Bible Commentaries
2 Peter 1

Verse 1

INTRODUCTION: See introduction to 1 Peter.

THE SEVEN CHRISTIAN VIRTUES

1) "Simon Peter, a servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ." Simon Peter (Greek petros) means Simon, "Rock like," a (Greek doulos) bond worker or slave and (Greek apostolos) one sent of Jesus Christ. Thus Peter identified himself as a "rock-like" worker sent by Jesus Christ.

2) "To them that have obtained like precious faith with us. ’ (Greek tois) "to the ones" - - (Greek isotimon) equally "precious," (emin) with or in association with us, members of a local church, unnamed. (Greek leachousin) having obtained (pistin) faith, the like precious system of faith, 1 Peter 2:4-7.

3) "Through the righteousness of God." The "like precious" system of faith - including salvation and a call to fellowship of divine worship and service, in the church, is all obtained or secured, first through the (Greek dikaiosune) righteousness of God. Romans 3:21-22.

4) "And our Saviour Jesus Christ." and or "also" the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who was made sin for us, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:25.

Verse 2

1) "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you." Peter invokes God to cause (Greek charis) grace, and (eirene) peace, to (Greek plethuntheie) be mathematically increased many times, or multiplied to the brethren who received the letter, 3 John 1:2-4.

2) "Through the knowledge of God." In his mature years of wisdom and by the Holy Spirit and the Word, Peter knew that both grace and peace were increased, enlarged, and experienced fully, only to the extent that they increased in knowledge of God, 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 3:15.

3) "And of Jesus our Lord." a) one is saved by God’s grace – Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 6:1; Romans 11:5-6. b) One may be filled with His grace – John 1:16-17; Acts 15:11; Acts 14:3. c) God’s grace is sufficient – 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 2 Corinthians 12:9. This grace that saves and sustains sufficiently in every experience of life brings peace from God, when accepted and used in his service. He who uses God’s grace to serve God best has his abiding peace to rest upon him most. Such was Peter’s desire for the brethren whom he addressed. Romans 5:1-3; 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

GIVE IT TO HIM

A miner worked very hard every day in the mines for a living. The overseer of the mine said to him one day, "Thomas, I’ve got an easier berth for you where there is not much hard work, and where you will get better wages. Will you accept it?" Most men would have jumped at such an offer. But what did this noble fellow do? He said to the overseer: "Captain, there’s our poor brother Tregony; he has a sickly body, and not able to do hard work as I can. I am afraid his work will shorten his life and then what will his poor family do? Won’t you please let him have this easier berth? I can go on working as I have done." The overseer was wonderfully pleased with Thomas’s generous spirit. He was a faithful friend.

- Gospel Herald

Verse 3

1) "According to His divine power." (Greek hos) as, or just as the (Greek theias) divine, infinite or unlimited (dunameos) power or dynamics (of God) Mark 2:10; Matthew 28:18; John 1:12; Romans 1:16.

2) "Has given unto us all things.” To think that the eternal, omnipotent, (all powerful) God has, through Jesus Christ, given, (Greek dedoremenes) doled out to us, "of His own accord," (ta panta) all things.

3) "That pertain to life and godliness." (Greek pros) inclining or that point "to or toward" (Greek zoen kai eusebeian) life and Godly living or conduct, John 17:8-17; Acts 20:19-20.

4) "Through the knowledge of Him." (Greek epignoseos) by means of overshadowing knowledge –ever present, "of the one" Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:9-10.

5) "That hath called us to glory and virtue." (Greek kalesantos) having called us (Greek hemas idia dokse) to His own (kind) of glory and (Gr. arete) standard of virtue or purity - what an invitation! What a Call! to follow. What Grace! to be with, and glorified with Jesus. Romans 8:17-18.

Verse 4

1) "Whereby are given to us." (Greek di on) through which" five things: grace, peace, knowledge, power, and calling of God He has given or doled out to us by unmerited favor or grace.

2) "Exceeding great and precious promises." not merely great, but (Greek megista) "exceeding great" and (tima) precious or highly honorable promises -promises He has made and is able, willing, and trustworthy to keep, 1 Kings 8:56; Romans 4:21; Hebrews 13:5.

3) "That by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature." Based on a knowledge of the trustworthy character, attributes, and promises of God, Peter wrote that the brethren addressed might be or progressively become (Greek theias koinoi phuseos) sharers of the godly nature of fleshly conduct of Jesus, living as He lived, imitating His life, Mark 8:34; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 12:10.

