2 Peter 1
Big idea: Peter opens by grounding everything in what God has already given: his 'divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness' through the knowledge of Christ, including 'precious and exceedingly great promises' that make believers partakers of the divine nature (vv. 1–4). On that foundation he calls for effort — a ladder of virtues added to faith (vv. 5–7) that proves fruitful and confirms one's calling (vv. 8–11). Knowing his death is near, he writes to fix these things in memory (vv. 12–15), anchoring them in what the apostles saw at the Transfiguration (vv. 16–18) and in the God-breathed word of prophecy (vv. 19–21).
The 'sure word of prophecy' that ends chapter 1 (vv. 19–21) sets up chapter 2's contrast: over against the true prophets moved by the Spirit stand the false prophets and teachers who twist the truth. And the 'promises' and 'coming' of Christ affirmed here become the very things the scoffers of chapter 3 will deny.
1:1–2 — Greeting
Simon Peter identifies himself as 'a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,' writing to those who have received 'a like precious faith with us' — a faith equal in privilege — grounded in the righteousness of 'our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.' The blessing asks for grace and peace to be multiplied 'in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord' — introducing the letter's central word, knowledge.
1 Simon 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: 2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
1:3–4 — Divine power and precious promises
The theological foundation: God's 'divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,' through the knowledge of the one who called us 'by his own glory and virtue.' Through these he has given 'precious and exceedingly great promises,' so that believers 'may become partakers of the divine nature,' having escaped the corruption in the world that comes through lust.
3 seeing 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, 4 by 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.
1:5–7 — The ladder of virtues
Because God has given so much, believers must respond with 'all diligence,' building a chain of virtues that grow out of one another: to faith add moral excellence, then knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and — at the summit — love. Each quality supplies and supports the next.
5 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness; 7 and in godliness, brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.
1:8–11 — Confirm your calling
These virtues have consequences. If they are present and growing, they keep a believer from being 'idle or unfruitful' in the knowledge of Christ; whoever lacks them is spiritually 'blind,' having forgotten his cleansing from past sins. So Peter urges diligence to 'make your calling and election sure' — for those who practice these things will never stumble and will be richly welcomed into the eternal Kingdom.
8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11 For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
1:12–15 — A reminder before departure
Peter will not fail to keep reminding them of these truths, even though they know them and are established in them. As long as he is 'in this tent' (his body), he thinks it right to stir them up — knowing that 'the putting off of my tent comes swiftly,' as the Lord had made clear to him. So he makes every effort that they will be able to remember these things even after his 'departure.'
12 Therefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 Yes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
1:16–18 — Eyewitnesses of his majesty
The apostolic message is no 'cunningly devised fable.' When they proclaimed 'the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,' they spoke as eyewitnesses of his majesty. Peter recalls the Transfiguration: Christ received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came from the 'Majestic Glory' — 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased' — a voice they themselves heard 'on the holy mountain.'
16 For 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. 17 For 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.” 18 We heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
1:19–21 — The sure word of prophecy
Even more sure than that experience is 'the word of prophecy,' which the readers do well to heed like 'a lamp shining in a dark place' until the day dawns and 'the morning star arises in your hearts.' They must know 'first' that no prophecy of Scripture is of 'private interpretation,' for prophecy never came by human will; rather, 'holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.'
19 We 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, 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. 21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).