How does Matthew 5:18 connect with 2 Timothy 3:16 on Scripture's inspiration? Two Key Passages, One Unified Claim “For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” What Jesus Says about Every Letter • “Not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen” points to the smallest Hebrew marks—assuring that even the tiniest detail of God’s written Word is permanent. • “Until heaven and earth pass away” underlines the enduring authority of Scripture over all creation and time. • “Until everything is accomplished” shows that Scripture’s purpose is tied to God’s complete, sovereign plan, guaranteeing its fulfillment. What Paul Says about the Whole Canon • “All Scripture” encompasses every book, chapter, verse, and word that God has given. • “God-breathed” (theopneustos) affirms direct, divine origin—Scripture comes from God’s mouth, not merely human insight (cf. 2 Peter 1:21). • “Useful for instruction…training” highlights Scripture’s sufficiency for doctrine and life. How Matthew 5:18 and 2 Timothy 3:16 Interlock • Same Source – Jesus: every jot originates with God. – Paul: the entire canon is breathed out by God. • Same Scope – Jesus zeros in on the minutiae. – Paul zooms out to the whole collection. Together they cover every level—letters to libraries. • Same Permanence – Jesus ties Scripture’s endurance to the lifespan of the universe. – Paul presents Scripture as the timeless standard for belief and practice. • Same Authority – Jesus speaks as the Messiah validating the Law and Prophets. – Paul writes as an apostle confirming that all Scripture carries divine weight. • Same Purpose – Jesus: fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. – Paul: transformation of God’s people into righteousness. Fulfillment leads to formation—God’s Word completes His plan and equips His people. Supporting Passages That Echo the Connection • Psalm 119:89 – “Forever, O LORD, Your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” • Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” • John 10:35 – “Scripture cannot be broken.” • Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that He should lie.” Practical Takeaways • Trust every verse: if God protects every “stroke,” He protects every doctrine. • Study confidently: the same God who inspired Scripture illuminates it (1 Corinthians 2:12-13). • Obey comprehensively: selective submission is inconsistent with Jesus’ and Paul’s view. • Teach boldly: Scripture’s divine origin empowers preaching, counseling, and discipleship. |
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