The Inspiration of the Word
1. How are we told that it is the Word, and not man, that is inspired? “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.” 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17. NOTE.— There is really no difference between the Revised Version and the Common Version, altho one says “all scripture,” and the other “every scripture inspired.” The apostle in the verse before defines what scriptures are meant; namely, the scriptures which Timothy himself knew, including all the Old Testament scriptures. The New Testament scriptures were then being committed to writing. “By inspiration of God,” or “inspired of God,” is literally, “God-breathed.” It is the Word that is inspired, not the agent. It does not always demand that the agent himself should be the holiest of men. Sometimes God uses very weak and unworthy instruments to utter His Word. This is manifest through all the history of the giving of the Word. It is also worth while to note that in that Word is found all that the man of God needs for the carrying forward of his work. 2. How does Paul express the thought of the Word which God gave him and other apostles? “Which things also we speak, NOT IN WORDS WHICH MAN’S WISDOM TEACHETH, but which the SPIRIT TEACHETH; combining spiritual things with spiritual words.” 1 Cor. 2: 13. 3. How does David express himself in harmony with Paul? “The SPIRIT OF JEHOVAH SPAKE BY ME, and HIS WORD was upon my tongue.” 2 Sam. 23: 2. 4. And how do the writers of the New Testament regard the words of the ancient singers of God? “The scripture should be fulfilled, which THE HOLY SPIRIT SPAKE before by the mouth of David concerning Judas.” Acts 1: 16. “Wherefore, even as the HOLY SPIRIT SAITH, To-day if ye shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Heb. 3: 7, 8. NOTE.— It is clearly evident that the New Testament writers had no question regarding the inspiration of the Scriptures. They did not say that David thought, or David imagined, or even that David did any particular thing, but that the Spirit spoke through David. They were David’s words, without question, but they were the Spirit’s words also. How frequently do we find in the Old Testament the same thought,—“The Word of Jehovah came to” this prophet, or to that prophet. It was God using men, and speaking through men, like a great master musician who could play on various instruments, bringing sweet and perfect music from them all. That music would bear the stamp of the instrument through which it was produced, but it would also bear with it the character and skill of the man who produced it. 5. How are we assured of this same thought by an apostle? “For no prophecy ever came by the will of man; but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1: 21. 6. How does our Lord show that this inspiration depends upon the very plural of a word itself? “Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If He called them gods, unto whom the Word of God came (and the Scripture can not be broken), say ye of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?” John 10: 34-36. 7. If the Word, then, comes to us in this way, of what may we be assured? “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of the grass. The grass withereth, and the flower falleth; but the Word of the Lord abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1: 24, 25.