2 Peter 1

1. The Apostle Peter after the superscription and salutation. 3. Relates first what exceeding great grace and benefits God hath bestowed on the believing Jews for their salvation. 5. Wherefore he exhorts them to increase more and more in faith and godliness, and to faith to join other virtue also. 8. Teaching that then they shall be more and more assured of their election, and of entrance into the kingdom of Christ. 12. He declares that although they will know these things, nevertheless he would stir them up by this exhortation. 14. Seeing he should shortly be taken out of this life, according to Christ’s prediction, that they might remember it after his death. 16. Testifieth that the doctrine of Christ and his coming which was preached unto them, are no fables, but that he himself and the two other Apostles, beheld his glory on the mount, and heard from heaven the testimony of the father concerning him. 19. And that the same is witnessed also by the writings of the Prophets. 21. Which were inspired by the spirit of God.

1. Symeon [Or Simon. See Matth. 4. 18. Mark 1:16.] Peter [of this name, see 1 Pet. 1. 1.] and apostle of Jesus Christ, [See Romans 1:1. Philippians 1:1. James 1:1.] and Apostle of Jesus Christ, [See Luke 6:13.] to them [that is, to the believing and scattered Jews, to whom he also wrote his first Epistle. See chapter 3. 1.] who have obtained like-precious faith [that is, the same precious faith: for although the faith of one is oftentimes greater and stronger than of another, notwithstanding every faith, if it be but a true faith, is alike precious in respect of that on which faith relieth, and of that which is obtained by faith: wherefore it is also called one faith, Ephesians 4:5.] with us, [namely, Apostle and other Jews, who here or at Jerusalem and in the land of Judea believe in Christ. Gr. Obtained by lot with us, Luke 1:9.] by the righteousness [Gr. In the righteousness, i.e. by the truth and constancy of God in his promises, that at his coming in the flesh he would effectually call some of the Israelites. Faith then is not obtained by our own abilities or according to our merits, but by the gracious gift of God, according to his promise and his purpose. See Ephesians 2:8.] of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. [See of these two titles the annotat. on Titus 2:13.]

2. Grace and peace be multiplied unto you [See the annotat. on 1 Pet. chapter 1. 2.] by the knowledge [Gr. In the knowledge; for in and by this knowledge is eternal life, John 17:3.] of God [namely, the Father; for he is here in that which followeth distinguished from the Lord Jesus: as also John 17:3.] and of Jesus our Lord.

3. Even as his divine power [Namely God the Fathers] hath given us [namely, of mere grace, without any our worthiness or merits, as ver. 2.] all things that (belong) unto life [that is, that are needful and useful unto eternal life, for the obtaining of it] and godliness, [that is, to serve God aright, and to lead a godly conversation] by the knowledge of him who hath called us [namely, of the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom out calling by the preaching of the Gospel is every where ascribed] unto glory and virtue. [or by his glory and virtue. But the Greek word dia doth not always signify by, but sometimes also to, as Rom. 6. Ver. 4. And it seemeth that which immediately before the Apostle called life, he now here calleth glory: and that which he called godliness, he now calleth virtue.]

4. By which [Or for which, namely, fore rehearsed benefits of God. Others read by whom, namely, Jesus our Lord] the greatest and precious promises [namely, forasmuch as thereby the greatest and most precious good, namely eternal salvation, is promised, and that it is the most high God, who cannot lie, that promiseth it] are given unto us, [that is, made of grace, and the good promised given of grace. See before, ver. 3.] that by the same [namely, fore-recited benefits and promises] ye might be partakers of the divine properties, as can be imparted to creatures, and wherein the image of God consists, such as are goodness, holiness, wisdom, glory, and other the like, Ephes. 4. 23, 24. Colossians 3:10. For otherwise the essence of God itself cannot be imparted to any created beings] since ye are escaped [or, if ye are but escaped] from the destruction that is in the world through lust. [namely, which shall come upon unbelievers and ungodly ones. And destruction is here opposed to glory, as also lust to virtue, ver. 3. Others understand it of the corruption of the human nature]

5. And ye [From the foregoing rehearsal of God’s benefits showed unto them, as being the cause and ground whereby we ought to be moved to progress in Godliness, he now draws an exhortation to a diligent progress in the same. So that this exhortation hath respect to the word even, as ver. 3. As if he should say, seeing his divine power, etc. therefore add diligence, etc. See the like, 1 Tim. 1. 3.] also adding [namely, besides the former benefits and gifts of God, give all diligence to preserve and increase them] all diligence to the same [others read according to the same] add to [Gr. In: so also in the following] your faith virtue, [a virtuous and godly conversation. See ver. 3.] and to virtue knowledge, [that is, Christian prudence and discretion.]

