1 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:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 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:
4 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.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 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.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 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.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16 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.
17 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.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 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:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 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.
Overview of 2 Peter Chapter 1
2 Peter Chapter 1 serves as an introduction to the epistle, emphasizing the importance of knowledge, faith, and virtues in the Christian life. The chapter sets the tone for the entire letter, focusing on the believer’s growth in grace and the necessity of adhering to the truth of the Gospel.
Salutation and Purpose (Verses 1-2)
The chapter begins with a greeting from the Apostle Peter, identifying himself as a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. He addresses the recipients as those who have obtained faith through the righteousness of Jesus.
- Authority: Peter establishes his apostolic authority, emphasizing his role as a servant.
- Faith: The faith of the recipients is acknowledged as a shared gift, highlighting the equality of believers in Christ.
- Grace and Peace: The greeting includes a wish for grace and peace, which are essential for spiritual growth.
The Call to Growth (Verses 3-11)
In these verses, Peter outlines the divine power granted to believers and the necessity of growing in virtues.
- Divine Power: Peter states that God has given everything necessary for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.
- Promises: The promises of God enable believers to participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of the world.
- Virtues: Believers are encouraged to add to their faith the following qualities:
- Virtue
- Knowledge
- Self-control
- Steadfastness
- Godliness
- Brotherly affection
- Love
- Consequences of Growth: The chapter emphasizes that possessing these qualities in increasing measure will prevent believers from being ineffective and unfruitful.
- Assurance of Calling: The practice of these virtues provides assurance of one’s calling and election, leading to an abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom.
Remembrance and Warning (Verses 12-15)
Peter expresses his intention to remind the believers of these truths, emphasizing the importance of remembrance in the Christian faith.
- Reminder: Peter acknowledges that he will continue to remind them, even though they are established in the truth.
- Mortality: He reflects on his impending death and the urgency of his message, encouraging them to hold fast to the teachings after his departure.
Eyewitness Testimony (Verses 16-18)
Peter defends the authenticity of the Gospel message by referencing his personal experience with Christ.
- Eyewitness of Glory: He recounts the transfiguration of Jesus, highlighting the divine confirmation of Jesus’ identity.
- Authority of Scripture: Peter emphasizes that the message of Christ is not based on myths but on firsthand experience, reinforcing the reliability of the apostolic witness.
The Prophetic Word (Verses 19-21)
The chapter concludes with a discussion on the prophetic word, underscoring its significance and divine origin.
- Light in Darkness: The prophetic word is described as a lamp shining in a dark place, guiding believers until the return of Christ.
- Inspiration of Scripture: Peter asserts that no prophecy of Scripture comes from human will but is inspired by the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the divine authority of the Scriptures.
Conclusion
2 Peter Chapter 1 serves as a foundational text for understanding the importance of spiritual growth, the necessity of virtues, and the reliability of the apostolic message. Peter’s call to remember and practice these truths is a timeless exhortation for believers to deepen their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
