The Inspiration of the Scriptures, Part 4

Today will mark the conclusion of this series of meditations on the inspiration of the Scriptures. Let us return to a consideration of 2 Timothy 3:16 as there is one word in that passage that I want to emphasize.

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

We showed before that the words “all scripture” cannot be limited, as many believe, to the original autographs of the Scripture. In the preceding verse Paul made mention of “the holy scriptures” that Timothy had known from a child. Recall that this could not have been referring to the original writings of the Old Testament, but rather to copies of those writings. Yet those copies are called “the holy scriptures.” Then in the very next verse Paul teaches that “all scripture,” which would include the Holy Scriptures that Timothy had, “is given by inspiration of God.”

Furthermore, consider the following passages that mention the Scriptures:

Acts 17:1  Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews:
2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,…

Acts 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 18:28  For he (Apollos) mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Now all these different persons and places did not have the original autographs of the Scriptures. Clearly Paul preached from copies, the Bereans searched copies, and Apollos taught from copies. Yet these copies are called by the Holy Spirit, “the scriptures.” And, remember, “all scripture is given by inspiration of God,” which would include the Scriptures mentioned in these passages.

Our Lord commanded men to “search the scriptures” (John 5:39). If he were commanding men to search the originals, then none of us today could obey that commandment because the originals no longer exist to be searched! It should be clear that when the Bible speaks of the Scriptures, it is speaking of something that men have access to, something that exists that they can see and read.

Now the thing that I want to drive home today is that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God.” If this statement refers only to the original autographs of the Scripture, then Paul should have said “all scripture was given by inspiration of God,” for that would indeed be the case. Rather, he wrote that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God.” If the book you read is the Holy Scripture, and we have shown that the Holy Scripture includes copies and translations of the text, then the Scripture you are reading is given by inspiration of God. The expression “given by inspiration of God” describes the A.V. 1611 Bible you have right now. It is given by inspiration of God.

The process of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures indeed refers to the giving of the words of God to the original writers of Scripture.

2 Peter 1:21  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.

To be sure, this part of the process of inspiration is not still going on. God is not still moving men to give forth His words. The body of divine revelation is complete.

Hebrews 1:1  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,…

The verb phrase hath spoken is present perfect tense, referring to a completed or perfected action. In the generation of our Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles, God gave us the word He intends for us to have in its entirety. We seek no additional divine revelation. But God has promised the preservation and transmission of those words He has spoken in copies and translations. And these copies and translations are as much His words as when they first fell from His holy lips. Therefore, these copies and translations are given by inspiration of God. So while the inspiration of the Scriptures includes the original communication of the words of God to men, it is by no means limited to that. The inspiration of the Scriptures also includes the processes of copying and translating those words.

Therefore, the A.V. 1611 that you hold in your hands, the book that you read, study, believe, and obey is given to you by the inspiration of God. That very book that you bought or that was given to you by family or friends, you possess by the inspiration of God. It is the superintending providence of God, called inspiration, that secures to you His words, the Holy Scriptures. Prize this gift. Treat it with reverence. Love it. Read it. Study it. Believe it. Obey it. And your daily experience will confirm this glorious fact: “All Scripture," including that which you have in the A.V. 1611, "is given by inspiration of God.”