1. The Meaning of Words is to be Gathered from the Scope of the Passage; and not the Scope from the Words
When we speak of the "Scope" we mean—what it is all about; the one subject which is being written about. This will always furnish a key to the meaning of the words employed. This is not quite the same as the importance of the context because the context has to do with the interpretation and sense of a passage as distinct from the actual meaning of its separate words.
A passage which furnishes a good illustration is 2 Peter 1:20:
No prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.
We are studying the "Words" and we desire to know what these two words "private", and "interpretation" mean.
On examination of this particular passage (2 Peter 1:20) in which our words occur,we find that the verse forms part of a larger context the Scope or subject of which is not what Scripture means, but where Scripture originates. This is evident from the most cursory reading of the whole passage. There is not one word about the meaning, but a great deal about the origin of prophecy; not a word about its interpretation, but about its source.
The Word "Private"
The word translated "private" we find that it is idioV (idios) and that it occurs 114 times. Out of these 114 times we find that it is nearly always rendered one's own; "his own sheep," "his own servants," "his own house," "his own country," etc.; but not once is it rendered "private," except in this passage. This shows us that the rendering "private" is sufficiently abnormal to be suspected; and that it would be more consistent to render it one's own (or lit., of its own).
The Word "Interpretation"
The word translated "interpretation" we shall find that it occurs nowhere else; neither in the New Testament, nor in the Septuagint. It is epilusiV (epilusis). We have no guide to its meaning as we had with the word "private." As this noun occurs nowhere else we must go to the verb epiluw (epiluo), which is made up of the preposition epi (epi), upon, and luw (luo), to loosen. We find Xenophon using it of letting dogs loose upon the ground to chase a hare. Another Greek writer uses it of breaking open a letter bearing upon a certain subject. So that its usage is perfectly clear so far.In the New Testament this verb occurs only twice (Mark 4:34 and Acts 19:39). From Mark 4:34 it is evident that it will bear the AV rendering expound* but it will also bear a larger meaning. He spake publicly "with many such parables," but "when they were alone," He broke open the casket which hid His real meaning; He unfolded the treasures that were therein; He let them loose as it were and displayed them before the eyes of His disciples.
* Just as private will bear the meaning of one's own: inasmuch as what is one's own is private; and what is private is one's own.
In Acts 19:39 the Town Clerk said "If you enquire anything concerning other matters, it shall be made known (or shown) in a lawful assembly."
Conclusion
Any of these meanings will do here in 2 Peter 1:20, 21, and it will be seen how they harmonise with the one matter which is the subject, or scope, of the whole passage.
"Getting to know, this, first:—that not any prophecy of Scripture springs* from its own unfolding,
For, not by the will of man was prophecy at any time brought forth
But being born along by holy spirit,** men spake from God."
* ginomai (ginomai), to begin, come into being, begin to be, become, arise, happen.
** pneuma agion (pneuma hagion), Divine power from on high.
Thus, the words are brought into harmony with the scope, or subject of the whole passage; and we see how they refer to the origin and source of the prophetic Word, and not to its meaning or interpretation.
