ἐπίλυσις (epilusis)
epilusis
explanation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun epilusis refers to a loosening or unloosening, used metaphorically to mean an interpretation or explanation. Its core sense involves untangling something complex so it becomes clear and accessible.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in 2 Peter 1:20. Here, Peter speaks about the need for careful understanding of prophecy, framing true interpretation as a deliberate act of "untying" or resolving meaning rather than guessing at vague symbols.
Its root connects to the idea of release or freedom from confusion. By using this term, the text emphasizes that biblical understanding requires effort and clarity, not just casual reading. The focus is on bringing light to what was previously hidden or difficult to grasp.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word epilusis, translated as 'interpretation' in 2 Peter 1:20, carries a vivid image of untying a knot. It suggests that Scripture is not a riddle meant to confuse us, but a message that can be clarified through careful study. When we encounter difficult passages, this word reminds us that clarity is possible and that God desires our understanding.
This perspective encourages patience and diligence. Rather than relying on personal whims or isolated guesses, we are invited to seek the intended meaning within the text itself. It affirms that the Bible is coherent and accessible, inviting believers to engage with it thoughtfully rather than anxiously.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- interpretation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἐπιλύσεως1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 1:20
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
This verse uses the term to warn against private interpretation, emphasizing that prophecy requires careful, communal understanding rather than individual speculation.