In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul states “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”. This is the only mention in the Bible of the Greek word theopneustos, ‘God-breathed, inspired by God, due to the inspiration of God,’ but other Scriptural passages support the basic premise of the majesty of Scripture.
In Genesis and the Book of John we are reminded that God breathed “the breath of life” into Adam (Genesis 2:7) and Jesus “breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22). Many believe Paul coined this particular term – theopneustos (God-breathed) - but its general meaning and context pervade Scripture.
In 2 Peter 1:21 we are told that “prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit”. And later in this book, the Apostle Peter notes Paul writes “with the wisdom that God gave him” and that failure to take heed to these messages is done at the peril of the readers (1 Peter 3:15-16). 1 Corinthians 2:13 credits Scripture as being from the Holy Spirit, “expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.” In fact, believers used the inspired Word of God to check Paul’s adherence to the Word by examining “the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11).
Some commentaries are split as to whether “God-breathed” refers only to the Old Testament, the only body of “Scripture” extant at that time. However, some narratives believe Paul is referring also to inspired New Testament texts, although they had yet to be canonized. Second Timothy is believed to be Paul’s last letter and most of what would become the New Testament had been written by then, with the exception of the Gospel of John, Revelation, and John’s letters (1, 2, 3 John).
Faith is central to how anyone receives the validity or value of God’s Word. Hebrews 11:1 tells us “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” And Paul says there is a righteousness in the gospel revealed by God in the Scriptures, but our righteousness comes and is maintained by and through faith alone (Romans 1:17). He concludes that verse with: “The righteous will live by faith”. And in his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul thanks God that these people recognize that this is “the word of God, which is at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Although 2 Timothy 3:16 may be the only place in the Bible where “God-breathed” describes the Word of God, Scripture is replete with similar claims. These are actually God’s words, reminding us that His truth and love can be found there and guide us in all aspects of our daily lives.
Perhaps James, in his Book, has the final word about the nature of Scripture (and many other things) when he proclaims “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).
Used by permission from GotQuestions.org.
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