---

As the term "prophecy "is here used without any limitation, it seems clearly designed to comprehend all those prophetical enunciations which have been vouchsafed by the Holy Spirit of God. All such prophecy is a light vouchsafed to man from the great Source of all light and all knowledge. But it is a light purposely shaded at first with some obscurity; it shines only as in a dark place until the day of its fulfilment shall dawn. The epithet here applied to prophecy is rendered in our translation "more sure," but it would be more correctly rendered "more firm, more constant, more enduring." Prophecy affords a more firm and enduring evidence than miracles, inasmuch as it has a slow and gradual development, unfolding its proofs more clearly and completely as ages roll on; its light shines forth to the eyes of men with a fuller and brighter lustre in proportion as the veil is withdrawn from futurity. When miracles are no longer vouchsafed for the confirmation of the truth, prophecy becomes, by the lapse of time, a more powerful and convincing head of evidence as it is proved, by the course of events, to be really prophecy. And thus may it be said that in the more clear and full development of one species of evidence we have a growing compensation for whatever may be conceived to be lost by the lapse of time to the strength, or clearness, or fulness of the other. To this "word of prophecy," he says, "ye do well that ye take heed," that ye pay the serious attention which it deserves; but he cautions them first, before they do so, to know, to recollect, to bear in mind that "no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation." The apostle intends to caution his disciples against the hasty, fanciful, and inconsiderate interpretation of all Scriptural prophecy. Our attention then becomes directed by these words to a subject of great importance — the indiscreet application of the prophetical parts of Scripture. Now undoubtedly we may trace one fruitful source of this practice to the propensity which prevails with all of us to magnify and exaggerate everything that passes within the narrow sphere of our immediate observation. As in the objects presented to our bodily senses, that which stands immediately before us absorbs the greatest portion of our attention and precludes the sight of others that are more distant. Misled by these false and prejudiced views, individuals have been easily carried away with the notion that the occurrences of their own little day and contracted sphere of observation are of sufficient distinction to be made the specific subject of Scriptural prophecy. But operating in unison with this undue appreciation of the importance of events which are present have been an over-forward disposition to display superior penetration and ingenuity amongst those who interpret prophecy, and credulous superstition and prying curiosity amongst those who believe their interpretations. Now in the case of the prophecies contained in Scripture a peculiarly tempting field is opened for those persons who are given to these adventurous speculations. But it is of far less importance to inquire into the causes which have led to the indiscreet application of Scriptural prophecies, or to detail what has taken place in times past, than to endeavour to repress the practice by pointing out the injury which it must ever cause to the general interests of religion and to the authority of the Christian records. Now the principal evil which must with too great certainty be derived from this practice is that of exciting a general prejudice against the truth of all Scriptural prophecies. When different persons are found, many of sufficient credit for learning and acuteness, eagerly and confidently applying the prophecies to events widely different, what impression must be made on the public at large, on those who form their judgment of these matters at a distance and without paying close and accurate attention to them? The inference will too obviously be that the prophecies of Scripture may be turned to any sense at the will of the interpreter. Nor, if such an imputation be cast on the prophetical parts of Scripture, will the cause of revelation in general wholly escape. Or, if the credit of Scripture be saved, it will be saved only at the expense of the veracity and good faith of those who attempt these interpretations. While so much positive evil results from the licence, which has been too often assumed, of hazarding, on light grounds and hasty views, novel interpretations of Scriptural prophecy, the most powerful of all arguments is afforded by this consideration to induce all persons who feel the reverence due to the inspired Word of God to abstain most carefully from this indiscreet practice. Prophecy was not given to gratify the prying curiosity of men ever anxious to dive into the recesses of futurity, nor to exercise their forward ingenuity in searching out new interpretations which might arrest the attention of the public. It was designed for a more availing, a greater, and a nobler purpose — for the purpose of affording to the truth of Christianity its growing testimony, which might be unfolded by degrees and open fresh conviction on the mind as the revolutions of time should produce its gradual accomplishment. Consistently with this purpose, a certain degree of obscurity was unavoidable. Under these views of the real character and true intent of Scriptural prophecy, let it be hoped that the interpretation of it will never be attempted carelessly and lightly from any private motive of exhibiting penetration and ingenuity, but only from the deliberate consideration of what may conduce to the right understanding and elucidation of it.

(G. D'Oyly, D. D.)

---

---

KJV: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

WEB: knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.