This study will attempt to answer the question:
“Was Peter saying that people today have the ability to speak prophesy when teaching about Jesus when using the Bible?”
The Text
2 Peter 1:19-2:3
“And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts: knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.” (ASV)
2 Peter 1:19-2:3
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who tought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (NASV 95)
(This study will use; W. E. Vine, Alfred Marshall, Strong’s, & Joseph Thayer to define understanding of the lesson by Peter for modern application.)
Prophecy: Noun = Greek = 4394 = (2 Peter 1:20 & 21) = Propheteia = (derived from 4395 Propheteuo meaning to foretell) = the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God. Used here for the instructions, teaching or utterances of the Old Testament prophets.
Prophetic: Adjective = Greek = 4397 = (2 Peter 1:19) = Prophetikos = (derived from 4396 Prophetes meaning to interpret the divine will) = relating to prophecy, or proceeding from a prophet, prophetic, as to the word of prophecy made more sure; i.e. confirmed by the Person and work of Christ. Used here for the instructions, teaching or utterances of any prophet concerning the truth about Jesus.
Prophets: Noun = Greek = 5578 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudoprophetes = (derived from 4396 Prophetes meaning to interpret the divine will and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false prophet. Used here for anyone acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet or teacher who speaks falsehoods under the name of divine prophecy.
Teachers: Noun = Greek = 5572 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudodidas = (derived from 1320 Didaskalos meaning an instructor and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false teacher. Used here for anyone teaches false.
False:
a. Noun = Greek = 5578 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudoprophetes = (derived from 4396 Prophetes meaning to interpret the divine will and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false prophet. Used here for anyone acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet or teacher who speaks falsehoods under the name of divine prophecy.
b. Noun = Greek = 5572 = (2 Peter 2:1) = Pseudodidas = (derived from 1320 Didaskalos meaning an instructor and from 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = relating to a false teacher. Used here for anyone teaches false.
c. Noun = Greek = 4112 = (2 Peter 2:3) = Plastos = (derived from 4111 Didaskalos meaning to construct and from and 5571 Pseudes meaning lying) = meaning false. Used here to describe a person who willfully and knowingly tells a falsehood having knowledge that what they say is a lie.
2 Peter 1:19-2:3 with word meanings inserted
“So we have the instructions, teaching or utterances of any prophet concerning the truth about Jesus word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no instructions, teaching or utterances of the Old Testament prophets of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no instructions, teaching or utterances of the Old Testament prophets was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. But anyone acting the part of a divinely inspired prophet or teacher who speaks falsehoods under the name of divine prophecy also arose among the people, just as there will also be anyone teaches false among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with willfully and knowingly tells a falsehood having knowledge that what they say is a lie words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (NASV 95)
In conclusion: Yes Peter was saying that people today have the ability to speak prophecy when teaching about Jesus when using the Bible as their text because their instruction is about Jesus as written in the inspired Bible which either is divine or all religious people today are following a lie.
By Guy Lewis, Payson, Arizona
Started = Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Completed = Sunday, October 18, 2009
