James, 1-2 Peter, Jude Language and Communication Quotes

How we cite our quotes:

Quote #7

No prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Peter 1:20-21, NRSV)

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, KJV)

Scripture is made of up words, and humans interpret those words, right? Wrong, says Peter. He believes that understanding those words can only come from God. Hmmm…how does he explain the false teachers getting a different message from the same scriptures then?

Quote #8

They speak bombastic nonsense, and with licentious desires of the flesh they entice people who have just escaped from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. (2 Peter 2:18-19, NRSV)

They speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (2 Peter 2:18-19, KJV)

See, words can hurt. The false teachers aren't out beating people up and taking their lunch money—they're spreading untrue words. In Peter's opinion, that's much more dangerous than some noogies in the hallway.

Quote #9

In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!" They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago and an earth was formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless. (2 Peter 3:3-7, NRSV)

In the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:3-7, KJV)

The language of naysayers is a sign of the end times, says Peter. They spread their evil words, while not putting much stock in the words that God has said. We're guessing those naysayers might say the same thing about him.