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; Ps 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.