The term "God-breathed" is derived from the Greek word "theopneustos," which appears in the New Testament, specifically in 2 Timothy 3:16. This concept is foundational to the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture, asserting that the Bible is divinely inspired and authoritative. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness."

Biblical Context and Meaning

The phrase "God-breathed" emphasizes the divine origin of the Scriptures. It suggests that the words of the Bible are not merely human words but are infused with the breath of God, conveying His will and purpose. This divine inspiration implies that the Scriptures are trustworthy and infallible in their teachings, serving as the ultimate guide for faith and practice.

Theological Significance

The doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture is central to conservative Christian theology. It upholds the belief that the Bible, in its entirety, is the authoritative Word of God. This includes both the Old and New Testaments, which together reveal God's redemptive plan for humanity. The concept of "God-breathed" underscores the belief that the Holy Spirit guided the biblical authors, ensuring that their writings were free from error in matters of faith and doctrine.

Implications for Believers

For believers, the "God-breathed" nature of Scripture means that the Bible is the ultimate standard for truth and morality. It is considered the final authority in all matters of faith and conduct. This belief encourages Christians to engage with the Bible regularly, seeking its guidance for personal growth, moral decision-making, and understanding God's will.

Historical and Doctrinal Perspectives

Throughout church history, the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture has been a point of emphasis and sometimes contention. The early church fathers, such as Augustine and Athanasius, affirmed the divine inspiration of the Scriptures. The Protestant Reformation further solidified this belief, with reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasizing "sola scriptura," the idea that Scripture alone is the supreme authority in all matters of doctrine and practice.

Contemporary Relevance

In contemporary Christian thought, the "God-breathed" nature of Scripture continues to be a foundational belief. It shapes how Christians approach biblical interpretation, theological reflection, and ethical living. The conviction that the Bible is divinely inspired encourages believers to trust in its teachings and to apply its principles in their daily lives.

Conclusion

The term "God-breathed" encapsulates the belief that the Bible is not merely a collection of ancient texts but is the living and active Word of God. This belief has profound implications for how Christians understand their faith, engage with Scripture, and live out their convictions in the world.2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God
... God-breathed, ie inspired by God. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration:
theopneustos Phonetic Spelling: (theh-op'-nyoo-stos) Short Definition: God-breathed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2315.htm - 8k

God Breathed the Triune Spirit of the Holy Deity into a Body Taken ...
... [Way-3-41] God breathed the triune Spirit of the holy Deity into a body
taken out of? God breathed the triune Spirit of the holy ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-41 god breathed the triune.htm

Another Cavil Answered, IE , the Fall Imputable to God, Because ...
... into a flute, you would not thereby make the flute human, although it was your own
human breath which you breathed into it, precisely as God breathed of His ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter ix another cavil answered i e.htm

The Creaturely Man.
... He adds: "The breath of the Almighty hath given me life"; which evidently echoes
the words: "The Lord God breathed into His nostrils the breath of life ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vii the creaturely man.htm

The Early Eden Picture.
... Man came into being by the breath of God. God breathed Himself into man.
The breath that God breathed out came into man as life. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the early eden picture.htm

Spirit --A Term Expressive of an Operation of the Soul, not of Its ...
... [1562] But (Holy) Scripture, which has a better knowledge of the soul's Maker, or
rather God, has told us nothing more than that God breathed on man's face the ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter xi spirita term expressive of.htm

How we must Understand that Breathing of God by which "The First ...
... Some have hastily supposed from the words, "God breathed into Adam's nostrils the
breath of life, and man became a living soul, [624] " that a soul was not ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 how we must understand.htm

Life.
... how, at the making of the world, the Spirit, or breath, of God moved on the face
of the waters, quickening all things to life; or how God breathed into man's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xvii life.htm

Divine Inspiration was Essential to Man's First Created State. ...
... The Spirit of the triune God, breathed into, or brought to life in him, was that
alone which made him a holy creature in the image and likeness of God. ...
/.../address 18 0 divine inspiration was.htm

The Soul's Origin Defined Out of the Simple Words of Scripture.
... We relied even there on the clear direction of the inspired statement which informs
us how that "the Lord God breathed on man's face the breath of life, so ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter iii the souls origin defined.htm

How Unreasonable Would it Be, to Offer the Christian Redemption to ...
... would it be to offer it to man unfallen from his first created state"for man standing
in that first perfection of life, which God breathed into him, and in ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-16 how unreasonable would it.htm

God-breathed (1 Occurrence)
God-breathed. God, God-breathed. Goddess . Multi-Version Concordance
God-breathed (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 3:16 Every ...
/g/god-breathed.htm - 6k

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... is "breathed into by God" or is the product of the Divine "inbreathing" into its
human authors, but that it is breathed out by God, "God-breathed," the product ...
/i/inspiration.htm - 57k

Goddess (6 Occurrences)

/g/goddess.htm - 9k

Reproof (29 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, (WEB KJV ASV WBS ...
/r/reproof.htm - 15k

Rebuking (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, (See NIV). ...
/r/rebuking.htm - 9k

Profitable (34 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, (WEB KJV ASV DBY ...
/p/profitable.htm - 17k

Breathing (25 Occurrences)
... vital principle, the gift of God. "Breathed" is employed in John 20:22 of
our Lord's concrete symbolism of the giving of the Spirit. ...
/b/breathing.htm - 17k

Breathe (17 Occurrences)
... vital principle, the gift of God. "Breathed" is employed in John 20:22 of
our Lord's concrete symbolism of the giving of the Spirit. ...
/b/breathe.htm - 15k

Breath (95 Occurrences)
... vital principle, the gift of God. "Breathed" is employed in John 20:22 of
our Lord's concrete symbolism of the giving of the Spirit. ...
/b/breath.htm - 38k

Correction (26 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 3:16 Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, (WEB KJV WEY ASV ...
/c/correction.htm - 15k

What does it mean that the Bible is God-breathed? | GotQuestions.org

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What does it mean that the Bible is inspired? | GotQuestions.org

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