The Midwife of the New Testament ∙
But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true because you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. – 2 Timothy 3:14-15
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 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 for every good work.
The Ancient Profession of Midwifery
Midwifery is one of the oldest responsibilities, practiced for thousands of years. Even today, midwives play a crucial role in safeguarding the health and well-being of women and their babies. They offer a variety of services to support women throughout pregnancy and childbirth, providing care that is both compassionate and essential.
How did the Old and New Testaments become united as One Book?
God chose Irenaeus, an early church father, to fulfill this vital role. He served as a spiritual midwife, ensuring the proper delivery and transmission of the Holy Bible. Irenaeus was among the first to recognize that the books in both the New Testament and the Old Testament form a single, divinely inspired, authoritative revelation centered on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Prior to his efforts, the New Testament had not yet been finalized as a single, complete collection.
Through his teachings, Irenaeus emphasized that the Old Testament foreshadowed Christ through types and prophecies, while the New Testament fulfilled these promises, revealing their true meaning. His concept of the “rule of truth” provided a theological framework that unified the Testaments, showing that they both pointed to the same God and plan of salvation. He emphasized their continuity, explaining that the Old Testament foreshadowed the Lord Jesus Christ, while the New Testament fulfilled the expectations.
Irenaeus’s Vision in The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching
Irenaeus’s book, The Demonstration of the Apostolic Preaching, discovered in the 20th century, offers deep insight into his perspective. In this work, he connects the preaching of the New Testament apostles to its origins in the Law, Psalms, and Prophets.
The four Gospels lead up to the Passion of Christ, narrating His story with references to Hebrew Scripture. Irenaeus emphasized how the apostles used Old Testament prophecies to proclaim Christ, aligning with Paul’s declaration: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.”
For Irenaeus, the Lord Jesus Christ is the central focus of Scripture. The apostles revealed Him by connecting His life and mission to the Old Testament, showing that He is not only the subject of Scripture but also its ultimate author.
Christ: The Treasure Concealed in Scripture
Irenaeus presented Christ as a hidden treasure found within Scripture. He emphasized that Christ can be discovered throughout the narratives, teachings, and actions of the patriarchs and prophets from the Old Testament. These figures are often referred to as “types” and serve as foreshadowing of deeper truths that are fully revealed in the New Testament.
God intentionally designed these types to prepare humanity for the coming of Christ, effectively making the spiritual “field” ripe for harvest. Before Christ’s arrival, the true importance of these figures and their stories was not fully understood. However, the Gospels and the writings of the New Testament shed light on the Old Testament, revealing its deep meaning and connecting it to the life and mission of Christ. Together, the Old and New Testaments form a unified and complete expression of God’s Word, unveiling His overall plan for salvation.
REFLECT & PRAY
Ryrie emphasizes that the Bible is an extraordinary book, compiled over a span of 1500 years by roughly 40 different authors. Despite this diversity, it remains a unified work without contradictions. The Bible speaks with authority on both the known and the unknowable, addressing humanity’s achievements and failures, as well as discussions about the past and future. Few books attempt to cover such a vast scope, and none match the accuracy of the Bible.
Father, thank You for providing and preserving Your complete and inerrant Book of Truth, the Word of God.
INSIGHT
The Divine Inspiration and Preservation of Scripture
The Scriptures were written through the inspiration of God, as affirmed in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “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. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” Their preservation and transmission were entrusted to faithful individuals who safeguarded the Word of God across generations.
The Meaning of “Passed On” and “Received”
Paul echoes this responsibility in 1 Corinthians 11:23: “For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself.”
Fee notes that the verbs “passed on” and “received” are deeply rooted in Paul’s Jewish heritage, reflecting the rabbinical tradition of transmitting religious instruction.
The Greek term paradidomi, translated as “passed on,” conveys “the act of entrusting, committing, or handing over something of immense value for safekeeping.” Paul carefully passed on the sacred truths of the Word of God, ensuring they would be studied, internalized, and used as a source of truth, knowledge, and guidance.
Similarly, the Greek term paralambano, translated as “received,” refers to “the formal imparting of authoritative teaching.” The Jewish authors of the Old Testament understood the gravity of their task, recognizing that they were handling sacred texts. They meticulously copied these Scriptures without error, passing them down to future generations with the utmost care and reverence.
The Continuity of Christian Doctrine
The foundational doctrines of Christianity, including the atonement through the death and resurrection of Christ, were known and established well before Paul’s New Testament letters. Paul simply refined and expanded these doctrines. He himself acknowledged that he received these essential teachings and faithfully passed them on to others.
The phrase “from the Lord” (apo tou kyriou) in 1 Corinthians 11:23 stresses Christ as the source of the tradition. Paul does not specify how he received the tradition about the Lord’s Supper. The focus is not on the how (the method) but instead on the Who, the Lord Jesus Christ. His emphasis is on the authoritative nature of this tradition, coming from Christ Himself.
The Role of Paradidomi in Mark’s Gospel
The verb paradidomi appears frequently in Mark’s Gospel and is often translated as “betrayed.” The term can also be translated as “handed over” or “delivered up,” adding an intriguing layer to its meaning. Is this a direct reference to God’s plan of redemption as depicted in Isaiah 53? In Isaiah 53:6, the Lord is described as surrendering His suffering servant for our transgressions, using the same Greek word, paradidomi, in the Septuagint. Take a moment and reflect.
The Legacy of Faithful Stewards
The preservation of Scripture is a testament to the sacrifices and dedication of countless individuals. From the Old Testament prophets to the New Testament apostles, as referenced in Ephesians 2:20: “Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself,” these faithful men and women protected and passed on the sacred Word of God.
Thanks to their efforts, we have inherited the Scriptures as a treasure, offering wisdom, guidance, and the promise of salvation through Christ. Let us honor their legacy by cherishing and living out the truths of God’s Word.
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© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 