We find the Bible assuming itself to be the Word of God in the special terms that it uses to describe itself. In this new blog series, we will consider 12 of these terms. Today, we look at the first of these: “Scriptures”.
1. The Scripture (Scriptures)
The New Testament applied the term “the writings” to the books of the Old Testament. The Latin translation of “the writings” is “the Scriptures.” The term “Scripture” comes from the Greek word graphe meaning, “a writing,” or “that which is written.” The noun form of the word occurs about fifty times in the New Testament and it is used mostly of the collection of sacred writings—the Old Testament.
Jesus said”
Have you never read in the Scriptures: “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42).
The singular form of graphe is also used at times when referring to the entire collection of sacred writings. Paul wrote.
What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3).
It Can Refer To One Specific Passage
The word is sometimes used of a specific passage in the sacred writings:
And he [Jesus] began by saying to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).
It Is Used Of Specific Portions Of Scripture
The term “Scripture” is even used of specific New Testament portions. In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul directly quoted the words of Christ recorded in Luke 10:7 and called the words “Scripture.”
For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves to be paid” (1 Timothy 5:18).
Jesus had earlier said to His disciples:
Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house (Luke 10:7).
This is the earliest instance of Jesus’ words being quoted as Scripture.
The Use Of The Singular And The Plural
In Matthew’s gospel the plural form of graphe (graphais) Scripture is used.
Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” (Matthew 21:42)
The parallel passage in Mark has the singular form graphe. Jesus said.
“Haven’t you read this Scripture, ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes'” (Mark 12:10).
Sometimes It Refers To A Larger Portion
In 2 Peter 3:16, Peter specifically refers to Paul’s writings as Scripture:
He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).
The other Scriptures would refer to the Old Testament as well as that portion of the New Testament that had been written at that time.
It Is Written
The verb form of graphe is used about ninety times. It is often found in a form meaning, “It is written.” For example, Jesus said to Satan:
Away with you, Satan! For it is written, “Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him” (Matthew 4:10).