Aug 188 min read

What Does It Mean That God Inspired the Bible?

Understanding the Nature of Divine Inspiration

The concept of divine inspiration is foundational to the Christian faith, particularly concerning the Bible, which is viewed as the authoritative Word of God. When discussing the inspiration of the Bible, it is essential to understand that this term refers to the process by which Jehovah, the Creator of all, directly influenced the writing of the Scriptures, ensuring their truthfulness and reliability.

The Apostle Paul’s statement in 2 Timothy 3:16 is crucial in this regard: “All Scripture is inspired of God.” The phrase "inspired of God" translates from the Greek word the·oʹpneu·stos, meaning "God-breathed" or "breathed by God." This term, used uniquely in this verse, highlights the divine origin of the Scriptures. Just as breath originates from a person’s mouth, the Scriptures are portrayed as emanating directly from God, making them His very words.

This concept of "God-breathed" Scripture finds a parallel in Psalm 33:6, which states, "By the word of Jehovah the heavens themselves were made, and by the spirit [or breath] of his mouth all their army." Just as God’s breath was instrumental in creating the universe, it was also active in the creation of the Bible, making it a divine document, wholly reliable and authoritative.

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The Role of God’s Spirit in the Process of Inspiration

The mechanism by which the Bible was written under divine inspiration involved the operation of God’s Holy Spirit. This Spirit acted upon the human authors of the Bible, guiding their thoughts and words so that they wrote precisely what God intended. The Apostle Peter emphasizes this process when he writes, "But know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter 1:20-21). This passage clarifies that the Bible’s prophetic messages did not originate from human ideas or interpretations but were delivered by men who were moved and guided by the Holy Spirit.

King David, one of the most prolific writers of the Psalms, also acknowledged the divine source of his writings. He stated, "The Spirit of Jehovah speaks by me; his word is on my tongue" (2 Samuel 23:2). Jesus Himself affirmed this understanding when He quoted Psalm 110, attributing it to David, who wrote it "by inspiration" (Matthew 22:43; Mark 12:36). The phrase "by inspiration" in this context literally means "in Spirit," indicating that David was under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit when he penned those words.

The Scriptures provide multiple examples of how God’s Spirit enabled individuals to perform various tasks beyond their natural abilities. For instance, Bezalel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit of God to craft the intricate designs for the tabernacle and its furnishings (Exodus 31:1-6). Similarly, Joshua was filled with the Spirit to lead the Israelites after Moses’ death (Deuteronomy 34:9). In the same way, the Holy Spirit guided the writers of the Scriptures, enabling them to convey God’s message accurately and effectively.

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The Process of Inspiration: How the Bible Was Written

The Bible’s inspiration involved various methods by which God communicated His will to the human authors. The author of Hebrews states that God spoke "in many ways" to His servants in the past (Hebrews 1:1-2). These methods included direct dictation, visions, dreams, and the influence of the Holy Spirit on the writer’s mind.

One of the most direct forms of communication was when God dictated His words to be written down. For example, the Ten Commandments were written by the finger of God on tablets of stone, which Moses then recorded (Exodus 31:18; Deuteronomy 10:1-5). In other instances, God verbally instructed Moses and the prophets to write down specific messages, as seen in passages like Exodus 34:27 and Jeremiah 1:7.

Dreams and visions were another common means of divine communication. For example, Daniel received prophetic messages through dreams, which were then recorded in the Book of Daniel (Daniel 2:19; 7:1). Similarly, the Apostle John received the Revelation through a series of visions while he was on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:1-2). These visions were vivid and often symbolic, conveying deep spiritual truths and future events.

Angelic messengers also played a significant role in delivering God’s messages. Hebrews 2:2 mentions that the Law was given through angels, a point further supported by Stephen’s speech in Acts 7:53 and Paul’s letter to the Galatians (Galatians 3:19). These angels spoke in Jehovah’s name, delivering messages that were considered "the word of Jehovah" (Genesis 22:11-12; Zechariah 1:7-9).

Regardless of the method employed, the Scriptures consistently emphasize that all parts of the Bible are inspired by God, carrying the same divine authority and truth.

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The Individuality of the Bible Writers and the Unity of Scripture

One might wonder how the Bible can be divinely inspired while also reflecting the individual personalities and styles of its human authors. The answer lies in the way God worked through these individuals, allowing them to use their unique backgrounds, experiences, and writing styles while ensuring that the final product was entirely in line with His will.

For instance, the Apostle John received the Revelation through an angel "in signs," and then he "bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw" (Revelation 1:1-2). John was not a passive scribe; he actively participated in the process by witnessing and then faithfully recording what he saw. Similarly, God instructed him to "write in a scroll" what he saw (Revelation 1:10-11). This shows that while the visions were divinely given, John had the responsibility to describe them accurately, using his own words and expressions under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The individuality of the Bible writers is evident in the distinct writing styles found throughout the Scriptures. Matthew, who was a tax collector, often included specific details related to numbers and money (Matthew 17:27; 26:15; 27:3). On the other hand, Luke, a physician, used medical terminology and demonstrated a concern for detail consistent with his profession (Luke 4:38; 5:12; 16:20).

