1Co 2:13  Which things we also speak, not in words taught in human wisdom, but in Words taught of the Holy Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things.

We are to compare Scripture with Scripture to get the Truth.  If one defines a word or concept in the Bible by their own ideas then that person will be led astray no matter how sincere they are.  We must go to the Scripture for it is our sole source of Truth.

What is Spiritual?  The Word

Rom 7:14  For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, having been sold under sin.

According to the Aramaic translation of 2 Peter 1:21, no Scripture (specifically prophecy) can be properly interpreted by itself without other Scriptural support

LITV (Jay P Green Version)
2Pe 1:20  knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture did not come into being of its own interpretation;

Murdock Aramaic Translation
2Pe 1:20  ye having the previous knowledge, that no prophecy is an exposition of its own text.

Lamsa Aramaic Translation
2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that not every prophetic writing is made clear in its own book.

Etheridge Aramaic Translation
2Pe 1:20  While this first you know, that every prophecy of the scripture its own solution [Or, every prophecy the solution of its scripture is not. Cul nebiutho shorio dacthobo diloh lo hovo.] is not.

In order to understand the words of the Scriptures, we have to see how that word is used in the text.  We can’t rely on preconceived notions about what words mean or we can get entrapped in doctrines and beliefs that are not supported by the Scriptures.  The Scriptures are our sole source for Truth.

Scripture

The Scriptures define the TaNaKH (the Old Testament) as Scripture

TaNaKH = Torah, Neviim, Ketuvim – Torah, Prophets, Writings (Psalms)

Luk 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luk 24:44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses (Torah), and in the prophets (Neviim), and in the psalms (Ketuvim), concerning me.
Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.  {At this time there was not as yet a New Testament as we know it today compiled}
Gal 3:8  And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

When Paul wrote to Timothy about the Scriptures he was speaking of the TaNaKH

2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God (God-Breathed), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

All of our doctrine should be provable from the TaNaKH.  It can then be further expounded and revealed through the New Testament writings.  There are no indications in the New Testament that the Apostles and disciples believed that their writings would supersede the TaNaKH.  However, this does not mean that the New Testament is not Scripture.

The Bible defines the New Testament writings as Scripture
2Pe 3:15  And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2Pe 3:16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. {As also the OTHER Scripture…Peter spoke of Paul‘s writings as Scripture.}

2Pe 3:17  Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

The first generation of believers after the Apostles believed the New Testament writings were Scripture.  It was not a council of men hundreds of years later that deemed the New Testament Scripture as some men claim.  These writings were seen as inspired by the Holy Spirit from the time of the Apostles.

Clements’s Letter to the Corinthians Chapter 47
Take up the epistle of the blessed Apostle Paul. What did he write to you at the time when the Gospel first began to be preached? Truly, under the inspiration of the Spirit, he wrote to you concerning himself, and Cephas, and Apollos, (1Co_3:13,)

Clement lived (A.D. 30-100) He seems to have been at Philippi with Paul (A.D. 57 Phi 4:3) when that first-born of the Western churches was passing through great trials of faith.

Polycarp’s letter to the Phillipians Chapter 12
For I trust that ye are well versed in the Sacred Scriptures, and that nothing is hid from you; but to me this privilege is not yet granted.17 It is declared then in these Scriptures, “Be ye angry, and sin not,” (Psa_4:5) and, “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” (Eph_4:26)

Of Polycarp’s life little is known, but that little is highly interesting. Irenaeus was his disciple, and tells us that “Polycarp was instructed by the apostles, and was brought into contact with many who had seen Christ” (Adv. Haer., iii. 3; Euseb. Hist. Eccl., iv. 14).

[A.D. 65-100-155.] The Epistle of Polycarp is usually made a sort of preface to those of Ignatius, for reasons which will be obvious to the reader. Yet he was born later, and lived to a much later period. They seem to have been friends from the days of their common pupilage under the Apostle John.  If Polycarp was taught by the Apostle John, then it is clear that John considered the New Testament as Scripture.

From the beginning, the writings of the apostles were successively gathered into one collection, which was respect­ed by the primitive Christians equally with the OT. The early church fathers referred to the NT canon as:
Sacred Scriptures (Epistle of Polycarp, chap. 12, written by Polycarp, a disciple of John, a.d. 65–155)
The Scriptures (Papias, chap. 1, a.d. 70–155)
The New Testament (Origen [185-254 A.D.], as quoted by Eusebius, Ecc. Hist. 6.25)
The Divine Instrument (Tertullian [150-220 A.D.] Adv. Marcion, 5.13)
The Sacred Digest (Ibid., 4:13)
The Divine Oracles; (Clement of Alexandria, Strom. 7 pp.706, 757; Ignatius, Epis. to the Philad. chap. 5; Epis. to Dignet. chap 11; Justin Martyr, Great Apol. chap. 67)

Paul quotes the Messiah’s words as Scripture

1Ti 5:18  For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox treading out grain {Deu. 25:4) ,” and, the laborer is worthy of his pay.
Mat 10:10  nor provision bag for the road, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staves. For the worker is worthy of his food.
Luk 10:7  And remain in the same house, eating and drinking the things shared by them; for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Do not move from house to house.

