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Do We Have the Very Words of the Biblical Authors? 75
not just the prophets who wrote. That was the point of the protective
work of the Holy Spirit, to secure a “prophetic word (prophētikon
logon) more fully confirmed” (2 Pet. 1:19). The aim of the process of
inspiration was a sure “word” (2 Pet. 1:19), a “Scripture” (2 Pet. 1:20),
a holy writing (2 Tim. 3:15).
Divine Inspiration of the Very Words of the New Testament
The same vigilance over the very words of God shows up in Paul’s claim
for his own inspiration by the Holy Spirit.
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who
is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by
God. And we impart this in words [logois] not taught by human wisdom
but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those
who are spiritual. (1 Cor. 2:12–13)
Paul does not claim to be inspired the way a poet today might say, “I
was inspired to write a poem last night.” The poet means that he was
moved with an emotional creativity and energy that resulted in his
poetic effort. But Paul means that his very words were governed by the
Spirit of God—“words not taught by human wisdom but taught by
the Spirit” (1 Cor. 2:13). God aims to communicate with us through
words. He cares, therefore, that the words not be ill-chosen to accomplish
his purpose. So the Holy Spirit worked in and through the
human authors so that the words were really their own way of writing,
but expressed God’s meaning with the words he willed for them
to use.
The Divine Will in the Human Will
This understanding of the divine will and the human will at work together
is not restricted to the writing of Scripture. It pervades all human
life. For example, consider Joseph, one of Jacob’s twelve sons, who
was sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt. When he was promoted
to ruler in Egypt, he said to his brothers, “As for you, you meant evil
against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). It does not say,
“You meant it for evil, but God used it for good,” as though God’s intention
and action came in after they sold Joseph. No. It says that they