scripturally

Scripturally is an adverb meaning “in accordance with or pertaining to scripture; in a biblical sense.” The word is derived from the noun scripture, which itself comes from the Latin scriptura meaning “writing.” The adverb form, scripturally, was first recorded in English in the early eighteenth century and has since been used in theological and biblical contexts to describe doctrines, actions, or statements that are based on or aligned with the texts of the Bible.

In religious writing and preaching the term is often used to emphasize that a particular teaching or practice is grounded in scripture rather than tradition or personal opinion. For example, a pastor might say that a moral exhortation is scripturally justified, indicating that it is supported by a specific biblical passage. The usage helps distinguish between “scriptural” as an adjective that modifies nouns (such as scriptural law) and the adverbial form that modifies verbs or clauses.

Scholars sometimes employ the term in academic discussion of hermeneutics. When critiquing a reinterpretation of a biblical text, a critic might argue that the new perspective is not scripturally coherent. The phrase is also used in the titles of some church publications, such as “Scripturally Speaking,” to signal a focus on scriptural fidelity.

Because the word has a specialized function, it is more common in formal theological discourse than in everyday English. It is related to other adverbial forms derived from nouns, such as scientifically or historically, which serve to qualify actions or statements within a particular sphere of knowledge.