Bible Dictionary
Scripture
Scripture means the sacred writings regarded as God’s inspired revelation. In the New Testament the term ordinarily refers to the Old Testament, though apostolic writings are also recognized as Scripture.
Definition
Scripture means writing, and in the New Testament it ordinarily denotes the sacred books of the Old Testament regarded as inspired and authoritative. The collection was understood as God’s written revelation, preserved as a record of his revealed will.
Biblical Usage
Jesus and the New Testament writers appeal to Scripture as the authoritative word of God. The term is extended in one passage to Paul’s Epistles, showing recognition of apostolic writings alongside the Old Testament sacred books.
Historical Background
The Old Testament canon in the time of Jesus is described as the same collection now possessed under that name. The expression “holy scriptures” means sacred writings.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God’s purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The “Scripture,” or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed “Scripture,” consisting of the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament canon in the time of our Lord was precisely the same as that which we now possess under that name. He placed the seal of his own authority on this collection of writings, as all equally given by inspiration (Matt. 5:17; 7:12; 22:40; Luke 16:29, 31). (See BIBLE; CANON.)
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[See Bible]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>skrip'-tur (he graphe, plural hai graphai): The word means "writing." In the Old Testament it occurs in the King James Version only once, "the scripture of truth," in Da 10:21, where it is more correctly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American), "the writing of truth." The reference is not to Holy Scripture, but to the book in which are inscribed God's purposes. In the New Testament, "scripture" and "scriptures" stand regularly for the Old Testament sacred books regarded as "inspired" (2Ti 3:16), "the oracles of God" (Ro 3:2). Compare on this usage Mt 21:42; 22:29; Mr 12:10; Lu 4:21; 24:27,32,45; Joh 5:39; 10:35; Ac 8:32; 17:2,11; Ro 15:4; 16:26, etc.; in Ro 1:2, "holy scriptures." See BIBLE. The expression "holy scriptures" in 2Ti 3:15 the King James Version represents different words (hiera grammata) and is properly rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) "sacred writings." In 2Pe 3:16, the term "scriptures" is extended to the Eppistle of Paul. In Jas 4:5, the words occur: "Think ye that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the spirit which he made to dwell in us long unto envying?" The passage is probably rather a summary of Scripture teaching than intended as a direct quotation. Others (e.g. Westcott) think the word is used in a wide sense of a Christian hymn.</p><p>James Orr</p>