Evaluating Teaching through Scripture Alone in Christianity
The teaching of sola Scriptura, or "Scripture alone," asserts that the Bible is the sole infallible rule for Christian faith and practice. This doctrine emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the Scriptures. The Bible is described as "given by inspiration of God" and "given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [1]. This inspiration means that God "breathed out" the Scriptures, affirming God's full responsibility for them, even while human authors were actively involved [9].
Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [1]. The apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:15, reminds Timothy that he has known the "Holy Scriptures" from childhood, which are "able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" [6]. Paul further states that "all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" [9]. This indicates the comprehensive effectiveness of Scripture for guiding a believer's life [9].
The practice of publicly reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church, with both Old and New Testament writings being recognized as inspired and read in worship [3]. Early Christians, like Timothy, were encouraged to compare Christian doctrines with the Law and the Prophets, confirming the truth of the Christian religion [6]. The apostle Paul also taught that spiritual things should be compared with spiritual things, expounding Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture by comparison with the Gospel revealed by the same Spirit [7].
The emphasis on Scripture alone contrasts with relying on "many books" of mere human composition, which are seen as wearying the body without profiting the soul, unlike inspired writings which are the "only sure source of 'admonition'" [4]. Similarly, the apostle Paul warns against those who teach "other doctrine" and do not adhere to "the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness" [2]. This highlights the importance of aligning all teaching with the revealed word of Christ. While Jesus taught with direct authority, unlike the teachers of religious law who derived their authority from quoting Scripture, his teaching was still based on his own authority as the Messiah [5]. Christians are encouraged to examine their conduct by the words and example of Christ, making the word of Christ the "only rule" and Christ's example the "only pattern" for imitation [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 6:3 (LEB) — If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness,”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 12:12: (See on Ecc 1:18). many books--of mere human composition, opposed to "by these"; these inspired writings are the only sure source of "admonition." (over much) study--in mere human books, wearies the body, without solidly profiting the soul.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 7:28: 7:28-29 Jesus began teaching only his disciples (5:1), but crowds had followed up the mountainside as well. • Unlike the teachers of religious law, whose authority was derived from the Scriptures they quoted or from the teachings of previous scholars, Jesus taught with real—that is, direct—authority. He quoted Scripture in the Sermon, but his teaching was based on his own authority as the Messiah.”
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 3:15: From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures - The early religious education of Timothy has been already sufficiently noticed; see Ti2 1:5, and the preface to the first epistle. St. Paul introduces this circumstance again here for the confirmation of Timothy's faith. He had learned the doctrines of Christianity from a genuine apostle; and, as Christianity is founded on the law and the prophets, Timothy was able to compare its doctrines with all that had been typified and predicted, and consequently was assured that the Christian religion was true. Able to mak”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 2:13: also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 3:16: 3:16-17 These verses elaborate on 3:15 by explaining Scripture’s effectiveness, its source, and the ways that it gives wisdom to live out our salvation. Paul was speaking of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament), but his statement can now apply to all Scripture, including the New Testament (see, e.g., 2 Pet 3:15-16). 3:16 The fact that Scripture is inspired by God (literally God-breathed, breathed out by God’s own speech; see also Heb 4:12-13; 2 Pet 1:20-21) does not negate the active involvement of the human authors. But it does affirm that God is fully re”