'God-Breathed' or 'From the Mouth of God'

[PATrobas]

Reminders Definitions - Inspiration

            “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” ^{2 Timothy 3:16} The literal definition of “inspiration” is, ‘God-breathed.’  The descriptive definition is, ‘from the mouth of God.’ The pragmatic definition is, ‘God’s divine authority upon the hearts and minds of 40 different writers, over a period of 1500 years, to both reveal and instruct men concerning His will.’  The inspired words of God as given to men to be heard and believed are, infallible, perfect, unchangeable, and everlasting. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” ^{Luke 21:33; 1 Peter 1:23-25} From the beginning, God spoke audibly to mankind. “And God blessed [Adam and Eve] and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.” ^{Genesis 1:28} and for the next 2500 years, God spoke directly to men as He did to Adam, Noah, and Abraham. But by the time of Moses, people’s hearts had changed, and they no longer wanted to hear directly from God. “They said to Moses, You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." ^{Exodus 20:19} They preferred a ‘go between,’ a priest or a clergyman, who would be their spokesperson. That is when God went from audibly speaking directly to men, to speaking through mediators. And, as with all His prophets, He instructed them to record His divinely inspired words. ^{Exodus 34:27; Isaiah 30:8; Jeremiah 36:2; Daniel 12:4} As Peter reminds us, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” ^{2 Peter 1:21}

            The next transition we see in God’s method of communication with man came when the Word of God became flesh and physically dwelt among us. “God, who at sundry [many] times and in diverse manners [many ways] spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.” ^{Hebrews 1:1-2} We can now read the recorded words of God as given to the prophets in the Old Testament, and the recorded words of God as given to His chosen writers in the New Testament. Jesus, while walking this earth, affirmed that the OT writings were His words. He countered the temptations of Satan with “IT IS WRITTEN,” and He declared His divinity when He said that all the Scriptures testified of Him. ^{John 5:39; Luke 24:25-27} His words, as recorded both in the Old and New Testaments, are undeniably the Inspired, Holy, One-of-a-kind, Infallible, Unchangeable, Perfect, and Everlasting Word of God. Our faith and thus our eternal destiny depends on it being 100% true and reliable.

            Final Thoughts: Today, (though usually not audibly,) God still speaks directly to mankind through the Word. ^{Romans 10:17} Though Jesus was only here on earth for 33 years speaking to men, He continues, as He did before His birth, to speak to men both through imperfect servants like us and directly through the Holy Spirit in their hearts. ^{Hebrews 4:12} He is calling all men to believe that His death, burial, and resurrection is sufficient to save them from an eternity in the Lake of Fire. To them who have been broken and humbled before Him, ^{Psalm 51:16-17} He gives a new life by a new birth and seals them with the Holy Spirit, who is the perfect translator and interpreter of His Word. ^{2 Corinthians 2:9-16}   _ph

[AnOrangeCat]

Just to add a little trivia to this, the "breathed" part in Greek is derived from pneo, which is also related to pneuma. In Greek thought (and in OT thought) the idea of breath seems connected to the notion of a spirit. Pneuma is in fact even used in the NT in this context. I find that it adds some extra nuance here.

[BornAgain490]

Amen.  God still speaks when you read His word.  And God's word is audible when you read His word aloud. 

[Dennis1209]

I want to add this about God speaking. Sure, God speaks to us through His creation; he spoke through the prophets in the OT, Jesus spoke in person walking the earth, and He speaks to us through His inspired written word to us today. He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

I will cite one of many examples I have experienced, which I believe is also applicable. Most likely, you have also.

After getting about $15.00 of gas from a Quick Trip, I gave the cashier a $20.00 bill and received about $80.00 in change. I assume she thought I gave her a $100.00 bill.

I immediately thought, wow, this is my lucky day; I could use it; let’s get out of here before she realizes it. Then, all of a sudden, a little voice goes off in my head: nope, that is wrong and theft. Did that thought (or little voice) come from my greedy, sinful self or elsewhere?

It is audible when I think or read; no one can hear it except me. Who is that Voice I hear that came after my regeneration, my nature, and my past?

[AdHoc]

35 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

I want to add this about God speaking. Sure, God speaks to us through His creation; he spoke through the prophets in the OT, Jesus spoke in person walking the earth, and He speaks to us through His inspired written word to us today. He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

I will cite one of many examples I have experienced, which I believe is also applicable. Most likely, you have also.

