All scripture is given by inspiration of God…
— 2 Timothy 3:16

In Second Timothy 3:16, Paul wrote these precious words about the Bible: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” Today I want us to look at the word “inspiration” to see exactly what the original language conveys to you and me.

The word “inspiration” comes from the Greek word theopneustos, a compound of two Greek words, theos and pneuma. The first word, theos, is the word for God; the second half of the word is pneuma, which comes from the Greek root pneu.

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The root pneu communicates a dynamic movement of air. For example, it can mean to blow, as to blow air. It was actually used to portray a musician who blew air through an instrument to produce a musical sound. There are also places where it is used to picture the emitting of a fragrance. Furthermore, this root word could be used to depict the projection of emotions.

But when the root pneu becomes pneuma, it carries an additional range of meanings — including life, force, energy, dynamism, and power. The Jews considered pneuma to be the powerful force put forth by God to create the universe and all living things and also the force that continues to sustain creation. In the Old Testament Septuagint, pneuma demonstrates moments when God would move mightily upon a person, enabling him to do supernatural feats.

When this word pneuma is compounded with theos, the new word is theopneustos, which literally means God-breathed and is where we get the word “inspiration.” The word theopneustos is the picture of God breathing His own substance into something. Just as a musician would blow on an instrument to produce a distinct sound, God mightily moved on those who wrote the Scriptures, causing them to temporarily become instruments through whom He expressed His heart and will. They were the writers, but God was the Great Musician who breathed upon them, His instruments. Thus, the Bible is God’s message delivered through human writers to us.

And just as the word pneuma can carry the idea of a fragrance, the Word was breathed from God and thus carries His very essence and fragrance within it. Since the word pneuma can also portray the projection of emotions, we know that God projected the totality of His emotions into the Word when He inspired its writing. Therefore, the Word not only conveys an intellectual message, but it has God’s heart in it as well. And the pneuma of God didn’t create the Scripture and then depart from it. This power — the same pneuma power that originally created and continues to sustain the universe — is still inside God’s Word, upholding and empowering it to be just as strong as the day it was given.

What does all this mean to you personally? You can know that as you give the Word of God a prominent role in your life, that anointed Word, infused with the heart of Almighty God Himself, will bring the music and the fragrance of Heaven into your life and home and literally change the atmosphere.

Think about it — the Bible you own contains the very life, essence, energy, and dynamic force of God Himself! If you’ll get hungry for more of Him and determine to meditate on this truth long enough to tap into it, God Himself will come pouring out of the Bible into your life and situation. The power held inside the Word will blow mightily upon you and upon the situations that surround you — and when that happens, everything will change!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY


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ear Lord, I am so thankful that the Bible is filled with your power and life. When I pick it up and read it, I am receiving the very life of God into my being. Father, help me to become more disciplined when it comes to reading Your Word. Each word contains Your very life, essence, energy, and dynamism in it. It contains the power and answers that I need for every situation that I am facing in my life. Please forgive me for not reading it as often or as much I should. Holy Spirit, I receive Your strength today to make and to stay faithful to a new commitment to take the Word of God into my heart EVERY DAY so that it can nourish and sustain my heart and my soul.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I value the Word of God as the most important priority in my life. I keep it before my eyes, I put it in my ears, and I speak it out of my mouth. The Word of God dominates my life decisions and guides my path. I hide it in my heart so that I do not sin against God. As I read the Bible, it releases the essence, energy and dynamism of God Himself into my spirit, soul,
and body. God’s Word revives me, rejuvenates me, and replenishes me. The very force of heaven invades my life as I take the Word of God into me!

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. If the Bible is so important to you, when and how often do you read it? Do you treat it like it is important, or is reading it something you do if you have extra time to do it?
  2. What happens inside you as you read the Word of God?
  3. What time of the day do you personally find is the best time for you to set aside time to read your Bible? Different people have different Bible-reading plans. What are yours?