2 Peter 1:12–21

Explore the Bible
Dean, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

GOD’S WORD IS ESSENTIAL
2 Peter 1:12–21

Christian hope rests on a twofold basis.

The Apostolic Witness (12–18)
Peter introduced the subject of the return of Christ, His “power and coming,” in verse 16. This report was not a story. Peter backed up this statement with two points. 1) He and the other apostles were eyewitnesses to the transfiguration, an event he saw as a preview and a guarantee of the parousia, i.e. the second coming of Christ to earth. 2) Other believers not present for the transfiguration have the Old Testament, a wholly reliable authority that also promises the return of Christ.

In verses 12–15, Peter described himself as an old man facing death and writing to remind his readers of the basic elements of the truth. Tactfully he added, “even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth.” Here Peter carried out the task given him by Christ — to “strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). “Establish” in the text and “strengthen” in Christ’s commission are translated the same word (sterizein) in the original language of the New Testament. Peter’s “tent” was his physical body. Soon he would “put it aside” as Jesus made clear to him in the prophecy partially recorded in John 21:18–19. Peter’s efforts to stabilize his friends in the truth included the writing and delivering of this letter but probably something more, although its exact nature remained unexpressed.

In the first-century world, “majesty” (16) at times described the divine splendor of the emperor. Perhaps the apostle aimed this language against emperor worship. Roman law required Roman citizens and subjects to appear yearly at a temple honoring the emperor, burn incense before a statue of him and acknowledge him as “Lord and God.” Christians refused to obey. The emperor also claimed the titles “God and Savior” and “Lord and Savior” (cf. 2 Pet. 1:1, 11), words Christians could apply only to the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Verses 17–18 explain verse 16. Peter saw the glory of Jesus Christ and heard the voice of God (Matt. 17:2, 5) on the Mount of Transfiguration. The other apostles with him (“we ourselves”) also heard the voice of “the Majestic Glory,” another way of saying “God.”

The apostolic witness is preserved in the New Testament.

The Prophetic Word (19–21)
The terms “word of the prophets,” “prophecy of Scripture” and “prophecy” refer to what is now called the Old Testament. It is unclear whether Peter’s language meant “more certain” or “very certain.” More likely he meant “we also have a very reliable authority, the Old Testament, as a witness to Christ’s return.” He urged his readers to pay attention to these Scriptures, as they would attend to a light shining in a murky place until the dawning of Christ’s return. The “morning star” may link to “the star that shall arise out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17), a passage many early Christian commentators saw as prophesying Christ’s return. Incidentally the word Peter used here for “Daystar” (phosphorus) was one sometimes used in the first century of emperors and pagan deities.

Verse 20 is variously interpreted. The question is whether the verse refers to the interpretation of Scripture or to its writing. Catholic scholars generally apply the reference to the reader, i.e. no individual can understand Scripture on his or her own and needs the interpretations of the church. Older Protestant scholarship applied the reference to an individual passage, i.e. one Scripture must be interpreted in the light of other Scriptures (“the analogy of faith”). However, the view that better connects verses 20 and 21 takes verse 20 to mean that human prophets did not invent their own messages, i.e. their impulse for prophesying came from God. “Prophecy never had its origin in the will of man” (NIV).

Peter affirmed that Scripture was produced by prophets moved by the Holy Spirit. “Carried along” is a nautical term for a ship being blown along by the wind (cf. Acts 27:15, 17). Here the Holy Spirit is the wind. The prophets raised their sails, so to speak — they were obedient and receptive — and the Holy Spirit blew them in the direction He wished so that they wrote what God wanted written.