S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Second Peter 1:20 says, "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation of things." Actually, 2 Peter 1:20 emphasizes the source of Old ...

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March 10 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

In 2 Peter 1:20, Peter was not prohibiting the private study of the Bible. Some religious groups have taught that only the “spiritual leaders” may interpret Scripture and they have utilized this verse as their defense. But Peter was not writing primarily about the interpretation of Scripture, but the origin of Scripture as Michael said:

It came by the Holy Spirit through holy men of God.
And since it came by the Spirit, it must be taught by
the Spirit.

The word translated “private” simply means “one’s own” or “its own.” The suggestion is, since all Scripture is inspired by the Spirit it must all “hang together,” and no one Scripture should be divorced/separated from the others.

You can use the Bible to prove almost anything you want it to if you isolate verses from their proper context, which is exactly the approach the false teachers use. Peter stated that the witness of the apostles confirmed the witness of the prophetic Word; there is one message with no contradiction. 
Therefore, the only way these false teachers can “prove” their heretical doctrines is by misusing the Word of God. Isolated texts, apart from contexts, become pretexts. 

The connection that makes the most satisfactory sense is that prophets did not invent their own prophecies (2 Peter 1:20), for their impulse for prophesying came from God (2 Peter 1:21). In 2 Peter 1:21 "moved" (KJV) means literally "borne along" or "carried along", suggesting a picture of a boat driven by the wind, as it is used in Acts 27:15, 17. I.e. 
carried along of the Holy Spirit, both in the moment of writing and in the numerous circumstances of the writer’s life—culminating in the production of Scripture.

MSG "The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it’s not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God’s Word." (2 Peter 1:20 The Message Bible)

November 03 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does 2 Peter 1:20 mean about interpreting Scripture?

2 Peter 1:20:  "Of this first taking note, that no prophecy of scripture becometh self-solving." --Rotherham Bible.

2 Peter 1:20 means that Scripture is divinely inspired, not artificial, so its interpretation must also be guided by the Holy Spirit, not solely by private human understanding. This emphasises that the origin of biblical prophecy is God, not individual human will, and therefore its true meaning is not something to be twisted by personal opinion. 

The verse's main point is that prophecy does not come from a prophet's own "private interpretation" or will. Instead, it originated from God, who moved the prophets to speak his message.

The Greek word rendered "interpretation" is e·piʹly·sis, from the verb literally meaning "loosen up or release" (hence, "explain" or "solve"). True prophecy does not find its source in the expressed opinions or interpretations of men but, instead, originates with God. Hence Peter writes: 2 Peter 1:20, "Of this first taking note, that no prophecy of Scripture becometh self-solving; 21 For not by will of man was prophecy brought in at any time, but as by Holy Spirit they were borne along spake men from God." --Rotherham Bible.

The principal operation of God's spirit involves informing, illuminating, and revealing things. Therefore, David could pray: ".Teach me to do thy good pleasure, for thou art my God. Thy spirit is good, Wilt thou set me down to rest in a level land? (Ps 143:10) --Rotherham Bible. 

The inspired prophets of old, such as Daniel, did not personally analyse the current trends of their time and then attempt to unravel a complicated future by uttering a prophecy. If they had tried to force the future to unfold in this way, such prophesying would have originated in their own imagination. It would then have been a human prediction —a forecast built on an imperfect foundation. Instead, Peter went on to explain: "For not by will of man was prophecy brought in at any time, but as by the Holy Spirit they were borne along, spake men from God."​—2 Peter 1:21. --Rotherham Bible

Conclusion:

By emphasising the divine origin, the verse also points to the unified message of Scripture. Since it comes from one divine source, it cannot fundamentally contradict itself and should be interpreted consistently. 

Peter emphasises the necessity of recognising the Bible's supernatural source as a foundational principle for trusting and approaching God's Word.

The verse does not forbid individual study or personal interpretation in the modern sense (i.e., careful analysis by a reader). In fact, other passages encourage believers to study the Scriptures diligently for themselves (Acts 17:11).

While the text's origin is divine, the Holy Spirit is also given to believers to help them understand and apply the objective meaning of Scripture, a process that often involves comparing Scripture with Scripture and seeking wisdom from the broader congregation.

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