Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and OriginThe term "Scripture" refers to the sacred writings of Christianity contained in the Bible. The word itself is derived from the Latin "scriptura," meaning "a writing." In the context of the Christian faith, Scripture is considered the divinely inspired word of God, serving as the ultimate authority for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (
2 Timothy 3:16: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness").
Old TestamentThe Old Testament, also known as the Hebrew Bible, is a collection of texts that were written over a period of centuries, beginning as early as the 12th century BC. It includes the Law (Torah), the Prophets (Nevi'im), and the Writings (Ketuvim). These texts are foundational to both Judaism and Christianity. Jesus Himself affirmed the authority of the Old Testament, as seen in
Luke 24:44 (BSB: "He said to them, 'These are My words that I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms'").
New TestamentThe New Testament consists of 27 books, written in the first century AD, which include the Gospels, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. These writings focus on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the early church's formation and growth. The New Testament is seen as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the revelation of the new covenant through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 1:1-2 states, "On many past occasions and in many different ways, God spoke to our fathers through the prophets. But in these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe."
Inspiration and AuthorityChristians believe that Scripture is divinely inspired, meaning that the human authors were guided by the Holy Spirit to write what God intended to communicate. This belief is rooted in passages such as
2 Peter 1:20-21 (BSB: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit"). The authority of Scripture is central to Christian doctrine, serving as the standard by which all teachings and practices are measured.
Role in the Life of BelieversScripture plays a vital role in the life of believers, providing guidance, comfort, and wisdom. It is used in personal devotion, public worship, and teaching.
Psalm 119:105 beautifully captures this sentiment: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Believers are encouraged to meditate on Scripture, allowing it to transform their minds and hearts (
Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God").
Interpretation and StudyThe interpretation of Scripture requires careful study and reliance on the Holy Spirit for understanding. Various methods of interpretation, such as literal, allegorical, and historical-critical, have been employed throughout church history. The Bereans are commended in
Acts 17:11 for their approach: "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true."
Preservation and TransmissionThe preservation and transmission of Scripture over the centuries is seen as a testament to its divine origin and authority. Despite challenges and persecutions, the Bible has been meticulously copied and translated into numerous languages, making it accessible to people worldwide. The enduring nature of Scripture is affirmed in
Isaiah 40:8 : "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 (
2 Timothy 3:15, 16;
John 20:9;
Galatians 3:22;
2 Peter 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 (
Matthew 5:17;
7:12;
22:40;
Luke 16:29, 31). (see
BIBLE; CANON.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Anything written; a writing; a document; an inscription.
2. (n.) The books of the Old and the new Testament, or of either of them; the Bible; -- used by way of eminence or distinction, and chiefly in the plural.
3. (n.) A passage from the Bible;; a text.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SCRIPTUREskrip'-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," inDaniel 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" (2 Timothy 3:16), "the oracles of God" (Romans 3:2). Compare on this usageMatthew 21:42;Matthew 22:29Mark 12:10Luke 4:21;Luke 24:27, 32, 45John 5:39;John 10:35Acts 8:32;Acts 17:2, 11;Romans 15:4;Romans 16:26, etc.; inRomans 1:2, "holy scriptures." SeeBIBLE. The expression "holy scriptures" in2 Timothy 3:15 the King James Version represents different words (hiera grammata) and is properly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) "sacred writings." In2 Peter 3:16, the term "scriptures" is extended to the Eppistle of Paul. InJames 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.
James Orr
Greek
1124. graphe -- a writing,scripture... a writing,
scripture. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: graphe Phonetic
Spelling: (graf-ay') Short Definition: a writing, passage of
scripture...4042. perioche -- circumference, a portion circumscribed
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: perioche Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-okh-ay') Short Definition: a passage ofScripture Definition: a section...
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... InScripture, faith is God's warranty, certifying that the revelation He inbirthed
will come to pass (way).... InScripture, and are not exactly the same....
3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law
... 3551 () is used of: a) the Law (Scripture), with emphasis on the first five books
ofScripture; or b) any of religious thinking (theology), especially when...
