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Copyright © L. L. Griffith, 1996. ISBN 0-929554-15-9. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part provided that this copyright notice is reproduced on each copy made.
Email: <lelgee@voicenet.com>1. Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who did obtain a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:
Simeon [4826]. See Acts 15:14 and 7, about the Jerusalem council, a conference between the elders of the Jews and the apostles of Jesus Christ, where Paul's preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles was determined to be right. At that time Peter, whom James affectionately refers to as Simeon, was a strong witness for the defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, remember James, Peter and John had been eye-witnesses of the Lord's glory.
Peter [4074], a servant [1401] and an apostle [652] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]. Peter's master was Israel's anointed Savior. Peter served as a co-worker with the "elect" from the nations; of all who remain faithful to the gospel of God to the end.
Those who did obtain [2975]. To obtain by lot. Used four times in the N.T., the word defines what is gotten by divine appointment. A portion in the inheritance of the kingdom is determined by the lot; this is a principle established by the Word of God and the law of Moses. It is "by God's grace..."
Like precious [2472]. Isotimos. Literally, an equal honor granted... It is distributed "by favor..."
Faith [4102]. Faith is "the substance of the things hoped for and the evidence of the things unseen."
In [1722]. En: in, within. God knew that Abraham would do well, Genesis 18:19.
The righteousness [1343]. What God considers is right; the conditions under which a man's integrity is judged as acceptable to God; the determinate counsel and favor of heaven.
Of our God [2316]. The possessive pronoun is in the right place. In the name of God, Jesus Christ is both our lord and our God; our "El," as expressed by Thomas in Acts 20:28, (Psalm 82:8). That he shall be worshipped by angels as "the God of the earth" is implied by Hebrews 1:6-8. Furthermore our Lord instructed his disciples to pray to God, the Father, through his inherited name - which is the name of God. In his 1000 year reign, he will be worshipped as a God, in his name as the Father of the Olam, Isaiah 9:6-7. This honor was given to no other individual, but only to the Son who proved worthy of inheriting "The Name" of God.
And Saviour [4990]. The chief benefit which the Lord conferred upon mankind was redemption from the powers of Death. This was his earthly mission, in order to bring "many sons to [God's] glory," per Numbers 14:21, and Habakkuk 2:14, Isaiah 11:9.
Jesus [2424]. Y'shua; "Saviour."
Christ [5547]. Messiah; "Anointed."
2 Grace to you, and peace be multiplied in the acknowledgement of God and of Jesus our Lord!
Grace [5485]. The goodwill of God toward men - who believe and obey Him.
Peace [1515]. To be in concord and in harmony with another.
Be multiplied unto you [4129]. To increase; to grow...
Through [1722]. In; within [the capacity to make peace]. "Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the sons of God." This is a basic teaching of the Lord; see Matthew 5, and his sermon on the mount.
The knowledge [1922]. Epignosis. Accurate, precise and correct knowledge; in the information and in the practical experience of what is known.
Of God [2316]. The study of Old Testament Scriptures is highly recommended in order to gain the informational knowledge of God. Communication in prayer is absolutely required, for if one does not speak to the Father, to acknowledge His power in one's life, and to receive further favors, how can he experience any working of Him in his own life?
And of Jesus [2424]. In the New Testament the pragmatic aspect of the knowledge of God is expressed in the life of Jesus Christ; he experienced to the fullest extent - "without measure" - of the powers of the Holy Spirit, in the grace and peace of the Father, and was rewarded with the glorious majesties of his inheritance in eternal life.
Our Lord [2962]. Kurios; a master, one who owns "the servant."
3 As all things to us His divine power (the things pertaining unto life and piety) hath given, through the acknowledgement of him who did call us through glory and worthiness,
As [5613]. Even as.
His divine [2304]. The powers related to the Godhead, "powers" which Peter proceeds to describe as "all things which relate to life and godliness."
Power [1411]. Dunamis; the dynamic ability of His intelligence and working.
Hath given [1433]. To give; to make a present.
Unto us all [3956]. Pas; everything, nothing reserved.
Things that [pertain] unto life[2222]. Zoe; the whole, full life. As Peter expressed it in his First Epistle, "our conversation," which includes our speech, our habits, our appearance, and our conscience.
And godliness [2150]. Piety is our manners which show in our respect, in our reverence and in honor toward God, manners which are seen by others who note a "report" of them as "good" or evil.
