II Peter 1: Growing in Grace and Knowledge
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
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.
Context and Purpose
II Peter 1 sets the stage for the entire letter. Peter, writing to Christians scattered abroad, addresses a critical issue: the call to be productive and effective servants of God through a deeper knowledge of Jesus. Unlike I Peter, which focuses on persecution, II Peter emphasizes spiritual growth and guarding against false teachings that threaten the church. Peter assures believers that they possess everything necessary for godly living through the grace of God and their participation in the divine nature. He urges them to cultivate Christ-like qualities, warning against the dangers of spiritual stagnation and forgetfulness. This chapter lays the foundation for Peter's later arguments concerning the coming Day of the Lord and his warnings against false teachers.
Salutation and Divine Power (II Peter 1:1-2)
Peter identifies himself as "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:1). The use of "Simeon," a Semitic form of his name, suggests a connection to his Jewish roots and a setting familiar to first-century Palestinian believers. He addresses those "who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:1). This highlights the shared faith and equal access to God's grace enjoyed by all believers. Peter explicitly affirms the deity of Jesus, calling Him "our God and Savior," a powerful declaration of Christ's divine nature.
Peter's greeting is more than a formality; it's a prayerful invocation. He desires that "grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (II Peter 1:2). This multiplication of grace and peace comes through a growing, experiential knowledge of God – a knowledge that transforms lives. The greeting hints at the Trinity, referencing God the Father and Jesus, who is identified as God in verse 1.
Equipped for Godliness (II Peter 1:3-4)
Peter declares that God "has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" (II Peter 1:3). This is a powerful affirmation that believers are fully equipped for the Christian life. We lack nothing necessary to live a life that pleases God. These spiritual blessings are already available; it is up to us to access them. This knowledge is more than intellectual assent; it's an intimate, personal relationship with God.
A key element of spiritual growth is "partaking of the divine nature" (II Peter 1:4). At salvation, the Holy Spirit implants God's nature within us, giving us spiritual appetites and the potential for godly behavior. Christians, in a sense, have God's nature woven into their spiritual DNA. This new nature gives us the potential to "escape the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire" (II Peter 1:4). The divine nature, however, is initially in seed form (cf. I Peter 1:23) and requires cultivation to mature.
Cultivating Christlike Qualities (II Peter 1:5-7)
Peter urges believers to "make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love" (II Peter 1:5-7). This is not a passive process; it requires diligence and active participation. The seven qualities listed represent a holistic development of the Christian character. The number seven often symbolizes completeness in Scripture.
These qualities build upon each other. "Virtue" (moral excellence) is the foundation, leading to "knowledge" (understanding God's will), which in turn fosters "self-control" (resisting sinful desires). "Steadfastness" (perseverance) allows us to endure trials, leading to "godliness" (living to please God). "Brotherly affection" (caring for fellow believers) expands our love, culminating in "love" (compassionately seeking the well-being of all). These qualities are like vitamin supplements, enabling believers to adopt God's kingdom perspective and live accordingly.
Fruitful Living or Spiritual Blindness (II Peter 1:8-9)
Peter emphasizes the importance of possessing these qualities "in increasing measure" (II Peter 1:8). When these qualities abound in our lives, we will "not be useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:8). Spiritual growth produces fruit that blesses others and brings joy to God. Fruit emerges as naturally as apples develop on a healthy apple tree.
Conversely, "whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins" (II Peter 1:9). Neglecting spiritual growth leads to spiritual blindness and a forgetfulness of God's grace. Such individuals become ineffective and unproductive servants, failing to live out their calling in Christ. They have forgotten the price Jesus paid on the cross to make spiritual growth and spiritual productivity possible.
Confirming Your Calling and Election (II Peter 1:10-11)
Peter urges believers to "be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall" (II Peter 1:10). This is not about questioning one's salvation, but about demonstrating its reality through a life of obedience and growth. God chose believers for spiritual productivity (cf. I Peter 1:2, 15; 2:21). By actively pursuing these qualities, we ensure that we are fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
The result of such diligence is twofold: "you will never stumble" (II Peter 1:10) in this life, and "there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:11). A life of faithful service leads to maximum rewards in heaven. It is possible to be saved yet enter heaven without rewards, but that is a destiny believers should strive to avoid.
