2 Peter 1:16

5. For no fable is our gospel; being confirmed by the transfiguration voice, 2 Peter 1:16-18.

16. Made known… power and coming It seems evident that the false teachers, in full view of whom the apostle is writing, had pronounced his teachings respecting the present lordship and future appearing of Christ without foundation. If made known refers to his oral teaching, we may learn its character from Acts 2:32-36; Acts 3:16; Acts 3:20. Our Lord’s resurrection, reign, and coming to judgment, were staple topics of apostolic preaching. A fine Pauline specimen is in Acts 17:31. More probably, however, the reference is to St. Peter’s first epistle. The power of Christ is clearly declared. The “lively hope” is by his “resurrection.” 1 Peter 1:3. He is the Redeemer. 1 Peter 1:18. He is “on the right hand of God,” and supreme over “angels, and authorities, and powers.” 1 Peter 3:22. He is the final Judge. 1 Peter 4:5. As to his coming, we read of his “appearing,” 1 Peter 1:7; his “revelation,” 1 Peter 1:13; the revealing of “his glory,” 1 Peter 4:13; and the appearing of the “chief Shepherd,” 1 Peter 5:4. That these things are myths, those false teachers asserted, and modern infidelity insists.

Cunningly devised fables Pagan mythology was full of them, as were the cabalistic stories of the Jews. Such, too, were the fanciful systems of the Gnostics and others. St. Peter may have had especially in mind his old acquaintance at Samaria, Simon Magus, who, besides giving himself out as “the great power of God,” (Acts 8:9-10,) claimed that of him and his paramour, Helena, were born the angels, who made the world. Now, St. Peter says, it was not following such skilfully-devised fictions he made known the Lord’s power and coming. On the other hand, he had had a personal view of his glory.

Were Better, Had been made.

Eye-witnesses A technical term given to those initiated into the Eleusinian mysteries, and allowed to have the nearest view of them. So Peter, James, and John, had been admitted to a full view of Christ’s glorious majesty at his transfiguration. Matthew 17:1-5.