2 Peter 1:20
The true meaning of Scripture prophecy comes from the Spirit of God, not from human interpretation.
John Gill emphasizes the importance of understanding that no prophecy in Scripture is subject to private interpretation or human invention. He clarifies that while believers have the right to read and interpret Scripture, true understanding comes from the guidance of the Holy Spirit rather than personal wisdom alone. Gill argues that the prophecies are divinely inspired and should be heeded as a light until Christ's return, contrasting them with human predictions that lack divine authority. This understanding encourages believers to rely on the Spirit for interpretation and to appreciate the divine origin of Scripture.
Text
Ver. 20. Knowing this first,.... Especially, and in the first place, this is to be known, observed, and considered;
that no prophecy of the Scripture, that is contained in Scripture, be it what it will,
is of any private interpretation: not that this is levelled against the right of private judgment of Scripture; or to be understood as if a private believer had not a right of reading, searching, examining, and judging, and interpreting the Scriptures himself, by virtue of the unction which teacheth all things; and who, as a spiritual man, judgeth all things; otherwise, why are such commended as doing well, by taking heed to prophecy, in the preceding verse, and this given as a reason to encourage them to it? the words may be rendered, "of one's own interpretation"; that is, such as a natural man forms of himself, by the mere force of natural parts and wisdom, without the assistance of the Spirit of God; and which is done without comparing spiritual things with spiritual; and which is not agreeably to the Scripture, to the analogy of faith, and mind of Christ; though rather this phrase should be rendered, "no prophecy of the Scripture is of a man's own impulse", invention, or composition; is not human, but purely divine: and this sense carries in it a reason why the sure word of prophecy, concerning the second coming of Christ, should be taken heed to, and made use of as a light, till he does come; because as no Scripture prophecy, so not that, is a contrivance of man's, his own project and device, and what his own spirit prompts and impels him to, but what is made by the dictates and impulse of the Spirit of God; for whatever may be said of human predictions, or the false prophecies of lying men, who deliver them out how and when they please, nothing of this kind can be said of any Scripture prophecy, nor of this concerning the second coming of Christ; and this sense the following words require.
Sermon Outline
- No Private Interpretation
- Prophecy is not of a man's own interpretation
- Prophecy is of the Spirit of God
- Scripture prophecy is not human, but divine
Key Quotes
“No prophecy of the Scripture, that is contained in Scripture, be it what it will, is of any private interpretation” — John Gill
“Prophecy is of the Spirit of God” — John Gill
“Scripture prophecy is not human, but divine” — John Gill
Application Points
- We must seek the guidance of the Spirit of God in understanding Scripture prophecy.
- We should not rely on human predictions or interpretations, but on the divine inspiration of Scripture.
- Taking heed to Scripture prophecy concerning the second coming of Christ is essential for our faith and understanding.