Scripture

SCRIPTURE skrip'-tur (he graphe, plural hai graphai):

The word means "writing." In the Old Testament it occurs in the King James Version only once, "the scripture of truth," in Daniel 10:21, where it is more correctly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American), "the writing of truth." The reference is not to Holy Scripture, but to the book in which are inscribed God's purposes. In the New Testament, "scripture" and "scriptures" stand regularly for the Old Testament sacred books regarded as "inspired" (2 Timothy 3:16), "the oracles of God" (Romans 3:2). Compare on this usage Matthew 21:42; 22:29; Mark 12:10; Luke 4:21; 24:27,32,45; John 5:39; 10:35; Acts 8:32; 17:2,11; Romans 15:4; 16:26, etc.; in Romans 1:2, "holy scriptures." See BIBLE. The expression "holy scriptures" in 2 Timothy 3:15 the King James Version represents different words (hiera grammata) and is properly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) "sacred writings." In 2 Peter 3:16, the term "scriptures" is extended to the Eppistle of Paul. In James 4:5, the words occur: "Think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?" The passage is probably rather a summary of Scripture teaching than intended as a direct quotation. Others (e.g. Westcott) think the word is used in a wide sense of a Christian hymn.

James Orr

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Bibliography Information

Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'SCRIPTURE'".  "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".  1915.