2Pe 1:16-18 | JFB | STEP | 16. For-- reason why he is so earnest that the remembrance of these things should be continued after his death. followed-- out in detail. cunningly devised-- Greek, "devised by (man's) wisdom"; as distinguished from what the Holy Ghost teaches (compare ). But compare also , "feigned words." fables-- as the heathen mythologies, and the subsequent Gnostic "fables and genealogies," of which the germs already existed in the junction of Judaism with Oriental philosophy in Asia Minor. A precautionary protest of the Spirit against the rationalistic theory of the Gospel history being myth. when we made known unto you-- not that Peter himself had personally taught the churches in Pontus, Galatia, &c., but he was one of the apostles whose testimony was borne to them, and to the Church in general, to whom this Epistle is addressed ( , including, but not restricted, as First Peter, to the churches in Pontus, &c.). power-- the opposite of "fables"; compare the contrast of "word" and "power," . A specimen of His power was given at the Transfiguration also of His "coming" again, and its attendant glory. The Greek for "coming" is always used of His second advent. A refutation of the scoffers ( ): I, James and John, saw with our own eyes a mysterious sample of His coming glory. were-- Greek, "were made." eye-witnesses-- As initiated spectators of mysteries (so the Greek), we were admitted into His innermost secrets, namely, at the Transfiguration. his-- emphatical (compare Greek): "THAT great One's majesty."

‏ 2 Peter 1:16-18

16. For--reason why he is so earnest that the remembrance of these things should be continued after his death.

followed--out in detail.

cunningly devised--Greek, "devised by (man's) wisdom"; as distinguished from what the Holy Ghost teaches (compare 1Co 3:13). But compare also 2Pe 2:3, "feigned words."

fables--as the heathen mythologies, and the subsequent Gnostic "fables and genealogies," of which the germs already existed in the junction of Judaism with Oriental philosophy in Asia Minor. A precautionary protest of the Spirit against the rationalistic theory of the Gospel history being myth.

when we made known unto you--not that Peter himself had personally taught the churches in Pontus, Galatia, &c., but he was one of the apostles whose testimony was borne to them, and to the Church in general, to whom this Epistle is addressed (2Pe 1:1, including, but not restricted, as First Peter, to the churches in Pontus, &c.).

power--the opposite of "fables"; compare the contrast of "word" and "power," 1Co 4:20. A specimen of His power was given at the Transfiguration also of His "coming" again, and its attendant glory. The Greek for "coming" is always used of His second advent. A refutation of the scoffers (2Pe 3:4): I, James and John, saw with our own eyes a mysterious sample of His coming glory.

were--Greek, "were made."

eye-witnesses--As initiated spectators of mysteries (so the Greek), we were admitted into His innermost secrets, namely, at the Transfiguration.

his--emphatical (compare Greek): "THAT great One's majesty."

17. received ... honour--in the voice that spake to Him.

glory--in the light which shone around Him.

came--Greek, "was borne": the same phrase occurs only in 1Pe 1:13; one of several instances showing that the argument against the authenticity of this Second Epistle, from its dissimilarity of style as compared with First Peter, is not well founded.

such a voice--as he proceeds to describe.

from the excellent glory--rather as Greek, "by (that is, uttered by) the magnificent glory (that is, by God: as His glorious manifested presence is often called by the Hebrews "the Glory," compare "His Excellency," De 33:26; Psa 21:5)."

in whom--Greek, "in regard to whom" (accusative case); but Mt 17:5, "in whom" (dative case) centers and rests My good pleasure. Peter also omits, as not required by his purpose, "hear Him," showing his independence in his inspired testimony.

I am--Greek aorist, past time, "My good pleasure rested from eternity."

18. which came--rather as Greek, "we heard borne from heaven."

holy mount--as the Transfiguration mount came to be regarded, on account of the manifestation of Christ's divine glory there.

we--emphatical: we, James and John, as well as myself.