For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of manThis phrase emphasizes the divine origin of prophecy, distinguishing it from human invention or imagination. In biblical context, prophecy is seen as a revelation from God, not a product of human will or desire. This aligns with the understanding that true prophecy is inspired by God, as seen in
Jeremiah 1:9, where God puts His words in the prophet's mouth. Historically, false prophets often arose, claiming divine insight, but their messages were self-serving or misleading, as warned against in
Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
but men spoke from God
This indicates that the prophets were instruments through whom God communicated His messages. The prophets, such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, were chosen by God to deliver His words to the people. This concept is supported byAmos 3:7, which states that God reveals His plans to His servants, the prophets. The role of the prophet was not to express personal opinions but to convey God's truth, often calling people back to faithfulness and obedience.
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit
The phrase "carried along" suggests a guiding force, indicating that the Holy Spirit directed the prophets in their speech and writings. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching of the Holy Spirit's role in inspiration, as seen in2 Timothy 3:16, which states that all Scripture is God-breathed. The imagery of being "carried along" can be likened to a ship moved by the wind, suggesting that the prophets were moved by the Spirit's power, ensuring the accuracy and divine authority of their messages. This also prefigures the work of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, guiding the apostles and early church in truth, as promised by Jesus inJohn 16:13.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe apostle Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is the author of this epistle. He writes to encourage believers in their faith and to warn against false teachings.
2.
ProphetsThe individuals who, throughout the Old Testament, received and communicated God's messages to His people. They were instrumental in revealing God's will and future plans.
3.
Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity, who plays a crucial role in inspiring the prophets and ensuring the divine origin of the Scriptures.
4.
GodThe ultimate source of all prophecy, who communicates His will and truth through chosen individuals.
5.
ScriptureThe sacred writings of Christianity, which include the prophecies and teachings inspired by God through the Holy Spirit.
Teaching Points
Divine Inspiration of ScriptureThe Bible is not a product of human creativity or initiative. It is divinely inspired, with God as its ultimate author, ensuring its truth and authority.
Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is essential in the process of inspiration, guiding the prophets and ensuring that God's message is accurately conveyed.
Reliability of ProphecySince prophecy is from God, it is trustworthy and reliable. Believers can have confidence in the fulfillment of God's promises and the truth of His Word.
Guarding Against False TeachingsUnderstanding the divine origin of Scripture helps believers discern truth from falsehood, equipping them to stand firm against false teachings.
Active Engagement with ScriptureBelievers are encouraged to actively engage with the Bible, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to understand and apply its truths in their lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Peter 1:21?
2.How does 2 Peter 1:21 affirm the divine inspiration of Scripture?
3.What role did the Holy Spirit play in prophecy, according to 2 Peter 1:21?
4.How can understanding 2 Peter 1:21 strengthen our trust in biblical authority?
5.How does 2 Peter 1:21 connect with 2 Timothy 3:16 on Scripture's origin?
6.How should 2 Peter 1:21 influence our approach to studying the Bible?
7.How does 2 Peter 1:21 affirm the divine inspiration of Scripture?
8.What does 2 Peter 1:21 imply about the role of human authors in writing the Bible?
9.How does 2 Peter 1:21 challenge the idea of the Bible as merely a human document?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 1?
11.What defines the beliefs of Coptic Christianity?
12.What defines a prophetic word?
13.What is Young's Literal Translation?
14.What distinguishes 'prophecy' from 'prophesy'?What Does 2 Peter 1:21 Mean
For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man- Peter opens with a sweeping negation: true prophecy never originates in human initiative. It is not the product of creativity, intellect, or personal agenda.
- Jeremiah confronted self-appointed seers who “speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16-17). Peter rules that possibility out for authentic Scripture.
- Paul echoes the same thought about the gospel, insisting it is “not according to man” (Galatians 1:11-12).
- Because its source is above us, prophecy remains wholly trustworthy; it is untainted by the limitations, biases, or errors that mark ordinary human speech.
but men spoke from God- God chose to use people—real personalities with vocabularies, experiences, and styles—yet the origin of every prophetic message was God Himself.
- Moses heard, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say” (Exodus 4:15). Centuries later David could testify, “The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2).
- Hebrews reminds us, “In the past God spoke to our fathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways” (Hebrews 1:1).
- The human authors were not passive scribes, but neither were they autonomous thinkers generating religious ideas; they were God’s chosen mouthpieces.
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit- The same Spirit who hovered over the waters of creation (Genesis 1:2) hovered over the writers of Scripture, guiding every word so that what they penned was exactly what He intended.
- Luke records that “the Holy Spirit spoke long ago through the mouth of David” (Acts 1:16), underscoring this divine supervision.
- Jesus promised, “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). That promise was realized in the prophetic and apostolic writings.
- Picture a ship’s sail filled with wind: the sailors participate, yet the wind supplies the power and direction. Likewise, the prophets were “carried along,” ensuring infallible revelation without suppressing their individuality.
