2 Peter 1:21

For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner, 1752)

In The King James Version

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

In Context

20Understanding this first: That no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation. No prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation... This shows plainly that the scriptures are not to be expounded by any one's private judgment or private spirit, because every part of the holy scriptures were written by men inspired by the Holy Ghost, and declared as such by the Church; therefore they are not to be interpreted but by the Spirit of God, which he hath left, and promised to remain with his Church to guide her in all truth to the end of the world. Some may tell us, that many of our divines interpret the scriptures: they may do so, but they do it always with a submission to the judgment of the Church, and not otherwise.

Read all of 2 Peter 1

Cross References

Numbers 16:28And Moses said: By this you shall know that the Lord hath sent me to do all things that you see, and that I have not forged them of my own head:

Joshua 14:6Then the children of Juda came to Josue in Galgal, and Caleb the son of Jephone the Cenezite spoke to him: Thou knowest what the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Cadesbarne.

1 Kings 13:1And behold there came a man of God out of Juda, by the word of the Lord, to Bethel, when Jeroboam was standing upon the altar, and burning incense.

1 Kings 17:24And the woman said to Elias: Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and the word of the Lord in thy mouth is true.

2 Kings 4:9And she said to her husband: I perceive that this is a holy man of God, who often passeth by us.

2 Kings 6:10And the king of Israel, sent to the place which the man of God had told him, and prevented him, and looked well to himself there not once nor twice.

Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:20-21

Inspiration of the Scriptures. ( a. d. 67.) 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the… Read the whole commentary →

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Study 2 Peter 1:21