How does Galatians 1:11 connect with 2 Timothy 3:16 about Scripture's divine inspiration? Setting the Stage: Two Verses, One Theme Galatians 1:11 — “For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man.” 2 Timothy 3:16 — “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” The Divine Origin of the Gospel (Galatians 1:11) • Paul insists the message he preaches did not originate in human imagination or tradition. • “Not devised by man” declares a supernatural source: God Himself revealed the gospel to Paul (cf. Galatians 1:12). • By affirming this divine origin, Paul defends both the authority and the purity of the gospel he proclaims. Scripture Breathes the Same Source (2 Timothy 3:16) • “God-breathed” (Greek theopneustos) means Scripture comes directly from the mouth of God. • Divine inspiration guarantees Scripture’s truthfulness, authority, and sufficiency. • What God breathes, God preserves; therefore every word is trustworthy. Connecting the Dots • Galatians 1:11 highlights God as the source of Paul’s message. • 2 Timothy 3:16 expands that principle to all of Scripture: every book, chapter, and verse is likewise God-breathed. • Together they form a seamless testimony: whether spoken directly by the apostle (Galatians) or written in the collected Scriptures (2 Timothy), the ultimate Author is the same. Other Supporting Passages • 1 Thessalonians 2:13 — “When you received from us the word of God, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God.” • 2 Peter 1:20-21 — “No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever brought about by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” • John 17:17 — “Your word is truth.” Practical Implications for Our Study Today • Confidence — We can trust every teaching in Scripture because its source is divine, not human. • Consistency — The same Spirit who gave Paul the gospel breathed out all Scripture; therefore, Scripture will interpret Scripture without contradiction. • Authority — When Scripture speaks, God speaks; our opinions, traditions, and feelings must yield to its clear testimony. |
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