SEV Biblia, Chapter 1:19
¶ Tenemos tambin la palabra de los profetas ms firme, a la cual hacis bien de estar atentos como a una lmpara que alumbra en lugar oscuro, hasta que el día esclarezca, y el lucero de la maana salga en vuestros corazones.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:19
Verse 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy] ecomen bebaioteron ton profhtikon logon? We have the prophetic doctrine more firm or more confirmed; for in this sense the word bebaiow is used in several places in the New Testament. See 1 Corinthians i. 6: Even as the testimony of Christ ebebaiwqh, was CONFIRMED, among you. 2 Cor. i. 21: Now he which stablisheth us, o de bebaiwn hmav, who CONFIRMETH US. Col. ii. 7: Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, bebaioumenoi, CONFIRMED in the faith. Heb. ii. 3: How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation htiv ebebaiwth, which was CONFIRMED to us. Heb. vi. 16: And an oath, eiv bebaiwsin, for CONFIRMATION. This is the literal sense of the passage in question; and this sense removes that ambiguity from the text which has given rise to so many different interpretations. Taken according to the common translation, it seems to say that prophecy is a surer evidence of Divine revelation than miracles; and so it has been understood. The meaning of the apostle appears to be this: The law and the prophets have spoken concerning Jesus Christ, and Isaiah has particularly pointed him out in these words: Behold my servant whom I uphold, my CHOSEN IN WHOM MY SOUL DELIGHTETH; I have put my Spirit upon him, and he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and THEM THAT SIT IN DARKNESS out of the prison house, Isa. xlii. 1, 7. Now both at his baptism, Matt. iii. 17, and at his transfiguration, Jesus Christ was declared to be this chosen person, God's only Son, the beloved One in WHOM HE DELIGHTED. The voice, therefore, from heaven, and the miraculous transfiguration of his person, have confirmed the prophetic doctrine concerning him. And to this doctrine, thus confirmed, ye do well to take heed; for it is that light that shines in the dark place-in the Gentile world, as well as among the Jews; giving light to them that sit in darkness, and bringing the prisoners out of the prison house: and this ye must continue to do till the day of his second, last, and most glorious appearing to judge the world comes; and the day star, fwsforov, this light-bringer, arise in your hearts- manifest himself to your eternal consolation. Or perhaps the latter clause of the verse might be thus understood: The prophecies concerning Jesus, which have been so signally confirmed to us on the holy mount, have always been as a light shining in a dark place, from the time of their delivery to the time in which the bright day of Gospel light and salvation dawned forth, and the Son of righteousness has arisen in our souls, with healing in his rays. And to this all who waited for Christ's appearing have taken heed. The word fwsforov, phosphorus, generally signified the planet Venus, when she is the morning star; and thus she is called in most European nations.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy , etc.] Though this word of prophecy is generally understood of the writings and prophecies of the Old Testament concerning Christ, yet different ways are taken to fix the comparison: some think the sense is, that they are more sure than the cunningly devised fables, ( 2 Peter 1:16) but as these have no certainty nor authority in them, but are entirely to be rejected, the apostle would never put the sacred writings in comparison with them: and it is most clear, that the comparison lies between this word of prophecy, and the testimony of the apostles, who were eye and ear witnesses of the majesty and glory of Christ; but how prophecy should be a surer evidence of Christ, and the Gospel, than such a testimony, is difficult to understand; and is a sense which all agree to reject, by different methods: some think that a comparative is used for a positive, and that the meaning is, that besides the testimony of the apostles, prophecy is a very sure evidence; and this is countenanced by the Syriac version, which renders it, and we have also a firm, or true word of prophecy; to which the Arabic agrees, and we have a word of prophecy very true: others choose to retain the comparison, and which indeed ought not to be thrown out; but these are divided about it; some are of opinion that it is to be understood of the Jews to whom the apostle writes, and he himself was one, and the sense to be this; not that prophecy in itself was surer than an apostolical testimony, but that it was surer to the Jews, and more valid with them, who had been trained up in, and long used to the prophetic writings; and who had a greater esteem for the prophets of the Old Testament than for the apostles of the New; but it is scarcely credible that the apostle, who had been an eye and ear witness in the holy mount, would put himself in among them, and say, we have, etc. for whatever prophecy was to them, it could not be surer to him than what he had seen with his eyes, and heard with his ears.
