Dictionaries :: Scripture

Scripture:

invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2Ti 3:15,16; Jhn 20:9; Gal 3:22; 2Pe 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament canon in the time of our Lord was precisely the same as that which we now possess under that name. He placed the seal of his own authority on this collection of writings, as all equally given by inspiration (Mat 5:17; 7:12; 22:40; Luk 16:29,31). (See BIBLE; CANON.)

Scripture:

skrip'-tur (he graphe, plural hai graphai): The word means "writing." In the Old Testament it occurs in the King James Version only once, "the scripture of truth," in Da 10:21, where it is more correctly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American), "the writing of truth." The reference is not to Holy Scripture, but to the book in which are inscribed God's purposes. In the New Testament, "scripture" and "scriptures" stand regularly for the Old Testament sacred books regarded as "inspired" (2Ti 3:16), "the oracles of God" (Ro 3:2). Compare on this usage Mt 21:42; 22:29; Mr 12:10; Lu 4:21; 24:27,32,45; Joh 5:39; 10:35; Ac 8:32; 17:2,11; Ro 15:4; 16:26, etc.; in Ro 1:2, "holy scriptures." See BIBLE. The expression "holy scriptures" in 2Ti 3:15 the King James Version represents different words (hiera grammata) and is properly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) "sacred writings." In 2Pe 3:16, the term "scriptures" is extended to the Eppistle of Paul. In Jas 4:5, the words occur: "Think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?" The passage is probably rather a summary of Scripture teaching than intended as a direct quotation. Others (e.g. Westcott) think the word is used in a wide sense of a Christian hymn.

Written by James Orr

Scripture: That Which Is Written; Book; Letter.

But all this was done, that the SCRIPTURES of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (Matthew 28:56)

Scripture:

akin to grapho, "to write" (Eng., "graph," "graphic," etc.), primarily denotes "a drawing, painting;" then "a writing,"

(a) of the OT Scriptures,

(1) in the plural, the whole, e.g., Mat 21:42; 22:29; Jhn 5:39; Act 17:11; 18:24; Rom 1:2, where "the prophets" comprises the OT writers in general; 15:4; 16:26, lit., "prophetic writings," expressing the character of all the Scriptures;

(2) in the singular in reference to a particular passage, e.g., Mar 12:10; Luk 4:21; Jhn 2:22; 10:35 (though applicable to all); Jhn 19:24, 28, 36, 37; 20:9; Act 1:16; 8:32, 35; Rom 4:3; 9:17; 10:11; 11:2; Gal 3:8, 22; 4:30; 1Ti 5:18, where the 2nd quotation is from Luk 10:7, from which it may be inferred that the Apostle included Luke's Gospel as "Scripture" alike with Deuteronomy, from which the first quotation is taken; in reference to the whole, e.g., Jam 4:5 (see RV, a separate rhetorical question from the one which follows); in 2Pe 1:20, "no prophecy of Scripture," a description of all, with special application to the OT in the next verse;

(b) of the OT Scriptures (those accepted by the Jews as canonical) and all those of the NT which were to be accepted by Christians as authoritative, 2Ti 3:16; these latter were to be discriminated from the many forged epistles and other religious "writings" already produced and circulated in Timothy's time. Such discrimination would be directed by the fact that "every Scripture," characterized by inspiration of God, would be profitable for the purposes mentioned; so the RV. The AV states truth concerning the completed Canon of Scripture, but that was not complete when the Apostle wrote to Timothy.

The Scriptures are frequently personified by the NT writers (as by the Jews, Jhn 7:42),

(a) as speaking with Divine authority, e.g., Jhn 19:37; Rom 4:3; 9:17, where the Scripture is said to speak to Pharaoh, giving the message actually sent previously by God to him through Moses; Jam 4:5 (see above);

(b) as possessed of the sentient quality of foresight, and the active power of preaching. Gal 3:8, where the Scripture mentioned was written more than four centuries after the words were spoken. The Scripture, in such a case, stands for its Divine Author with an intimation that it remains perpetually characterized as the living voice of God. This Divine agency is again illustrated in Gal 3:22 (cp. Gal 3:10; Mat 11:13).

Scripture:

"a letter of the alphabet," etc. is used of the Holy Scriptures in 2Ti 3:15. For the various uses of this word see LETTER.

Scripture:

SEE [BIBLE].