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The Inspiration and Illumination of Scripture
Written by Dave Jenkins
Contending for the Word, October 7, 2025
When Christians talk about the Bible, two words often come up, inspiration and illumination. They sound similar, but they refer to very different works of the Holy Spirit. Understanding the difference helps us read and apply Scripture with greater clarity and dependence on God.
Inspiration
Inspiration refers to the once for all act of the Holy Spirit by which He superintended the writing of Scripture. As Paul says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” The Spirit worked through the human authors so that the words they wrote were exactly what God intended. Inspiration is complete, it happened in the past and resulted in the sixty six books of the Bible.
Illumination
Illumination refers to the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. It is the Spirit’s ministry of opening our minds and hearts to understand, embrace, and apply the Word of God. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 2:12, “Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”
Illumination does not mean the Spirit gives new revelation. Instead, He shines light on the revelation God has already given in Scripture, helping us grasp its meaning and significance.
Why This Distinction Matters
Here is the central question, What is the difference between inspiration and illumination? Without inspiration, we would not have the Bible. Without illumination, we could not understand or apply it rightly. Both are essential, one guarantees the trustworthiness of God’s Word, and the other enables us to live in light of it.
Living in the Light of God’s Word
Each time you open your Bible, remember these two truths:
- The Bible is inspired, every word is from God.
- You need the Spirit’s illumination, pray for His help to understand and obey.
Approach Scripture prayerfully, asking the Spirit to teach you, convict you, and transform you. When you do, you will find that God’s Word is not just a text to analyze, it is the living Word that speaks directly to your heart.
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
