It is commonly taught in traditional, religious and denominational circles that the word of God is
not inspired but that men were inspired to write the bible. What we have here then is two types of inspiration.
Bible inspiration has to do with the "God breathed words on the page" as we shall see. We are
not talking about the infusion or communication of ideas or poetic spirit, by a superior being or supposed
presiding power; as the inspiration of Homer or other poet that results in man's opinion, but rather
and again the "God breathed words on the page of your bible".
There is a divine design in inspiration
God's design in inspiration is to make his word equal with Himself so that when you deal with the
word of God you are dealing with God Himself!… as we shall see in this study.
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2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee
wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
COMMENT: : Notice first of all that Timothy had a "copy" of the holy scriptures
and that Paul calls it inspired. The mental note to make here is that inspiration goes with the copy.
The majority of the teaching available on the doctrine of inspiration claims that men were inspired by
God to write holy scripture, however, as we shall see in this study inspiration has to do with the very
words of very God written down on the page of a book, so that we can have them in our hand today. Inspiration
is part of what makes it possible for us today, as Timothy did, to have a copy of the inspired word of
God.
Moving to verse 16 we see the term "all scripture." Scripture is that which
is written down. Then we read in the same verse.. "is inspired"! Inspiration
means "God breathed". Therefore, it is the God breathed words on the page that are
inspired!
Notice this verse on the breath of God: Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens
made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. And .. Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it
was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
God spake and it was so - it was the breath of God… The words on the page of your bible came from
the very breath of God. It is INSPIRED SCRIPTURE!
Webster's 1828 Dictionary - Inspiration: INSPIRA'TION, n.
1. The act of drawing air into the lungs; the inhaling of air; a branch of respiration, and opposed
to expiration. 2. The act of breathing into any thing.
Genesis says… Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
How did God create … by the word of God! By inspiration.
Also: Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his
nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
When God speaks, things happen, worlds are created, things break forth into life, light is generated
Notice: John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made.
COMMENT: God's design in inspiration is to make his word equal with Himself so that when you
deal with the word of God you are dealing with God Himself!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God.
When you are confronted by the word of God you are confronted by God himself and the Lord Jesus Christ!
Notice: Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was
called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His
eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man
knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called
The Word of God.
His Name is called the word of God!! This is not a collection of good ideas dreamed up by good
godly men in search of truth! This is the very words that came out of the mouth of God!
VERSE: Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that
is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him
with whom we have to do.
COMMENT: These are attributes of God! Only God can discern the thoughts and intents of the heart
of man! -- Look at the "his" in verse 13… Who do you think this is? My dear friend when you
deal with the Word Of God you are dealing with God himself… you think you are reading his word but his
word is reading you and your thoughts and your motives.
God's design in inspiration is to make his word equal with Himself so that when you deal with the
word of God you are dealing with God Himself!
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The inspired word of God is more objective and therefore important than our subjective
feelings and senses!
Peter understood that the Word Of God was to be trusted above our own subjective thoughts, ideas,
and experiences.
VERSE: 2 Pet 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you
the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
COMMENT: Peter is talking about his "experience" at the mount of transfiguration
described in Matthew 17 (* see below). Many folks today areconfused because they put more "stock"
in their experiences than in the inspired, preserved word of God!
VERSE: 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to
him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice
which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
COMMENT: People hear things all the time. Some say God spoke to them. Some say God told me
to tell you this or that. But a "copy" of the inspired word of God removes all speculation,
it is the absolute final authority for all matters of faith and practice. Why? Because it is not a collection
of good ideas hatched while thinking good thoughts! Inspiration means the God breathed Words on the page
of your bible.
VERSE: 19 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:
COMMENT: Peter was there! He was on the mount of transfiguration! He saw it with his own eyes!
He heard God speak with his own ears - BUT what is Peter's commentary? What does he recommend? Peter
says … "we have a more sure word of prophecy". You cannot always trust your experiences!
You cannot always trust your ears! You cannot always trust your eyes -- but bless God you can always
trust the inspired words of God on the page.
( * Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them
up into an high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun,
and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking
with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt,
let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet
spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell
on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. )
VERSE: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
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.
COMMENT: Now several things here:
Scripture is not open to interpretation. This is a big cause of confusion among believers and non
believers alike. Whenever someone says something like…. "well the bible says that but it means this"
then it is time to pack your bags and leave.
If you do not know what a verse is saying then you have some options but changing the verse is not
one of them. There were those in Paul's day who were corrupting the Word Of God. -- 2 Cor 2:17 For we
are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in
the sight of God speak we in Christ. -- We will not be on safe ground when we correct the Word Of God,
we have to approach the Word Of God as if we were approaching God himself. What are your options when
you do not understand the meaning of a verse or passage?
One - break out a dictionary - you know.. that book that has word definitions in it
Two - follow 2 Timothy 2:15 and rightly divide the word of truth. This means we give to Israel
what belongs to Israel and to the body of Christ what belongs to the body of Christ. We do not mix prophesy
and mystery.
Three - We compare scripture with scripture - 1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in
the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.
Four - we wait. We do not change it. We do not force it. We study it and employ the tools we have
and we wait for the answer.
After all God did say Study his word.. did he not? God does not serve fast food and sometimes you
have to wait for the good meal to be finished.
- The name of God and the Word Of God -
God has a glorious name. His name is to be praised and glorified. It is a wonderful name. It is a
magnificent name as the next verse implies.
Neh 9:5 Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and
Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious
name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.
There is only one thing that gets put above the name of God - and God puts it there by the way. That
one thing is his word.
Psa 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and
for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
conclusion
Timothy had a "copy" of the inspired, God breathed Words on the page of your bible, in his
hands. He could read it, and it could read him. He could study it and it could study him.
God's design in inspiration is to make his word equal with Himself so that when you deal with the
word of God you are dealing with God Himself!
Read it …… study it…… apply it.
~ FINIS ~
