All Scripture is Inspired by God
All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness
2 Timothy 3:16 (CSB)
Paul wrote to Timothy that “God inspires all Scripture.” This declaration notes that “All” of the Word of God originates in the Lord. It clarifies that for Scripture to be considered authentic, it must come from God alone. Thus, inspiration becomes foundational for a proper understanding of the nature of God’s Word.
The idea of “inspired by God” must be understood in light of the Greek interpretation of the original term that indicated that Scripture is “God-breathed.” God-breathed nature provides the Word with its living attributes and reveals the authoritative, truthful, and trustworthy nature. The Bible is not a collection of stories or good moral code, but the God-breathed truth for us.
The world around us seeks to argue against and minimize the God-breathed nature of Scripture. This opposition is not new but an extension and similar response to Satan. Satan has opposed the Word of God from the beginning by misinterpreting, twisting, and attempting to lessen the authority of God. When inspiration is attacked, Scripture is not the target, but God becomes the target, and humanity becomes the victim.
In the beginning, God breathed into Adam, and life occurred. As Scripture is God-breathed, it provides life as well. The Word of God points to man’s great need for salvation, reveals God’s great work to provide a way to salvation, and extends the avenue to receive the free gift of salvation. Like Adam received life with the breath of God, we can find eternal life from engagement with Scripture.
As we recognized last week, Scripture is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness. These truths exist because the Bible is living and active and carries the authority of God because it is God-breathed. Are you living with the truth that Scripture is God-breathed?
QUESTIONS
Why is it important to hold to the truth that all Scripture is inspired by God?
What possible issues could arise if this truth is ignored?
