What does “no scripture is of private interpretation” mean?

Answer 1

It means that one is not allowed to find a meaning for scripture on their own. One must accept what one is told is truth.

Answer 2

2 Peter 1:19-21

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; 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: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

In the scripture texts cited above written by the Apostle's Peter and Paul, they are both saying that the thoughts written in the Holy Scriptures are initiated, directed, and shaped by God, and are not formed by man.

Although man physically wrote the scriptures, it was God who was causing the train of thought in their minds (from which they converted into handwritten script (short for scripture)).

Answer 3

Excellent question....God, through the Holy Spirit, reveals to us the true wisdom of the Scriptures...that is why understanding it depends not on intellect, but a relationship with God. Two men can both read the same verse, one understands, the other doesn't. It is not because one is more learned than the other. It all has to do with God.

In context though this is referring to the inspiration of the prophets who wrote Scripture....as it continues, "For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Answer 4

You cannot construe it to mean what you want it to mean. The true meaning is all it has and you need a good translation or the original language to find that often. The King James is a deliberate mistranslation in some places to suit the things King James wanted. ie. Easter

2Pe 1:10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Paying Attention to Scripture

2Pe 1:12 Therefore, I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. 13 And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live. 14 For our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me that I must soon leave this earthly life, 15 so I will work hard to make sure you always remember these things after I am gone.
2Pe 1:16 For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes 17 when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice from the majestic glory of God said to him, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” 18 We ourselves heard that voice from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
2Pe 1:19 Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. You must pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a lamp shining in a dark place—until the Day dawns, and Christ the Morning Star shines in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

Answer 5

Private in the original Greek is:

i[dio�
Transliterated Word: Idios
Strong's #2398
Part of Speech: Adjective

It is from where we get the English word "idiot".

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." - 2 Peter 1:20,21.

The verse is outlawing anyone from adding their own words or opinions to the teachings as given to us in the holy scriptures.

This verse has been grossly abused by the Papists, concerning this John Calvin wrote:

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom45.vii.ii.v.html

"But the Papists are doubly foolish, when they conclude from this passage, that no interpretation of a private man ought to be deemed authoritative. For they pervert what Peter says, that they may claim for their own councils the chief right of interpreting Scripture; but in this they act indeed childishly; for Peter calls interpretation private, not that of every individual, in order to prohibit each one to interpret; but he shews that whatever men bring of their own is profane. Were, then, the whole world unanimous, and were the minds of all men united together, still what would proceed from them, would be private or their own; for the word is here set in opposition to divine revelation; so that the faithful, inwardly illuminated by the Holy Spirit, acknowledge nothing but what God says in his word."

Answer 6

It means that no scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. It means that the scripture is not man made.

Answer 7

It means that everyone of us has our own thoughts about what the scriptures mean and that is why the Holy Spirit is our teacher and not men. Every man believes he or she knows what the scriptures are saying but the Word of God is not just some intellectual rhetoric or philosophical diction, it is infallible truth and has no contradiction in it. If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. God is not the author of confusion, if two men differ in their understanding of the scripture they both need to return to their respective prayer closets and seek God for the truth. The comments on this site is showing why you cannot interpret scripture for yourself, it will result in chaotic debate. Much love! GFA,Sr.

Answer 8

The word for "interpretation" actually translates into "origin"

"no scripture is of private ORIGIN"

SEE HERE:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:


2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Look at the NLT:

Because of that, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets. Pay close attention to what they wrote, for their words are like a light shining in a dark place-until the day Christ appears and his brilliant light shines in your hearts. [fn6] 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves [fn7] 21 or because they wanted to prophesy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.

Answer 9

Read it in context. "Knowing this first, that no PROPHECY of the scripture is of private interpretation, for the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

It means that the Bible wasn't written down by one guy who decided to create a religion (like Joseph Smith.......) rather, God inspired 40 different authors (literally breathed into them the words to write--"inspiration" comes from the Greek word that means "God breathed") and the Bible is from God, not from fallible man.

Answer 10

To me, this does not make sense. I interpret scripture in my own way frequently, and there is no sin in someone doing this. If you have a different opinion than a Southern Baptist, or a televangelist (as an example), there is no harm in that. Much of the Bible is symbolic, especially in Revelation, and therefore can be interpreted in different ways.

However, if you share your opinion with these "fundamentalists", they will likely scorn you and say "who misled you, I have read the Bible 100 times and know everything in it". These people think they are high and mighty, and God's Holy men. But they should know that for everything they think they know about God, there is an equal or greater amount they do not know.

These people also think they will be whisked away to heaven without trial, and their "rapture" fulfilled. However, so many have fallen far from the vine that they do not even see the vine anymore. Why would they not require trial to test the truth of their faith.