1121. gramma -- that which is drawn or written, ie a letter
... writings (2). letter,scripture, writing. From grapho; a writing, ie A
letter, note, epistle, book, etc.; plural learning -- bill...
2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God
... 2315 (from 2316 , "God" and 4154 , "breathe out") -- properly, , referring
to the () ofScripture (used only in 2 Tim 3:16). 2315...
3547. nomodidaskalos -- a teacher of the law
... 3547 ("Scripture-lawyer") does not occur in ancient secular Greek (, ), but is used
three times in the NT (Lk 5:17; Ac 5:34; 1 Tim 1:7). It suggests a highly...
5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... 5440 (from 5442 , "to keep, preserve") -- ; small, leather cases containing four
key passages ofScripture (Ex 13:1-10, 11-16; Dt 6:4-9, 13-21)....
2086. heterozugeo -- to be yoked up differently, ie to be...
... faith (the ). :Scripture uses symbols to teach about the importance of keeping .
Along this line,Scripture prohibited: Word Origin...
4442. pur -- fire
... fire. 4442 -- . InScripture, fire is often used figuratively -- like with
the "fire of God" which all it touches into and. , like...
Strong's Hebrew
3791. kethab -- a writing... register,
scripture, writing. From kathab; something written, ie A writing, record
or book -- register,
scripture, writing. see HEBREW kathab. 3790, 3791.
...Library
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Anne Folland, Charles...
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Charles Franks, Anne...
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Tiffany Vergon, David...
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Charles Franks, Michelle...
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. This eBook was produced by Anne...
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Charles Franks, Don...
Expositions of HolyScripture: The Acts
Expositions of HolyScripture: The Acts. <. Expositions of Holy
Scripture: The Acts Alexander Maclaren. Produced by...
Expositions Of HolyScripture
Expositions Of HolyScripture. <. Expositions Of HolyScripture Alexander
Maclaren. E-text prepared by Anne Folland, Charles...
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Charles Franks, David...
Expositions of HolyScripture
Expositions of HolyScripture. <. Expositions of HolyScripture
Alexander Maclaren. Charles Franks, Chew-Hung, Lee, and...
Thesaurus
Scripture (51 Occurrences)... The "
Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to
time as God saw necessary.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SCRIPTURE.
...Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... gwaj ('aramith; the King James Version Syrian, Syriac; SYRIAN in the Revised Version
(British and American)): 1. Early Notices of Aramaic inScripture 2. Extra...
Sinlessness
... sin'-les-nes: The 15th Anglican article ("Of Christ Alone without Sin") may be quoted
as a true summary ofScripture teaching on sinlessness: "Christ in the...
Deutero-canonical
... designated as apocryphal (see APOCRYPHA), and also certain books of the New Testament
which for a long time were not accepted by the whole church asScripture....
Deuterocanonical
... designated as apocryphal (see APOCRYPHA), and also certain books of the New Testament
which for a long time were not accepted by the whole church asScripture....
Commentaries
... In its application toScripture, the word designates a work devoted to the explanation,
elucidation, illustration, sometimes the homiletic expansion and...
Beauty (98 Occurrences)
... of the Bible. They should give distinct attention to the interblending of
aesthetics with ethics in theScripture. They should observe...
Omniscience
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OMNISCIENCE. om-nish'-ens: The term does not occur
inScripture, either in its nominal or in its adjectival form....
Apostles'
... It came to be known as the "Rule of Truth," or "Rule of Faith," and was employed
to check the license of interpretation ofScripture of these fantastic...
Unchangeableness (1 Occurrence)
... TheScripture doctrine of God reaffirms this truth.... But on the other hand, theScripture
always asserts in unmistakable terms the unchangeableness of God....
Resources
Did the writers of the New Testament regard their writings as Scripture? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture? What does it mean that the Bible is sufficient? | GotQuestions.orgShould Catholic tradition have equal or greater authority than the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgScripture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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