a. a writing, thing written (from Sophocles down): πᾶσα γραφή every scripture namely, of the O. T., 2 Timothy 3:16; plural γραφαί ἅγιαι, holy scriptures, the sacred books (of the O. T.), Romans 1:2; προφητικαι, Romans 16:26; αἱ γραφαί τῶν προφητῶν, Matthew 26:56.

b. ἡ γραφή, the Scripture κατ' ἐξοχήν, the holy scripture (of the O. T.) — and used to denote either the book itself, or its contents (some would restrict the singular γραφή always to a particular passage; see Lightfoot on Galatians 3:22): John 7:38; John 10:35; Acts 8:32; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:22; Galatians 4:30; James 2:8; 1 Peter 2:6; 2 Peter 1:20; also in plural αἱ γραφαί: Matthew 21:42; Matthew 26:54; Mark 14:49; Luke 24:27; John 5:39; Acts 17:2, 11; Acts 18:24, 28; 1 Corinthians 15:3f; once αἱ γραφαί comprehends also the books of the N. T. already begun to be collected into a canon, 2 Peter 3:16; by metonymy, ἡ γραφή is used for God speaking in it: Romans 9:17; Galatians 4:30; ἡ γραφή is introduced as a person and distinguished from God in Galatians 3:8. εἰδέναι τάς γραφάς, Matthew 22:29; Mark 12:24; συνιέναι, Luke 24:45.

c. a certain portion or section of holy Scripture: Mark 12:10; Luke 4:21; John 19:37; Acts 1:16. (Cf. B. D. under the word .)