The Word of God
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16
The Byzantine Text refers to a form of the Greek New Testament that is based on the majority of existing Greek manuscripts. It is often associated with the Byzantine textual tradition, which underlies many later copies of the Greek New Testament. This text type is significant in biblical studies as it represents the readings that appear in the majority of manuscripts, providing a basis for translations like the Majority Standard Bible.
The Preservation of the Word of God is a clear and consistent teaching of Scripture itself. From the earliest psalms to the words of Christ, the Bible affirms that God’s Word is eternal, unbreakable, and safeguarded by the very One who spoke it. Psalm 119:89 declares, “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven,” showing its divine origin and unchanging stability. Jesus promised in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away,” affirming that His teachings transcend time and circumstance. Psalm 12:6–7 assures believers that the Lord will preserve His pure words for every generation, safeguarding them against corruption or loss. This is not merely a matter of historical transmission, but of divine providence—God Himself is the guarantor of His Word. Just as He is faithful to keep His promises, He is faithful to keep His Scriptures, ensuring that His truth remains available, authoritative, and powerful for all who seek Him in every age.
The preservation of the Word of God is seen most clearly in the faithful transmission of the Masoretic Hebrew Text for the Old Testament and the Byzantine Greek Text for the New Testament. The Masoretic Text, carefully guarded and meticulously copied by Jewish scribes for centuries, preserves the inspired words given to the prophets and writers of the Old Covenant. Its remarkable consistency, confirmed by ancient witnesses such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, testifies to God’s providence in safeguarding His revelation. Likewise, the Byzantine textform of the Greek New Testament—found in the vast majority of surviving manuscripts—reflects the continuous use, public reading, and faithful copying of Scripture within the Greek-speaking church for over a millennium. Together, these textual traditions form a harmonious witness to God’s promise that His Word would be preserved for all generations (Psalm 12:6–7, Matthew 24:35), ensuring that what we hold in our hands today faithfully represents the very words He inspired.
Verses Supporting the Preservation of God’s Word Masoretic Hebrew Text & Byzantine Traditional Text)
1. God’s Word Endures Forever
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Psalm 119:89 – “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.”
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Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.”
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Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.”
2. God Promises to Preserve His Word
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Psalm 12:6–7 – “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever.”
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Proverbs 30:5 – “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.”
3. Scripture Cannot Be Broken
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John 10:35 – “…and the Scripture cannot be broken.”
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1 Peter 1:23–25 – “…the word of God which lives and abides forever… the word of the Lord endures forever.”
4. God’s Word Is Established and Eternal
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Psalm 119:152 – “Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.”
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Psalm 119:160 – “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
The Law of Moses supports the Masoretic & Byzantine Traditional Text
Majority Standard Bible: Deuteronomy 17:18
When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests.
The words of Jesus supports the preservation of the Words of God
Majority Standard Bible: Mark 12:26
But concerning the dead rising, have you not read about the burning bush in the Book of Moses, how God told him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
The words of Paul supports the preservation of the Words of God
Majority Standard Bible: 1 Corinthians 3:19, Paul is quoting the oldest book in the Bible.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”
One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts Psalm 145:4