Biblical Authority and the Nature of Truth

Biblical authority and the nature of truth are deeply intertwined concepts in Christian thought, with truth often understood as originating from God and revealed through His word. The Bible presents truth in various senses, from factual accuracy to fidelity and the very person of Christ ^[1].

In Scripture, "truth" can denote that which stands in opposition to falsehood, as seen in Proverbs 12:17, 19. It also signifies fidelity or truthfulness, as in Isaiah 59:14-15 and Jeremiah 7:28 ^[1]. The doctrine of Christ is referred to as "the truth of the gospel" (Galatians 2:5) and simply "the truth" (2 Timothy 3:7; 4:4) ^[1]. Jesus himself declared, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6) ^[1]. This highlights a foundational understanding that truth is not merely an abstract concept but is embodied in the person of Christ.

The nature of God is intrinsically linked to truth. God's truth is an attribute of His character, described as great, plenteous, abundant, inviolable, and everlasting ^[4]. It is said to always go before His face and to endure forever ^[4]. The psalmist proclaims that "Truth springs out of the earth" (Psalm 85:11) ^[3]. John Gill interprets this as potentially referring to the Gospel, the "word of truth," which emerged from Judea and spread to the Gentile world, or to the grace of faith that springs up in believers ^[9]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Psalm 119:142, states that God's word is "righteousness itself, the standard of righteousness, and it is everlasting in its rewards and punishments" ^[10]. This underscores the idea that God's word is not just true but is the very measure of truth and righteousness.

The "word of truth" is a recurring biblical phrase, appearing in passages such as 2 Corinthians 6:7 ^{[2, 5]}. John Gill identifies this "word of truth" with the Scriptures, which are divinely inspired and contain nothing but truth, and also with the Gospel, which comes from the God who cannot lie ^[8]. He further elaborates that the Gospel is called truth because it comes from God, concerns Christ who is the truth, and is guided by the Spirit of truth ^[8]. The Gospel is seen as truth in opposition to the law (which was typical and shadowy), to the errors of false teachers, and to anything fictitious ^[11].

The authority of the Bible stems from its divine origin and its nature as the word of truth. God's righteousness is also part of His character, described as very high, abundant, beyond computation, and everlasting ^[6]. His testimonies, commandments, judgments, and word all exhibit His righteousness ^[6]. The power of God, another divine attribute, is expressed through His voice, finger, hand, and arm, and is described as great, strong, glorious, mighty, everlasting, sovereign, effectual, and irresistible ^[7]. These attributes—truth, righteousness, and power—are all inherent in God and are reflected in His revealed word.

The question "What is truth?" was famously posed by Pilate to Jesus (John 18:38) ^[12]. John Gill suggests that truth encompasses the faithfulness of God in His word and promises, the truth of grace in believers' hearts, and Jesus Christ himself as the embodiment of truth ^[12]. Everything Christ said and taught was truth, and all true doctrine originates from Him ^[12].

