2 Peter 1:19

"And" introduces a conclusion that Peter drew. The meaning of the clause, "we have the prophetic word made more sure," (NASB) or, "we have the word of the prophets made more certain," (NIV) is not completely obvious. It may mean that the voice the three apostles heard at the Transfiguration (2 Peter 1:17-18) confirmed the words of the Old Testament prophets concerning the deity of Christ. On the other hand it may mean that the prophetic Old Testament Scriptures confirm the witness of the apostles (cf. Romans 15:8). The latter view seems more probable to me because of the Greek grammar. However, many good scholars prefer the former view. [Note: E.g., Lenski, p. 292; Edwin Blum, "2 Peter," in Hebrews-Revelation, vol. 12 of The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, p. 274; Gangel, p. 868; Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, eds., Commentary . . . on the Whole Bible, p. 1439; J. N. D. Kelly, A Commentary on the Epistles of Peter and Jude, pp. 320-21; and Robertson, 6:157.]

"’More sure’ (bebaioteron) renders a comparative adjective that is in the predicate position and placed emphatically forward. A literal rendering of this statement is, ’We have more sure the prophetic Word.’" [Note: Hiebert, "The Prophetic . . .," p. 159. Cf. Barbieri, p. 105; Green, pp. 86-87; Bigg, pp. 267-69; G. T. C. Fronmuller, "The Second Epistle General of Peter," in Lange’s Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, 12:19-20; and Sidebottom, p. 110.]

"You [will] do well" was a common way of saying "please" in the papyri (cf. James 2:3). [Note: Sidebottom, p. 111.] The papyri are documents written in koine (common) Greek that deal with many everyday, non-biblical matters, such as judicial proceedings, tax receipts, marriage contracts, birth and death notices, business dealings, private letters, and a host of others, which date from the New Testament period.

That witness was similar to a light shining in a darkened heart and world. It would remain shining until the coming of Christ who, as the Morning Star, fully enlightens the believer’s heart (cf. Revelation 22:16). The morning star is the star (really a planet, usually Venus) that appears late at night just before dawn and announces the arrival of a new day. Just so, Jesus Christ’s return at the Rapture will signal the beginning of a new day, the day of the Lord. "The day of the Lord," as the Old Testament prophets used it in reference to a far distant day in which God will act dramatically in history, includes the Tribulation and the Millennium.

"In this phrase ["in your hearts"] Peter seemed concerned about the inner attitude of those who await the glorious day of Christ’s return. The truth that Christ is coming again must first arise in their hearts, like the morning star, giving inner assurance that that day is coming. Assured of His impending return, they will be alert to detect the gleams of dawn breaking through the darkness." [Note: Hiebert, "The Prophetic . . .," p. 163.]

Peter’s point was that until the Lord returns his readers should give attention to the Old Testament and to the apostles’ teaching, especially since false teachers were perverting them. [Note: Cf. Kelly, p. 321.] That was the only real light available to enlighten them. The alleged light of the false teachers was no light at all.