Did the authors of the New Testament view their writing as inspired Scripture?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The word "inspiration" refers to something that is "God-breathed" or "spoken by God." It is distinct from the way a poet or songwriter might claim to be "inspired." In the case of Scripture, God divinely influenced the human authors so that their writings were truly the Word of God. The early church recognized the Old Testament as inspired Scripture. But did the New Testament authors view their own writings as inspired? Yes, they did, though they did not claim it arrogantly. For instance, Paul acknowledged that his message of the gospel came from the Spirit, not from human wisdom. He saw himself as Christ's ambassador, and his instructions were God's commands. The Thessalonians received the gospel not as a human word but as the very Word of God. Even Peter regarded Paul's writings as inspired Scripture.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The New Testament writers are not addressed in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Paul says he did not use words based on human wisdom. Instead, he spoke and wrote words given to him by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13).
• "If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 14:37).
• Paul viewed himself as Christ's ambassador, as though God were making His appeal through Paul (2 Corinthians 5:20).
• Paul wrote that when the Thessalonians received (embraced intellectually) the gospel message, it was not as human ideas. Rather, they accepted (embraced emotionally) what Paul said as the very word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13). The evidence that they accepted God's word is that they suffered persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:14).
• Based on the reliability of the text, there are good grounds for believing that the New Testament writers viewed their writings as sacred Scripture, literally inspired by God – “and profitable for teaching, for reproof,for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be completely equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
• "...knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
• "And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:15–16).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Recognizing that the Bible is inspired by God has profound implications for how we engage with it today. If we understand that the Scriptures are God-breathed, it shifts how we approach reading, studying, and applying God's Word in our daily lives. When we read the Bible, we are not simply engaging with a historical or literary text, but with the very message of God, which has the power to shape our thoughts, actions, and worldview. For example, when facing decisions or challenges, we can turn to Scripture for guidance, knowing that its teachings are not merely human ideas but divine truths. This might mean pausing in a moment of frustration to pray and reflect on passages like Philippians 4:6-7, reminding ourselves to be anxious for nothing and to trust God with our worries. Additionally, understanding the Bible's divine inspiration can also encourage us to share its message with others, knowing that its truths have the power to transform lives, just as they transformed the Thessalonians in 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Our understanding of Scripture’s inspiration gives us both a greater reverence for it and a deeper commitment to live according to its truths.

UNDERSTAND

• New Testament authors, like Paul and Peter, saw their writings as inspired by God.
• Paul emphasized his message came from the Holy Spirit, not human wisdom.
• The early church recognized the New Testament as authoritative Scripture.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that the New Testament writings are inspired by God change the way you read and apply what it says in your daily life?
• In what areas of your life can you trust God’s Word to guide you, knowing it is divinely inspired and authoritative?
• How does the inspiration of Scripture encourage you to share God’s Word with others?

ENGAGE

• How do we recognize and differentiate the teachings of human wisdom versus the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in our own lives today?
• What does it mean to view the New Testament as both historically significant and divinely authoritative in shaping our worldview?
• How do the New Testament authors’ views on inspiration challenge or reinforce our current understanding of Scripture's authority?