Second Samuel 23:2 reads, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue” (NKJV). This statement asserts “direct and immediate inspiration” and “directly inspired” words (Clarke). The apostle Peter claimed no less “direct and immediate inspiration” and “directly inspired” words for the Old Testament prophets, and by implication for the New Testament prophets as well. “…No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21). In particular, Jesus Christ validated the Holy Spirit inspired prophetic words of David (Matthew 22:41-45; Mark 12:35-37), which includes 2 Samuel 23:2. The apostle Peter also specifically authenticated David as a divinely inspired prophet (Acts 2:25-36).
The declaration, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue,” teaches verbal, plenary, divine inspiration for even the original language words that comprise the Bible. The same omnipotence by which God conveyed His Word to humanity is amply competent to preserve it for posterity, too, in the contemporary dialects of mankind today. Not every Bible translation, though, fairly and accurately represents God’s message to humankind.
“One’s understanding of inspiration is critical to the understanding of Scripture…” (O’Dell 1), but proper appreciation for divine inspiration is no less important among those who collaborate to render into modern languages the Holy Word of God. On this count, some of the popular translations of the Bible available today are on bad footing at the outset, and the production is only to be received with extreme caution and with justifiable suspicion.
Both testaments of the Bible overflow with verses of Scripture that justify confidence in the divinely inspired word choice and completeness of the Word of God. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God regularly and ordinarily throughout the centuries “spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets, who have been since the world began” (Luke 1:70).
The very words to deliver God’s message to men were preselected by the Almighty. “…These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel” (Exodus 19:6). “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Luke 12:11-12). “…The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak” (Numbers 22:38; 23:12).
Therefore, when one has the appropriate respect for the inspiration of the Word of God, the Gospel of Christ will be viewed neither as a dead letter nor as merely a collection of optional suggestions. “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” (1 Peter 4:11). When a preacher or a teacher presents a Scripture-filled lesson where the verses are applied faithfully, those who properly revere the Word of God will acknowledge Bible teaching as the Word of God rather than simply the opinion of some contemporary presenter or perhaps the uninspired personal viewpoint of the biblical writer. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). If we have a correct view of biblical inspiration, we will admit that it is a trustworthy proclamation of God’s Word when we hear it—whether we like it or not (2 Timothy 4:2). If we have sufficient courage and conviction, we will apply the Word of God to our lives (Luke 6:46) and persuade others with it also (2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 2 Timothy 2:2).
Works Cited
Clarke, Adam. Clarke’s Commentary. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft, 1996.
O’Dell, Barry. “Prompted by God.” Fulton County Gospel News. September-October 2015. Vol. 49, No. 5. 1-2.
