2 Peter 1:20

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 1:20

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

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

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

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 1:16-21

Threefold testimony to the truth of Christianity. In laying out the grounds of his own faith, and the grounds, too, on which he would have his readers build their faith, St. Peter indicates the lines of a threefold evidence. I. THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES . 1 . They were "eye-witnesses"— a rare word, describing spectators who were admitted into the highest grade of initiation into mysteries. How true of Peter and James and John, with regard to the life of our Lord! ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:19-21

Certainty about Christ the result of giving heed to the Divine Word. Some to whom the apostle writes might object, that, if personal intercourse be the ground of certainty concerning Christ, Peter may well be certain; but what of them who have had no such personal intercourse? The apostle deals with that in the passage before us. Earnestness about spiritual things due to certainty about Christ is followed here by certainty about Christ the result of giving heed to the Divine Word. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:20

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. By "knowing this first" ( γινώσκοντες ) is meant that we must recognize this truth as of primary importance, or, before we commence the study of prophecy; the phrase occurs again in 2 Peter 3:3 . The literal translation of the following clause is, "that all prophecy of Scripture [there is no article] is not; all … not" ( πᾶσα … ου) ) being a common Hebraism for none, οὑδεμία ; but the verb... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 1:20

Knowing this first - Bearing this steadily in mind as a primary and most important truth.That no prophecy of the Scripture - No prophecy contained in the inspired records. The word “scripture” here shows that the apostle referred particularly to the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament. The remark which he makes about prophecy is general, though it is designed to bear on a particular class of the prophecies.Is of any private interpretation - The expression here used (ἰδίας ἐπιλύσεως... read more

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