4) "Having escaped the corruption." Salvation delivers the soul from eternal corruption and the saved are called to live the life of virtue, holiness, above corruption, the goal is perfection, though never attained in the flesh, Matthew 5:48; 1 Corinthians 9:26-27; 2 Peter 2:18.

5) "That is in the world through lust " In the (kosmo) world order or system, under the taint and power of sin and Satan, Romans 8:20-22. This world system shall pass and the lust (Greek epithumia phthoras) (deranged desires) of it. 1 John 2:15; 1 John 2:17. Peter, therefore like our Lord, Paul, and John, admonishes brethren to seek to live the higher life, to walk the narrow way that blesses men and honors God. Matthew 7:13.

Verse 5

1) "And beside this giving all diligence." For this reason, because the "like precious" ones had been called to live the divine life, they are called to bring in (Greek spouden) with diligence the seven Christian virtues that follow:

2) "Add to your faith virtue." (Greek en te pistei humon) "In the faith of you," or system or body of trust, (Greek epichoregesate) add, supply, or calculate (Greek areten) virtue, moral excellence, or a standard of right. Philippians 4:8; 2 Peter 1:3.

3) "And to virtue knowledge." (Greek en de te) “and in the" (standard of right) add (Greek gnosin) knowledge, Ignorance never reflects divine growth or maturity. God’s people should seek, pursue knowledge - to know truth, Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 18:15; 2 Peter 3:18.

Verse 6

1) "And to knowledge temperance." To knowledge understanding, or comprehension, the Christian is to add (Greek egkrateian) temperance, self-control, impulse restraint, Galatians 5:23; 1 Corinthians 9:25.

2) "And to temperance patience.” The fourth Christian virtue or moral excellence Peter admonished one to add was (Greek hupomonen) patience, of an enduring quality, more than temporary self-control, Luke 21:29; Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 12:1; Romans 5:3.

3) "And to patience godliness. ’ (Greek de te) moreover to the patience of enduring, persevering quality one is to add (Greek uesebeian) godliness, qualities of divine attributes in his behavior 1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Timothy 6:6; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Peter 3:11.

HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD

In the north Atlantic, icebergs are often seen in the winter time. Ships sailing the Atlantic are often caught in violent storms. Mighty vessels are tossed about like chips by the mountainous waves. How different it is with the icebergs! Like majestic, white castles, they glide placidly through the heaving sea. They are defiant of the mighty waves which are hurled against their towering walls and glistening heads. They Do not bob about like a cork because the lower part is deep in the ocean where there is calm. Only one-ninth of an iceberg is above the ocean.

When our lives are hidden with Christ in God, the storms of life are powerless to take from us the peace and repose we have in Christ.

W. B. K.

Verse 7

1) "And to godliness brotherly kindness." In the faith, standard of moral excellence, addition to the Christian life one is admonished to add godly piety (Greek philadelphian) "brotherly friendship," or kindness, Colossians 3:12; Luke 6:35; 1 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 4:32.

2) "And to brotherly kindness charity. ’ The seventh of the moral excellencies, or standards of right one is admonished to add to, bring into, or supplement in his "like precious" faith is (Greek agapen) charity, third, but not least of the three spiritual gifts operative in this age, 1 Corinthians 13 th chapter. It means good will and benevolence in thought and deed toward ones fellowman. Colossians 3:14; 1 Timothy 2:15; 1 Timothy 4:12, 2 Timothy 2:22; 3 John 1:6.

Love this world through me, Lord, This world of broken men, Thou didst love through death, Lord, Oh, love in me again! Souls are in despair, Lord, Oh, make me know and care; When my life they see May they behold Thee, Oh, love the world through me.

- Dr. Will Houghton

Verse 8

1) "For if these things be in you and abound." For these things (Seven Christian Virtues) (Greek huparchonta) "being in you" and (Greek pleonazonta) abounding or existing in great quantity, Proverbs 28:20; Romans 15:13; 2 Corinthians 8:7.

2) "They make you that ye shall be neither barren." Not barren, unproductive, or (Greek argous) "unresponsive" or idle they make you.

3) "Nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." Nor (Greek akarpous) unfruitful, like a non-bearing tree, in the (Greek epignosin) overseeing or full, experimental knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Fruit, more fruit, and much fruit the Lord desires of His children, John 15:1-5.