After getting about $15.00 of gas from a Quick Trip, I gave the cashier a $20.00 bill and received about $80.00 in change. I assume she thought I gave her a $100.00 bill.

I immediately thought, wow, this is my lucky day; I could use it; let’s get out of here before she realizes it. Then, all of a sudden, a little voice goes off in my head: nope, that is wrong and theft. Did that thought (or little voice) come from my greedy, sinful self or elsewhere?

It is audible when I think or read; no one can hear it except me. Who is that Voice I hear that came after my regeneration, my nature, and my past?

Brilliant! This is my experience too.

[enoob57]

I wish to speak to everything that has been written / spoken here:
Here in these last of days we have been given God's completed communication to mankind 'His Words' ... It is of such a nature being brought forth by God through the Holy Spirit listed as a more sure Word:
2 Peter 1:16-21 (KJV)

[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.

[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.

[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:

[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.

As Peter heard Jesus speaking this promise to Him while on earth

John 14:26 (KJV)

[26] But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Why does Peter call it a more sure word?

Understanding from the very beginning the war of S/spirits has existed over 'The Word of God'. As this war began in Lucifer where he claimed he would be or was god >VERSES< God 'IS' God... this was cast down to earth and seen in the garden of God:

Genesis 2:17 (KJV)

[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Noting this teachers comment:

Quote

Genesis 2:17

This is an INFINITE ABSOLUTE and a COGNATE ACCUSATIVE, "dying to die" (BDB 559 , KB 562) which is a Hebrew grammatical way of showing emphasis. This is the same as Gen 2:16. This structure carries several possible translations (cf. Twenty-Six Translations of the Old Testament). Obviously death refers to spiritual death here (cf. Eph 2:1), which results in physical death (cf. Gen 5). In the Bible three stages of death are described:

1. spiritual death (cf. Gen 2:17; 3:1-7; Isa 59:2; Rom 5:12-21; 7:10-11; Eph 2:1,5; Col 2:13a; James 1:15);

2. physical death (cf. Gen 5); and

3. eternal death, called "the second death" (cf. Rev 2:11; 20:6,14; 21:8). In a real sense this refers to all three.

Testament Commentary, by Bob Utley, Copyright © 2013 by Bible Lessons International. All rights reserved.

This death was outside of the realities of their physical exist and experience... it was WORD only without creative backup of their begin... Important why? The reversal must be same as coming forward... The WORD testifies of a realty not seen here except in Christ's life in flesh in perfection of living!
John 1:14 (KJV)
[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Thus, it is only God's WORD that we can see past this cursed world's lies into the perfection spoken of by His WORD 'life without end'...

We know by God's WORD that where there is no commandment there is no sin

Romans 4:15 (KJV)

[15] Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

Hence in the creation week 'all trees were there for food'
Genesis 1:29 (KJV)

[29] And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

no sin and verified by God's sanctification of all that was created Gen 2:1-3.

But now in chapter two satan has began rebellion through the process of lie 'he would be god'... and S/spiritual battle over God's WORD verses sin and lie has now come to earth
Genesis 2:17 (KJV)

[17] But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

This battle is clearly seen in written format:
satan brings question of God's WORD

Genesis 3:1 (KJV)

[3:1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Eve knowing God had gave permission of every tree to eat in creation week yet now 

Genesis 3:2-3 (KJV)

[2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

[3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

There would be a natural question in the heart of Eve- we could eat from every tree but now not from one= why? satan delivers lie and truth to that question

Genesis 3:4 (KJV)

[4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  the lie

[5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. the truth Gen 3:22

The rest is history we followed the lie instead of God's WORD...

The point of all this is the subtlety of lie verses the absolute of truth as now demarked by God's WORD by a more sure process of completed written Scripture and The Holy Spirit sole communication from it...

 

[enoob57]

1 hour ago, Dennis1209 said:

It is audible when I think or read; no one can hear it except me. Who is that Voice I hear that came after my regeneration, my nature, and my past?

It is the regenerated conscience formed from the written Word- All a work of the Holy Spirit... fulfilled from God's prophecy
Hebrews 10:12 (KJV)

[12] But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

[13] From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

[14] For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

[15] Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,

[16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

 

[Dennis1209]

7 minutes ago, enoob57 said:

[16] This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

My experience and point exactly.

[enoob57]

Just now, Dennis1209 said:

My experience and point exactly.

yes, but always verified by written Scripture for complete obedience to God
1 John 4:1 (KJV)

[4:1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)

[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:

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

John 17:17 (KJV)

[17] Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.