Even when the writers spoke of receiving "the word of Jehovah" or a "pronouncement," it is possible that they were given a mental picture of God’s purpose rather than a word-for-word dictation. They then expressed this vision in their own words, guided by the Holy Spirit to ensure accuracy. This is indicated by phrases such as "seeing" the pronouncement or "the word of Jehovah" (Isaiah 13:1; Micah 1:1; Habakkuk 1:1; 2:1-2).

The writers’ cooperation with Jehovah’s Spirit was essential in producing the Scriptures. They were willing and submissive to God’s guidance, eager to know and do His will (Isaiah 50:4-5). In some cases, they wrote in response to specific needs or goals, but their writings always aligned with God’s purposes (Proverbs 16:9). As spiritual men, they were attuned to God’s will, possessing "the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:13-16), and they did not rely on mere human wisdom or "a vision of their own heart," as false prophets did (Jeremiah 23:16; Ezekiel 13:2-3, 17).

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The Role of Human Research and Existing Writings

While the Bible is divinely inspired, this does not mean that the human authors were disconnected from their cultural and historical contexts. In some cases, the writers had access to existing records, genealogies, and historical accounts, which they could incorporate into their writings. For example, Luke mentions that he carefully investigated everything from the beginning before writing his Gospel (Luke 1:3). Similarly, the genealogies in the books of Chronicles likely drew from existing records (1 Chronicles 1-9).

In these instances, the Holy Spirit guided the writers to ensure that what they included was accurate and aligned with God’s purposes. The Spirit also prevented any inaccuracies from creeping into the sacred text, even when the authors used humanly accessible information.

It is important to note that not everything spoken or written by people in the Bible was divinely inspired. For example, the lies of the serpent in Genesis 3 or the incorrect statements made by Job’s friends are recorded accurately, but they are not inspired truths. The Bible records these events to demonstrate the consequences of disobedience and falsehood, contrasting them with the truth of God’s Word.

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The Authority and Inerrancy of the Scriptures

The authority of the Scriptures rests on their divine inspiration. Jesus and His apostles consistently treated the Hebrew Scriptures as the authoritative Word of God, quoting them as the final word in matters of faith and practice. For example, when Jesus was tempted by Satan, He responded by quoting Scripture, saying, "It is written" (Matthew 4:4-10). He also affirmed the enduring nature of God’s Word, stating, "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or one point shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18).

The New Testament writers, including Paul and Peter, recognized the Christian Greek Scriptures as equally inspired and authoritative (1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 1:8, 11-12; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Peter even referred to Paul’s letters as "Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:15-16), placing them on the same level as the Hebrew Scriptures.

While the original manuscripts of the Bible no longer exist, the copies and translations we have today are remarkably accurate. The Holy Spirit’s guidance in the transmission and preservation of the Scriptures ensures that they remain trustworthy and authoritative for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

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Understanding Quotations and Paraphrasing in the New Testament

One of the questions often raised concerning the inspiration of the Bible is why some quotations in the New Testament differ from the Hebrew texts. The answer lies in the fact that the New Testament writers often used the Greek Septuagint translation when quoting the Hebrew Scriptures. For example, in Hebrews 10:5-6, Paul quotes Psalm 40:6 from the Septuagint, which reads, "but you prepared a body for me," whereas the Hebrew text reads, "these ears of mine you opened up." While the wording differs, the message remains consistent with God’s intent, and the Holy Spirit guided the apostle Paul to use the Septuagint rendering for a specific purpose in his argument.

In some instances, New Testament writers paraphrased or summarized Old Testament passages to make a point. This practice was common in ancient writing and did not detract from the inspiration of the Scriptures. For example, in 1 Corinthians 15:45, Paul adds the words "first" and "Adam" to Genesis 2:7 to emphasize the contrast between Adam and Christ. These additions were not distortions but clarifications that aligned with the truth of Scripture.

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Testing the Spirits: True and False Inspiration

The Bible warns against false inspiration, which can lead people away from the truth. The Apostle Paul cautioned the Thessalonians not to be deceived by "inspired expressions" that claimed the day of Jehovah had already come (2 Thessalonians 2:2). He emphasized that not all spirits or prophetic utterances are from God and that believers must "test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God" (1 John 4:1-3).

John also warned of "unclean inspired expressions" that would emerge in the last days, deceiving many and leading them into rebellion against God (Revelation 16:13-16). These false inspirations are demonic in origin, and Christians must be vigilant in discerning the truth.

The key to recognizing true inspiration lies in its alignment with the teachings of Scripture and the fruit it produces. True inspiration will always glorify God, uphold the truth of His Word, and promote righteousness. As Jesus said, "You will recognize them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16).

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).