2 Peter 1
Second Peter 1 begins with Peter greeting the recipients. Peter identifies himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and an apostle, and prays that grace and peace will be granted even more abundantly to those who have obtained the same faith. This passage highlights Peter’s solidarity with believers and serves to remind them of the preciousness of the grace that Christ bestows.
1verseSimon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
2verseGrace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
3verseseeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue,
4verseby which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
5verseYes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
6verseand in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness;
7verseand in godliness, brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.
8verseFor if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9verseFor he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
10verseTherefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
11verseFor thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
12verseTherefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth.
13verseI think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,
14verseknowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
15verseYes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
16verseFor we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17verseFor he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
18verseWe heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19verseWe have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts,
20verseknowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
21verseFor no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Promises Concerning Spiritual Life and Godliness (1:3-4)
Peter then proclaims that through God’s marvelous power, He has given us everything we need concerning life and godliness. He also emphasizes that because we come to know Christ, we have been granted precious promises; and through these, we are enabled to escape the cravings of the world and take part in God’s nature. This is a serious reminder of the spiritual privileges believers enjoy and the wonder of participating in the divine life.
Virtues That Grow from Faith (1:5-7)
Peter encourages us to grow step by step by adding to faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, and to self-control perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, until we reach the end of that path. This lays out the Christian growth journey in stages, emphasizing that each virtue is connected to the next and leads to spiritual maturity.
The Importance of Faith Bearing Fruit (1:8-11)
If these virtues are present and abundant in our lives, then our faith will bear fruit; but if not, we should be warned that our faith will become dry. It also warns against those who forget that their past sins have been forgiven. Peter encourages believers to make every effort sincerely to confirm God’s calling and election. He promises that those who live faithfully will be given an abundant entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
The Certainty of the Word and the Apostolic Testimony (1:12-21)
Peter knows that his death is near, yet he says he wants believers to remember this truth even after he is gone. He testifies firsthand as a witness to Christ’s majesty and glory, and reminds them that the Old Testament prophets also spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Above all, he emphasizes forcefully that biblical prophecy is not to be interpreted privately; it is truth that comes not from human will, but from the Holy Spirit.
Reflection Points
- Within my faith, I can reflect on how each virtue (faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love) is actually growing.
- I can examine how I trust and are confident in God’s promises and His Word.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Even in my life today, I need a decision to be faithful even in small matters and to build up virtues step by step.
- I can also ask myself whether I am not treating the truth recorded in Scripture as mere knowledge, but rather applying it in my actual life and faith.