Peter's Imminent Departure and Lasting Reminder (II Peter 1:12-15)
Peter reiterates his purpose in writing: "to remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth that you have" (II Peter 1:12). He recognizes that his readers already possess knowledge of these truths, but he understands the importance of continual reminders. He intends to "stir you up by way of reminder, as long as I am alive" (II Peter 1:13).
Peter's urgency stems from the impending reality of his own death, a fact revealed to him by Jesus (II Peter 1:14; see John 21:18-19). Knowing his time is short, he desires to leave a lasting legacy. He wants to ensure that believers will be able to recall these things at any time after his departure.
Eyewitness Testimony and the Trustworthy Prophetic Word (II Peter 1:16-19)
Peter shifts from the reason for his admonition to the authority behind it. He asserts that he and the other apostles "did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (II Peter 1:16). Their message is not based on speculation, but on firsthand experience.
Specifically, Peter refers to the transfiguration, where he witnessed Christ's glory on the "holy mountain" (II Peter 1:17-18; see Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). He heard the voice of God the Father declaring, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (II Peter 1:17). This experience confirmed Jesus' identity and authority, solidifying the apostles' message.
This eyewitness testimony reinforces the "prophetic word" (II Peter 1:19). Peter states, "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (II Peter 1:19). God's Word, delivered through Peter, functions like a lamp, guiding believers in their spiritual walks until Christ fully illuminates their hearts. The entire Bible causes Christ (the morning star; see Revelation 22:16) to come alive in our hearts.
The Divine Origin of Scripture (II Peter 1:20-21)
Peter concludes by emphasizing the divine origin of Scripture. "No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:20-21). Scripture is not the product of human ingenuity, but the result of divine inspiration. The authors of Scripture did not offer their own interpretation. Rather, they spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Bible is uncontaminated and completely without error. The true author of Scripture is God. This ensures its trustworthiness and authority.
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
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.
Context and Purpose
II Peter 1 sets the stage for the entire letter. Peter, writing to Christians scattered abroad, addresses a critical issue: the call to be productive and effective servants of God through a deeper knowledge of Jesus. Unlike I Peter, which focuses on persecution, II Peter emphasizes spiritual growth and guarding against false teachings that threaten the church. Peter assures believers that they possess everything necessary for godly living through the grace of God and their participation in the divine nature. He urges them to cultivate Christ-like qualities, warning against the dangers of spiritual stagnation and forgetfulness. This chapter lays the foundation for Peter's later arguments concerning the coming Day of the Lord and his warnings against false teachers.
Salutation and Divine Power (II Peter 1:1-2)
Peter identifies himself as "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:1). The use of "Simeon," a Semitic form of his name, suggests a connection to his Jewish roots and a setting familiar to first-century Palestinian believers. He addresses those "who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:1). This highlights the shared faith and equal access to God's grace enjoyed by all believers. Peter explicitly affirms the deity of Jesus, calling Him "our God and Savior," a powerful declaration of Christ's divine nature.
Peter's greeting is more than a formality; it's a prayerful invocation. He desires that "grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (II Peter 1:2). This multiplication of grace and peace comes through a growing, experiential knowledge of God – a knowledge that transforms lives. The greeting hints at the Trinity, referencing God the Father and Jesus, who is identified as God in verse 1.
Equipped for Godliness (II Peter 1:3-4)
Peter declares that God "has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence" (II Peter 1:3). This is a powerful affirmation that believers are fully equipped for the Christian life. We lack nothing necessary to live a life that pleases God. These spiritual blessings are already available; it is up to us to access them. This knowledge is more than intellectual assent; it's an intimate, personal relationship with God.
A key element of spiritual growth is "partaking of the divine nature" (II Peter 1:4). At salvation, the Holy Spirit implants God's nature within us, giving us spiritual appetites and the potential for godly behavior. Christians, in a sense, have God's nature woven into their spiritual DNA. This new nature gives us the potential to "escape the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire" (II Peter 1:4). The divine nature, however, is initially in seed form (cf. I Peter 1:23) and requires cultivation to mature.
