When God Breathes

Chapter 1

The Written Word Is the Breath of the Living Word


God has transmitted his very substance into every Scripture, for it is God-breathed. It will empower you by its instruction and correction, giving you the strength to take the right direction and lead you deeper into the path of godliness. Then you will be God’s servant, fully mature and perfectly prepared to fulfill any assignment God gives you.

—2 Timothy 3:16 (TPT)


The Bible is not simply a book that tells us about God; it is the very breath of God. Paul told Timothy that God transmitted His very substance, His essential nature into every scripture. That makes the written Word the breath of the Living Word. We can read it knowing that we are not only feasting on the bread of life, but we are also smelling the very breath of God. The smell is intoxicating, and it will create a craving deep within us for more of this living bread.

The Word Became Human

As you read this passage in 2 Timothy 3:16 (TPT), keep John 1:1–5, 1:14 (NLT) and the first two chapters of Genesis on the front burners of your mind. It will help you to better understand how God could transmit His very essence, His essential nature, into the scriptures.

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He (the Word) existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. … So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. (John 1:1–5, 1:14 NLT, emphasis added)

There is a bright flashing red light in this passage that should cause every reader to stop and pay attention to what has been said. “The Word became human” (John 1:14 NLT). This is what makes the written Word the breath of God.

John makes two incredible declarations about the Word. The Word was God, and at the same time, the Word was the second person of the Trinity, the Son of God. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. This is the us we read about in Genesis 1: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our own image, according to Our likeness’” (Genesis 1:26 NLT). To whom was God talking? Have you ever wondered? There was no one else present when God began time. We are left with only one conclusion; God was talking to Himself. The story only gets better.

The appointed time came when the Word became human and made His home in the midst of humanity. In other words, God wrapped Himself up in human flesh and birthed Himself in the person of Jesus. Jesus was the very essence of the Father. This is why Jesus answered Philip the way He did, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied” (John 14:8 NLT). Jesus said to Philip, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9 NLT). God is now living among His creation in the person of Jesus, who is called the Word. This is the reason He is called Jesus Christ. Jesus addresses His humanity, and Christ reveals His divinity—Immanuel: God is with us. The union of the divine and human natures of Christ in one hypostasis.