inspired by God

In the Second Letter to Timothy 3:16 (NABRE), Paul emphasizes the importance of Scripture for growing in the spiritual life when he writes that “all Scripture is inspired by God.”

This phrase inspired by God comes from a single Greek word, θεόπνευστος (theopneustos). This Greek word appears only in this one instance in the New Testament and is a joining of the Greek word meaning God and the Greek word for “breath.” It can be rendered literally as “God-breathed,” though the word for breath also is the word used for the Holy Spirit.

The idea of spirit and its interplay looks back to the Creation of the first person who was made of clay and given life as God breathed his spirit into him. Scriptures also are a meeting of a Creation that is earthly and human, and the divine, life-giving power of God. That meeting, as Paul tells us, makes the Scriptures uniquely valuable for granting life to those who follow what is taught.

related topics: Advocate; inspiration; order & chaos; Paraclete; spirit; wind & spirit

you also may like our study of the Letter to the Hebrews (digital only)
Many Christians struggle to understand one of the central mysteries of our faith: how Jesus can be both human and divine at the same time. The Letter to the Hebrews: An Explanation of the Mechanism of Our Salvation, an 18-lesson Catholic Bible study with an imprimatur, offers an in-depth look at the way in which Jesus’ dual nature allows for the salvation of humanity. The Letter to the Hebrews is designed to provide information that will encourage Christians to remain faithful. Click here to view a sample of the first lesson.

Click on the picture of the statue of Moses with horns (above) to learn more about Lost in Translation. A new entry is archived each Monday. Contact us to receive Lost in Translation by email every week. You may use any of the contact links on our website to ask Matthew a question.