The Holy Spirit inspired the original writing of all the Scriptures, and illumines their meaning to believers.
The Holy Spirit inspired the writing of Scripture
The Spirit inspired the writers of the OT
2 Samuel 23:1–2 See also Nehemiah 9:30; Ezekiel 2:2, Ezekiel 11:24–25; Micah 3:8; Zechariah 7:12
These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel: The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.
The NT recognises OT writings as inspired by the Holy Spirit
2 Timothy 3:16 “God-breathed” means “breathed out by God” rather than “inspired”; 2 Peter 1:20–21 See also Matthew 22:43 parallel Mark 12:36; Acts 1:16, Acts 4:25, Acts 28:25–27; Hebrews 3:7–11, Hebrews 10:15–17; 1 Peter 1:11
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit inspired the writers of the NT
Ephesians 3:4–5 This revelation by the Spirit probably includes the apostles' understanding of the gospel and their preaching as well as the writings of the NT. See also 1 Corinthians 7:40; Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:29, Revelation 3:6, Revelation 3:13, Revelation 3:22
In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
The Holy Spirit illumines the meaning of Scripture
1 Corinthians 2:12–16 “what God has freely given” refers to “God's secret wisdom” (verse 7), the “deep things of God” (verse 10) and the “thoughts of God” (verse 11). See also John 14:26, John 16:13–15; 2 Corinthians 3:14–17; Hebrews 9:8; 1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27
We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment. “For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
The relationship between the word and the Holy Spirit
The association of God's Spirit and breath with his word(s)
Psalm 33:6; Isaiah 59:21; John 3:34, John 6:63; Ephesians 6:17 “word” here probably means “the gospel” rather than Scripture as a whole.
The Spirit is essential for obeying God's law
Romans 2:29 Reliance on the letter of the law alone is useless. See also Romans 7:6; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Galatians 3:2, Galatians 3:5, Galatians 5:18
No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God.
The Spirit enables believers to fulfil the law
Romans 8:4 See also Galatians 5:4–5
so that the righteous standard of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.