What Is Scripture?: Paul's Use of Graphe in the Letters to Timothy

Analysis of the literary scheme of the letters to Timothy suggests that graphe as it is employed in each letter may legitimately be understood to include some of the apostolic writings that now appear in the New Testament. In affirming the Pauline authorship of the Pastoral Epistles Swinson argues that a form of the Gospel of Luke stands as the source of the second referent of graphe in 1 Tim 5:18. Second Swinson contends that pasa graphe in 2 Tim 3:16 includes the apostolic writings extant in Pauls day specifically Lukes Gospel and some of Pauls own writings. These parallel lines of analysis demonstrate that Paul ascribes to his own writings and to those of his coworkers an authoritative standing equal to that of the sacred writings (ta hiera grammata) found in the Old Testament. While many questions surrounding biblical authority and the biblical canon remain Pauls use of graphe in 1 and 2 Timothy nevertheless advances a high view of both Old Testament and New Testament Scripture. This study takes a fresh critical and comprehensive look at evidence and arguments often either overlooked or facilely dismissed. The happy result is a better factual foundation for consideration of vital historical questions regarding Christian origins and the role that Scripture played from the churchs inception. Especially welcome are [Swinsons] careful exegesis philological rigor and charitable candor in interaction with other contemporary scholarship. --Robert W. Yarbrough Covenant Theological Seminary St. Louis MO Much academic writing focuses on small details and minor nuances. Unfortunately the significance of these studies often remains small and minor as well. In the case of Swinsons work my hope is that many will come to discover the richness of his discoveries--while narrowly focused they are narrow in the same way a laser is: his work is keen insightful precise. --Ted Rivera Liberty University Online Lynchburg VA L. Timothy Swinson is an Assistant Professor and Instructional Mentor in the School of Religion at Liberty University.