2 Peter 1:21 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The prophets spoke God's word because God's own Spirit carried them as they spoke.
The Context of 2 Peter 1:21
This verse finishes the thought Peter began in verse 20, explaining why Scripture springs from God rather than from anyone's private invention. He tells us exactly how the prophetic word came to be.
What Does 2 Peter 1:21 Mean?
Peter says plainly where prophecy truly begins. It arose from God carrying along holy men of God, who spoke as they were "moved" by the Holy Spirit, far above any human will or decision to speak for God on one's own initiative. The word for moved is the same word used for a ship carried along by the wind, its sails filled and its course set by a power outside itself. The prophets remained themselves, with their own voices and styles, yet a wind beyond them filled their sails and bore them where God meant them to go.
This is a gentle and astonishing picture of how God speaks to us. He did not bypass human beings; He carried them. And the destination of all that carrying is Christ, of whom the prophets spoke long before He came. When we read the Scriptures and find them pointing to Jesus, we are feeling the same wind that filled their sails, the Spirit who has been telling one story all along.
2 Peter 1:21 in the Original Language
phero (φέρω), 'moved' -- to be carried or borne along, as a ship driven by the wind.
How to Apply 2 Peter 1:21 Today
When the words of Scripture feel ancient and far away, this verse reminds us they were carried to us by God's own Spirit. The prophets were borne along like a ship in the wind, and that same Spirit still moves through their words to bring us to Christ.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Peter 1:21
What does 2 Peter 1:21 mean?
The prophets spoke God's word because God's own Spirit carried them as they spoke.
What is the context of 2 Peter 1:21?
This verse finishes the thought Peter began in verse 20, explaining why Scripture springs from God rather than from anyone's private invention. He tells us exactly how the prophetic word came to be.
How can I apply 2 Peter 1:21 today?
When the words of Scripture feel ancient and far away, this verse reminds us they were carried to us by God's own Spirit. The prophets were borne along like a ship in the wind, and that same Spirit still moves through their words to bring us to Christ.