People rarely revel in foundations and are generally not wowed by soil walls or gravel footings. We don’t show off our concrete slabs to houseguests. Yet if our foundation crumbles, the entire house falls into ruin. Likewise, if we fail to stand firm upon God’s Word, the entire church will face disaster. Foundations are never flashy, but the foundation of sola Scriptura, Latin for “by Scripture alone,” has upheld disciple-makers generation after generation.

Defining Sola Scriptura

In his succinct definition of sola Scriptura, author and theologian Matthew Barrett has written, “Only Scripture, because it is God’s inspired Word, is our inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for the church” (Barrett 2016, 23). Let’s explore each aspect of this definition.

Inspired

As the Bible’s divine author, God sovereignly ordained the human authors to write the actual words. Peter describes this miracle of inspiration as a mighty, rushing wind which filled the sails of a boat to propel it across the sea (2 Pet. 1:21). Human authors, in their own language and personal style, wrote as vessels propelled by the Spirit’s power. Thus, the Scriptures were breathed out, or inspired, by God himself.

Inerrant

God-inspired words are therefore without error, for “every word of God proves true” and “it is impossible for God to lie” (Prov. 30:5a; Heb. 6:18b). As the infinitely perfect God, he never speaks a single statement wrongly.

Sufficient

God’s Word is also sufficient for any matters pertaining to life and godliness. This means it is enough for the purposes for which God designed. The Bible teaches us truths to live by and reproves us when we stray. It returns us to the proper path and trains us to walk in righteousness. And for these purposes, Scripture is enough; it is sufficient; it is competent to make us more and more like Jesus Christ each day (see 2 Tim. 3:16–17).

Authoritative

Finally, God’s Word is authoritative, for submission to God means submission to his Word. Sola Scriptura does not mean that the Bible is the only book we read, but rather the ultimate authority over every other book. Any lesser authorities, such as church leaders, religious traditions, and cultural preferences, must align with Scripture. For when Scripture speaks, God speaks, until our very obedience becomes an act of worship. Thus, we demonstrate our faith in God by obeying his Word and by teaching others to obey as well (Matt. 28:20a). God’s Word goes deeper than any culture, tradition, or church leader, for Scripture alone is our foundation (Matt. 7:24–25). God’s Word must remain the church’s rock-solid foundation or else the storms of life will wipe us out. To build our faith on any other word is to build our house on sand (Matt. 7: 26–27).

Applying Sola Scriptura

Martin Luther believed so strongly that Christians should base their lives on Scripture that he labored to translate God’s Word until, by his death in 1546, more than half a million copies of Scripture were in people’s hands. These Bibles became so precious to persecuted Christians that many still clung to them as they were executed. Their bloodstained pages testify to how martyred saints would first give up their lives before giving up their Bibles. Consider then, how we can cherish God’s precious Word as we make disciples for Jesus today.

Read the Bible

The most basic practice of sola Scriptura is to read our Bibles daily. Luther himself did not receive salvation as a gift until he studied the book of Romans in its proper context. One powerful phrase, “The righteous shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17), led him down the path to eternal life when he realized that none of his monkish works were enough to earn God’s favor. God’s Word freed him from the slavery of works salvation, and for the remainder of his days, Luther shook each branch along that mighty tree of Scripture to find out what it meant and how to live it out.

Bible reading transforms our hearts and minds (12:2). So, I am grateful to my Christian parents and faithful teachers who read the Scriptures to me from an early age and taught me how to understand them. Their faith was passed on to me as I now pass it on to others (see 2 Tim. 1:5). If we truly hold God’s Word as our all-sufficient authority, we esteem the Scriptures by reading from them daily.

Pray the Bible

In addition, we commit to praying the Bible with the Scriptures open and alive before us. We plead Psalm 139, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!” (v. 23). “We confess our sins,” trusting him as “faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). We find comfort and contentment from Paul at the end of Philippians when he writes, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). We intercede for others with the language of Scripture as we “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). And if God has still not answered, we examine our life and doctrine as we pray his promises (1 Tim. 4:16). God comes near and listens closely to his children as we whisper back to him these very words which he inspired.

Proclaim the Bible

As we delight in Scripture, we also preach its truths whether in season or out (2 Tim. 4:2). We do not manipulate the Bible to satisfy itching ears (v. 3). Instead, we explain the meaning of each text and equip the church whenever we meet together (Eph. 4:11–12). We honor God’s truth as we exhort one another to personal faithfulness. A healthy church perpetually proclaims God’s Word.

Counsel the Bible

The same church that affirms sola Scriptura for preaching must also counsel the Scriptures faithfully. Yet far too often, we show by example that God’s Word is not sufficient for our personal struggles. We go to the world for help because the church lacks either training or compassion. We trust secular therapy to accomplish lasting spiritual change. But if we were born again by receiving the Word, then surely God’s Word can keep us growing in maturity (1 Thess. 2:13). If, at first, we were saved by the Spirit, then how can the flesh perfect us? (Gal. 3:3). By God’s grace, the church can practice a culture of discipleship and counseling. Even as we publicly proclaim the Word, we also personally minister the Word in private settings as well (Acts 20:20).

Live Out the Bible

Lastly, we must live out the Bible every day. Throughout church history, the threat to sola Scriptura has always begun with man’s attempt to replace God’s authority. Luther battled Scripture plus Tradition, but our danger today is Scripture plus personal preference. Too often, we complain, “I know that’s what the Bible says, but . . . ” We elevate ourselves above God’s Word as we pursue false idols. We exalt our children or expect our spouse to meet our every need. We find identity in our jobs, our achievements, and even in our ministries.

God calls us, however, to humbly live as “doers of the word” who study to learn what God has said, then apply those truths no matter how difficult or inconvenient (James 1:22). This implanted Word will save our souls, for in God’s Word we meet with Christ (v. 21). God’s Word exposes sin and reveals our selfish hearts (Rom. 3:23). It extols God’s holiness and warns of certain judgment (6:23a). It proclaims how God became a man to die upon a cross and to pay the penalty we deserved (5:8). God’s Word makes the sinner righteous and sets idolaters free. So, we rejoice with Paul: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Scripture is God’s inspired Word, which changes lives, and his inerrant Word, which revives the soul (Ps. 19:7a). It is his all-sufficient Word, which equips the saints for every good work, and his authoritative Word, which we obey and teach. So, may the spirit of the Reformation live on both in our churches and in our homes. Sola Scriptura.