The Miracle of Inspiration

What does the Bible literally say concerning inspiration? What should I believe about the Bible’s origin and how reliable is its message? When we bring up the question of the infallibility of the Bible we are opening the subject of “inspiration.” Unfortunately, this word is grossly misunderstood when applied to the Bible. Therefore, we will look to the Scriptures and the Spirit of God to help us explore this important truth to the Christian Faith.

In 2 Timothy 3:16 we read, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [God-breathed], and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness . . .”

Another key passage for understanding inspiration is 2 Peter 1:20–21, which says, “… no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.  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.”

These two incredible passages when properly understood greatly contribute to our grasp of the miracle of biblical inspiration.

THE MEANING OF INSPIRATION

2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

"Inspiration" means to inhale air, and the Bible rightfully claims that its words were breathed in by Almighty God through chosen men of old.  The word “inspired,” when it is used in reference to the Bible, is a technical term meaning “God-breathed.” The term "inspiration" is used twice in Scripture (Job 32:8; 2 Ti. 3:16). In the N.T. it is the key term selected by God to describe the nature of the Bible’s origin. There are basically three views regarding inspiration:

   1.  The Humanistic View of Inspiration: The Bible is inspired only in the sense that great human writings, such as those of Shakespeare, are inspired. We commonly speak of artists having been inspired to do such a great work.

Shakespeare was inspired when he wrote Hamlet. An inspired Beethoven penned his Fifth Symphony. Michelangelo was inspired when he painted the Sistine Chapel. Sir Laurence Olivier gave an inspired performance of Richard III. Luciano Pavarotti sang an inspired role in Puccini's La Boheme. By these uses of “inspired” we mean, simply, that they transcend the ordinary. The individual reached down within himself and produced a work that was extraordinary even for other geniuses, or even for himself. This is not what is meant when we say the Bible is inspired.  2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God . . .

   2.  The Partial View of Inspiration. Some believe the Bible is inspired in those matters not affecting science, but that there are historical and scientific errors in the Bible. This common theory is usually expressed by the statement, “The Bible Contains the word of God.”  They don’t all agree on which parts are and which are not.  Furthermore who should be the judge? (R.J. Sargent)

Usually they question things like the Biblical Creation Account, whether or not Adam and Eve were literal people, the Flood of Noah and the Ark, the Sun Standing Still for Joshua, the Crossing of the Red Sea, and other places in the Bible where scientific reference is made.   The Bible literally teaches that all Scripture is given by inspiration.   2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

    3.  The Perfect View of Inspiration: The Bible is perfectly inspired and contains no error. It is this latter view that is supported by the Bible itself. The Bible claims to be the perfect, inspired Word of God.

Psalm 119:160, Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Matthew 5:18, For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

       a. Inspiration. "A supernatural influence exerted on the sacred writers by the Spirit of God, by virtue of which their writings are given Divine trustworthiness" (B. B. Warfield, "Inspiration," Int. Stand. Bible Ency., p. 1473).

       b. In Defining Scriptural Inspiration Three Factors must Be Kept in Mind:

2 Peter 1:20-21

             1. The Source.  The Primary Efficient Cause, the Holy Spirit, who acts upon man. 

             2. The Scribe.  The Subject of Inspiration, Man, the agent upon whom the Holy Spirit acts directly. 

             3. The Scriptures. The Result of Inspiration, a Written Revelation, given once for all, thoroughly accredited and tested by miracle and fulfilled prophecy. (cf. J. E. Steinmueller, Companion to Scripture Studies [1941], 1:5, 14).

THE MIRACLE OF INSPIRATION

The two outstanding Scripture references regarding the doctrine of inspiration are given a brief treatment in the following paragraphs:

   1. The Miracle of Divine Inspiration as Taught in  II Peter 1:21.

2 Peter 1:20-21 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.

This Scripture clearly teaches two aspects of inspiration:

      a. The Miracle of Inspiration Involved Human Penmanship- “ ... holy men of God”

The Bible is not a product of man's will (v. 21). Other books are the product of the will of the human author, but not the Bible. God chose certain men and moved in them to deliver His message. As they were moved by the Holy Spirit the things they spoke were the words of God.

     b. The Miracle of Inspiration Involved Divine Authorship- “... moved by the Holy Ghost”

An analysis of this particular verse makes it clear that God was the active Source of the Scriptures.

           1.  The Word "Moved" (Grk. “Pheromenoi") Means "Borne Along." God did not follow the human writers to correct any of their mistakes, or intervene if necessary - rather, the writers were consciously, willingly, carried along. As God gave the words, they wrote. (The same Greek word is translated "driven" in Acts 27:17, where the ship was totally controlled by the wind, at the mercy of the storm.)