Verse 9

1) "But he that lacketh these things is blind." (ho gar) for he in whom (Greek me parestin tauta) "are not present" "these things," the Seven Christian Virtues - he who lacks them, 2 Peter 1:5-7, is blind.

2) "And cannot see afar off." (Greek muopazon) "being myopic," shortsighted, void of or unable to foresee, discern, lacking in vision, in danger of perishing and causing others to perish, Proverbs 19:1; Matthew 15:14.

3) "And hath forgotten." (Greek lethen) being forgetful or in a state or condition of forgetfulness. A lethargy (in a spiritual daze).

4) "That he was purged from his old sins." The sum of Peter’s admonition and warning to the fellowship of "like precious brethren" was that they earnestly add the Seven Christian Virtues to their lives, with the subsequent result of myopia, lethargy, barrenness and unfruitfulness, wherein they failed to do so.

He further warned the one failing to add the virtues to his life might even forget the (Greek palai) time-past cleansing of his sins. Psalms 13:1; Psalms 103:2; Hebrews 13:16; 1 Corinthians 15:58.

FRUIT BEARING

People can tie oranges to the sprigs of a fir tree in a parlor, and the show will gratify children on a winter evening. But true Christian beneficence is a fruit that grows, and is not tied on. It swells up from sap which the tree of righteousness draws out of that infinite love in which it is rooted. He who is in Christ cannot stand still, any more than the water in those iron tubes which traverse our streets in connection with the great reservoir; on it must flow, wherever there is an opening, by reason of the pressure from above. Hear the exclamation of that ancient Christian in explanation of his wonderful self-sacrifice and energetic labor for the good of men: "The love of Christ constraineth me." Efforts burst impetuous from his bosom whenever an opening was made, because he was in union with the Fountain-head on high. As fruit is sweet and profitable, so arethe efforts of Christians for the good of the world. And like the abundance with which good trees bear is the abundance of a true disciple’s labors.

William Arnot

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GRACES

Every man that has cultivated fruit knows that no tree can bear very richly the first year. The first year a tree bears, the fruit is of the lowest quality; the second year it is a little better; the third year it is still better; the fourth year it is better yet; and it continues to improve every year until the tenth; and then you begin to know what is the best thing that tree can do. Trees have to go through a maturing process of ten years’ duration before they can bear fruit of the highest flavors. So it is with the Christian.

- Beecher

Verse 10

1) "Wherefore the rather brethren." (Greek dio mallon) "wherefore, rather, or instead" (adelphoi) brethren, instead of living unfruitful, myopic, dilatory lives.

2) "Give diligence to" (Greek spoudasate) "Be ye diligent"

3) "Make your calling and election sure." (poieisthai bebaian) "to make firm" the calling and choice of you (to bear fruit), John 15:1-5; 1 Corinthians 1:13-15.

4) "For if ye do these things." For (poiountes) doing these things abounding in 1) virtue, 2) knowledge, 3) temperance, 4) patience, 5) godliness, 6) brotherly kindness, 7) charity.

5) "Ye shall never fall." (Greek ou me) no, not (ptaisete pote) "ye shall ever fail - fail to bear fruit, see? Matthew 7:17; Colossians 1:10.

Verse 11

1) "For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly” Entrance into heaven is based on being "born again" but an abundant entrance (Greek plousios epichoregethesetai eisodos) is promised only to the faithful fruit-bearer with rewards.

2) "Into the everlasting kingdom’ This refers to positions of honor and rewards to be given to those fruitbearing ones at the coming of Jesus Christ, beginning of the millennium, Luke 19:10-19.

3) "Of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." Positions of kingship, priesthood, and heirship with Jesus Christ in His kingdom on earth are to be based on faithful service rendered here. 2 John 1:8: Revelation 5:10; Luke 16:10.

Verse 12

1) "Wherefore I will not be negligent." (dio) wherefore (Greek melleso) I intend, (an expression of concerned will or desire)

2) "To put you always in remembrance of these things.’ (Greek aei hupomimneskein) to remind you, to cause you to reflect (Greek peri touton) concerning these things (Christians are to remember divine instructions!) Numbers 15:39; Numbers 7:18; Numbers 8:18; Deuteronomy 32:7; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Luke 16:25; 1 Timothy 4:6.

