2 Peter 1:19-21

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Peter 1:19-21

In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and wrote under the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 1:19-21

1:19-21 So this mikes the word of the prophets still more certain for us; and you will do well to pay attention to it, as it shines like a lamp in a dingy place, until the day dawns and the Morning Star rises within your hearts. For you must first and foremost realize that no prophecy in Scripture permits of private interpretation; for no prophecy was ever borne to us by the will of man, but men spoke from God, when they were carried away by the Holy Spirit. This is a particularly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:19

Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, 2 Peter 1:16 but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:20

Knowing this first ,.... Especially, and in the first place, this is to be known, observed, and considered; that no prophecy of the Scripture , that is contained in Scripture, be it what it will, is of any private interpretation : not that this is levelled against the right of private judgment of Scripture; or to be understood as if a private believer had not a right of reading, searching, examining, and judging, and interpreting the Scriptures himself, by virtue of the unction which... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy ,.... The whole Scripture, all the prophetic writings; so the Jews call the Scriptures הנבואה , "the prophecy" F7 R. Eliahu in Adderet apud Trigland. de Sect Karaeorum, c. 10. p. 153. , by way of eminence, and from the subject matter of the sacred word: came not in old time by the will of man ; was not brought into the world at first, or in any period of time, as and when man would, according to his pleasure, and as he thought fit: neither Moses, nor David, nor... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:19

We have also a more sure word of prophecy - Εχομεν βεβαιοτερον τον προφητικον λογον· We have the prophetic doctrine more firm or more confirmed; for in this sense the word βεβαιοω is used in several places in the New Testament. See 1 Corinthians 1:6 ; : Even as the testimony of Christ εβεβαιωθη , was Confirmed, among you. 2 Corinthians 1:21 ; : Now he which stablisheth us, ὁ δε βεβαιων ἡμας , who Confirmeth Us. Colossians 2:7 ; : Rooted and built up in him, and established in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:20

Knowing this first - Considering this as a first principle, that no prophecy of the Scripture, whether that referred to above, or any other, is of any private interpretation - proceeds from the prophet's own knowledge or invention, or was the offspring of calculation or conjecture. The word επιλυσις signifies also impetus, impulse; and probably this is the best sense here; not by the mere private impulse of his own mind. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time - That is, in any former time, by the will of man - by a man's own searching, conjecture, or calculation; but holy men of God - persons separated from the world, and devoted to God's service, spake, moved by the Holy Ghost. So far were they from inventing these prophetic declarations concerning Christ, or any future event, that they were φερομενοι , carried away, out of themselves and out of the whole region, as it were, of human knowledge and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:19

Verse 19 19.We have also. He now shews that the truth of the gospel is founded on the oracles of the prophets, lest they who embraced it should hesitate to devote themselves wholly to Christ: for they who waver cannot be otherwise than remiss in their minds. But when he says, “We have,” he refers to himself and other teachers, as well as to their disciples. The apostles had the prophets as the patrons of their doctrine; the faithful also sought from them a confirmation of the gospel. I am the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:20

Verse 20 20.Knowing this first. Here Peter begins to shew how our minds are to be prepared, if we really wish to make progress in scriptural knowledge. There may at the same time be two interpretations given, if you read ἐπηλύσεως as some do, which means occurrence, impulse; or, as I have rendered it, interpretation, ἐπιλύσεως. But almost all give this meaning, that we ought not to rush on headlong and rashly when we read Scripture, confiding in our own understanding. They think that a... read more

Group of Brands