See 1 Timothy 3:7, both bishops and deacons absolutely must have this trait if the house of God is to be rightly governed by the exemplary conduct of those elders.
Through [1223]. The channel of our activity is not by theory.
The knowledge [1922]. Epignosis. See above. Full knowledge is the route by which the powers bring piety to the obedient servant.
Of Him that hath called us [2564]. To call; to bid us to approach near to Him.
To glory [1391]. All the things contained within the light of God, which is the splendor of His majesty; the angelic nature; the opinion or judgment derived in the judge's consideration; ipso facto, praise and honor.
And virtue [703]. Virtue is the way of thinking which dictates a man's feelings and actions; a pattern of "the mind of Christ."
4 through which to us the most great and precious promises have been given, that through these ye may become partakers of a divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world in desires.
Whereby [3739]. I.e., "through the full knowledge of God." Man does not live by bread alone, but The Word must be digested and assimilated into action which imitates the life of Christ.
Are given [1433]. See above. Every one called is given the "earnest" - a "pound" or a "talent" to work with. Unless the gift is acted with - made to live and work with the spirit of goodness - it does a man no good to have received the present at all.
Unto us exceeding great [3176]. The very, very greatest [gifts].
And precious [5093]. Precious, with the inherent definition of being completely flawless.
Promises [1862]. The primary contract; the word of honor. Something that is said, that holds over and above a subordinated document of conditions.
That by these [5130]. These, the promises of God, which are held above the gospel of God, as declared throughout the past ages.
Ye might be partakers [2844]. Associates, companions, partners in common.
Of the divine [2304]. See above. In "all things which relate to life and godliness."
Nature [5449]. Phusis; this "nature" is defined as "the fundamental qualities or characteristics that together define the identity of something; its essential character." The divine nature of God in Christ is defined in Hebrews 1:3. Peter has already defined what he means by the nature of Godliness. There is complete agreement of his words with the whole Word of God. This is the nature which is promised to the faithful. This is the way in which the apostle Paul explained THE DIFFERENCE between the glorious nature of the heavenly things and the "glorious" nature of earthly things, per I Cor. 15. The spiritual nature comes after the natural nature; not vice versa. The spiritual interpretation speaks of Godly things to be brought to pass when the natural order of things is superceded by the change to complete holiness in both the body and the spirit.
There is no better advice given than these words of the apostle John: "Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world," 1 John 4:1. Furthermore, to these words the apostle Paul agrees, where he says, "For the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits,.." 1 Timothy 4:1.
Now, a word to those who would be wise in the Word of God: It was Sir Isaac Newton's concept of "the overall pattern or system of natural objects, existences, forces, events, etc.; also, the principle or power that appears to guide it" which is called "the laws of nature."
It was with his humanistic basis of science (his observation of natural things; his knowledge; gnosis), and not upon the spiritual definition as set forth here by Peter, that Newton corelated his interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, especially his interpretation of apocalyptic prophecies. Christadelphia has not been untouched by the false prophets of "the world" during these "latter times" of "the faith." As well as following Mede's philosophy of history, John Thomas follows Newton's philosophy of interpreting prophecy by "symbolism." The present day Christadelphian understanding of symbolism was developed by Newton's contemporary, Baruch Spinoza. (For his symbolic interpretation of the O.T. Holy Scriptures, Spinoza was excommunicated from the synagogue!)
John Thomas called his own use of Spinoza's theory "the decorum of the symbol." The two other philosophers, Mede and Newton, John Thomas says, were "generally in agreement with one another but not always;" and he too agreed with them "generally... but not always," but with enough agreement to corrupt for many the understanding of one very important book of the Holy Scriptures. John Thomas borrowed ideas from other men besides those named here.
Having escaped [668]. To run away from; to flee, escape.
Corruption [5356]. The physical decay which tends toward extinction of things. Corruption by aging, so to speak, is God's method for disposal of no longer usable "vessels" or laws.
That is in the world [2889]. In all the forms of life which were created in the beginning for an ordered support of the earth's systems.
Through [1722]. In, within.
Lust [1939]. The strong desire; greed, a craving that the Serpent aroused in Eve's mind by the introduction of his unrestrained reasoning ability; from his spirit - not divinely protected - from the power of Death.
