Since the Bible was inspired by the Almighty God, we Christians assert that it possesses unique authority. What does this term mean? Describe divine inspiration.
Where does the word “inspiration” come from? Is it in the Bible?
It seems sense to open any discussion about the inspiration of the Bible with a reading of 2 Timothy 3:16. This poem states in Greek, πὶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστoς. Here, for instance, modern Bible translations use alternative words:
- “All Scripture is given by God” (ERV)
- “All Scripture is breathed out by God” (ESV)
- “All Scripture is God-breathed” (NIV)
- “All scripture is inspired by God” (NRSV)
- “All of the Bible was inspired by God.” (NKJV and KJV)
The old King James Version’s terminology has had a special influence on theological jargon; as a result, the word “inspiration” is frequently employed, albeit not in the contemporary sense. Let’s investigate more closely.
The Bible uses the word “inspiration” in a special way
In daily life, we frequently refer to mental stimulation—particularly when it comes to creative endeavors—as “inspiration.” The source of inspiration serves as a springboard for our own ideas, but it never determines how things turn out in the end. People are moved by great philosophers’ ideas or by exquisite music. Painters often draw inspiration from the natural world or from notable architectural features. Christians find inspiration in “heroes of faith” and Jesus’ example. While that has value in our day-to-day lives, 2 Timothy 3:16 in the Bible does not mean this.
What does the word “inspiration” mean in the Bible?
The literal translation of the phrase “all Scripture (is) God-breathed” is πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστoς. It should be noted that in addition to meaning “breath,” the term πνεῦα also denotes “wind” and “breath of life, spirit” (as opposed to the body). This word is also used in the Bible to refer to God the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew term rûaḥ (רוּחַ), which is similar to πνεῦϼα in the Old Testament, has the same scope of meaning. The Scriptures are therefore inspired by God and/or were uttered by God when they are θεόπνευστος.
He expressed Himself, but [through writers who were human]. Both of these men’s literary styles and personalities were unique. They were inhabitants of different ages and nations. While some penned multiple novels, others just wrote a brief letter. However, God inspired the words they wrote themselves. Therefore, rather than being “the word of men whose ideas are rooted in their relationship with God,” the Bible that we have today is appropriately referred to as “the Word of God.”
How were the authors of the Bible inspired by God?
The Bible writers were not just vaguely “inspired” by the Lord as an artist is inspired by nature, but the Holy Spirit selected them and guided them in a supernatural way so that the written words of the Bible were also the words of God. They wrote only what the Lord intended. 2 Peter 1:21 explains: “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Not only were the human authors kept from making errors, but also from omitting anything. Their writings are accurate and complete. This process extended until the time the document was written in its final form, and thus includes the work of later editors who were also guided by God.
Which parts of the Bible were inspired by God?
The Bible itself claims that “all Scripture”, so the whole Bible[1], was inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, compare 1 Corinthians 2:12-13). So, it is not only the basic concepts or story line that is inspired, or only the words of Jesus Christ, but every single Bible verse from Genesis to Revelation. This also implies that we can’t delete parts of the Bible, or add extra books: “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and you be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:5-6). The final chapter of the Bible even warns us: “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll” (Revelation 22:18-19).
Allow me to add a brief but crucial point. We read the Bible with a restricted knowledge if we do so. As a result, we could not be correctly interpreting God’s written Word. Making the distinction between “what the Bible says” and “what I believe the Bible says” is crucial. As we study and understand the Scriptures, we should constantly beg the Holy Spirit to enlighten us (see Ephesians 1:17-19).
Why is it important that the Bible was inspired by God?
Words made by humans are not perfect. [The words of God are not]. No matter who wrote it, every typical book can have mistakes or be biased and lacking in certain areas. It gets out of date. People may disagree with its assertions or disagree with it altogether. Not in the case of the Bible.
- The inspired Bible is reliable and inerrant. “Sanctify them [His disciples] in the truth; Your word is truth,” Jesus prays to His heavenly Father (John 17:17).
- “Proficient for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work,” is how 2 Timothy 3:16–17 puts the inspired Scripture’s authoritative status.
- The inspired books of Scripture never date. In Matthew 24:35, Jesus declares, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.”
- The Bible’s inspired words have great force. “For just as the rain and snow descend from heaven and do not return there, but rather hydrate the earth, providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so also will be My word that departs from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish that which I purpose, and it will succeed in the thing for which I sent it,” God declares in Isaiah 55:10–11.
- The Bible provides information concerning creation and the future grandeur of God’s children, among other topics, that would remain unknown without it. God alone is able to instruct us on these crucial subjects.
Are Bible translations inspired?
The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts of the Bible were originally written. In order to provide as many people with easy access to God’s Word as possible, they have since been copied and translated into numerous other languages. But unlike the writing process, the copying and translating process was not inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is the duty of Bible translators to perform their work meticulously. They must ensure that their translations faithfully and understandably convey the original content. However, translators are not perfect. There are frequently several excellent translation possibilities for a single phrase.
There are situations when a single term in the target language cannot adequately convey the meaning of a particular Hebrew or Greek word, forcing translators to make decisions. Translations are frequently updated and revised throughout time due to the dynamic nature of languages, changes in our understanding of Hebrew and Greek, and disagreements among committees over the most accurate way to translate specific verses. Translations are thus not perfect. God only inspired the originals upon which they are based. Nonetheless, there are a lot of reliable translations available that accurately represent God’s infallible Word.
What is the difference between inspiration and revelation?
The meaning of these two words is similar, but not exactly the same. In the Bible, there is a lot of divine revelation. This is information that people would not otherwise know. God reveals His eternal plan of salvation. The apostle Peter writes about this: “Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:10-12).
In 1 Corinthians 2:9–10, the apostle Paul writes, “God has revealed to us through the Spirit what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined—what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Because everything is searched by the Spirit, even God’s depths.
Thus, the purpose of revelation is to convey God’s truth to people. As we’ve already seen in this article, inspiration is the act of recording God’s Word. This includes revelations from God to the authors of the Bible, but it also includes accounts of historical occurrences, individual experiences, and other things that were recorded without the need for extra revelation. It even goes into detail on people’s misconceptions and lies. Look at Psalm 14:1 as an illustration. In order for these things to serve as God’s holy Word, the divine inspiration ensures that they be precisely documented and explained.
Conclusion
The Bible is a work of human and divine inspiration. Although it originated with God, people have recorded and written it down. The Holy Spirit provided guidance for this writing process. We refer to that as “divine inspiration.”
[1] In a strict sense, these words are only applicable to the Scriptures that had already been written at that point; they do not apply to works that were produced subsequent to Paul’s letters to Timothy. But we also think that the Holy Spirit led the decision of which books to include in the Bible and inspired the authors of the last books. For instance, in 2 Peter 3:15–16, the apostle Peter states that he regards all of Paul’s letters as “scripture.” Refer to [this article] for additional details.
