Certain Knowledge

Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.
1 TIMOTHY 4:13
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Certain Knowledge
In Romans 15:4 it is Paul's wish "that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." In us we have fear, trembling, and darkness. Yet in such great darkness we must believe that we have life. Therefore John wants us to know and no longer to doubt or tremble but to have the certain knowledge that we live and grow in faith. . .. For in the last chapter of his Gospel, John speaks as follows: "These are written that you may believe" (John 20:31). Accordingly, we should know that God's testimony does not come to us except through the spoken Word or through Scripture. "All Scripture is Inspired by God and profitable," as 2 Timothy 3:16 says; and (v. 15) "from childhood you have been acquainted with the Sacred Writings which are able to instruct you through faith." Likewise in 1 Tim. 4:13: "Attend to reading." . . . Listen Lo Christ, who says in John 17:20: "I do not pray for these only but also for those who are to believe in Me through their Word." Certainly through the spoken or written Word, not through the internal Word. Above all, therefore, one must listen to and read the Word, which is the vehicle of the Holy spirit. When the Word is read, the Holy Spirit is present; and thus it is impossible either to listen to or to read Scripture without profit.

From Lectures on 1 John (Luther's Works 30:321)
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