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Words You Should Know

Verbal, Plenary Inspiration

What does the Scripture say?

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV)

What does it mean?

“That the original writings were guided by the Spirit of God so that the choice of words expressed God’s point of view. In this activity of the Holy Spirit, human authorship is respected to the extent that the writers’ characteristics are preserved and their styles and vocabularies are employed, but by the work of the Holy Spirit, their writings were kept from any intrusion of error. The Scriptures are therefore inerrant.

Plenary inspiration means that the accuracy secured by verbal inspiration is extended fully to ever portion of Scripture so that in all its parts Scripture is both infallible as to truth and final as to divine authority. This is the traditional doctrine of the church as set forth by Christ and the apostles and by faithful theologians throughout the history of the church.” taken from Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, vol. one, abridged addition. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. 1988. pp. 79-80. (emphasis mine)

The above Scripture and the definition mean that I believe all the original words of Scripture are true and accurate without any mixture of error. I believe that all Scripture is God-breathed and divinely inspired and that it is authoritative.

How does it apply?

You have probably heard the cliché, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it!” I in no way want to belittle this important teaching because it is foundational to all we will believe and practice. Verbal, plenary inspiration allows me to fully trust God’s Word. There is no greater authority for my faith and practices than God’s Word. There is no higher court of appeal than God’s Holy Word. I can trust my life upon His Word.

Cross reference with:

 “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20-21)