Theopneustos: Interpreting “God-Breathed”

The word theopneustos only occurs in the nt in 2 Tim 3:16; its precise nuance is uncertain. It may be a compound word: theo (“God”) and pneustos (“breath” or “Spirit”), meaning “God-breathed.” Based on other compound words in the nt, such as theodidaktos, which may be rendered “taught by God” (1 Thess 4:9), the word may be translated as “inspired by God”—meaning that the breath or Spirit of God is the source of Scripture. Paul was likely referring to the ot, but he may have also been referencing books and letters, circulating among churches, which would eventually become canonical nt books.

The early church fathers used theopneustos to refer to non-canonical things. The Council of Ephesus’ condemnation of Nestorius is referred to as “their inspired decision” (auton theopneustou kriseos) and the inscription over Abercius’ tomb is called an “inspired inscription” (theopneuston epigramma; Life of Abercius 76). Similarly, Gregory of Nyssa says his brother Basil’s commentary is “inspired (theopneuston) exposition” (Apologia in Hexaemeron).

The concept of something being “inspired by God” was not limited to the canon of Scripture in the early church. The writings that would become the canonical books of Scripture had to meet other criteria. These writings needed to be used regularly for teaching or reading in churches throughout the known world, and they needed to have a connection with the apostles, either through having been written by them or by a close associate of them. The final consideration for the acceptance of the book was whether it agreed with the teachings passed down by the apostles.

John D. Barry

Further Reading

The Formation of the New Testament

God-Inspired Scripture WBBWV1:RI

The God-Breathed Character of Holy Scripture SD:HS