3) "Though ye know them." (kaiper eidotas) "Though ye even perceive or are now comprehending" (these Christian virtues)

4) "And be established in the present truth." and (esterigmenous) "having been confirmed" or established in the (Greek parouse alethia) present or presented body (of) truth - the Christian virtues they were to embrace and keep on holding or pursuing, 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:15.

Verse 13

1) "Yea, I think it meet." By permission or restraint of the Holy Spirit, Peter continued - (Greek dikaion de egoumai) "I indeed deem it the right thing."

2) "As long as I am in this tabernacle." (Greek ephi hoson) "so long as" I am in this (Greek skenomati (tabernacle or tent - the earthly body, 2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:4. Three times in the New Testament the term refers to one’s decaying body. Life is so brief here.

3) "To stir you up” (Greek diegeirein) to stir, arouse, or raise you up (as from sleep, lethargy or indifference). Romans 13:11-12; Ephesians 5:14.

4) "By putting you in remembrance." (in hupomnesei) "by a reminder" or by calling these Christian virtues and the brevity of life to your attention. Humanly, like the fisherman that he was, Peter was a practical man, and knew men needed to have "known things" often called to mind. Good teacher recall, restate, or reiterate basic facts, Deuteronomy 32:7; Psalms 89:27; 2 Timothy 1:5-6.

Verse 14

1) "Knowing that shortly." Knowing or recognizing that (Greek tachine) shortly or very soon, Life on earth is so brief. Psalms 90:10.

2) "I must put off this tabernacle." (Greek estin he apothesis) is the putting aside (tou) of the (Greek skenomatos) tabernacle or tent (mou) of me - all men know they must die. Ecclesiastes 9:5; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Timothy 4:7-8.

3) "Even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me." As the Son of man had to lay down his life -earthly life, "to take it up again" by the power of God, the Holy Spirit, so must every believer. Let us live in this consciousness, John 10:17-18; Romans 8:11; John 20:18-19.

WHEN I HAVE GONE

When I have gone, remember I’m with Jesus; Then do not grieve because I’ve passed away;

Life holds so many grief’s and disappointments, And will you weep because I did not stay?

’Tis only for a spell we must be parted -Not many years on earth to us are given -And when my Saviour tells me you are coming, I’ll go with Him, and welcome you to Heaven.

Grieve not because the eyes that looked upon you Shall never see your face on earth again; Rejoice because they look upon the Saviour Who gave His life to ransom sinful men.

Weep not because I walk no longer with you; Remember I am walking streets of gold; Weep for yourselves that you awhile must tarry Before the blessed Lord you may behold.

- Barbara C. Ryberg

CERTAINTY OF DEATH

There is nothing more certain than death, nothing more uncertain than the time of dying. I will, therefore, be prepared for that at all times, which may come at any time, must come at one time or another. I shall not hasten my death by being still ready, but sweeten it. It makes me not die the sooner, but the better.

- Warwick

CONFIDENCE IN DEATH

"I have no hope in what I have been or done." said Dr. Doddridge, on his dying-bed, "yet I am full of confidence; and this is my confidence, there is a hope set before me. I have fled - - I still fly for refuge to that hope. In him I trust, in him I have strong consolation; and shall assuredly be accepted in this beloved of my soul."

- 6000 Windows

Verse 15

1) "Moreover I will endeavor." (de spoudaso kai) "I will even endeavor, be diligent, or help all I can."

2) "That ye may be able after my decease" That you (may) always have after my (Greek exodus) decease or going out of life - after my death.

3) "To have these things always in remembrance." For "these things" always (Greek poieisthai) to cause to be in memory. Peter here alludes to his devout endeavors to live right and write these letters of instruction for them to use as guides for Christian living, even as Paul did, 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Verse 16

1) "For we have not followed cunningly devised fables." Peter affirms that he, other apostles, and those "of like precious faith," to whom he wrote, had not been following, as they witnessed, cleverly devised fables.

2) "When we make known to you." When they had spoken and written to these "like precious faith" brethren, fellowship, perhaps an unnamed church -only the blind rejected it, 2 Corinthians 4:2-4.

3) "The power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." The apostles had declared the power of Jesus to save, keep, and come again to require an accounting of His children, Romans 1:16; Judges 1:14; Judges 1:24; Philippians 3:20-21.

