Is the Bible Without Error?
The Bible, God’s word, is God-breathed.
Over 3,800 times, the Old Testament declares that it is the word of God.
“Thus says the Lord” is used 418 times.
“God said” is written 46 times in the Old Testament.
Peter, Paul, and John all said that the Holy Spirit guided them in their words and thoughts.
❓ So Why Do Some Still Doubt?
With all of that, many still don’t believe the Bible is accurate or truly the Word of God because of small, minor issues.
Because of this, it is important to understand the rules for accuracy and why God’s Word would be without errors – even when some things appear different at first glance.
🧠 1. Inerrancy Allows for Style Differences
Peter was an unlearned fisherman, while Paul and Luke were highly educated.
Anyone would expect them to write differently and use different levels of language.
In fact:
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1 Peter is considered to have the worst Greek in the New Testament
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Luke and Acts are written in the best Greek
📚 2. Inerrancy Allows for Varying Details
Jesus spoke in Aramaic, yet the gospel writers wrote in Greek.
Each writer saw different aspects of Jesus’ life. One person may have seen or heard something slightly differently based on their position or point of view.
This doesn’t mean the accounts are inaccurate – just that they reflect different perspectives.
🗣️ 3. Inerrancy Doesn’t Require Verbatim Quotes
These first-century writers couldn’t run to the temple to double-check the exact wording of a verse.
They remembered it as best they could and wrote it down under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
📝 4. Inerrancy Allows for Informal Grammar
It is irresponsible to hold first-century writers to 21st-century English grammar rules.
As you read the Bible, you’ll see writers mix metaphors or change pronouns mid-thought – just like any of us might do today.
(And let’s be honest: how many of us truly know when to use who vs whom?)
🤔 5. Inerrancy Allows for “Problem Passages”
Sometimes, archaeology solves the issue.
In the 19th century, many doubted the existence of certain Old Testament cities—until they were unearthed.
And sometimes, the problem is with the English translation.
Translators try to exchange one original word for one English word, but it doesn’t always work perfectly.
For example: What’s a single English word for the Spanish word “piñata”?
✅ Inerrancy Means Trustworthy, Not Technically Perfect
So, inerrancy doesn’t require the Bible to be “perfect” by our modern standards.
It simply means that it is accurate in all that it says.