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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).
Two titles are given to the Scriptures:
(1)
"Holy Scriptures" Hiera Grammata or "sacred letters".
(2)
"Scripture" Graphe or "writing".
Grammata indicates a letter of the alphabet (Gal. 6: 11); or a letter (Acts 28: 21),
and particularly the books known as the Holy Scriptures.
"How knoweth this man letters (grammata), having never learned?" (John 7: 15).
Grammata looks to the component parts of writing; Graphe to the Scripture as a whole.
Graphe is familiar to the English ear. Photography, geography, refer to some form of
writing. Gegraptai "It is written", refers in the Scriptures, not to any writings, but to
THE writings par excellence "The Scriptures".
The O.T. abounds in references to writing and to books. The foundation of our faith is
a written testimony.
Inspiration. The words "given by Inspiration of God" are expressed by the one Greek
word theopneustos. Theos--God. Pneo--to breathe. Pneuma--spirit. The association
of the word translated "inspiration" with "breathing" will be seen in such English words
as pneumatic or pneumonia, as also the words "inspire", "respire" and "perspire".
Paul's testimony therefore is that "all scripture", namely that which was written, "is
given by inspiration of God" or God-breathed. If that which was "written" was
"breathed" by God, there could be no interval for the writer to give a vision of his own
heart.
While the personality of the writer is stamped upon every page of Scripture, Moses
differing from Isaiah, Peter from Paul, Matthew from John, yet each and all were
instruments in the hand of their God.
"God at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the
prophets" (Heb. 1: 1).
Peter's testimony:
"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed
in your hearts, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day
star arise" (II Pet. 1: 19).
Peter had had a sublime unique experience. He had stood upon the Mount of
Transfiguration. He had heard the voice from heaven. Yet he declares that we have