5. And this same also--all diligence having brought in besides, superadd in your faith the worthiness, and in the worthiness the knowledge,
And beside [846] this [5124]. Beside "the faith" in the full knowledge of God and the promises...
Giving [3923]. Pareisphero. To contribute in addition to...
All diligence [4710]. Spoude. Earnestness; a careful, business-like manner.
Add [2023]. Epichoregeo. To supply above; to move over with the full knowledge of God and the promises... (which Peter here calls "(the) faith").
Your [5216]. Belonging to the individual.
Faith [4102]. The conviction of the truth in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Virtue [703]. Worthiness or purity in faith and morals.
Knowledge [1108]. Gnosis; science; untested education. The facts associated with a teaching. In this application, the facts being taught are related to the doctrine of the gospel of the kingdom and of Jesus Christ.
It is at this point where many dismiss the growth of knowledge as a desirable component in the faith in Jesus Christ. Personal study of the Scriptures is denigrated in favor toward the works of "another gospel" writer or teacher. Departure from the Word of God is not good.
6 and in the knowledge the temperance, and in the temperance the endurance, and in the endurance the piety,
Temperance [1466]. Self-control; balance.
Endurance [5281]. Patience; a tenacious hanging-on, with grim clenched-teeth holding attitude.
Piety [2150]. See above; godliness - the must-have trait.
7 and in the piety the brotherly kindness, and in the brotherly kindness the love;
Brotherly kindness [5360]. Philadelphia; brotherly affection.
Love [26]. Agape. The giving, the yielding to the other one, the love which is "charity;" charitable. Paul reduced these elements of the gospel to "faith, hope and charity, but the greatest is charity," I Cor. 13:13.
8 for these things being to you and abounding, do make [you] neither inert nor unfruitful in regard to the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ,
For if these things [5023]. The traits enumerated in verses 5-7.
Be in you [5225]. To have a beginning; have germinated from the implanting of the "seed" of the gospel...
And abound [4121]. And, are made to increase... The increase is entirely dependent upon whether the individual dutifully makes good use of the "talent" or the "pound" which he has been entrusted with by the Master. "Lord, increase our faith..," the apostles said to Jesus, Luke 17:5-10.
They make [2525]. To put into a position or place...
Neither [3756]. Ou: the absolute negative.
Barren [692]. To be idle; not working.
Nor [3761]. Oude: the conjunctive negative
Unfruitful [175]. Without fruit, fruitless; unproductive. Peter has expressed the result as a negative; in the positive statement, the result is a person who is busily working using all the "tools" provided to him by the master.
In the knowledge [1922]. Epignosis. Accurate, precise and correct experiential knowledge; by furthering the increase in both the information and in the occupation of what had been taught...
Of our Lord [2962]. Our master, the Lord. The works of God have been experienced from the beginning; but the world little perceives His light.
Jesus [2424]. Christ [5547]. Who has been sent to finish the work of God - to subdue the earth to the dominion of the LORD and to make it a place for His Son's new family of "little children" to rule over the earth with him for the millennium's duration.
9 for he with whom these things are not present is blind, dim-sighted, having become forgetful of the cleansing of his old sins;
But [1063]. In contrast to the productive worker.
He that lacketh [3918]. To [not] have at hand; to [not] be present or to in place.
These things [5023]. The characteristics of Christ, vv. 5-7.
Blind [5185]. Blinded as by "a smoke;" his sight is bound.
And cannot see afar off [3467]. Muopazo; his eyes are closed to what is beyond his face; myopic in comprehension. He is short-sighted.
Hath forgotten [2983]. To receive. He has not laid hold of the facts; he has little mental perception (of the commitment required of him).
That he was purged [2512]. Concerning the purification rite of baptism. Forgetting that he had been washed clean...
From his old [3819]. Palai; old, pre-dating the baptism's cleansing.
Sins [266]. Errors; state of offenses against the LORD, and against his neighbors. Some of the "seed" falls on shallow ground.
10 wherefore, the rather, brethren, be diligent to make stedfast your calling and choice, for these things doing, ye may never stumble,
Wherefore [1352]. Dio; on account of this; for which cause. Forgetfulness is usually regarded as a sign of aging and of the failure of the cognitive processes. Peter has the answer to prevent this condition.
Rather [3123]. More; to a greater degree.
Brethren [80]. Related siblings.
