III. The Trustworthy Prophetic Word (2 Peter 1:16-21)
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III. The Trustworthy Prophetic Word (1:16-21)
1:16 Here Peter moves from the reason for his admonition to the authority behind it. He and his fellow apostles (see 1:1) could speak authoritatively about spiritual matters because they were eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty. They did not follow cleverly contrived myths but made known . . . the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:17-18 Peter saw Christ’s majesty with particular clarity on the holy mountain (1:18)—that is, on the mount of transfiguration (see Matt 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36)—when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased (1:17). One of Peter’s goals for his readers was that they enjoy a glorious entrance to heaven and likewise behold Christ’s unveiled magnificence. He also wanted them, like Jesus, to please the Father.
1:19 God’s revelation of Christ’s glory to Peter strongly confirmed the authority and truthfulness of the prophetic word Peter presented. Hence, believers do well to pay attention to it. God’s Word, delivered through Peter, functions like a lamp shining in a dark place, sustaining believers in their spiritual walks until the divine seed in their souls blossoms to its full potential. Indeed, the entire Bible causes Christ (the morning star; see Rev 22:16) to come alive in [our] hearts.
1:20-21 Peter’s prophetic word is to be understood in its proper context: as being on par with other Scripture (1:20). The defense of his authority is not boastful or proud, but is intended to help believers receive this letter appropriately and with full benefit. The authors of Scripture, he says, did not offer their own interpretation (1:20). Rather, they spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (1:21). Thus, the Bible is uncontaminated and completely without error in the same way that the Holy Spirit protected Jesus from sin in his conception and birth, even though it included human involvement. Thus, we can confidently say that Scripture’s true author is God.