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What happens when someone says, “I believe in the Bible alone”—and then points to 2 Timothy 3:16–17 to prove it?
It’s almost inevitable that in a conversation between a Catholic and a non-Catholic Christian, the topic of sola scriptura will come up. Your friend might say the Bible is the “only infallible source of truth” for Christian belief and practice. And when asked where that idea is found in Scripture, they’ll likely turn to a well-highlighted verse:
“All Scripture is inspired 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.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
If that’s where the conversation starts, here’s how you, as a Catholic, can respond—with your Bible open and highlighter in hand.
Start by Agreeing: “I Believe This Verse Too”
The best starting point is agreement. You can say:
“Yes, I believe this verse completely. I even have it highlighted in my Bible too!”
That simple affirmation helps your friend see that Catholics aren’t dismissing Scripture—we’re actually taking it very seriously. But what we don’t do is claim this verse teaches sola scriptura. Why?
Because it doesn’t say what many assume it says.
What the Verse Says—and Doesn’t Say
2 Timothy 3:16 says that all Scripture is inspired and profitable. But what’s missing from that sentence? The word “only.”
It does not say that only Scripture is inspired or that Scripture is the sole infallible rule of faith. It doesn’t say Scripture is sufficient by itself to define all doctrine or practice.
Even more importantly: when Paul wrote 2 Timothy, the New Testament as we know it was not yet complete.
At least eight or nine books of the New Testament hadn’t been written yet—including the Gospel of John, Revelation, Hebrews, Jude, 1–3 John, and 2 Peter. So when Paul says “all Scripture,” he’s not referring to the full New Testament as your Protestant friend might assume. He’s referring mainly to the Old Testament and perhaps a few early Christian writings.
That means if sola scriptura depends on a complete Bible—and this verse is its proof text—it can’t stand. Because the complete New Testament didn’t yet exist when this verse was written.
Now Turn to Ephesians 4:11–14
With your friend still open to Scripture, invite them to look at a second passage—one they may not have connected to the sola scriptura conversation.
“And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11–14)
In this text, we find the same themes that appear in 2 Timothy:
- Teaching
- Equipping
- Maturity
- Doctrinal stability
But here, there’s no mention of Scripture at all. Instead, God gives people—apostles, pastors, and teachers—to the Church as gifts for its equipping, growth, and protection against error.
These aren’t just random Christians. They are ordained leaders. Apostolic successors. And Paul says they’re necessary “until we all attain to the unity of the faith…”—which clearly hasn’t happened yet.
Cross-Reference These Two Texts in Your Bible
Here’s a powerful tool: in your Bible, write a cross-reference in the margin next to each of these passages.
- Next to 2 Timothy 3:16–17, write: “See also Ephesians 4:11–14.”
- Next to Ephesians 4:11–14, write: “See also 2 Timothy 3:16–17.”
Now when you’re in a conversation with a Protestant friend, you can point out that Scripture speaks of both inspired writings and Spirit-anointed ministers working together.
Scripture is profitable—but it’s not presented as the only thing the Church needs in order to remain unified, mature, and doctrinally sound.
The Fruits of Sola Scriptura vs. Paul’s Vision
If sola scriptura really worked—if the Bible alone could preserve unity and sound doctrine—then Protestant Christianity would be far more unified than it is.
But as we know, Protestant churches, all claiming to follow “the Bible alone,” teach drastically different doctrines—from baptism and communion to salvation, leadership, and moral issues.
Paul, writing to Ephesus (the same church where Timothy served), didn’t say “Just read your Bible and everything will work out.” He said: God gives us people—ordained leaders—to build up the Church and safeguard the truth.
Without them, we are tossed around by “every wind of doctrine.”
Conclusion: A Bible and a Magisterium
So yes, Catholics agree that all Scripture is inspired by God. But Paul also insists that without the teaching office of the Church—what we call the Magisterium—you won’t get what Ephesians 4 says Jesus wants for His Church: maturity, unity, and protection from error.
That’s why a “Bible only” approach, no matter how sincere, inevitably results in confusion and contradiction.
If you want to be thoroughly equipped, you need both the Word of God and the men appointed by God to teach, correct, and lead the Church He founded.