Sola Deo Gloria

I am taking a Theology Exam and I plan to post each question along with my answers on here as I progress slowly through. Please read and comment… help out if you think I am missing something important.

1. The Bible is spoken of as “inspired.” What does this mean?

Dictionary.com defines inspired to be of extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external creative impulse; and also to be breathed in. While external sources alone should not be the authority of definition for Christians, this definition does not fall far short of what the Bible speaks of as “inspired”.

(1)II Timothy 3:16-17 says (KJV), “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The phrase given by inspiration above is the word theopneustos in Greek, which literally means (according to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionary) divinely breathed in: -given by inspiration of God. I believe the English Standard Version more accurately translates this verse as, “All scripture is breathed out by God…”

“What is the Excellency of the scripture? It is given by inspiration of God (2Ti_3:16), and therefore is his word. It is a divine revelation, which we may depend upon as infallibly true. The same Spirit that breathed reason into us breathes revelation among us: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men spoke as they were moved or carried forth by the Holy Ghost, 2Pe_1:21. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but what they received of the Lord that they delivered unto us. That the scripture was given by inspiration of God appears from the majesty of its style, – from the truth, purity, and sublimity, of the doctrines contained in it, – from the harmony of its several parts, – from its power and efficacy on the minds of multitudes that converse with it, – from the accomplishment of many prophecies relating to things beyond all human foresight, – and from the uncontrollable miracles that were wrought in proof of its divine original: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will, Heb_2:4.”(2)

For the Bible to be spoken of as inspired we determine that it is literally the word of God, as holy men were used as the mouthpiece of God. We can trust it to be true and reliable as our source of instruction on life and matters of life.

1 All scripture quotes are copied from e-Sword version 7.1.0
2 Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible – e-Sword version 7.1.0