θεόπνευστος (theopneustos)
theopneustos
God-breathed
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective theopneustos describes something as "God-breathed." It appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 3:16, where it qualifies all Scripture. The word combines theos (God) and pneuma (breath or wind), suggesting that the text originates from God’s own breath or spirit.
This term does not merely mean "useful" or "holy." It points to a divine source. When Paul calls Scripture God-breathed, he affirms its origin in God’s active communication. The image of breath implies life and power, not just written words. This single occurrence anchors the Christian understanding that the Bible is more than human literature; it carries the authority and vitality of its Creator.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word theopneustos appears just once in the New Testament, found in 2 Timothy 3:16. It combines the words for God and breath, creating a powerful image of divine origin. When Paul describes Scripture as God-breathed, he is not simply calling it holy or useful literature. He is pointing to its source. The Bible carries the very life and authority of God, much like breath gives life to a body.
For your daily walk, this means the Scriptures are alive. They are not static rules but active communication from the Creator. This truth offers stability when cultural values shift or personal doubts arise. You can trust these words because they originate from God Himself. They have the power to teach, correct, and guide you with a clarity that human wisdom alone cannot provide.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- God-breathed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θεόπνευστος1×
Key Verses
-
II Timothy 3:16
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness,
This is the only occurrence of the word in the New Testament, where it serves as the foundational claim for the authority and divine origin of all Scripture.