Others suppose that the meaning is, that prophecy was now surer to the Christians than it was before, it being confirmed and established by facts and events, and also by miracles, and even by the attestation of this voice heard on the mount, and by the majesty of Christ seen there; but if this had been the sense of the apostle, he would have used these words, now and before; and besides, this puts the comparison quite out of its place, which manifestly stands between former prophecy, and the present testimony of the apostles: but the truth of the matter is, that this word of prophecy is not to be understood of the prophetic writings of the Old Testament; for though these are the word of God, and do testify of Christ, and are to be taken heed, and attended to, as proofs and evidence of Gospel truths, and are a light to direct and guide in matters both of faith and practice, yet they are not the only light, and are far from being the clearest, and what are only to be attended to; for the Gospel that came by Christ, and is preached by his apostles, and is contained in the writings of the New Testament, is a much clearer light, and at least equally to be attended to: nor are the prophecies of the Old Testament, which particularly relate to Christ, designed; there are many of this kind, which, put together, may very well be called the word of prophecy, and which were to the Jews a light in a dark place, until Christ came in the flesh; and though they are to be attended to, and compared with facts, to show the truth of the divine revelation, yet they are not a surer evidence, nor so sure an evidence, as the evangelical testimony is, which is of facts, and these supported by miracles; for now the dayspring from on high hath visited us, and Christ, the bright and morning star, has appeared: but the word of prophecy, concerning Christ's second coming, is here intended, whether it lies in the words of the prophets of the Old Testament, as in ( Psalm 96:13 Daniel 7:9,10,13) or in the words of Christ, ( Matthew 16:27,28 24:3,30,44), which latter is most likely. The Ethiopic version understands this of some particular prophecy, and as if the words were a citation of some prophet, rendering the words thus, and we have a voice more ancient than this of a prophet, saying, ye do well who take heed, etc. Sir Isaac Newton is of opinion, that the apostle refers to the book of the Revelation of St. John, which would not be unlikely, could it be proved that it was then written. Now this prophecy or prediction, concerning Christ's coming again with power and great glory, was a surer evidence of it than what the apostles saw with their eyes, and heard with their ears upon the mount; nothing was surer to them, nor could anything make it surer to them, that he was honoured and glorified, than what they saw and heard: but then this did not so certainly prove that he would hereafter be glorified, or come again in glory. What they saw and heard was a presumptive proof that it might be so, and was a confirming pledge and evidence to them that so it would be, and was a glorious representation of it; but Christ's prophecy or prediction, that so it should be, more strongly ascertained it, since he said it, to whom all things were known from the beginning, and whose counsel shall stand, and not one word of his shall ever fail. 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 . The prophecy concerning Christ's second coming is as as a light; it is a revelation of that which was in the dark, lay hid as a secret and mystery in the heart of God; and which could not be known by men, had it not been foretold by God; and it is made as prophecy in all other cases is, by throwing light, as to this affair, into the mind of him, or them, to whom it is revealed; and is a light to them to whom it is delivered, and which they should attend unto, as to a lamp or torch to guide and direct them; though in some sense it is but a feeble one, and is as a light that shineth in a dark place; meaning not the world, which is a place of darkness, ignorance, and error; nor merely the state of the saints in general in this life, who, at most and best, see but through a glass darkly; but has a particular respect to the darkness which attends the saints, concerning the second coming of Christ, and which will especially attend them a little before that time. Prophecy holds out clearly that Christ will come again; that he will come in great glory, in his Father's, and in his own, and in the glory of his angels, and with great power, to raise the dead, and judge mankind; and though it gives hints, that, upon this, the saints shall be with Christ in the air, on earth, and in heaven; and that there will be new heavens, and a new earth; and that the saints shall reign here with Christ a thousand years, after which the Gog and Magog army will attack them without success; yet these are not so clear, as for saints to be agreed in the sense of them; and much more are they in the dark about the time of his coming. Now prophecy is the surest evidence and best light the saints have concerning this matter, until the day dawn; not the Gospel day, so much spoken of by the prophets, that had dawned already; rather a more clear knowledge of Christ, and Gospel truths, which will be in the spiritual kingdom and reign of Christ hereafter; or else the latter day glory, at the personal coming of Christ, when the light of the moon shall be as that of the sun, and that of the sun shall be sevenfold as the light of seven days; yea, when there will be no need of sun or moon, but Christ shall be come, and be the light of his people; (see Isaiah 30:26 60:1,2 Revelation 21:23,24) after which will follow the everlasting day of glory, when all darkness will be gone, and saints shall see face to face, and know as they are known: and the day star arise in your hearts ; or the sun, as the Syriac version renders it; not Christ, the morning star, the dayspring from on high, and the sun of righteousness, who was already risen upon them; nor the grace of God implanted in their hearts, by which they were already called out of darkness, and made light in the Lord; but as the day star is the bringer of light, as the word used signifies, or the forerunner of the day, so it here intends the immediate signs and forerunners of the coming of Christ; which when observed in their hearts, and by their understandings, as being come to pass, they may lift up their heads with joy, because their redemption draws near, ( Luke 21:28) and so the Ethiopic here renders it, and redemption, arise for you in your hearts. Now till this time the sure word of prophecy concerning Christ's second coming is to be taken heed unto, as a lamp, light, and torch, to direct us to it, to encourage us to love it, long for it, and hasten to it: and in so doing we shall do well; it will be well for the glory of God and Christ, this being setting our seals to them as true; and well for ourselves to keep up our faith, hope, and expectation of it, unmoved.