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The Origin of the Scriptures

When the Bible teaches about its nature and origin in 2 Timothy 3.16 it uses a word that should shape our handling of the Scriptures. The term translated “inspired” (theopneustos) by many translators could perhaps better be rendered as “breathed out by God” as is captured in the English Standard Version (ESV).

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (2 Tim. 3.16 ESV)

B.B. Warfield helpfully stated that theopneustos “is primarily expressive of the origination of Scripture, not of its nature and much less of its effects. What is theopneustos is ‘God Breathed’ produced by the creative breath of the Almighty….What it affirms is that the Scriptures owe their origin to an activity of God the Holy Ghost and are in the highest and truest sense His creation. It is on this foundation of Divine origin that all the high attributes of Scripture are built.” (The Inspiration & Authority of the Bible, B.B. Warfield)

“Warfield rightly concluded that the term translated “God-breathed” is speaking of the origin of the Scriptures; they are not, first and foremost, in a primary sense, human in their origination….A solid view of the Bible begins with the recognition that God is its principle author, the origin and source of its very essence. All sub-Christian systems must, by definition, attack God’s Word at this very point, for the survival of their unbiblical teachings and views of authority is dependent upon overthrowing this precise truth.” (Scripture Alone, James White), p. 51

What an immense and unspeakable treasure we have in the Word of God. For in it we have the fresh, pure, and certain mind and will of Almighty God. Indeed, what a sacred stewardship we have in the Bible!

But he answered, “It is written, “‘ Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” (Matt. 4.4)

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