2Pe 1:20-21 | RWP | e4.org | Knowing this first ( τουτο πρωτον γινωσκοντες ). Agreeing with ποιειτε like προσεχοντες in verse . No prophecy of Scripture ( πασα προφητεια ου ). Like the Hebrew lo-kol , but also in the papyri as in (Robertson, Grammar , p. 753). Is ( γινετα ). Rather "comes," "springs" (Alford), not "is" ( εστιν ). Of private interpretation ( ιδιας επιλυσεως ). Ablative case of origin or source in the predicate as with γνωμης in and with του θεου and εξ ημων in . "No prophecy of Scripture comes out of private disclosure," not "of private interpretation." The usual meaning of επιλυσις is explanation, but the word does not occur elsewhere in the N.T. It occurs in the papyri in the sense of solution and even of discharge of a debt. Spitta urges "dissolved" as the idea here. The verb επιλυω , to unloose, to untie, to release, occurs twice in the N.T., once ( ) where it can mean "disclose" about parables, the other ( ) where it means to decide. It is the prophet's grasp of the prophecy, not that of the readers that is here presented, as the next verse shows.

‏ 2 Peter 1:20-21

Knowing this first ( τουτο πρωτον γινωσκοντες ). Agreeing with ποιειτε like προσεχοντες in verse 19.

No prophecy of Scripture ( πασα προφητεια ου ). Like the Hebrew lo-kol, but also in the papyri as in 1Jo 2:21 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 753).

Is ( γινετα ). Rather "comes," "springs" (Alford), not "is" ( εστιν ).

Of private interpretation ( ιδιας επιλυσεως ). Ablative case of origin or source in the predicate as with γνωμης in Ac 20:3 and with του θεου and εξ ημων in 2Co 4:7. "No prophecy of Scripture comes out of private disclosure," not "of private interpretation." The usual meaning of επιλυσις is explanation, but the word does not occur elsewhere in the N.T. It occurs in the papyri in the sense of solution and even of discharge of a debt. Spitta urges "dissolved" as the idea here. The verb επιλυω, to unloose, to untie, to release, occurs twice in the N.T., once (Mr 4:34) where it can mean "disclose" about parables, the other (Ac 19:39) where it means to decide. It is the prophet's grasp of the prophecy, not that of the readers that is here presented, as the next verse shows.

For ( γαρ ). The reason for the previous statement that no prophet starts a prophecy himself. He is not a self-starter.

Came ( ηνεχθη ). First aorist passive indicative of φερω (verses 17f.).

By the will of man ( θεληματ ανθρωπου ). Instrumental case of θελημα. Prophecy is of divine origin, not of one's private origination ( ιδιας επιλυσεως ).

Moved by the Holy Ghost ( υπο πνευματος αγιου φερομενο ). Present passive participle of φερω, moved from time to time. There they "spoke from God." Peter is not here warning against personal interpretation of prophecy as the Roman Catholics say, but against the folly of upstart prophets with no impulse from God.