Messiah states that His Words are Scripture
Joh 18:9  (that the Word might be fulfilled which He said, “Of those whom You gave to Me, I lost not one of them).”

This is referring to John 17:12

Joh 17:12  While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name; I guarded those whom You gave to Me, and not one of them was lost, except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

Robertson Word Pictures

Joh 18:9
That might be fulfilled (hina plērōthēi). The regular formula (Joh_17:12) for Scripture, here applied to the prophecy of Jesus (Joh_17:12) as in Joh_18:32. John treats the saying of Jesus as on a par with the O.T.

The Scriptures allude that Peter was in charge of putting the New Testament Scriptures together before his death.

2Pe 1:12  For this reason I will not neglect to cause you to remember always concerning these things, though you know and have been confirmed in the present truth.
2Pe 1:13  But I deem it right, so long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by a reminder,
2Pe 1:14  knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle is soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
2Pe 1:15  And I will also be diligent to cause you always to have memory of these things after my departure.
2Pe 1:16  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2Pe 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
2Pe 3:2  That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

Isaiah prophesied that the disciples of Messiah would bind up or complete the Word.

Isa 8:16  Bind up the Testimony, seal the Law among My disciples.

The Word was delivered to the Apostles

Luk 1:1  Since many took in hand to draw up an account concerning the matters having been borne out among us,
Luk 1:2  as those from the beginning delivered to us, becoming eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word,

The apostle John finalized the Scriptures

Rev 22:18  For I testify together with everyone hearing the Words of the prophecy of this Book, if anyone adds to these things, God will add upon him the plagues having been written in this Book.
Rev 22:19  And if anyone takes away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the Book of Life, and out of the holy city, and of the things having been written in this Book.

The Gospel = the Word

Rom 10:9  Because if you confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Rom 10:10  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.
Rom 10:11  For the Scripture says, “Everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame.” Isa. 28:16
Rom 10:12  For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord of all is rich toward all the ones calling on Him.
Rom 10:13  For everyone, “whoever may call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Joel 2:32
Rom 10:14  How then may they call on One into whom they have not believed? And how may they believe One of whom they have not heard? And how may they hear without preaching?
Rom 10:15  And how may they preach if they are not sent? Even as it has been written, “How beautiful” “the feet of those preaching the gospel of peace, of those preaching the gospel of good things.” Isa. 52:7
Rom 10:16  But not all obeyed the gospel, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” Isa. 53:1
Rom 10:17  Then faith is of hearing, and hearing through the Word of God.

Joh 20:31  But these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

The Word

WORD=TORAH/LAW
Num 15:29  Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.
Num 15:30  But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
Num 15:31  Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.

Deu 5:2  The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
Deu 5:3  The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
Deu 5:4  The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
Deu 5:5  (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,

Isa 1:10  Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.

Isa 5:24  Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 2:2  And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
Isa 2:3  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Mic 4:2  And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

JESUS IS THE WORD MADE FLESH
Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Psa 33:6  By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

1Jo 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
1Jo 1:2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

The Torah

H8451 תּרה  /  תּורה tôrâh
BDB Definition:
1) law, direction, instruction

Exo 24:12  And Jehovah said to Moses, Come up to Me to the mountain, and be there. And I will give to you the tablets of stone, and the Law, and the commandments which I have written, to teach them.

Both Law and Teach in the above verse come from the same root word

Interestingly, the word Torah has another root word associated with it

תר ‘tor’

It is the root of the word to mark out תאר ‘t’ar’ or a form תואר ‘to’ar.’  The word תור ‘tor/toor’ means a border or a circle and is the origin of the English word tour.  Literally, the Torah is what defines, gives borders to a people.  It is the finger of God pointing the direction in which we are to go and marking out the borders in which we should stay in order to walk in His camp.

All of God’s teaching is considered Torah…ALL of the Scriptures.

Paul spoke of the Prophets as Torah
1Co 14:21  It has been written in the Law, “By other languages” and “by other lips” “I will speak to this people,” “and even so they will not hear” Me, says the Lord.

This is referring to Isaiah 28:11-12

Isa 28:11  For with stammering lip and other languages, He will speak to this people;
Isa 28:12  to whom He said, This is the rest; cause the weary to rest. Also, This is the repose. But they willed not to hear.

Jesus spoke of the Psalm as Torah
Joh 10:34  Jesus answered them, Has it not been written in your Law, “I said, you are gods”?

This is referring to Psalm 82:6

Psa 82:6  I have said, You are gods, and all of you are sons of the Most High.

The Author of the Scripture is the Holy Spirit

2Ti 3:15  and that from a babe you know the Holy Scriptures, those being able to make you wise to salvation through belief in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16  All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17  so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work.