- Paul describes the process: “We speak... words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words” (1 Corinthians 2:13).
summary2 Peter 1:21 affirms that Scripture is not a human construct but a divine communication. Prophecy did not begin in the writer’s heart; it began in God’s. Yet God graciously used human voices, safeguarding every syllable through the Holy Spirit. The verse anchors our confidence that the Bible is fully reliable, perfectly truthful, and eternally authoritative—God’s Word delivered through faithful servants, borne along by His Spirit.
(21)
For the prophecy came not in old time.--Rather,
For prophecy was never sent,or
brought. Wiclif and Rheims alone have "brought"; all the rest "came." The verb is the same as that used of the voice from heaven (
2Peter 1:17-18), and also in this verse for "moved," so that there is a telling antithesis, difficult to preserve in English. Prophecy was not brought in by men; but men were brought to utter it by the Spirit. (Comp.
2John 1:10.) The rendering in the margin is right--"not
at any time" rather than "not
in old time." "Not at any time"--"never," which both Tyndale and Cranmer have; Wiclif has "not ony time." The erroneous "in old time" comes from Geneva.
But holy men of God . . .--The Greek is uncertain. A reading of very high authority would give us,But men spoke from God moved by the Holy Ghost. This is probably to be preferred. Men spoke not out of their own hearts, but as commissioned by God; not "by the will of man," but under the influence of the Holy Spirit. (Comp. St. Peter's speech at the election of Matthias, and again in Solomon's Porch,Acts 1:16;Acts 3:18.) The word for "moved" is a strong one, meaning "borne along," as a ship before the wind (Acts 27:16-17). Theophilus of Antioch (Autolycus,II. ix.) writes "men of God, moved (or,filled) by the Holy Ghost, and becoming prophets, inspired and made wise by God Himself, became taught of God." Here, again, the parallel is too slight to be relied on as evidence that Theophilus was acquainted with this Epistle. (See above, third Note on2Peter 1:19.) The same may be said of a passage in Hippolytus (Antichrist,2), "These fathers were furnished with the Spirit and largely honoured by the Word Himself. . . . and when moved by Him the Prophets announced what God willed. For they spake not of their own power, neither did they declare what pleased themselves, &c. &c." . . .
Verse 21. -
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; literally, for
not by the will of man was prophecy borne at any time. The verb is that already used in verses 17, 18, "was not borne or brought;" it refers not to the utterance of prophecy, but to its origin - it came from heaven.
But holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; literally,
but being borne on by the Holy Ghost, the holy men of God spake; or, if we follow the Vatican Manuscript, "But being borne on by the Holy Ghost, men spake from God." We have again the same verb, "being borne on" (
φερόμενοι); comp.
Acts 27:15, 17, where it is used of a ship being borne on by the wind. So the prophets were borne on in their prophetic utterance by the Holy Spirit of God. They were truly and really inspired. The mode of that inspiration is not explained; perhaps it cannot be made plain to our human understanding; all the points of contact between the finite and the Infinite are involved in mystery. But the fact is clearly revealed - the prophets were borne on by the Holy Spirit of God. This is not, as some have fancied, the language of Montanism. Prophecy is but a lamp shining in a dark place; it is not the day-star. Prophecy came not by the will of man; the prophets were moved or borne on by the Holy Ghost. But St. Peter does not say that their human consciousness was suspended, or that they were passive as the lyre when swept by the plectrum. Had this passage been written after the rise of Montanism early in the second century, the writer, if a Montanist, would have said more; if not a Montanist, he would have carefully guarded his words from possible misunderstanding.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forγὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.noοὐ(ou)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.prophecyπροφητεία(prophēteia)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4394:Prophecy, prophesying; the gift of communicating and enforcing revealed truth. From prophetes; prediction.{was} everποτέ(pote)Particle
Strong's 4218:At one time or other, at some time, formerly. From the base of pou and te; indefinite adverb, at some time, ever.brought aboutἠνέχθη(ēnechthē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5342:To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.through human initiative,θελήματι(thelēmati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2307:An act of will, will; plur: wishes, desires. From the prolonged form of ethelo; a determination, i.e. choice or inclination.butἀλλὰ(alla)Conjunction
Strong's 235:But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.menἄνθρωποι(anthrōpoi)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.spokeἐλάλησαν(elalēsan)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.fromἀπὸ(apo)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.GodΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.as they were carried alongφερόμενοι(pheromenoi)Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5342:To carry, bear, bring; I conduct, lead; perhaps: I make publicly known. A primary verb.byὑπὸ(hypo)Preposition
Strong's 5259:A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).[the] HolyἉγίου(Hagiou)Adjective - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 40:Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.Spirit.Πνεύματος(Pneumatos)Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151:Wind, breath, spirit.
Links
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NT Letters: 2 Peter 1:21 For no prophecy ever came by (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) 
