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The Sufficiency of Scripture for the Christian Life
Contending for the Word Q&A, September 26, 2025
Q: What Is the Biblical Basis for the Sufficiency of Scripture?
A: The sufficiency of Scripture means that the Bible contains everything necessary for salvation, godliness, and obedience to God. This conviction rests on the testimony of Scripture itself, not on human opinion.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 to 17 teaches that all Scripture is breathed out by God, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
- Psalm 19:7 declares that the law of the Lord is perfect, it revives the soul.
- 2 Peter 1:3 states that God’s divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him.
Together these passages confirm that the Word of God is not lacking, it fully equips believers for faith and life.
Why This Matters
When Christians look for guidance beyond God’s Word, whether in new revelations, cultural ideologies, or mystical practices, they risk elevating human wisdom to a place of authority. This confuses the church and obscures the voice of God. The sufficiency of Scripture anchors God’s people in revealed truth and protects them from deception.
Living in Light of Scripture
Believers are called to open the Bible daily, confident that God has provided everything needed for life and godliness. We are not left to search for hidden knowledge, we are invited to grow in the knowledge of Christ through the Word He has given. Christians can walk with assurance, knowing that Scripture is clear in the main things, trustworthy in all it affirms, and sufficient for a life of faithful obedience.
Conclusion
The Bible is not simply an old book, it is the inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God. In Scripture, God has given all that is needed to know Him, to love Him, and to live for Him with clarity and confidence.
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
