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Let us give earnest heed to these statements and examine them in the light of their
contexts. Both are the utterances of men in view of death, and there is a suitable
solemnity about the two epistles containing them that pervades their whole doctrine. In
both instances the immediate contexts speak of death:
"The time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my
course, I have kept the faith" (II Tim. 4: 6, 7).
"Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle as the Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me"
(II Pet. 1: 14).
Thus, on the eve of martyrdom, both Paul and Peter give unambiguous testimony to
the absolutely divine origin of the Scriptures. How, then, can we hope to finish our
course, how keep the faith, how entertain the hope of a crown or a "well done" if we deny
or trifle with the Scriptures held so dear by these two servants of the Lord?
"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. All scripture is given by inspiration
of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good
works" (II Tim. 3: 15-17).
Graphe, the Greek word translated "Scripture", is practically an English word, having
been in use in our language for a great while. It occurs in such words as photography,
geography, graphic, &100:, and always means something written. While graphe could, of
course, refer to anything written at any time by anyone, it assumes a special meaning in
the Word of God, and when used without qualification always means "The Scriptures",
the writings par excellence. So gegrapti, "It is, or hath been, written" is a phrase that
indicates the Scriptures. We trust that no more need be said to stress the fact that we are
dealing not with thoughts, ideas, or even spoken words, but something written. As will
be seen in the sequel this is most important.
The Old Testament abounds in references to writing and to books. Moses wrote all
the words of the Lord in a book (Exod. 24: 4, 7). So did Joshua (Josh. 24: 26). Over
and over again appeal is made to the written law (Exod. 31: 18; Deut. 28: 58;
Josh. 8: 31). The foundation of our faith is written testimony.
What does Scripture say as to the way in which the subject matter of these holy
writings was given? Paul answers in one word, Theopneustos. Theos is the Greek word
for "God" and is too well known to need comment here. Pneustos is the third person
singular, perfect, passive, of pneo, to breathe. This also gives us pneuma, which is
usually translated "spirit". The close association of pneuma with breath is seen in our
words pneumatic and pneumonia, while to inspire, to respire and to transpire are all
processes of breathing either in or out by nostril, pore or cell. Let us now put together the
two parts of Paul's great utterance. All Scripture that is written, is given by inspiration of
God, that is, God-breathed.