“We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13
If I asked you to read a beautiful love letter that had been written by a man and sent to the woman he loved, you might find it interesting or even inspiring. But what would you feel if I then revealed to you that your own father had written it to your mother? Your reaction probably would change dramatically. That’s because authorship matters.
Authorship matters for the Word of God, too. If Paul’s good news about Jesus is just something he himself made up, it would lack the divine power and authority that Paul claims it has. But if Paul’s message is from Jesus Christ, the One crucified and raised from the dead, everyone who hears it can have great expectations. In particular, you could expect our Lord to be at work through His Word. And that is exactly what happens.
Earlier in the Bible Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). We can trust the authority of the Bible because we personally know the Author of the Bible.
Authorship matters for the Word of God, too. If Paul’s good news about Jesus is just something he himself made up, it would lack the divine power and authority that Paul claims it has. But if Paul’s message is from Jesus Christ, the One crucified and raised from the dead, everyone who hears it can have great expectations. In particular, you could expect our Lord to be at work through His Word. And that is exactly what happens.
Earlier in the Bible Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). We can trust the authority of the Bible because we personally know the Author of the Bible.
Scripture Focus
1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Insight
“God the Father is the giver of Holy Scripture; God the Son is the theme …; and God the Spirit is the author.” (J. I. Packer, 1926-2020)
Bible In A Year
- 1 Kings 11-12
- Proverbs 5
- Hebrews 5-6
