The book contains the great affirmation that "all Scripture is breathed out by God" (3:16).
Setting: Paul's final letter, written from a Roman dungeon awaiting execution.
Key themes: endurance · scripture · gospel · faithfulness · finishing well
Memorisation aid
How to memorise 2 Timothy 3:16
2 Timothy 3:16 contains 17 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching
ESIGAP
- 2
for reproof
FR
- 3
for correction
FC
- 4
and for instruction in righteousness,
AFIIR
Frequently asked
FAQ about 2 Timothy 3:16
What does 2 Timothy 3:16 say?
2 Timothy 3:16 reads: "Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness," — from the New Testament, 2 Timothy (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is 2 Timothy 3:16 in?
2 Timothy 3:16 is in the book of 2 Timothy, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 66–67 AD. 2 Timothy is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to Timothy — and through him, every Christian minister. Best known for "all Scripture is breathed out by God" and "I have fought the good fight".
What is 2 Timothy 3:16 about?
2 Timothy 3:16 is primarily a Bible verse about Wisdom. Within 2 Timothy, 2 Timothy is Paul's deathbed letter — a torch passed to Timothy. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between 2 Timothy 3:16 in WEB and KJV?
2 Timothy 3:16 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "All3956 scripture1124 is given by inspiration of God2315, and2532 is profitable5624 for4314 doctrine1319, for4314 reproof1650, for4314 correction1882, for4314 instruction3809 in1722 righteousness1343:". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is 2 Timothy 3:16?
2 Timothy 3:16 is 17 words in the WEB translation (127 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 5 seconds.
How can I memorise 2 Timothy 3:16?
To memorise 2 Timothy 3:16, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does 2 Timothy 3:16 matter in 2 Timothy?
2 Timothy is Paul's deathbed letter — a torch passed to Timothy. He charges him to guard the gospel, endure suffering, preach the Word "in season and out of season" (4:2), and reach his finish line as Paul has: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" (4:7). The book contains the great affirmation that "all Scripture is breathed out by God" (3:16). 2 Timothy 3:16 sits within this larger story — 2 Timothy as a whole emphasises endurance, scripture, gospel.
How can I apply 2 Timothy 3:16 today?
Many readers use 2 Timothy 3:16 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 2 Timothy 3:16 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
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Psalms 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.”
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Ecclesiastes 3:1
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
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Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
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1 Samuel 16:7
“But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man look…”
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Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”
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Romans 12:2
“Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will…”
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James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him.”
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Psalms 1:1
“Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers;”
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Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”
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Proverbs 4:23
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it is the wellspring of life.”
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More featured verses in 2 Timothy
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2 Timothy 1:7
“For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
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2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.”
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2 Timothy 2:15
“Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.”
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2 Timothy 4:8
“From now on, there is stored up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, bu…”
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