12 – Inspiration
INSPIRATION
§ 12. The Bible was written by divine inspiration1 inasmuch as the inspired penmen2 performed their work as the personal organs3 of God,4 especially of the Holy Spirit,5 who not only prompted and actuated them toward writing what they wrote,6 but also suggested to them both the thoughts and the words they uttered as they wrote.7
1. The Bible was written by divine inspiration
II Timothy. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, etc.
2. inasmuch as the inspired penmen
Romans 15:15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort.
I Corinthians 5:9 I wrote unto you in an epistle.
II Corinthians 2:3-4, 9 And I wrote this same unto you. For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you. (9) For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
Galatians 1:20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
I Timothy 3:14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly.
I John 1:4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
I John 2:1, 13 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. (13) I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
John 5:46–47 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?
Luke 3:4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias, the prophet.
Matthew 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias which saith, …
Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, …
Luke 20:42 And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on My right hand.
3. performed their work as the personal organs
Matthew 2:5, 17 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet. (17) Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy, the prophet, saying.
Matthew 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, …
Matthew 12:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, …
Matthew 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand).
Matthew 27:9, 35 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, … (35) That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, …
Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.
4. of God,
Matthew 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, …
Acts 4:24–25 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: who by the mouth of Thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? Cf. Psalm 2:1–2.
Hebrews 4:7 Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To-day, after so long a time; as it is said, To-day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Romans 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them My people, which were not My people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
Romans 1:2 Which he had promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.
5. especially of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 1:16 Men and brethren, this Scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.
Acts 28:25 Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers.
II Samuel 23:1–2 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said. The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His Word was in my tongue.
II Peter 1:19–21 We have also a more sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed; as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the 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.
I Peter 1:11–12 Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
Mark 13:11 But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.
Luke 12:12 For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
6. who not only prompted and actuated them toward writing what they wrote,
II 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.
II Timothy. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Romans 15:18–19 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God.
Galatians 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Jeremiah 30:2 Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
7. but also suggested to them both the thoughts and the words they uttered as they wrote.
Jeremiah 30:2 Thus speaketh the Lord God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book.
Romans 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient by word and deed.
I Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
II Peter 1:19–21 We have also a more sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the Day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of the 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.
John 10:34–35 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 cannot be broken.
Matthew 22:43–44 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call Him Lord, saying, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, till I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.
Romans 15:9–12 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to Thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto Thy name. And again He saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with His people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud Him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a Root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in Him shall the Gentiles trust.
Galatians 3:16 He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of One, And to thy Seed, which is Christ.
Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
I Peter 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.
Hebrews 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Hebrews 8:8, 13 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. (13) In that He saith, A new covenant, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 4:7 Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To–day, after so long a time; as it is said, To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.
Hebrews 7:20–21 And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made priest: (for those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec:) Psalm 110:4.
Romans 4:6–7, 9 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (9) Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also?
Ephesians 4:8–9 Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that He ascended, what is it but that He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? Cf. Psalm 68:18.
John 7:42 Hath not the Scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
Luke 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the Law to fail.