2 Peter 1:16-17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Peter 1:16-18

Here we have the reason of giving the foregoing exhortation, and that with so much diligence and seriousness. These things are not idle tales, or a vain thing, but of undoubted truth and vast concern. The gospel is not a cunningly devised fable. These are not the words of one who hath a devil, nor the contrivance of any number of men who by cunning craftiness endeavour to deceive. The way of salvation by Jesus Christ is eminently the counsel of God, the most excellent contrivance of the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 1:16-18

1:16-18 For it was not cleverly invented fables that we followed when we made known to you the power and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; it was because we were made eye-witnesses of his majesty. This happened to us on that occasion when he received honour and glory from God the Father, when this voice was borne to him by the majestic glory--"This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well pleased." It was this voice that we heard, borne from heaven, when we were with him in the sacred... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:16

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables ,.... Such as Jewish fables, cautioned against Titus 1:14 which their traditionary and oral law, their Talmud, and other writings, mention; as concerning the temporal kingdom of the Messiah, the sumptuous feast, and carnal pleasures and entertainments, of that state, with many other things; some of which indeed are not very cunningly put together, but weak enough: or Gentile fables concerning the theogony and exploits of their deities; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:17

For he received from God the Father honour and glory ,.... Not as an inferior from a superior, for he was equal in glory with the Father, and was, and is, the brightness of his Father's glory; nor essentially, having the same glory as his Father, and to which nothing can be added; but declaratively, God the Father testifying of his glory, declaring the honour that belonged to him, as the Son of God, at the same time that an external glory was put on him, and received by him, as the son of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:16

Cunningly devised fables - Σεσοφισμενοις μυθοις . I think, with Macknight and others, from the apostle's using εποπται , eye witnesses, or rather beholders, in the end of the verse, it is probable that he means those cunningly devised fables among the heathens, concerning the appearance of their gods on earth in human form. And to gain the greater credit to these fables, the priests and statesmen instituted what they called the mysteries of the gods, in which the fabulous appearance of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:17

For he received honor and glory - In his transfiguration our Lord received from the Father honor in the voice or declaration which said, This is my Son, the beloved One, in whom I have delighted. And he received glory, when, penetrated with, and involved in, that excellent glory, the fashion of his countenance was altered, for his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white and glistening, exceeding white like snow; which most glorious and preternatural appearance was a confirmation... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:16

Verse 16 16.For we have not followed cunningly devised fables. It gives us much courage, when we know that we labor in a matter that is certain. Lest, then, the faithful should think that in these labors they were beating the air, he now comes to set forth the certainty of the gospel; and he denies that anything had been delivered by him but what was altogether true and indubitable: and they were encouraged to persevere, when they were sure of the prosperous issue of their calling. In the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:17

Verse 17 17.For he received from God the Father. He chose one memorable example out of many, even that of Christ, when, adorned with celestial glory, he conspicuously displayed his divine majesty to his three disciples. And though Peter does not relate all the circumstances, yet he sufficiently designates them when he says, that a voice came from the magnificent glory. For the meaning is, that nothing earthly was seen there, but that a celestial majesty shone on every side. We may hence... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:12-21

Reasons for diligence in his apostolic work. I. THE TIME IS SHOUT . 1 . We need continually to be aroused. We may know all things necessary for salvation; we have known them, it may be, all our lives; we are firmly convinced of their truth; but we need to keep that knowledge vividly before our hearts, to bring it to bear upon the circumstances of our daily lives. Few of us have this recollectedness, this persevering watchfulness; we need constant exhortation. St. Peter's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:16

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables; rather, did not follow. The participle ( ἐξακολουθήσαντες ) is aorist. This compound verb is used only by St. Peter in the New Testament; we find it again in 2 Peter 2:2 and 2 Peter 2:15 . Bengel and others have thought that the preposition ἐξ , from or out of, implies wandering from the truth after false guides; but probably the word merely means "to follow closely," though in this case the guides were going astray. Perhaps... read more

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