6. And to knowledge temperance, [That is, abstinence from excess in meat, drink, and from the lusts of the flesh] and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, [or, religiousness,]

7. And to godliness brotherly love, and to brotherly love, charity (towards all) [This is added, because Christians must love not only their fellow Christians, and those of household of faith (although them principally, Galatians 6:10.) but also all men, even their very enemies, Matth. 5. 44. Romans 12:18. See the like rehearsal of the principal Christian virtues, Galatians 5:22. Philippians 4:8.]

8. For if these things be with you, and be abundant (in you) they will not leave you idle [Namely, as they are who work not] nor unfruitful [namely, of good works, which are fruits of the holy Ghost and of faith, Matth. 3. 8. John 15:2, 16. Galatians 5:22.] in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [that is, in the Christian faith. Or unto the knowledge, i.e. unto the greater and more abundant knowledge, as chapter 3. 18.]

9. For with whom these things are not, he is blind, [Namely, in his understanding as touching the things which concern the true Religion and worship God. See Matth. 15. 14. Revel. 3. 17.] not seeing afar off [that is, purblind who can see nothing but that which is held or brought close before their eyes, and almost shutting his eyes. Thereby he giveth to understand that if such might see any thing in the Christian Religion, that it is but very little and dark sight, which cannot discern heavenly things] having forgotten the cleansing [Gr. Having taken forgetfulness, i.e. not remembering whereunto Baptism, whereby cleansing from sin is signified and sealed, and obliged him, or what he promised in his Baptism] of his former sins. [Gr. Which were formerly committed. Namely, before conversion to Christianity, or before Baptism in his ignorance and blindness: which therefore afterwards he ought the more diligently to avoid, being now become a Christian.]

10. Therefore brethren give the more diligence to make your calling and election [Although calling in respect of time followeth election which is from eternity, Ephes. 1. 4. Whereas calling is effected in time; notwithstanding calling is here set before, because by the same we are assured of our election, Romans 8:30.] sure, [namely, not in respect of God, Isaiah 14:27. And 46. 10. Romans 11:29. 2 Tim. 2. 13. But in respect of ourselves, that we may be the more firmly assured, that we are by God chosen to salvation. In some copies there is yet more by good works. Namely, as by the fruits whereby a good tree is known, Matth. 7. 18, 18.] for so doing ye shall never stumble. [namely, so as wholly to fall away from the grace of God. See Psal. 37. 24. Jude ver. 24. For otherwise we all stumble in many things, James 3:2. A similitude taken from them that runs in a race. See 1 Cor. 9. 24.]

11. For so shall there be richly afforded unto you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. [That is, the assurance that ye are true and right subjects of this kingdom, and a rich reward shall also be given you grace in the kingdom of glory in heaven. See 2 Cor. 9. 6.]

12. Therefore I will not neglect always to admonish you thereof [Gr. To make you mindful of these things] although ye know it, and are strengthened [that is, thoroughly understand the same, and are fully convinced of the truth thereof] in the present truth. [namely, which was formerly promised indeed, but now by Christ is perfectly revealed, and is now firmly believed and openly professed by believers.]

13. And I think it to be just, [that is, that my Office, and your salvation requires it] as long as I am in this Tabernacle, [that is, am alive, in which my soul dwells in this my body as in Tabernacle, which shall be broken, and out of which I shall shortly remove, 2 Cor. 5. 1.] that I stir you up by admonition, [this the Apostle saith because believers are often slow and remiss in performing of their duty, and have need oftentimes by admonitions, as it were, to be roused out of it. Gr. In putting in mind.]

14. Seeing I know that the putting off of my tabernacle, [that is, my death and decease. See the former verse] shall be speedily, [Gr. Is speedy] even as also our Lord Jesus Christ hath revealed unto me. [the Apostle hath respected either to the revelation which the Lord Jesus made to him of the manner of his death, Joh. 21. Ver. 18, 19. Or to another revelation which was made him afterwards by the Lord concerning the time, which is written.]

15. But I will also give diligence upon every occasion, [Or always, every way. Same join this to the following words have remembrance] that after my departure, [namely, out of this life, i.e. after my death. See of this word, Luke 9:31.] ye might have remembrance of these things. [or, give admonition, namely, reading this mine Epistle written by me for this end.]