Give diligence [4704]. The verb of No. 4710: To be diligent; be business-like; be earnest; to take the care to do.
To make [4160]. To do it. Belief is not enough; doing the work is the proof.
Your [5216]. Belonging to you; the ultimate decision to work or not to work is made by the one "called," not by the One who calls or invites the participation. "Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee," says the Lord. It is the working in it which increases the faith.
Calling [2821]. A professing to do (a thing); a vocation, profession of faith.
Election [1589]. The act of choosing out; the act of picking out (a calling); the choice.
Sure [949]. A stedfast or stable basis (for the calling and the election).
For if ye do [4160]. For if you act to make it so.
These things [5023]. As numbered in vv. 5-7; referred to in vv. 8-9.
Ye never [3364]. Certainly not.
Shall fall [4417]. Offend, stumble or fall from the goal which is set before you; eternal life as in Jesus Christ.
11 for so, richly shall be superadded to you the entrance into the age-during reign of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
For so [3779]. In this manner
Entrance [1529]. The entrance; literally, a passage (that will be opened).
Shall be ministered [2023]. Epichoregeo. Translated as added in v. 5. But see No. 5524 in the First Epistle. In definition, the meaning is rather like "to be conducted over as a group."
Peter has said if, in this way, through the passage which has been opened by the purification from old sins, all the traits enumerated in verses 5-7, being carried through upon the basis of the profession and choice, there shall be no failure of reward to the work.
Here is the explanation of the parable of the House Divided, Luke 11:13-25. It is most interesting to note that Luke places the discussion about gifts of the Holy Spirit immediately after the Lord's instruction to his disciples of what, and in what manner, to pray, vv. 1-12. In Matthew a parallel text concerning the office of prayer begins with Chapter 5:43 and continues on through 7:29.
Abundantly [4146]. Wealthy; an increase of spiritual "gifts."
Into [1519]. Eis: toward. The passage leads towards, thus "into."
Everlasting [166]. Aionios; the eternal age
Kingdom [932]. Basileia. This noun is used in our community much too strictly in the dictionary's natural sense of the word. Its meaning encompasses all the spiritual realm, its industry, its resources and its citizenry, its king and its rulers - all things which are eternal in the heavens.
Of our Lord [2962] and Saviour [4990] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]. Throughout this Second Epistle Peter's remarks are focused upon our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is "the mark" toward whose example we all must aim for, if we are to inherit eternal life. Peter, who was appointed the apostle to the Jews, reminds the reader that all Israel shall be saved, and that the nation's redeemer is the savior anointed of God, the Father, with the powers of the holy spirit without measure.
12. Wherefore, I will not be careless always to remind you concerning these things, though, having known them, and having been established in the present truth,
Wherefore [1352]. For which cause: the offer of an inheritance in the kingdom of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
I will not be negligent [272]. Ameleo; without care.
Always [104]. Continually, unceasing.
Put in remembrance [5279]. To put under the mind; thus, in remembrance.
Of these things [5130]. The traits of vv. 5-7.
Though [2539]. Although. Why? Because humans are faulty in their making, and prone to forgetfulness in the mind, which is both weak and double-minded, thus tending to corruption of thoughts.
Know [1492]. Eido; to see, by perception of looking.
Be established [4741]. And, are established; set up on the foundation.
The present [3918]. Pareime: with the existing ...
Truth [225]. Truth. What truth was then presently revealed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and recognized in its elemental facts. (The canon of the New Testament writings probably was not yet complete as we now know its books.)
The truth of God expands as further revelation is added to what is presently known of God. It is rightly written in the O.T. that God "stretches" out the heavens...
13 and I think right, so long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up in reminding [you],
Yea [1161]. The Greek word "de" is a conjunction here, rather than an affirmation.
I think it [2233]. Peter "brings up" the subject for a reason.
Meet [1342]. Dikaios; as a matter that is right.
As long as I am [1510]. And, as long as he exists...
In this [5129]. Tabernacle [4638]. Skenoma. Peter uses "tabernacle" as a metonymy for this present house of his body.
Stir you up [1326]. To stir up from sleep; to awaken; to arouse.
Putting in remembrance [5280]. A remembrance prompted by the action of another person; a motivation from outward factors. Peter then explains what his motive is for his reminder to this Epistle's readers.
