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Inspiration
Scripture Passage:
2 Timothy 3:14-17 Attached audio files:
- THE DEFINITION OF INSPIRATION
- Biblical Usage
- The enlightenment of God which can give man understanding (Job 32:8But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.
See All...) - The method by which God gives Scripture to man (2 Timothy 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
See All...) - Basic Meaning
- Inspiration means “a breathing in” (cp. respiration )
- Greek word: Theopneustos means “God-breathed”
- Theological Definitions
- 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.
- Definition for this course: the act of God by which He made every word of Scripture completely without error and completely what He wanted.
- Scriptural Principles of Inspiration
- The inspiration of scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-17 [14] But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
See All...; especially verse 16) - Inspiration refers to scripture; not men
- Inspiration refers to all scripture
- Inspiration makes all scripture profitable
- The moving of holy men (2 Peter 1:16-21 [16] For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
[17] For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
[18] And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
[19] We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
[20] Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
[21] For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
See All...) - They spoke not of their own will
- They spoke by the moving of the Holy Ghost
- 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.
- The words of the Holy Ghost (1 Corinthians 2:7-16 [7] But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
[8] Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
[9] But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
[10] But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
[11] For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
[12] Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
[13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
[14] But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
[15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
[16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
See All...; especially verse 13) - Given in the words which the Holy Ghost taught
- NOTE: the medium of God’s message to mankind is words
- CONCLUSION: the authority for these words is the Holy Ghost
- This is verified throughout scripture (Mark 12:36For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
See All...; Acts 1:16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
See All...; Acts 28:25And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
See All...; Hebrews 3:7Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
See All...) - The unity of the scripture
- The scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
See All...) - No scripture can be discarded
- Every scripture is connected to every other scripture
- Scripture must be compared with scripture (1 Corinthians 2:13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
See All...; Isaiah 28:10For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
See All...,13) - 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 God’s 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.
Proverbs 14:11
The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.