           2. Thus the Inspiration of the Bible Is a Supernatural Miracle Wrought By the Spirit. God used approximately 40 human writers of varying occupations and education, over a time span of about 1,600 years; He gave us a Book with amazing unity.  Why?  Because there is only one Author!

      c. The Miracle of Inspiration Involved a Mysterious Method.

This passage (2 Pet. 1:19-21) explains the method whereby the Bible was given. God used men, but He used them in such a way that what they wrote was precisely God's Word. When the Bible touches on inspiration and revelation, it focuses on God. We are told very little about the actual mechanism.

            1.  The Details of the Method of Inspiration Is an Unrevealed Mystery.

It was accomplished mysteriously by the Holy Spirit. We are not supposed to fret about the method of inspiration; we are supposed to believe God's testimony that it happened and we are to have faith in the finished product, the Holy Scriptures.

             2.  Modern Bible Scholars Usually Over Look the Power and Wisdom of God When It Comes to Inspiration.  They do just the opposite of what the Scriptures do in reference to inspiration. They focus on man's part rather than upon God. That is because most modern scholars do not operate by the principle of faith. They are operating by their own intellect and by the means of human scholarship. No man can know the perfect Word of God through scholarship, for "without faith it is impossible to please him" (He. 11:6).

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

             3.  The Phrase "private interpretation" (vs 20) Refers to the Writers of the Bible.  In the context this is referring to the giving of revelation, rather than to the understanding or explaining of it. Peter is here dealing with the origin of the Bible and not with the way men interpret it after it has been given.  The point is that when the prophets sat down to write they did not give their own renditions, explanations, or conclusions. This word “interpretation” means ‘origin’ and it describes the way in which the Word came into being in the first place.  The Bible writers did not personally interpret God's revelation to mankind; they were given God's revelation by the Holy Spirit.

             4.  Believers Have No Reason to Worry About The Accuracy and Reliability of the Bible!  In a day when many deny the authority of the Scriptures, it is extremely important that we stand firmly for the verbal, plenary inspiration of the inerrant Word.  Yes, our Bible is without error and is reliable not only in doctrine, but in history, science, chronology, and all other areas.

   2. The Miracle of Divine Inspiration as Taught in  II Timothy 3:16.

2 Tim. 3:16, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The important phrase is “... inspiration of God...." Those who delight in the original languages tell us the Greek word translated "inspired" "theopneustos," literally means "God-breathed." This Scripture clearly teaches its divine Authorship.

These two passages together picture Scripture as coming to us from God through men. But these men were not writing purely human documents. They were being supernaturally guided to write what God wanted written, though no evidence suggests that they were taking dictation from God or anything of the sort. Each man's own personality, background, writing style, and temperament come through. You can tell when you are reading John instead of Paul, for example. Once you get to know their styles, they are easily identifiable. Jeremiah did not write like Isaiah. God worked through human agents so that, using their own individual characteristics, they composed and recorded without error God's revelation to humanity in the words of the original manuscripts or letters.  And of course these very words have been preserved for us today according to the Lord’s own sure promises. (Source Unknown)

    3.  The Miracle of Divine Inspiration As Taught in Other Passages.

The claim of Inspiration is made thousands of times in Scripture as we find the true claim that God is the Author. Phrases such as "thus saith the Lord" and "the word of God" permeate the Bible. By one author’s count, these phrases are used 1,783 times in the Old Testament exclusive of the Psalms. Consider the following examples:

         a. "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel" (Ex. 34:27).                                                             

         b. “The spirit of the Lord spake by me and His word was in my tongue" (2 Sa. 23:2).

         c. “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the Lord hath spoken" (Is. 1:2).

         d. “Whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak ... Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth" (Je. 1:7,9).

         e.  "Thou shalt speak my words unto them" (Eze. 2:7).

         f.  "All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet" (Mt. 1:22; 2:15).

         g.  "David himself said by the Holy Ghost" (Mk. 12:36).

         h.  "He spake by the mouth of His holy prohets, which have been since the world began" (Lk. 1:70).

         i.  "Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Ac. 3:21).

If the Bible is not the Word of God, it is the greatest lie that has ever been perpetrated upon humanity. These key passages demonstrate beyond any doubt where the Bible came from in the first place. Clearly the Word of God came from God; He inspired the Scriptures!

Today we have defined the Bible concept of inspiration in order to support our conviction that the Bible should be the final authority in the believer’s life. We can have confidence in the accuracy of the Bible (KJV) and should respect  its authority. We now understand that the Bible is not merely a work of humans, but a work of God.   From this day forward view your Bible as the Breath of God—The Word of God; indeed it was given by inspiration!