SCRIPTURE

The Greek term graphe ("writing") comes into the English Bible (via Latin, scriptura) as "scripture." The word almost always has the definite article "the scriptures." The expression may refer to a particular passage, e.g., "have you not read this scripture?" (Mk. 12:10 - citing Psa. 118:22), or it may denote the whole of the O.T. canon (Jn. 5:39). Usually "scriptures" will refer to the O.T., but the word may embrace the N.T. writings as well. Peter, by implication, referred to Paul's "epistles" as scripture (see 2 Pet. 3:16, "other scriptures"). A consideration of the use of "scriptures" in the Bible reveals several things. (a) The term "scripture" or "scriptures" takes on a technical sense, having to do with a document of divine origin (2 Tim. 3:16-17). (b) The "scriptures" speak as the authoritative voice of God (Rom. 9:17; Gal. 3:8). (c) One must not venture into the territory beyond that which is authorized by "the things which are written" (1 Cor. 4:6 ASV; cf. 2 Jn. 9). See BIBLE.