Lexical Summary epilusis: Interpretation, explanation Original Word: ἐπίλυσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance interpretation. From epiluo; explanation, i.e. Application -- interpretation. see GREEK epiluo HELPS Word-studies 1955 epílysis (from 1909 /epí, "on, fitting" and 3089 /lýō, "to loose") – properly, unloosing (unpacking) in an apt (appropriate) manner, i.e. that builds on sound hermeneutical principles (note the epi, "upon"). 1955 /epílysis ("sound interpretation") only occurs in 2 Pet 1:20 and refers to "untying interpretation knots" to discern the true meaning of future Bible prophecy. [1956 (epilýō) is used throughout antiquity of solving problems, i.e. "getting to the bottom of things," "unraveling" the issue (see DNTT, 1, 156).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epiluó Definition a release, an interpretation NASB Translation interpretation (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1955: ἐπίλυσιςἐπίλυσις, ἐπιλύσεως, ἡ (ἐπιλύω, which see), a loosening, unloosing (German Auflösung); metaphorically, interpretation: 2 Peter 1:20, on which passage see γίνομαι, 5 e. α. (Genesis 40:8 Aq.; Heliodorus 1, 18; but not Philo, vita contempl. § 10, where ἐπιδειξεως was long ago restored.) Topical Lexicon Scriptural Occurrence Strong’s Greek 1955 appears once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 1:20. Immediate Context and Meaning Peter writes, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20). The statement stands at the climax of a section in which Peter defends the reliability of apostolic testimony (2 Peter 1:16-18) and ties that testimony to the prophetic word “made more certain” (2 Peter 1:19). The single use of ἐπιλύσεως underscores Peter’s insistence that the origin and explanation of prophecy are inseparable from God’s initiative; human will—whether in speaking or in interpreting—cannot govern revelation (2 Peter 1:21). Theological Implications for Prophecy and Revelation 1. Divine Origin: Prophetic messages originate in God, not in human impulse. This guards the church against attributing Scripture to cultural insight alone. Hermeneutical Principles • Scripture Interprets Scripture: Difficult passages should be read in light of clearer ones (cf. Acts 17:11). Historical Reception in the Early Church Early fathers such as Irenaeus and Athanasius cited 2 Peter 1:20-21 to refute heretical readings that detached Scripture from apostolic faith. The regula fidei served as a communal benchmark, echoing Peter’s warning against private, idiosyncratic interpretations that fracture the unity of the body. Implications for Preaching and Teaching • Authority: Preachers speak with confidence when their exposition flows from the text’s Spirit-given meaning. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Devotional Life: Believers approach Scripture expecting divine communication, praying for illumination. Warnings and Exhortations Peter will soon address false teachers who “secretly introduce destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1). Misinterpretation is not an abstract danger but a pastoral crisis. The church must therefore guard both the message and the method: honoring the God-breathed nature of Scripture and resisting readings that arise from human agenda rather than from the Spirit who gave the Word. Forms and Transliterations επιλυσεως επιλύσεως ἐπιλύσεως epiluseos epiluseōs epilyseos epilyseōs epilýseos epilýseōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
    |