Cultivating Christlike Qualities (II Peter 1:5-7)
Peter urges believers to "make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love" (II Peter 1:5-7). This is not a passive process; it requires diligence and active participation. The seven qualities listed represent a holistic development of the Christian character. The number seven often symbolizes completeness in Scripture.
These qualities build upon each other. "Virtue" (moral excellence) is the foundation, leading to "knowledge" (understanding God's will), which in turn fosters "self-control" (resisting sinful desires). "Steadfastness" (perseverance) allows us to endure trials, leading to "godliness" (living to please God). "Brotherly affection" (caring for fellow believers) expands our love, culminating in "love" (compassionately seeking the well-being of all). These qualities are like vitamin supplements, enabling believers to adopt God's kingdom perspective and live accordingly.
Fruitful Living or Spiritual Blindness (II Peter 1:8-9)
Peter emphasizes the importance of possessing these qualities "in increasing measure" (II Peter 1:8). When these qualities abound in our lives, we will "not be useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:8). Spiritual growth produces fruit that blesses others and brings joy to God. Fruit emerges as naturally as apples develop on a healthy apple tree.
Conversely, "whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins" (II Peter 1:9). Neglecting spiritual growth leads to spiritual blindness and a forgetfulness of God's grace. Such individuals become ineffective and unproductive servants, failing to live out their calling in Christ. They have forgotten the price Jesus paid on the cross to make spiritual growth and spiritual productivity possible.
Confirming Your Calling and Election (II Peter 1:10-11)
Peter urges believers to "be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall" (II Peter 1:10). This is not about questioning one's salvation, but about demonstrating its reality through a life of obedience and growth. God chose believers for spiritual productivity (cf. I Peter 1:2, 15; 2:21). By actively pursuing these qualities, we ensure that we are fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.
The result of such diligence is twofold: "you will never stumble" (II Peter 1:10) in this life, and "there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (II Peter 1:11). A life of faithful service leads to maximum rewards in heaven. It is possible to be saved yet enter heaven without rewards, but that is a destiny believers should strive to avoid.
Peter's Imminent Departure and Lasting Reminder (II Peter 1:12-15)
Peter reiterates his purpose in writing: "to remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth that you have" (II Peter 1:12). He recognizes that his readers already possess knowledge of these truths, but he understands the importance of continual reminders. He intends to "stir you up by way of reminder, as long as I am alive" (II Peter 1:13).
Peter's urgency stems from the impending reality of his own death, a fact revealed to him by Jesus (II Peter 1:14; see John 21:18-19). Knowing his time is short, he desires to leave a lasting legacy. He wants to ensure that believers will be able to recall these things at any time after his departure.
Eyewitness Testimony and the Trustworthy Prophetic Word (II Peter 1:16-19)
Peter shifts from the reason for his admonition to the authority behind it. He asserts that he and the other apostles "did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty" (II Peter 1:16). Their message is not based on speculation, but on firsthand experience.
Specifically, Peter refers to the transfiguration, where he witnessed Christ's glory on the "holy mountain" (II Peter 1:17-18; see Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). He heard the voice of God the Father declaring, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased" (II Peter 1:17). This experience confirmed Jesus' identity and authority, solidifying the apostles' message.
This eyewitness testimony reinforces the "prophetic word" (II Peter 1:19). Peter states, "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts" (II Peter 1:19). God's Word, delivered through Peter, functions like a lamp, guiding believers in their spiritual walks until Christ fully illuminates their hearts. The entire Bible causes Christ (the morning star; see Revelation 22:16) to come alive in our hearts.
The Divine Origin of Scripture (II Peter 1:20-21)
Peter concludes by emphasizing the divine origin of Scripture. "No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:20-21). Scripture is not the product of human ingenuity, but the result of divine inspiration. The authors of Scripture did not offer their own interpretation. Rather, they spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the Bible is uncontaminated and completely without error. The true author of Scripture is God. This ensures its trustworthiness and authority.