What did Paul mean in 2 Timothy 3:16 when he said that the Scriptures were θεόπνευστος?

θεόπνευστος is an interesting Greek word that gets translated into English in some unique ways. And because of those unique translations, different aspects of the meaning of the word get highlighted and then, ultimately, understood better than others.

The word θεόπνευστος is a compound word made up of two common words: θεός (theos) and πνεῦμα (pneuma). The word θεός means “God”. And the word πνεῦμα carries with it several possible meanings. It can sometimes mean “spirit” in general or “Spirit” as in the Holy Spirit”. It can sometimes mean “wind”. And it can sometimes mean “breath”.

In the sense that Paul uses the word θεόπνευστος, the πνεῦμα part of the word is altered slightly from a noun to an adjective. It goes from πνεῦμα to πνευστος, which is easier to see when we begin to look at some English translations.

In some English Bibles we find θεόπνευστος translated as “inspired by God”.

In others, we find θεόπνευστος translated as “God-breathed”.

I, however, have come to appreciate a slightly different translation. Still translating one Greek word, θεόπνευστος, but this time with the English “God-spirited”. In this translation, although it sounds awkward at first, it’s awkwardness helps us see what’s behind it.

Any way you translate it (inspired by God, God-breathed, or God-spirited) the meaning remains: these human-written Scriptures are somehow brought about by God, through the Spirit.