Category: Theology 101
The Doctrine of Inspiration (Cont'd)
Biblical Data
2 Timothy 3:16. This text from Paul’s second letter to Timothy makes an important contribution to the doctrine of inspiration. It reads as follows, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness….” The phrase “inspired by God” is actually only a single word in the original language. It is the word theopneustos. Theopneustos is a compound Greek word. The first part theo means “God.” The second part pneustos means “to breathe out.” Thus theopneustos means “God breathes out.” Strictly speaking, the text does not speak of the inspiration of Scripture, but rather the expiration of Scripture. 'Expiration' has the same root as 'inspiration' (spirare, “to breathe”), but attaches the prefix ex (“out of,” “from”) in place of in. Therefore, it means (etymologically) “the act of breathing out,” which is what the Greek intends. Hence, Paul asserts that God breathed out all Scripture.
2 Peter 1:20,21. Herein we find a statement by the Apostle Peter that further elaborates the doctrine of inspiration. Peter writes, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” The text affirms that the prophets were not preaching their own sermons, but were moved (Lit., carried) by the Holy Spirit and spoke God’s words.
The Bible testifies of itself that it is the result of God's work. It is His word.