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Inspiration
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THE DEFINITION OF INSPIRATION
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Biblical Usage
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The enlightenment of God which can give man understanding (Job 32:8)
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The method by which God gives Scripture to man (2 Timothy 3:16)
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Basic Meaning
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Inspiration means a breathing in (cp. respiration)
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Greek word: Theopneustos means God-breathed
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Theological Definitions
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Common definition: the operation of the divine Spirit which renders a speaker or writer infallible in the communication of truth. This definition is biblically incorrect.
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Definition for this course: the act of God by which He made every word of Scripture completely without error and completely what He wanted.
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Scriptural Principles of Inspiration
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The inspiration of scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-17; especially verse 16)
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Inspiration refers to scripture; not men
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Inspiration refers to all scripture
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Inspiration makes all scripture profitable
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The moving of holy men (2 Peter 1:16-21)
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They spoke not of their own will
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They spoke by the moving of the Holy Ghost
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Inspiration and moving are not to be confused. The scripture is inspired; the men were moved. This means they had no ultimate control over what they wrote but were moved, manipulated and controlled by God.
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The words of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 2:7-16; especially verse 13)
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Given in the words which the Holy Ghost taught
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NOTE: the medium of Gods message to mankind is words
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CONCLUSION: the authority for these words is the Holy Ghost
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This is verified throughout scripture (Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16; Acts 28:25; Hebrews 3:7)
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The unity of the scripture
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The scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35)
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No scripture can be discarded
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Every scripture is connected to every other scripture
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Scripture must be compared with scripture (1 Corinthians 2:13; Isaiah 28:10,13)
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NOTE: We cannot understand completely any single verse in the Bible unless we understand completely every other verse in the Bible. This is why we find the riches of Gods word unfathomable. Each new truth becomes the basis for several more truths. This also helps to explain why it is so important that every verse of scripture be exactly what God wants it to be.