14 having known that soon is the laying aside of my tabernacle, even as also our Lord Jesus Christ did shew to me,
Knowing [1492].
Shortly [5031]. Tachinos. The word means, shortly; swiftly; or, quickly. It and its related forms always speak of a relatively short period in time. Peter knows that he will soon be executed for his faith in Jesus Christ.
I must put off [595]. He must lay aside his mortal existence...
My tabernacle [4638].
Even [2532]. The conjunction, and.
As our Lord [2962].
Jesus [2424]. Christ [5547].
Shewed me [1213]. Deloo; to declare; to signify; to show.
15 and I will be diligent that also at every time ye have, after my outgoing, power to make to yourselves the remembrance of these things.
Moreover [2532]. Even; and, as above.
Endeavour [4704]. As above. The verb of No. 4710: To be diligent; be business-like; be earnest; to take the care to do it.
That ye maybe able [2192]. Echo, eche; as an echo works in the repetition of a sound; to make an echo; to listen to the resounding of (his) voice.
After [3326]. Meta. The word is used more often as "with" than as "after." But this problem of case is overcome by the translation most commonly affected as "hereafter." Here it is objective case.
My decease [1841]. Exodos. When he is gone out - through death - from among the body of believers.
To have [4160]. Poieo; to make or to do (the memory).
These things [5130]. Vv. 5-7. Via the letter, after he is gone.
Always [1539]. Always, at all times. To do the work of the faith with these things always in the mind...
In remembrance [3420]. Mneme; in a place in the memory; in mind. Peter hopes that the echo of his words will always be rebounding in their minds. With Peter's death, the Epistle will stand a constant resource for his reader to keep these things in memory which pertain to life and godliness.
16. For, skilfully devised fables not having followed out, we did make known to you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but eye-witnesses having become of his majesty -
For we have not followed out [1811]. "We" were James, Peter and John. None of the [three] apostles "trod in another man's footsteps" when he later witnessed concerning the power and the coming of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Peter begins to lay the foundation for his warning against being led away by false teachers and false apostles in the last days - when the judgment and wrath of God shall fall upon the whole world - when the kingdom is restored to Israel. Peter later affirms, 2 Peter 3:15, that "our beloved brother Paul"... "wrote in all his epistles ...concerning these things." With this consensus of the apostles "concerning these things," it is foolhardy to the extreme not to turn aside from treading "in another man's footsteps."
Cunningly devised [4679]. Sophizo; to make wise. This is the phraseology used in Genesis 3:6. To judge by appearances (the look of things); a sophism is an argument which is intentionally used to beguile or to deceive. The theories of the philosophers are just so made to enhance their own name.
Fables [3454]. Muthos; a myth; a fable; a narrative of sophist fiction.
When we unto you made known [1107]. To give the knowledge (of a matter). To declare the true facts (about something).
The power [1411]. Dunamis; "the power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth" per Thayer.
And coming [3952]. Parousia; the visible fashion of the Lord's appearance with the full reign of his power; how he will be presented with his glorious body.
Our Lord [2962]. Jesus [2424]. Christ [5547]. The Master and teacher of the apostles, in whose footsteps only we are urged to follow after.
But were Eyewitnesses [2030]. Spectators.
Majesty [3168]. Megaleiotes. Per Thayer again, "the visible splendor of the divine majesty as it appeared in the transfiguration of Christ." The reader is urged to read Malachi 3:1b-6 here, for a foretaste of the judgment process at the Lord's return. to him by the excellent glory: `This is My Son--the beloved, in whom I was well pleased;'
17 for having received from God the Father honor and glory, such a voice being borne
For he received [2983]. Lambano; to receive; (on account of his obedient response).
God [2316]. A "god" is a spirit being who shares in the basic qualities and characteristics of the heavenly people, as defined in Hebrews 1:3. Only the Father, God Almighty Himself, holds the supremacy among the heavenlies.
The Father [3962]. The Father is the head; the patriarch of the gods, (of the elohim [Hebrew]).
Honor [5092]. The value by which a price is fixed; reputed worth.
Glory [1391]. All the things contained within the light of God, which is the splendor of His majesty; the angelic nature, tangible and intangible.
When there came [5342]. To bring to or to carry to; as the messenger delivers a package, letter, or other communication.
Such [5107]. Adjective, referring to the honorable and glorious attributes of the Voice of praise.