4) "But were eyewitnesses of his majesty." Peter, James, and John, three of the apostles, were eyewitnesses of our Lord’s (Greek megaleiotetos) majesty or great transfiguration, a pre-view of the resurrection glory of those truly of His own "like precious faith" people. Matthew 17:1-5; Romans 8:17-18; These eyewitnesses all offered testamentary evidence, by word and in their writings, of the resurrection of our Lord as surely as He had been transfigured before them. They thus met the requirements of the law that in the mouth of "two or three witnesses" every claim should be established, Deuteronomy 19:15; John 8:17.

Verse 17

1) "For he received from the Father honor and glory” The transfiguration of Jesus before the innercircle apostles was accompanied by his Father’s second special acknowledgment of him. Matthew 3:16-17.

2) "When there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory " The voice (phones) from the (Greek megaloprepous dokses) "Excellent or magnificent glory" establishing His divinity by vocal testimony of His own Father.

3) "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." God the Father’s "vocal testimony" and the apostles "eyewitness testimony" of Jesus brought to Him honor and glory from heaven and earth’s witnesses. Matthew 17:1-5; Mark 1:11.

Verse 18

1) "And this voice which came from heaven we heard." Peter gives re-emphasis to the testimony of the Lord’s Divinity by asserting that the heavenly voice came (Greek eks) "out of heaven," not out of the mountains or a cave.

2) "When we were with him." The three apostles -Peter, James, and John - were (Greek sun) with "in close association with" Jesus when God, the Father spoke.

3) "In the holy mount." Thus three apostles, earthly witnesses, saw Jesus transfigured and, the same three heard His Father identify Him as "my beloved Son." We thus have "visual and auditory" testimony of four witnesses, who give honor and glory to Him, in the unnamed "holy or sanctified mount." Matthew 25:31.

Verse 19

1) "We have also a more sure word of prophecy." (Greek echomen) "We have or hold" also a (bebaio teron) more firm word (Greek ton prophetikon), the prophetic, the written word - eyewitnesses die and voices fade, but the written testimony never, Matthew 24:35.

2) "Whereunto ye do well that ye take heed." Prophetic testimony of the Word of God is trustworthy and merits the respectful attention of the sincere truth seeker - its detailed specific utterances are subject to examination. To examine them one does well.

3) "As unto a light that shineth in a dark place." Light guides, light reveals realities in dark, covert places - So does the prophetic Word of God - The Holy Scriptures, Psalms 119:105; Psalms 119:130; John 5:39.

4) "Until the day dawn." How long will the light of prophetic utterances shine? The answer is (Greek heos ou hemera diaugase) until the light comes out of the murky night of the closing Gentile era. 0 that men study the Word of Prophecy! 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9.

5) "And the day star arise in your hearts.” The (phosphoros) "daystar one" who arises is Jesus Christ - what joy awaits those who "look for Him" when the shout comes "behold the bridegroom," Hebrews 9:28; Matthew 25:6.

Verse 20

1) "Knowing this first." (Ginoskontes) knowing or recognizing (Greek touto proton) this first (Concerning the "more sure" or written Word of prophecy)

2) "That no prophecy of the scripture" (hoti) that (pasa propheteia graphes) "all prophecy of the scripture" the written Word

3) "Is of any private interpretation." (Greek ginetoi) becomes (ou) not (Greek idias) of its own, (epiluseos) own solution. It is not to be interpreted in isolation from the contextual setting, but in the light of subject matter on which the prophet prophesied, 2 Timothy 2:15.

Verse 21

1) "For the prophecy came not in old time." Because prophecy (Greek enechthe) "was borne, carried, or came" (not) (pote) at any time or in olden time (past).

2) "By the will of man." (Greek thelemati) by. will or strong desire of (Greek anthropou) humanity; thus Peter disavowed any belief in the theory of aspiration, or stimuli, or natural phenomena, as the source, by which prophecy was produced.

3) "But holy men of God spake." (Greek alla) "but" strongest adversative in the Greek and English languages (apo theou anthropoi) men from God (commissioned, empowered) (Greek elalesan) they spoke.

4) "As they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (Greek pheromenoi) "being borne" or carried gently along in their prophetic writings as a person riding a ferry boat - - (Greek hupo pneumatos hagiou) by means or aid of Holy Spirit. Luke 1:70; Isaiah 1:1-2; Jeremiah 1:4-7; Jeremiah 1:11-14; Ezekiel 1:3; Ezekiel 2:1-3; Jonah 1:1-2; Malachi 1:1; Holy men of God were inspired, empowered, superintended by the Holy Spirit to prophesy and write, guarded by the Spirit from speaking or recording any error.