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 16-21 - The gospel is no weak thing, but comes in power, Ro 1:16. The law set before us our wretched state by sin, but there it leaves us. I discovers our disease, but does not make known the cure. It is the sight of Jesus crucified, in the gospel, that heals the soul. Try to dissuade the covetous worlding from his greediness, one ounce of gol weighs down all reasons. Offer to stay a furious man from anger by arguments, he has not patience to hear them. Try to detain the licentious, one smile is stronger with him than all reason. But com with the gospel, and urge them with the precious blood of Jesus Christ shed to save their souls from hell, and to satisfy for their sins, an this is that powerful pleading which makes good men confess that their hearts burn within them, and bad men, even an Agrippa, to say they ar almost persuaded to be Christians, Ac 26:28. God is well pleased with Christ, and with us in him. This is the Messiah who was promised through whom all who believe in him shall be accepted and saved. The truth and reality of the gospel also are foretold by the prophets an penmenof the Old Testament, who spake and wrote under influence, an according to the direction of the Spirit of God. How firm and sure should our faith be, who have such a firm and sure word to rest upon When the light of the Scripture is darted into the blind mind and dar understanding, by the Holy Spirit of God, it is like the day-break tha advances, and diffuses itself through the whole soul, till it make perfect day. As the Scripture is the revelation of the mind and will of God, every man ought to search it, to understand the sense and meaning The Christian knows that book to be the word of God, in which he taste a sweetness, and feels a power, and sees a glory, truly divine. And the prophecies already fulfilled in the person and salvation of Christ, an in the great concerns of the church and the world, form an unanswerabl proof of the truth of Christianity. The Holy Ghost inspired holy men to speak and write. He so assisted and directed them in delivering what they had received from him, that they clearly expressed what they mad known. So that the Scriptures are to be accounted the words of the Holy Ghost, and all the plainness and simplicity, all the power and all the propriety of the words and expressions, come from God. Mix faith with what you find in the Scriptures, and esteem and reverence the Bible a a book written by holy men, taught by the Holy Ghost __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 εχομεν 2192 5719 βεβαιοτερον 949 τον 3588 προφητικον 4397 λογον 3056 ω 3739 καλως 2573 ποιειτε 4160 5719 προσεχοντες 4337 5723 ως 5613 λυχνω 3088 φαινοντι 5316 5730 εν 1722 αυχμηρω 850 τοπω 5117 εως 2193 ου 3739 ημερα 2250 διαυγαση 1306 5661 και 2532 φωσφορος 5459 ανατειλη 393 5661 εν 1722 ταις 3588 καρδιαις 2588 υμων 5216
Vincent's NT Word Studies
19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy (kai ecomen bebaioteron ton profhtikon logon). The A.V. is wrong, since more sure is used predicatively, and word has the definite article. We may explain either (a) as Rev., we have the word of prophecy made more sure, i.e., we are better certified than before as to the prophetic word by reason of this voice; or (b) we have the word of prophecy as a surer confirmation of God's truth than what we ourselves saw, i.e., Old-Testament testimony is more convincing than even the voice heard at the transfiguration.
The latter seems to accord better with the words which follow. "To appreciate this we must put ourselves somewhat in the place of those for whom St. Peter wrote. The New Testament, as we have it, was to them non-existent. Therefore we can readily understand how the long line of prophetic scriptures, fulfilled in so many ways in the life of Jesus, would be a mightier form of evidence than the narrative of one single event in Peter's life" (Lumby). "Peter knew a sounder basis for faith than that of signs and wonders. He had seen our Lord Jesus Christ receive honor and glory from God the Father in the holy mount; he had been dazzled and carried out of himself by visions and voices from heaven; but, nevertheless, even when his memory and heart are throbbing with recollections of that sublime scene, he says, 'we have something surer still in the prophetic word.'... It was not the miracles of Christ by which he came to know Jesus, but the word of Christ as interpreted by the spirit of Christ" (Samuel Cox).
Unto a light (lucnw). More correctly, as Rev., a lamp.
In a dark place (en aucmhrw topw). A peculiar expression. Lit., a dry place. Only here in New Testament. Rev. gives squalid, in margin. Aristotle opposes it to bright or glistering. It is a subtle association of the idea of darkness with squalor, dryness, and general neglect.
Dawn (diaugash). Only here in New Testament. Compare the different word in Matt. xxviii. 1, and Luke xxiii. 54, ejpifwskw. The verb is compounded of dia, through, and aujgh, sunlight, thus carrying the picture of light breaking through the gloom.
The day-star (fwsforov). Of which our word phosphorus is a transcript. Lit., light-bearer, like Lucifer, from lux, light, and fero, to bear. See Aeschylus, "Agamemnon," 245.
