THE TEST OF INSPIRATION

The Apostle Paul said of all sacred written,

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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Paul tells us three things in these two verses. First, Scripture’s origin is God. Although God used men to be the instruments of record, the Lord was the author behind the human authors. The Apostle Peter said it this way: “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation” meaning that the men the Lord used to write did not invent what they wrote. It was not man’s knowledge being revealed. Peter continues, “for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). These men did not plan to write Scripture. A higher will motivated them.

Second, Paul tells us how God inspired men to write His holy Word. The word inspiration means God-breathed. Scholars call this verbal plenary inspiration. The authors were not necessarily stenographers writing verbatim what the Lord was saying. Rather he breathed or moved upon them in such a way that His message was relayed and at the same time the personality of the human author is clearly visible.

Third, we are told that inspired Scripture is profitable for several things, but all necessary to the maturity of the child of God. The Bible is our sole source for teaching. It is the guide by which we are rebuked and corrected. It is the means God uses to conform us to righteous living.