The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture teaches that the Bible contains all the words of God that He intends His people to have at each stage of redemptive history, and that it teaches all that is necessary for salvation and spiritual life.
The Bible claims to be sufficient
The Bible claims to be sufficient for all aspects of the Christian faith and life. Here are some key verses:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” This verse teaches that Scripture is sufficient to equip believers for “every good work.”
2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” The “all things” necessary for life and godliness come through knowing Christ, which we access through Scripture.
Psalm 19:7-9 describes the sufficiency of Scripture by saying, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.”
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for nullifying the word of God with their traditions (Matthew 15:6). He said Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). These verses imply that Scripture is sufficient and needs no additions from human tradition.
Overall, the Bible’s own testimony is that it is able to make believers “complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). There is no spiritual need the Bible leaves unsatisfied.
The sufficiency of Scripture in salvation
The Bible teaches that Scripture is sufficient for salvation. The gospel message found in Scripture thoroughly equips us for salvation. Romans 1:16 says the gospel is “the power of God for salvation.”
2 Timothy 3:15 says that Scripture is able to make us wise for salvation. Acts 20:32 says, “I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Scripture contains all we need to be saved.
Scripture teaches that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus said believing in Him is the work God requires for salvation (John 6:29). Scripture reveals Jesus and His gospel so that we can exercise saving faith (John 20:31). No extra revelation or tradition is needed.
The sufficiency of Scripture in ethics
The Bible claims to be sufficient for teaching ethics and instructing us how to live a godly life. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul says all Scripture is “profitable for teaching” and for “training in righteousness.” The Psalms declare that Scripture makes us wise, brings joy to the heart, enlightens the eyes, and endures forever (Psalm 19:7-9). Scripture thoroughly equips us for every good work.
Scripture contains ethical injunctions and moral principles covering every aspect of life, including marriage roles (Ephesians 5:22-33), government (Romans 13:1-7), business (James 5:1-6), church (1 Timothy 3:1-13), and neighborly love (Luke 10:25-37). Scripture rebukes sin and trains our conscience. It equips for “every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). No extra ethical revelation is needed.
The sufficiency of Scripture in guidance
God promises wisdom to those who seek it from Scripture. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Scripture illuminates the path we should take.
In troubling decisions, the Psalms encourage meditation on Scripture rather than seeking new revelation (Psalm 119:59-60). Psalm 119:133 says, “Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.” Scripture promised to guide the Psalmist’s steps.
Isaiah 8:20 says, “To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” Scripture is the ultimate test of guidance and truth. Anything contradicting Scripture is false.
The Bereans were called noble-minded for testing even the Apostle Paul’s teaching against Scripture (Acts 17:11). Scripture was their guide and test for truth, not extra revelation. Scripture thoroughly equips us to test guidance and make wise decisions.
The sufficiency of Scripture for knowledge of God
The Bible claims to provide knowledge of everything we need to know about God for salvation, obedience and spiritual life. Jesus said eternal life is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3). This knowledge comes from Scripture alone.
All Scripture testifies about Christ (John 5:39). The gospel reveals the power of God for salvation to all who believe (Romans 1:16). Scripture records everything Jesus did and taught (John 21:25). It reveals everything we need to know about Christ.
2 Peter 1:3 says God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through knowledge of Him. This knowledge comes from Scripture alone. No extra revelation outside Scripture is needed to know God truly. Scripture thoroughly reveals God’s character and will.
Scripture equips ordinary people
The doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture means that Scripture equips ordinary believers for the Christian life. Scripture is not just for scholars and experts. It is accessible and clear enough for all.
Psalm 119 praises God’s word as a lamp for the feet and a light for the path (v.105). Scripture makes the simple wise (Psalm 19:7). It thoroughly equips the man of God (2 Timothy 3:17). Scripture is written so ordinary people can understand it and be “complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).
This is a priesthood of all believers. All Christians have access to the word. Biblical interpretation is not just for clergy but for all believers reading in community and dependence on the Spirit. Scripture claims to fully equip every believer.
Scripture’s sufficiency is comprehensive
The sufficiency of Scripture means Scripture is sufficient to address every area of life and doctrine. Is it sufficient in matters of salvation? Yes (2 Timothy 3:15). Guidance? Yes (Psalm 119:105). Wisdom? Yes (Psalm 19:7). Ethics? Yes (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Knowledge of God? Yes (John 17:3). All these verses point to Scripture’s comprehensive sufficiency.
There are no spiritual matters Scripture fails to address sufficiently. No new revelation is needed to supplement or supersede Scripture. It is sufficient not just in salvation, but in “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training” believers thoroughly for “every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Scripture’s sufficiency covers all areas of faith and practice conclusively.
Objections to sufficiency of Scripture
Some objections are raised against the sufficiency of Scripture. Some argue Scripture is not sufficient because it doesn’t address modern technologies and discoveries. But sufficiency of Scripture refers to the comprehensive sufficiency of Scripture for all matters of spiritual life, ethics, salvation, etc. Scripture was never meant to teach science or technology.
Others say Scripture is not sufficient for Christians today because it was written to specific cultures millennia ago. But 2 Timothy 3:16-17 refers to all Scripture being useful for teaching, correction and training. Jesus says His words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35). Scripture was written for all people in all places.
Some say Scripture is not sufficient without the authoritative interpretation of church tradition and creeds. But Scripture claims authority as God’s very words (2 Timothy 3:16), and to thoroughly equip for faith and doctrine (2 Timothy 3:17). Scripture interprets Scripture, with guidance from the Spirit.
Scripture has new revelations over time
While Scripture claims to be sufficient, Christians also believe God unfolds new and fuller revelations of Himself progressively across redemptive history recorded in Scripture. Later Scripture provides greater insight than earlier Scripture. This is an important nuance.
For example, the gospel of grace was hidden and is now revealed in the New Testament (Ephesians 3:1-12). OT believers did not have the full NT revelation. Scripture is sufficient at each stage, but grows fuller in revelation across time, ultimately culminating in the sufficient revelation for the church recorded in Scripture we have today.
This means no new revelation outside Scripture is ever needed to supplement Scripture’s sufficiency. But we affirm that within Scripture, God reveals Himself in the covenant of grace more fully in the New Testament than He had under the Old Testament covenants. The sufficient Scripture gets richer across time.
How the sufficiency of Scripture applies today
Here are some key applications of the sufficiency of Scripture for Christians:
1. Scripture alone is our supreme authority for faith and practice, not traditions.
2. We should study Scripture intensely to understand God’s full revelation for questions of doctrine, ethics, church, etc.
3. We test all teachings, counsel and decisions by Scripture to see if they align with biblical truth.
4. We need to translate and distribute Scripture widely so all believers have access to its sufficiency.
5. We refute any claims of new revelation, visions, prophecies or traditions that claim to add anything beyond Scripture for spiritual life.
6. Ordinary believers are fully equipped to read, study and interpret Scripture with the Spirit’s help.
The sufficiency of Scripture has far-reaching implications. It means we need to know Scripture deeply and make it the sole foundation for all matters of faith and conduct. No external source is needed to supplement or supersede the Bible’s rich sufficiency.
