2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms that the Bible is inspired by God. It declares all scripture is profitable for doctrine (teaching), for reproof (conviction regarding sin), for correction (to set right that which wrong), and for instruction (admonition regarding rewards and punishment) for the express purpose of every man being fitted for the work of God.
What was the role of the Holy Spirit in giving the scriptures to man orally and in writing? In 2 Timothy 3:16, the phrase “Inspiration of God” comes from the Greek word (theopneustos) which is composed of two root words, theos = God and pneu = to breath. This Word designates God as the author of scripture. It denotes that scripture came from the breath of God, it emanated from God. But we ask, by what instrument or by what means did scripture proceed from the mind of God?
2 Peter 1:19-21 affirms two things. First, men spake from God as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. Second, the prophets did not speak of their own initiative because the Spirit guided them in what to say. (In verse 20, "private interpretation").
In 2 Peter 1:21, what does the term moved by mean in conjunction with how the Holy Spirit conveys the mind of God to man? The words moved by come from the Greek word (phero) which means to be borne on, or to be carried along, like a ship when it’s driven in a certain direction by the wind. In the same manner the Holy Spirit carried along the prophets in what they should speak/write of the things God demanded.
Let us emphasize that the Word of God did not come from the will of man. Man is not the author of the Bible, God is. In Galatians 1:11, Paul teaches that the gospel which he preached was not after man nor was it taught to him by man or other Apostles, but it was revealed to him by Jesus.
In both the Old and New Testaments it is clear the scriptures are the divine Words of God. In the Old Testament alone the terms such as the Lord spake, the Lord said, or the Word of the Lord came to me are use more than 3,800 times to express God’s Words.
In 2 Samuel 23:2, David said the Spirit of the Lord spake by him. The Spirit used David as an instrument to convey the Words of God. In Acts 1:16-17, the Bible teaches the Spirit spake by the mouth of David concerning Judas. In Jeremiah 1:9, we find the Lord put His words in Jeremiah’s mouth. In Ezekiel 3:14, 16-17, God told Ezekiel He made him a watchman over the house of Israel to warm the people from God. How did Ezekiel get God’s Word to warn the people? The Spirit carried him along, according to 1 Peter 1:19-21.
In the New Testament, the Bible confirms God has revealed His will by His Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:9-14, Paul declares God revealed to them by the Spirit the deep things of God and confirmed he spoke the things taught by the Spirit, and not by the wisdom of men. In Ephesians 3:4-6, the Spirit of God teaches the Word of God was revealed to the Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit.
The Bible is Word of God and not the word of man. The church received the Word taught by Paul, not as the words of men, but the Words of God - 1 Thessalonians 2:13
-- Harry D. Anderson, Jr., March 2011 --
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