Psalms
Heb 3:7  Because of this, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His voice,

This is referring to Psalm 95:7
Mat 22:43  He said to them, Then how does David in Spirit call Him Lord, saying,
Mat 22:44  “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit off My right until I should put Your hostile ones as a footstool for Your feet?”

Messiah is referring to Psalm 110

Peter stated that the Holy Spirit was speaking through David as well.
Act 1:16  Men, brothers, it was necessary for this Scripture to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke before through David’s mouth concerning Judas, the one having become guide to those seizing Jesus;
Act 1:17  for he was numbered with us, and obtained a portion of this ministry.
Act 1:18  Indeed, then, this one bought a field out of the reward of unrighteousness; and falling headlong, he burst in the middle, and poured out all his bowels.
Act 1:19  And it became known to all those living in Jerusalem, so as that field to be called in their own dialect, Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.
Act 1:20  For it has been written in the scroll of Psalms, Let his estate become forsaken, and he not be living in it. And, “Let another take his overseership.”

LXX-Psa. 68:26; Psa. 108:8; MT-Psa. 69:25; Psa. 109:8

2Pe 1:21  for prophecy was not at any time borne by the will of man, but being borne along by the Holy Spirit, holy men of God spoke.

Book of Isaiah
Act 28:25  And disagreeing with one another, they were let go, Paul saying one word: Well did the Holy Spirit speak through the prophet Isaiah to our fathers,

Book of Jeremiah
Heb 10:15  And the Holy Spirit witnesses to us also. For after having said before,
Heb 10:16  “This is the covenant which I will covenant to them after those days, says the Lord: Giving My Laws on their hearts, and I will write them on their minds;”
Heb 10:17  also He adds, “I will not at all still remember their sins” and their lawlessnesses. MT-Jer. 31:33, 34

The Word comes forth from the Prophets

Dan 9:10  We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws which he set before us by His servants the prophets.

2Ki 17:13  And Jehovah testified against Israel, and against Judah, by the hand of all His prophets, and every seer, saying, Turn back from your evil ways, and keep My commands, My statutes, according to all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by the hand of My servants the prophets.
Ezr 9:10  And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? For we have forsaken Your commandments
Ezr 9:11  which You have commanded by Your servants the prophets, saying, The land into which you go, to possess it, it is an unclean land with the impurity of the people of the lands, with their abominations with which they have filled it, from mouth to mouth with their uncleanness.

Zec 7:11  But they refused to listen, and gave a stubborn shoulder, and they made their ears heavy from hearing.
Zec 7:12  And they made their heart adamant from hearing the Law and the Words which Jehovah of Hosts has sent by the former prophets through His Spirit. And great wrath was from Jehovah of Hosts.

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The Gospels
1Pe 1:10  About which salvation the prophets sought out and searched out, prophesying concerning the grace for you,
1Pe 1:11  searching for what, or what sort of time the Spirit of Christ made clear within them; testifying beforehand of the sufferings belonging to Christ, and the glories after these.
1Pe 1:12  To whom it was revealed that not to themselves, but to us they ministered the same things, which now were announced to you by those having preached the gospel to you in the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven; into which things angels long to look into.

WORD OF GOD
1Th 2:13  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

GIVEN BY GOD
Psa 68:11  The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

INSPIRIRED BY HIM
2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

TRUTH
Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Dan 10:21  But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth:

PURE
Psa 119:140  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.
Pro 30:5  Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

PRESERVED
Psa 12:6  The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psa 12:7  Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

HOLY
Rom 1:2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
2Ti 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

NOT TO BE ALTERED
Rev 22:18  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Deu 12:32  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Deu 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Pro 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

CAN’T BE BROKEN

Joh 10:35  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
Mat 5:18  Truly I say to you, Until the heaven and the earth pass away, in no way shall one iota or one point pass away from the Law until all comes to pass.

ETERNAL
Isa 40:8  The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Luk 21:33  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Mat 24:35  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
Psa 119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven
2Esd 9:32 But our fathers which receiued the law, kept it not, and obserued not thy ordinances, and thought the fruite of thy law did not perish, neither could it, for it was thine:
2Esd 9:37 Notwithstanding the law perisheth not, but remaineth in his force.

SPIRIT & LIFE
Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

QUICK POWERFUL SHARP
Heb 4:12  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

PERFECT
Psa 19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

 

Biblical Definitions – Torah

The Hebrew word תורה (Torah) reveals the very heart and mind of God — His will, His instruction, and His love letter to mankind. Far from a rigid legal code, the Torah is the divine blueprint that marks out the borders of His people, points the way of life, and finds its perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the living Word made flesh.

The Torah is an interesting word in that it comes from two roots. One is תר ‘tar’ which means an image or outline, and the other is יר ‘yar’ which means to teach or pointing in the right direction. This study explores the deep biblical meaning of Torah, its connection to the heart (lev), its role in forming Messiah’s character in us, and how the entire Scriptures point to the One whose name is called The Word of God.

For more see: Biblical Definition – Torah

Related study:

Is the New Testament Scripture?

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