R.C. Sproul

Now Paul, remember, is a Jew, and he's very much concerned about the acquisition of wisdom. And the Jew understood the difference between wisdom and knowledge. The Jew understood that people could have all kinds of knowledge, all kinds of information, and still lack wisdom. It's easy to be an educated fool.

Now Paul, remember, is a Jew, and he's very much concerned about the acquisition of wisdom. And the Jew understood the difference between wisdom and knowledge. The Jew understood that people could have all kinds of knowledge, all kinds of information, and still lack wisdom. It's easy to be an educated fool.

And in biblical terms, the essence of foolishness is this, that the fool says in his heart, there is no God. And in writing to the Romans, the Apostle Paul reiterates that point, when he refers to us in our common nature, in our basic disposition as fallen creatures, is to trade the truth of God for a lie.

And in biblical terms, the essence of foolishness is this, that the fool says in his heart, there is no God. And in writing to the Romans, the Apostle Paul reiterates that point, when he refers to us in our common nature, in our basic disposition as fallen creatures, is to trade the truth of God for a lie.

And when we do that, we claim to be wise, when at that very time, we are acting in a foolish manner. And conversely, the opposite of foolishness, according to the Scripture, is that wisdom that is rooted and grounded in the fear of the Lord. Again, in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

And when we do that, we claim to be wise, when at that very time, we are acting in a foolish manner. And conversely, the opposite of foolishness, according to the Scripture, is that wisdom that is rooted and grounded in the fear of the Lord. Again, in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, we read that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

So, having a healthy sense of reverence for God is the necessary disposition of the heart for us to acquire that Word from Him. I mean, let me put it this way. There's a distinction between wisdom and knowledge. You can have knowledge without wisdom. But you cannot have wisdom without knowledge. Again, I'll say it.

So, having a healthy sense of reverence for God is the necessary disposition of the heart for us to acquire that Word from Him. I mean, let me put it this way. There's a distinction between wisdom and knowledge. You can have knowledge without wisdom. But you cannot have wisdom without knowledge. Again, I'll say it.

You can have knowledge and not have wisdom, but you cannot have wisdom without knowledge. And the knowledge that gives us wisdom is that knowledge that is delivered to us from the Word of God. It is the Scripture, Paul says, that is able to make you wise. to make you wise unto salvation. And then in verse 16 he says, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

You can have knowledge and not have wisdom, but you cannot have wisdom without knowledge. And the knowledge that gives us wisdom is that knowledge that is delivered to us from the Word of God. It is the Scripture, Paul says, that is able to make you wise. to make you wise unto salvation. And then in verse 16 he says, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God.

Now this is the Bible's claim to divine inspiration. Now, when we talk about the source, here is the key text. First of all, when Paul says all Scripture, he's saying here all the graphe. Now, the graphe is the word that was used in antiquity to refer to the Old Testament. So, at the very least, Paul is claiming that all of the writings of the Old Testament are inspired of God.

Now this is the Bible's claim to divine inspiration. Now, when we talk about the source, here is the key text. First of all, when Paul says all Scripture, he's saying here all the graphe. Now, the graphe is the word that was used in antiquity to refer to the Old Testament. So, at the very least, Paul is claiming that all of the writings of the Old Testament are inspired of God.

Now, elsewhere in the New Testament, we see the similar claim that would include the New Testament writings as well in this same category of Scripture. But what Paul is saying is that Scripture is inspired of God, all of it. Now, the word that is used here that is translated by the English word inspire is a word that has doctrinal ramifications and consequences, and it's a decent translation.

Now, elsewhere in the New Testament, we see the similar claim that would include the New Testament writings as well in this same category of Scripture. But what Paul is saying is that Scripture is inspired of God, all of it. Now, the word that is used here that is translated by the English word inspire is a word that has doctrinal ramifications and consequences, and it's a decent translation.

However, to be very precise and very technical, the word that is used here in the text is translated by the phrase God breathed. And it refers to God's breathing out rather than God's breathing in. When you use the term inspire, that means to breathe into something. But the text here has to do with God's breathing out. And we breathe out when we speak.

However, to be very precise and very technical, the word that is used here in the text is translated by the phrase God breathed. And it refers to God's breathing out rather than God's breathing in. When you use the term inspire, that means to breathe into something. But the text here has to do with God's breathing out. And we breathe out when we speak.

Our words are carried, as it were, on the waves of the air that we breathe out. And so what Paul is saying here is that the Bible, that the Scriptures, have been breathed out by God. That is, he's making a statement about the origin of the content of those things that are found in sacred writ.

Our words are carried, as it were, on the waves of the air that we breathe out. And so what Paul is saying here is that the Bible, that the Scriptures, have been breathed out by God. That is, he's making a statement about the origin of the content of those things that are found in sacred writ.

that the source, the supreme source for the content of Scripture is not some late first century or second century redactor or editor or some person who's spinning out yarns and myths from his own perspective, but the claim that the apostle is making here, the apostolic claim, is that the source of Scripture is God Himself, that God breathes it out.

that the source, the supreme source for the content of Scripture is not some late first century or second century redactor or editor or some person who's spinning out yarns and myths from his own perspective, but the claim that the apostle is making here, the apostolic claim, is that the source of Scripture is God Himself, that God breathes it out.