Does “all Scripture” include both the Old and New Testaments?

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷ God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

– 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Regarding the scope of “all Scripture,” Paul’s first letter to Timothy provides clarity. He writes, “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,’ and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’” (1 Timothy 5:18). In this passage, Paul quotes from both Deuteronomy 25:4 (the Law of Moses) and Luke 10:7 (the Gospel of Luke), referring to both as “Scripture.” While the primary focus of this passage is not inspiration, it is significant that Paul applies the term “Scripture” to both the Old Testament and Luke’s writings, placing them on the same authoritative level. This aligns with Peter’s description of inspiration and the prior approval Jesus gave to the New Testament writings. Thus, Paul’s statement that “all Scripture is God-breathed” extends the quality of divine authorship to Luke’s writings, just as it does to the Old Testament.

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