Voice [5456]. The voice of God Almighty was added to the sight of the Lord's transfiguration as His personal testament to the Son's virtue. How unlike the sound of The Voice at Sinai, which had a probationary testament instead to deliver to the people for their sin. Compare Revelation 10:3-4, at the coming of the "Mighty Angel" - El Gibbor, Isaiah 9:6 - from the heaven.
To him. To Jesus. Readers might reflect upon, then, to whom the seven thunders of the book of the Revelation are addressed.
From the Excellent [3169]. The glory of the Father is far greater - i.e., it excels more - than that of the His family members who carry His name.
Glory [1391]. Peter is referring to the light of the greater glory of God [as manifested by the light of the divine presence of the Father in Christ] from whence the Voice comes.
This [3778].
Is my Beloved [27]. The word appears in 1 Peter 2:11 and 4:12.
Son [5207]. See Psalm 80:17; (Haggai 2:4).
In whom [3739]. Toward whom...
I am well pleased [2106]. Eudokeo; to think well of; to have in highest opinion. This is the Lord's witness from his Father; a most excellent commendation over and above the indwelling of His Light. Jesus knew this; see John 8:29.
18 and this voice we--we did hear, out of heaven borne, being with him in the holy mount.
And This [5026].
Voice [5456]. It is the hearing of the Voice which Peter is trying to impress upon his readers. This is the great sin of the world and the ecclesias in the body of Christ - the neglect - to hear only the voice of the LORD and His Son, which is One. For, "I and the Father are One." Singular!
This is a first principle of the faith which the apostles preached unto all the people. This is the anvil hammered upon by the apostle Paul in Hebrews, (3:7-15; 4:7); "Today, if you will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts as in the provocation..."
Which came [5342]. To bring to or to carry to; as the messenger delivers a package, letter, or other communication.
From heaven [3772]. From the sky above their heads...
We heard [191]. Not only the visible sight of the glory was seen, but the audible Voice was clearly heard by the three.
When we were with him in the holy [40]. Mount [3735]. The identity of the Mount of Transfiguration has been questioned by many commentators. Peter evidently knew the site as "the holy mount." But he does not positively identify it as Zion.
19. And we have more firm the prophetic word, to which we do well giving heed, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till day may dawn, and a morning star may arise--in your hearts;
We have [2192]. Echo; usually translated as have. Eche; as an echo works in the repetition of a sound; to make an echo; to listen to the resounding of (his) voice. Not only had they seen the sight of the Glory of God, but they had also heard the sound of His voice... The apostles re-sounded the true and faithful sayings of the Word of God.
Also [2532]. Kai; and, also, even. Peter's emphatic conclusion concerning the event...
A more sure [949]. The Greek is bebaios; meaning stedfast; firm; solid is one word. "We have the word of the prophets made firm by the voice of God." Peter insists upon this truth.
Word [3056]. Logos; the whole word of a saying; the utterance of a voice.
Of prophecy [4397]. Prophetikos; of the prophets. Thus, in confirming the beloved status of the sonship of Jesus, the Voice from heaven also confirmed the truth of all the utterance of the prophets.
Whereunto [3739]. Which
Ye do [4160]. Poieo; to do or to make.
Well [2573]. From No. 2570; to do good. (There is no comparison of better or best with God; there is either the knowledge to do good or the knowledge to do evil. These are the only choices made open to mankind by the first commandment to Adam. At the end of the days God will judge which way a man has inclined his life's work.)
That ye take heed [4337]. To be wary or to take caution.
As unto a light [3088]. Luchnos: the individual lamp that is placed upon the seven-branched lampstand. The Word of the prophets is likened to one of these shining lamps which stedfastly illuminates the darkness until the actual day when - its shining light - the illumination will appear within those chosen to be in Christ.
Shineth [5316]. Phaino; to appear, to shine.
Dark [850]. Auchmeros. A dusty, dirt-y place. The word is probably chosen in order to emphasize the earthy element of man's creation.
Place [5117]. Topos; a place or a room.
Until [2193]. Till.
The day [2250]. The primary reference is surely to the coming of the actual morning's daylight.
But the spiritual significance is often built upon an understanding of the natural mechanics of things wherein the mechanism displays the way of the working. Peter also has in mind "the day" of the Lord/LORD, in which the Father and the Son act together then as One to finish the work of subduing the earth to the rule of God.
