Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 63:2 (Jun 2020)
Article: Greek Versus Jewish Conceptions Of Inspiration And 2 Timothy 3:16
Author: Craig S. Keener

JETS 63:2 (June 2020) p. 217

Greek Versus Jewish Conceptions Of Inspiration And 2 Timothy 3:16

Craig S. Keener

Craig S. Keener is F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, 204 N. Lexington Ave., Wilmore, KY 40390.

Abstract: Second Timothy 3:16 speaks of Scripture as θεόπνευστος, “God-breathed,” “inspired.” What would ancient audiences who heard such a claim assume that it entailed regarding accuracy? For many Greek hearers, inspiration entailed divine authority, including on basic historical matters, although some Greek thinkers allowed poetic inspiration without such accuracy. Jewish application of inspiration language to Scripture, however, apparently always entailed its authority and accuracy. Although Jewish interpreters applied various approaches to reconcile or even sidestep apparent conflicts in biblical narratives, their understanding of its inspired authority entailed reliance on Scripture’s truthfulness on all matters that it addressed.

Key words: inspiration, inerrancy, God-breathed, 2 Timothy 3:16, trustworthiness of Scripture

Christians recognize and submit to Scripture’s authority because we recognize that God inspired it. Most of us, not least Calvinists and charismatics, resonate with John Calvin’s affirmation that the Spirit attests Scripture’s inspiration.1 As Paul points out in 1 Cor 2:13–14, we understand spiritual matters only by spiritual means. The truth will be veiled to those whose effectively constricted epistemologies reject such testimony. That does not mean that we cannot engage non-believers on other epistemic grounds, but such testimony invites Christians to trust that God speaks in Scripture. And if God speaks in Scripture, we have good reason to trust that God ensured that Scripture communicates what he wanted communicated.

In this article I survey some of the range of conceptions of inspiration in antiquity, concluding especially with the most directly relevant (though also more familiar) conceptions, namely Jewish conceptions of Scripture’s inspiration.

I. Introduction

Inductive historical studies are valuable and can invite greater confidence in Scripture;2 we still, however, need a deductive theological argument in order to proclaim all of Scripture as God’s Word. Here I explore some ancient contextual support for recognizing the NT affirmation of the latter app...