The concept of truth is not merely intellectual assent to facts but also involves fidelity and moral rectitude. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of God's eyes being upon "the truth," contrasting it with those who "swear falsely" ^[13]. The false-professing Jews, in this context, could expect judgment from the God of truth ^[13]. This demonstrates that truth has ethical implications and is tied to God's justice and judgment.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Truth — Used in various senses in Scripture. In Prov. 12:17, 19, it denotes that which is opposed to falsehood. In Isa. 59:14, 15, Jer. 7:28, it means fidelity or truthfulness. The doctrine of Christ is called "the truth of the gospel" (Gal. 2:5), "the truth" (2 Tim. 3:7; 4:4). Our Lord says of himself, "I am the way, and the truth" (John 14:6).”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 6:7 — By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”
Psalms “Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. -- Psalms 85:11”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Truth of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- De 32:4; Isa 65:16. Always goes before his face -- Ps 89:14. He keeps, for ever -- Ps 146:6. Described as Great. -- Ps 57:10. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:15. Abundant. -- Ex 34:6. Inviolable. -- Nu 23:19; Tit 1:2. Reaching to the clouds. -- Ps 57:10. Enduring to all generations. -- Ps 100:5. United with mercy in redemption -- Ps 85:10. Exhibited in his Counsels of old. -- Isa 25:1. Ways. -- Re 15:3. Works. -- Ps 33:4; 11:7; Da 4:37. Judicial statutes. -- Ps 19:9. Administration of justice. -- Ps 96:13. Word. -- Ps 119:160; Joh ”
II Corinthians “II Corinthians 6:7 (KJV) — By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Righteousness of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ps 7:9; 116:5; 119:137. Described as Very high. -- Ps 71:19. Abundant. -- Ps 48:10. Beyond computation. -- Ps 71:15. Everlasting. -- Ps 119:142. Enduring for ever. -- Ps 111:3. The habitation of his throne. -- Ps 97:2. Christ acknowledged -- Joh 17:25. Christ committed his cause to -- 1Pe 2:23. Angels acknowledge -- Re 16:5. Exhibited in His testimonies. -- Ps 119:138,144. His commandments. -- De 4:8; Ps 119:172. His judgments. -- Ps 19:9; 119:7,62. His word. -- Ps 119:123. His ways. -- Ps 145:17. His acts. -- J”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Power of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- Ps 62:11. Expressed by the Voice of God. -- Ps 29:3,5; 68:33. Finger of God. -- Ex 8:19; Ps 8:3. Hand of God. -- Ex 9:3,15; Isa 48:13. Arm of God. -- Job 40:9; Isa 52:10. Thunder of his power. -- Job 26:14. Described as Great. -- Ps 79:11; Na 1:3. Strong. -- Ps 89:13; 136:12. Glorious. -- Ex 15:6; Isa 63:12. Mighty. -- Job 9:4; Ps 89:13. Everlasting. -- Isa 26:4; Ro 1:20. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:21. Effectual. -- Isa 43:13; Eph 3:7. Irresistible. -- De 32:39; Da 4:35. Incomparable. -- Ex 15:11,12; De 3:24; Job 40:9; Ps 89:8.”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:41: And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,.... The Scriptures, which are by divine inspiration, come from the God of truth, contain nothing but truth in them, and are called "the Scriptures of truth", Dan 10:21. Or the Gospel, which is often so called, Eph 1:13; This comes from God, who cannot lie, and is a declaration of his mind and will concerning the salvation of men; in which Christ, who is the truth, is concerned, being the author, preacher, and substance of it; into which the Spirit of truth leads men, and makes it useful and effectual; which has”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 85:11: Truth shall spring out of the earth,.... Either the Gospel, the word of truth, which sprung up at once in the land of Judea, as if it came out of the earth; and from Zion and Jerusalem it came forth into the Gentile world: or else the truth of grace God desires in the inward parts, and which springs up in such who are like cultivated earth, or good ground, being made so by the Spirit and grace of God, particularly the grace of "faith"; by which some render the word (q) here, which springs up in the heart, and, with it, man believes to righteousness: or rather Christ ”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:142: Observe, 1. That God's word is righteousness, and it is an everlasting righteousness. It is the rule of God's judgment, and it is consonant to his counsels from eternity and will direct his sentence for eternity. The word of God will judge us, it will judge us in righteousness, and by it our everlasting state will be determined. This should possess us with a very great reverence for the word of God that it is righteousness itself, the standard of righteousness, and it is everlasting in its rewards and punishments. 2. That God's word is a law, and that law is tr”
Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 23:23: Buy the truth, and sell it not,.... Evangelical truth, the word of truth, the Gospel of salvation, which comes from the God of truth; has Christ, who is the truth, for the stem and substance of it; men are directed and led into it by the Spirit of truth; the whole matter of it is truth; truth, in opposition to the law, that was typical and shadowy; to the errors of false teachers, to everything that is fictitious, or another Gospel; and to that which is a lie, for no lie is of the truth: there are several particular doctrines of the Gospel which are so called; thos”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 18:38: Pilate saith unto him, what is truth?.... That is, in general, or that which Christ then particularly spoke of: many things might be observed in answer to this question, as that there is the truth and faithfulness of God in his word and promises; the truth of grace in the hearts of his people; Jesus Christ himself is truth, he is true God, and true man; the truth of all covenant transactions, of all types, promises, and prophecies; whatever he said and taught was truth, and the truth of all doctrine comes from him. The Gospel is truth in general; it comes from the God ”
Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 5:3: eyes upon the truth-- (Deu 32:4; Ch2 16:9). "Truth" is in contrast with "swear falsely" (Jer 5:2). The false-professing Jews could expect nothing but judgments from the God of truth. stricken . . . not grieved-- (Jer 2:30; Isa 1:5; Isa 9:13). refused . . . correction-- (Jer 7:28; Zep 3:2).”

Ask Your Own Question