Dawn [1306]. The breaking of the day's expected morning.
And the day star [5459]. Phosphoros. The actual "day star" is Venus, seen at helical sunrise, (as Phospor); and at sunset, (as Hesperus). Here, Peter definitely has in mind the angelic nature; the true light of the heavenly body, the eternal light of immortality and incorruptibility in Jesus Christ; see Colossians 1:27; Job 38:4-7, and John 1:9.
Arise [393]. From No. 303 and No. 5056; to rise up - to the end.
In your [5216].
Hearts [2588]. The heart. The Hebrews considered the heart to be the center of the passions; in the body and in the spirit of the mind.
Peter, who opposes walking in other men's footsteps, therefore is most urgent that the confirmed Word of God should be heeded until the very end, at which time the glory of the Lord will totally illuminate the chosen one who so holds stedfast to his faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Widely used by the contentious and judgmental fault-finders, immature in faith through hard-heartedness and contrary to the spirit of all goodness, as a cudgel against others who read or understand the Holy Scriptures perhaps in more meekness than they themselves, is the following verse:
20 this first knowing, that no prophecy of the Writing doth come of private exposition,
Knowing [1097]. Ginosko: to have the knowledge of perception; so, to know. Much of what people say they "know" is merely assertion not founded through the experience of gaining the full knowledge in themselves.
This [5124]. This, what he is about to state as a fact based upon his own experience of a full knowledge of Jesus Christ.
First [4412]. Proton; first in the order of understaning the Word of God.
No [3756]. The negative particle of speech.
Prophecy [4394]. Propheteia: a discourse, dialogue or a speaking forth, brought from God's inspiration and identified as His Word.
Scripture [1124]. Graphe: a scripture or a writing (of the discourse). Thus, no speaking forth of a (holy) Writing...
Private [2398]. What belongs to one alone; his own (thing).
Interpretation [1955]. Greek: epilusis; to loosen over. The Accuser would have people to believe that this word means "to interpret;" it does not mean "to interpret." No speaking forth of a (true and holy) Writing ever was released (loosened) by the prophet's own authority.
No written prophecy of the Holy Scriptures was ever brought, or loosened
upon, a prophet from his own desire or at his own instigation. No man commands
God what to do!
...Not epilusis, but hermeneutics
[2058; 2059] is the art or science of interpreting words.
...The
following statement by Peter makes the distinction between "interpretation"
of a text and the"unloosing" of a message from God quite clear.
21 for not by will of man did ever prophecy come, but by the Holy Spirit borne on holy men of God spake.
For the prophecy [4394]. What was spoken forth by the man chosen by God - the Word - of the LORD Who moved him to speak.
Came not [5342]. Phero; to bring to or to carry to.
Old time [4218]. In any time past.
By the Will [2307]. Thelema; as a personal desire; what is the own wish or the wanted (object)
Of man [444]. Anthropos. By the man who claims to be a prophet of the LORD.
But Holy [40]. Men [444]. of God [2316]. God Almighty Himself, the Father. Sanctified or set apart to the service of God.
Spake [2980]. Laleo: to utter the Voice. The prophets were the instruments through whom the LORD produced and brought the sound of His Word to the world that then was.
Moved [5342]. As immediately above, phero: to bring or to carry with.
By the Holy [40]. Ghost [4151]. Pneuma; the holy Spirit of God.
The birth and the subsequent conveying of the Holy Spirit is described in John 3:8 by Jesus, as: "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound thereof, but cannot tell" (i.e., perceive) "where it comes from and where it goes to; so is every one that is born of the Spirit."
The power to generate the Word of God does not reside in any man; the power comes and goes at the discretion of the Father,
1. ) Who only gave the Spirit once "without measure," as in the instance of the Son;
2.) or whether as a smaller portion as a "gift of the Holy Spirit," as at Pentecoste;
3.) or as the "earnest" of the Spirit which is received only at baptism as a "talent" weight, or a "pound" measure to be used by the recipient in the working of "the faith."
Outside of this way no other method of "loosing," no other way of speaking forth for God resides in the hand of men, but only under the will and the power of the Only Wise God, our Father, Who shall loose the power upon "the witnesses" chosen by Him for its powerful exercise against the beastly dragon's ("angels of light") again during "the last days" of Israel's great tribulation...