16. For we followed not after fables artificially devised, [Namely, as false Teachers use to do. Gr. For not following after artificially devised fables, did we make known to you, etc.] when we made known to you, etc.] when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, [that is, the first coming of Christ in the flesh, in which by his doctrine and miracles he powerfully showed, and convinced the hearts of men that he was the true promised Messiahs, especially also by his resurrection from the dead, and following glorification] but we were beholders of his Majesty. [Namely, of that proof of his glory, when he was transformed on the mount before the eyes of the three of his Disciples, Matth. 17. 1, 2. As that which follows more largely declares. See Hebrews 8:1.]

17. For he received honour and glory from God the Father, when such a voice was brought unto him from the most excellent glory, [That is, from the Majesty of God the Father out of heaven, which is the throne of his Majesty and glory] This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

18. And this voice we heard, [Namely, 1 Peter, James, and John his brother. See Matth. 17. 1.] when it was brought from heaven, when we were with him on the holy mountain. [This mountain is thought to have been the mount Thabor. See the annotat. on Matth. 17. 1. And it is called holy, because it was hallowed by this appearing of the glory of Christ, as the City of Jerusalem is called the holy City, Matth. 4. 5. Because there God had planted his worship and Sanctuary. See the like, Exodus 3:5.]

19. And we have the prophetical word, [Namely, which is written in the writings of the Prophets, which testifieth abundantly of the power and coming of Christ. See Luke 1:70. John 5:39. Acts 10:43. Romans 1:2. 1 Pet. 1 ver. 10.] which is very firm: [Gr. That is more firm: which may be understood as it sounds in comparison of this testimony of Peter in respect of the Jews, as Acts 17:11. Or by a Hebraism, most firm or very firm, namely, on the same as on a very firm foundation to build our faith, Ephes. 2. 20. Which interpretation is the most plain] and ye do well that ye take heed to it, [or, keep your selves unto it] as to a light [or a lantern, candle, as the Scripture is also so called elsewhere, Psalms 19:9. Psalms 119:105. Proverbs 6:23. Because it is the means whereby we are enlightened with the knowledge of Salvation] shining in a dark place, [that is, in the hearts of men, which by nature are darkened, yea darkness it self, in things which concern salvation, John 1:5. 1 Cor. 2. 14. Ephes. 4. 17, 18. The remainders whereof are still in the regenerate, as long as they yet live here upon earth. 1 Cor. 13. 9. Etc.] until the day dawn [Gr. The day shine through, i.e. break through by which day is understood the time of perfect knowledge in the life to come] and the morning star [that is, Christ, who shall arise in us in his perfection in the life to come, even as God is called the light, and the lamb, the candle and morning star of the heavenly Jerusalem, in respect of the full knowledge which then we shall receive by him, Revel. 21. 23. And 22. v. 5. 16.] arise in your hearts. [that is, that ye may be perfectly enlightened thereby.]

20. Knowing this first, [That is, especially, and holding undoubtedly before all] that no prophecy of the Scripture [Gr. Every Prophecy of the Scripture is not & c. A Hebrew phrase as Romans 3:20. i.e. no prophetical writing] is of a private interpretation. [Gr. Epilysis, i.e. unfolding, interpretation, which word used here by the Apostle, signified either the interpretation which was given by the Prophets themselves, by the propounding of their Prophecies, whereby they do interpret and declare to men, not their own opinions, but the counsel of God, not what their own mind, but what the spirit of God inspires into them: Or else the interpretation of the Prophetical writings, which is made upon them by others, which must not be done according to human reason, but according to the harmony of the holy Scripture, which itself best expounds its own meaning.]

21. For the Prophecy [That is the Prophetical doctrine] was not in former times brought forth by the will of a man, [that is, by human opinion or suggestion, according as they as men fancied and thought good] but the Holy men of God [so the Prophets and Teachers are called, because God especially useth these men in his house and for his service. See Kings 1. 9. Etc. 1 Tim. 6. 11. And 2 Tim. 3. 17.] being acted [that is, stirred up and carried on by a special and extraordinary revelation of the counsel of God, to make the same known unto men] by the Holy Ghost, [namely, the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, who led them into all truth; as the same is also promised to the Apostles, John 15:26. And 16. 13.] spoke it. [namely, their Prophetical doctrine: and also set down the same in writing and left it unto us.]