2 Peter 1:16

Cunningly devised. Or, “cleverly devised,” “artfully planned.”

Fables. Gr. muthoi, from which comes our word “myths.” Peter may be referring to heathen myths about the descent of gods in human guise, or, more probably, he is warning against teachings that were being propagated by the false teachers whom he exposes in ch. 2 (cf. 1 Tim. 1:4; 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:18; Titus 1:14).

Made known. Perhaps through Peter’s own first epistle (1 Peter 1:7, 13; 4:13), through his influence on the Gospel of Mark (see Vol. V, pp. 563, 564), or through previous personal instruction he had given his readers.

Power and coming. The Greek indicates that both refer to the same event. Peter had witnessed the miracles done by Christ. He saw the miracle of the Transfiguration, which was a miniature representation of the future kingdom of glory (DA 422). Here, however, he is thinking primarily of the manifestation of divine power that will accompany the second coming, of which the Transfiguration was a pledge. This is strongly suggested by the fact that dunamis, “power,” has the definite article; parousia, “coming,” does not; both nouns are in the same case and joined by the conjunction, and are thus a unit in thought: divine power in connection with the second coming. For comment on parousia see on Matt. 24:3.

Eyewitnesses. The fact that the apostles had been eyewitnesses of the life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ convinced them that He was indeed the promised Messiah, the Son of God. In turn, this conviction imparted irresistible power to the message they proclaimed. See on Luke 1:2; 1 John 1:1—3.

Of his majesty. Literally, “of that one’s magnificence.” The fact that the three apostles were eyewitnesses of the magnificent glory of Christ at the Transfiguration is proof of their trustworthiness as preachers of the second coming. Divine power at the Transfiguration proclaimed the deity of Christ to the three apostles (2 Peter 1:17; Matt. 17:5); divine power will make known the same truth to all the world at the second coming.