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Preservation of Scripture through Divine Providence

The preservation of Scripture through divine providence refers to the belief that God has supernaturally overseen the transmission of the biblical texts throughout history, ensuring their accuracy and integrity [1, 2]. This concept is rooted in the broader understanding of God's providence, which encompasses His continuous care and governance over all creation [1, 2].

Divine providence, in a general sense, involves God's foresight and His active role in preserving and governing all things, often through secondary causes [2]. This extends to the natural world, animal life, and the affairs of humanity, including the free actions of individuals [2]. For instance, Psalm 145:9 states that God's care is over all His works, and Matthew 10:29 notes that not even a sparrow falls without His knowledge [1]. God's providence is also seen in His special preservation, protection, and leading of His saints [1].

Regarding Scripture, the belief in its providential preservation is closely linked to its divine inspiration. The Bible asserts that "All Scripture is inspired by God" (2 Timothy 3:16 NASB) or "given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16 Geneva1599) [5, 6]. This inspiration means that God "breathed out" His own speech through human authors, affirming His full responsibility for the text while not negating the active involvement of the human writers [12]. The Scriptures are called the "Word of God," the "Word of Christ," and the "Word of truth" [8].

The idea of preservation suggests that just as God inspired the original writings, He also superintends their transmission across generations. This is not explicitly stated in a single verse as "providential preservation of Scripture," but it is inferred from passages that speak to the enduring nature of God's word and His commitment to bringing His words to pass [1]. For example, Jesus states that "heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away" (Matthew 24:35) [1]. The psalmist also prays, "Preserve me, O God, for I did trust in Thee" (Psalm 16:1 YLT), reflecting a general trust in God's preserving power [4].

The "testimonies" or "Scriptures" are considered wonderful, not only for their divine authorship and content but also for their utility in instructing believers [9, 10]. John Gill, commenting on Psalm 119:125, notes that the Scriptures "testify of God, his mind and will," and are "wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them" [9]. Matthew Henry emphasizes the importance of keeping God's testimonies as a rule and confidence, acknowledging that divine grace is necessary to do so [14].

The concept of preservation implies that God's watchful providence holds together the present state of things until His appointed time [11]. This extends to His written word, ensuring its continued availability and reliability for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness [6]. The apostle Peter, for instance, testifies to the "true grace of God" and encourages believers to "stand firm in it" (1 Peter 5:12 NASB), implying the stability and trustworthiness of the message they received [7]. Similarly, believers are "guarded through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed" by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5 LITV) [3].

The historical development of this doctrine is often understood in conjunction with the doctrine of inspiration. As the early church recognized the divine origin of the biblical texts, the question of their faithful transmission naturally arose. The consistent belief across various traditions is that God, who is sovereign over all things, would not allow His inspired word to be lost or corrupted to the point of being unreliable [1, 2]. This confidence in God's providential care for His word undergirds the ongoing study and application of Scripture by believers [13].

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
  3. I Peter “I Peter 1:5 (LITV) — by the power of God, having been guarded through faith to a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time;”
  4. Psalms “Psalms 16:1 (YLT) — A Secret Treasure of David. Preserve me, O God, for I did trust in Thee.”
  5. II Timothy “II Timothy 3:16 (Geneva1599) — For the whole Scripture is giuen by inspiration of God, and is profitable to teache, to conuince, to correct, and to instruct in righteousnesse,”
  6. 2 Timothy “2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) — All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;”
  7. 1 Peter “1 Peter 5:12 (NASB) — Through Silvanus, our faithful brother (for so I regard him), I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!”
  8. 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”
  9. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
  10. Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 15:3: For whatsoever things were written aforetime,.... In the books of the Old Testament; the apostle says this, to vindicate the pertinency of the above citation, and to prevent any objection that might be made against it; since whatsoever was written in that psalm did not belong personally to David, but to Christ; and what is written concerning him, is designed for the use and instruction of his people; yea, whatever is written anywhere in the sacred Scriptures, were written for our learning; to instruct in the knowledge of Christ, of his person, offices, grace, righte”
  11. 2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 3:7: (Compare Job 28:5, end). which are now--"the postdiluvian visible world." In contrast to "that then was," Pe2 3:6. the same--Other oldest manuscripts read, "His" (God's). kept in store--Greek, "treasured up." reserved--"kept." It is only God's constantly watchful providence which holds together the present state of things till His time for ending it.”
  12. 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”
  13. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 111:4: He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered,.... All his works are marvellous ones; his works of creation, that they should rise out of nothing at a word of command; his works of providence, which have such a depth of wisdom and knowledge in them, are unsearchable and past finding out; and his works of redemption and grace; and these are so wrought by him, and such methods taken to continue the memory of them, that they cannot well be forgotten: all things in nature are as they were from the beginning; the sun, moon, and stars, keep their course and station; co”
  14. Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 119:88: Here is, 1. David in care to be found in the way of his duty. His constant desire and design are to keep the testimony of God's mouth, to keep to it as his rule and to keep hold of it as his confidence and portion for ever. This we must keep, whatever we lose. 2. David at prayer for divine grace to assist him therein: "Quicken me after thy lovingkindness (make me alive and make me lively), so shall I keep thy testimonies," implying that otherwise he should not keep them. We cannot proceed, nor persevere, in the good way, unless God quicken us and put life into u”
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