[vrwc1]

It is not a matter of grammar - it is a matter of meaning. You are (in addition to making unwarranted ad hominem attacks on me claiming I am inventing a grammar, which I am plainly not doing) arguing that "perfect" does not mean "perfect". Let me give you a couple definitions from Websters:

1. Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind.
2. Being without defect or blemish.

If I am wholly complete, without defect or blemish by scripture, what else could I possibly need? There is nothing else you can add to make me any more complete - that is impossible, as I am already fully complete. Therefore, there is nothing besides scripture that can make me more perfect. If you add something to perfection it becomes imperfect.

Your comparison between the two sentences is invalid because you are comparing perfection with imperfection.

[Notwithstanding]

newsflash: meaning depends upon grammar

pointing out your logical error is by no means an "ad hominem attack" (nice command of Latin, by the way)

Many things can combine to bring about perfection. This does not diminish perfection.

This is not even a theological issue - it is grammatical. You NEED desperately for this passage to mean what you say it means. Otherwise you would use the reason God gave you by which you can then read His word without adding meaning that is not present.

[Conservative til I die]

in addition to making unwarranted ad hominem attacks on me claiming I am inventing a grammar, which I am plainly not doing

That's not an ad hominem attack.

[Notwithstanding]

I agree with your definition of perfect. But you disagree with the definition of profitable. It means helpful. It does not mean necessary or sufficient. This passage does not even mean that the bible is necessary for salvation. Clearly it is not. People can be saved without ever hearing one word of scripture.

---

From Websters's:

\Prof"it*a*ble\, a. [F. profitable.] Yielding or bringing profit or gain; gainful; lucrative; useful; helpful; advantageous; beneficial; as, a profitable trade; profitable business; a profitable study or profession.

What was so profitable to the empire became fatal to the emperor. --Arbuthnot. -- Prof\"it*a*ble*ness, n. -- Prof\"it*a*bly, adv.


Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.