Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. The prophetic word here refers in general to the Old Testament. Specifically, it would refer to the writings of the OT prophets (Rom 16:25-27). The specific writings would be those which focused on the Second Coming of Christ (Isa 40:9-11; Zech 14:1-3).

2. What does the phrase, “made more sure” mean? There are two main interpretations but many commentators and Bible versions on both sides.

a) The Interpretations

(1) #1 - One interpretation would suggest that Peter’s eyewitness testimony of the majesty of Christ confirmed (“made more sure”) the OT Scriptures.

(2) #2 - The other interpretation suggests that in comparison to Peter’s eyewitness testimony, the Scriptures are more reliable (“more sure”).

b) The Explanations

(1) #1 Interpretation would say to the false teachers who doubt the Scriptures in regard to the Second Coming, that Peter’s firsthand account of the majesty of Christ confirms what the Scriptures prophesied. The Scriptures are true because Peter saw a glimpse of Christ’s coming glory.

(2) #2 Interpretation would say to the false teachers that Christ’s Second Coming is true because Peter witnessed Christ’s majesty, but more importantly, the irrefutable Scriptures, which are “more sure,” have prophesied it.

c) The Contextual and Grammatical Interpretation

(1) It would be reasonable for Jews (and Gentiles) to read this and believe that Scriptures need no confirmation.

(2) It would be reasonable for false teachers to refute Peter’s eyewitness testimony, but the greater evidence would be the Scriptures (God’s Word).

(3) It would be reasonable for Peter to place Scripture above experience, even his own (cf. Luk 7:19-22 cf. Luk 3:21-22).

(4) The Greek word bebaioteron is a comparative adjective that means “more” firm, certain, or sure.

(5) The word “made” is not in the Greek so it would be literally translated, “we are having ‘more sure’ the prophetic word.” It would give the sense of, “we have the prophetic word, which is more sure.” BDAG suggest a similar translation, “possess the prophetic word as something that is (now) all the more reliable.”

B. Pay Attention to the Prophetic Word

1. Not that they were to ignore Peter’s eyewitness testimony, but they are to certainly give the highest regard to Scriptures.

2. They were to “pay attention” (prosechō – turning one’s mind to) to the prophetic word for the purposes of doctrine and duty.

3. They were not to pay attention to the myths of the false teachers on the doctrine of the Second Coming because it was prophesied in the Scriptures (1Ti 1:4).

4. They were always to follow the ethical teaching of Scripture so as to be living testimonies (1Ti 4:16; Heb 2:1).

C. Prophetic Word Illuminates

1. The prophetic word through the Holy Spirit provides illumination of God’s truths. The illumination of these truths are what enables the believe to comprehend biblical doctrine and refute false teachers.

2. Like the lamp of Psa 119:105, the Word of God shine insight how to live the Christian life (Psa 119:130; Psa 43:3; Pro 6:23).

3. God’s illuminating Word gives light in dark places, that is, places where the heart is without understanding).

4. The phrase, until the day dawns would refer to the actual Second Coming of the Lord when He will come and do away with all spiritual darkness of sin and establish His glorious kingdom (Mat 24:30; 25:31; Tit 2:13; Rev 1:7).

5. “Morning star” is the Greek word phōsporos literally means “light-bringer.” It was given to the planet Venus, which preceded the morning sun. It is used here for Christ who is the “Light-bringer” with His Second Coming and Millennial Kingdom.

6. “Arises in your hearts” refers to the perfect transformation of believers into the image of the glorious Son (Rom 8:29; Php 3:20–21; 1Jo 3:1–2).

7. At His second coming, Christ will replace the perfect temporal revelation of Scripture with the perfect eternal revelation of His person. (Mac. in loc.)

II. SCRIPTURE IS NOT ARBITRARY (20)

A. Notable First Principle

1. Peter gave his readers a principle of interpretation that they were to know first. When this principle is implemented, it aids in coming the correct interpretation.

2. When this principle is ignored, error is able to creep in. False teachers characteristically violate this principle (2Pe 2:2-3 ).

B. Not Arbitrary Interpretation

1. The first principle is: not to make arbitrary interpretations. In other words, interpretation is not coming up with one’s own interpretation, i.e. what he wants it to say.

2. No prophecy of Scripture is to be interpreted that way. Scripture only has one interpretation and meaning. Scripture is God’s Word with God’s own intended meaning.

3. In order to understand God’s meaning, the interpreter is to study the context, historical background, original language, and Scriptural references (2Ti 2:15).

III. SCRIPTURE IS FROM GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT (21)

A. Workings of Inspiration

1. In conjunction with the first principle there must be understanding that Scripture is indeed God’s Word.

2. Scripture was not made through an act of human will. Scripture is not a collection of man’s thought on God and religion.

3. Scripture was made through an act of God’s divine will. Scripture is the revelation of God’s thoughts, will, and ways in regard to what man should believe and how man should live.

B. Written by Men

1. Yes, Scripture was written by men, but these men were chosen men of God though whom God would move (pherō – carry or driven along, i.e. wind and weather, Act 27:15, 17) to speak and write His words.

C. Wrought by God

1. Though God used His chosen men along with their situations and personalities, what was written was wrought by God (2Tim 3:16-17)

2. The final product was the divine Word of God down to every jot and tittle (Mat 5:18).

3. Every believer must have the foundational belief in the inerrant and infallible Word of God. Otherwise, he will be led astray by false teaching. Satan’s first line of attack is on the Word of God, “Indeed, has God said” (Gen 3:1).

IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Sufficiency of Scripture

1. Scripture is sufficient for everything we need for life and godliness (2Pe 1:3-4).

2. That would include sufficient for all truth that the believer needs to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Joh 14:6).

3. It would include all truth that the believer needs for His Christian life

4. It would include all truth that the believer needs to refute false teaching (Tit 1:9)

B. Scripture over experience

1. It would also include all truth that believers need to discern experiences. Many today, will give more authority to their experiences than they do to Scripture which is sometimes in opposition of it.

2. Ex. Charismatic Movement – word of knowledge, word from the Lord; Contemplative Prayer.

C. Study and Submit to Scripture (pay attention)

1. We must be diligent in our study of the Word.

2. That is the believer’s work of which he is a workman.

3. Being ashamed is falling into false teaching and misapplying Scripture.

4. The Scriptures must be accurately handled because it is the word of truth.

5. Once understood correctly, it must be submitted to applied. Many know what the Scriptures say but do not submit to it. It is only a matter of time that they will begin to attack the true meaning of Scripture to justify their actions.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516