Topical Bible: The Scriptures: No Prophecy of, is of Any Private Interpretation

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The phrase "no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation" is derived from 2 Peter 1:20-21, which states: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" . This passage emphasizes the divine origin and authority of biblical prophecy, asserting that it is not subject to personal or subjective interpretation.

Divine Inspiration and Authority

The concept that prophecy is not of private interpretation underscores the belief in the divine inspiration of Scripture. The prophets, as instruments of God, conveyed messages that were not their own but were delivered through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This divine inspiration ensures that the prophecies are authoritative and trustworthy, reflecting God's will and purpose rather than human conjecture or opinion.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The role of the Holy Spirit is central to understanding this passage. The Holy Spirit is depicted as the divine agent who "carried along" the prophets, ensuring that their messages were accurate and aligned with God's intentions. This process of inspiration distinguishes biblical prophecy from other forms of human communication, highlighting its unique and sacred nature.

Guarding Against Misinterpretation

The admonition against private interpretation serves as a caution to believers to approach Scripture with reverence and humility. It warns against the dangers of subjective or individualistic readings that could distort the intended message. Instead, interpretation should be guided by the broader context of Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the illumination of the Holy Spirit.

Community and Tradition

The understanding of prophecy as not subject to private interpretation also points to the importance of community and tradition in interpreting Scripture. The early Church played a crucial role in discerning and preserving the correct understanding of biblical texts. This communal aspect of interpretation helps safeguard against errors and ensures continuity in the faith.

Application in the Life of Believers

For believers, the recognition that prophecy is not of private interpretation calls for a commitment to study Scripture diligently, seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of the Church. It encourages a posture of learning and submission to God's revealed truth, fostering unity and coherence in the understanding of biblical prophecy.

Conclusion

The assertion that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation is a foundational principle that affirms the divine origin and authority of biblical prophecy. It calls believers to approach Scripture with reverence, guided by the Holy Spirit and the collective wisdom of the faith community.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On the Meanings and Interpretation of the Holy Scriptures
... proceed from the same Spirit as that which primarily inspired the prophecy of the
Scriptures. ... But the authority of no one is so great, whether it be that of ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation ix on the meanings.htm

Bereans.
... system of faith and practice upon the Scriptures alone, without ... urge the words of
the apostle, that no prophecy is of any private interpretation, but they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/bereans.htm

The Doctrine of the Scriptures.
... That the writers of the Scriptures claimed to write under ... 20, 21""Knowing this first,
that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the scriptures.htm

V. ...
... matter he would speak of afterward), that no prophecy of the ... If now any one of the
holy fathers can ... that he has his explanation from the Scriptures, which give ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter i v 2.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
... the giving to us of the Holy Scriptures. ... amanuenses: "Knowing this first, that no
prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation (Greek: of its ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

Interpretation of Holy Scripture. --Inspired Interpretation. --The ...
... and pliability as will make His own Scriptures mean anything ... of physical Science,
we see no evidence;"the ... of Scripture to be types: Prophecy with sometimes ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon v interpretation of holy.htm

Secret Study of the Holy Scriptures.
... verdict upon the Old Testament as history and prophecy? ... nature and character of the
Old Scriptures claims definitely ... It asks whether or no the Lord Jesus was ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iii secret study of.htm

Concerning the Scriptures.
... confession of faith doth not contradict the scriptures: Will it ... to any thing else
than to that particular prophecy. ... of the scripture is filled up, no man is to ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm

The Second Epistle of St. Peter
... That line of prophecy was popular in his day, but evidently ... hurries on to explain
that the errorists had no right to ... the OT in the rest of the scriptures we do ...
/.../moffat/the general epistles james peter and judas/the second epistle of st.htm

Sources and Literature of the Apostolic Age.
... in authority and importance he was equal to any of the ... 1:20) that "no prophecy of
Scripture is of private ... as a pretext for withholding the Scriptures from the ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 20 sources and literature.htm