2 Peter 1

Each of the three chapters of this Epistle has a distinctive message of its own.

Writing in a time of much persecution, and when various heresies had already begun to show themselves within the Christian Church, the apostle realises that the chief concern should be the character of the Christians themselves. Hence his first chapter deals with this subject. He begins by reminding them of the source of all spiritual life. Their peace comes through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord (i. 2). Through that same knowledge comes the assurance of Divine power in everything that relates to conduct (i. 3). The promises of God are the means of fellowship with the Divine nature and the means of deliverance from the evil that is in the world (i. 4). But the believers must not only rest in this knowledge and on these promises. They must exert themselves to activity and to make progress in Christian character (i. 5, 7). Thus the knowledge of Christ will become fruitful in spiritual results, and give them thereby the assurance of an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom (i. 8-11). He enforces this exhortation by an earnest appeal based on the prospect of his approaching death (vers. 13-15) and on the historical and personal certitudes on which his knowledge of Christ is founded (vers. 16-18) and the Divine origin of the Scripture revelation (vers. 19-21).

In the second chapter he enforces the need for dwelling on these primary truths by referring to false teachers (ii. 1, 2) showing their true character (vers. 3, 10, 12, 14, 17) and giving a solemn warning against the consequences of such life and teaching (vers. 12-22).

The third chapter deals with the coming of the Lord. It shall be denied by some of these false teachers (iii. 3, 4). Hence the apostle reminds his readers that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day, and that His delay is with a merciful purpose, to give all men opportunity for repentance (vers. 8, 9). He wants them to remember that it is the unexpectedness of the Lord’s coming, and not the date of it, that is important (ver. 10), and on this point he is in full harmony with the teaching of St. Paul (1 Thess. v. 1, 2) and of our Lord Himself (Luke xii. 39, 40). The closing words of the letters are a renewed appeal to Christians to be ready for the Saviour’s coming by godliness of life and character (iii. 11-14, 18).

The Epistle was written by St. Peter some time after he wrote his first Epistle (A.D. 64) and not long before his death in A.D. 68-70. For the resemblances between this letter and the Epistle of Jude, see the Introduction to the latter.

1 obtained. Lit., “obtained by lot,” or by Divine appointment. The Greek word “excludes all personal agency and merit” (Lange). The faith of those believers who, “scattered abroad,” had not seen Christ in the flesh, was “equally precious” with the faith of His immediate disciples: ep. 1 Pet. i. 8.

through the righteousness of God, etc. Rather, “in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

2 through the knowledge. Rather, “in the full knowledge.” It is in personal acquaintance with our Father and our Saviour that grace and peace are multiplied to us: ep. John xvii. 3. For the benediction, ep. 1 Pet. i. 2.

3. According as, etc. Or, “Seeing that” he has given us these privileges (3, 4), “on account also of this (ver. 5, not ‘beside this’) giving all diligence,” etc.

hath called us to glory and virtue. The best MSS. give as the reading “called us by His own glory and virtue” (R.V.). “Virtue” (see 1 Pet. ii. 9)

4 whereby. That is, by God’s own glory and might.

partakers of the divine nature. See Col. iii. 10; Heb. xii. 10, and notes.

5. And beside this, etc. Rather, “On account also of this very thing, contributing [on your part] all diligence,” etc.

add to your faith. Lit., “supply in your faith,” etc. Each of these Christian virtues is not so much to be added to its predecessor as to be infused into it or welded into it, as the link in a chain. The word rendered “add,” or “supply” is taken from the Greek theatre, where it meant to supply the expenses of a chorus in a new play. It corresponds with that in 1 Pet. iv. 11, “which God giveth,” or supplied.

virtue. Energy, or might: see on ver. 3.

6 knowledge. Moral discernment in general, youngs (distinguished from “full knowledge,” ver. 2).

temperance. Self-control; mastery of the passions and desires.

patience. Endurance: see note on Heb. xii. 1.

godliness. See 1 Tim. iii. 16.

7 brotherly kindness. Rather, “love of the brethren”: see 1 Pet. i. 22; iii. 8.

charity. Or “love”; comprehensive, universal. In this list of Christian graces, “each particular produces and facilitates the following, while it tempers and perfects that which goes before. The order is that of nature, rather than of time” (Bengal). An excellent treatment of the whole passage is given in a booklet, The Gamut of Graces, by Dr. Monro Gibson (1926). Referring to the idea mentioned in our note on ver. 5, he says, “We have the Christian graces introduced as a chorus into life, which would be dull and flat and discordant without them.”

8 barren, etc. Rather, “idle.”

10 the rather, brethren, give diligence. Rather, as R.V., “brethren, give the more diligence.”

sure. Or, “firm.” The apostle here “concludes that the only way in which we can prove ourselves to be elected by the Lord (see 1 Pet. i. 2), and called not in vain (1 Pet. ii. 21), is by having a good conscience and uprightness of life, corresponding to our profession of faith. And he says that we must use the more earnestness and diligence, because he had said before that faith should not be barren” (Calvin).

ye shall never fail. Rather, “ye shall never stumble.”

11 for so an entrance shall be ministered, etc. Properly, “so the entrance shall be richly supplied (the same word as in ver. 5) to you.”

12 the present truth. “The truth which is with you,” or already known to you in the gospel, which you have learned: cp. Col. i. 6.

13 this tabernacle. Or, “tent.” The body, as in 2 Cor. v. 1.

14 even as our Lord Jesus Christ (hath) showed me. As recorded in John xxi. 18, 19; and perhaps also in subsequent intimations. The apostle seems to be speaking rather of the suddenness than of the nearness of his departure.

16 power and coming. Rather, “power and appearing.” Of “His majesty” they had a special glimpse in His transfiguration: see Luke ix. 28-36, and notes.

18 the holy mount. Made “holy” to Peter by the display of the Saviour’s Divine glories: cp. Exod. iii. 5.

19. We have also a more sure word of prophecy. Rather, “We have the prophetic word made more firm.” All ancient prophecy is, as it were, one discourse; and its fulfilment in so great part in our Lord’s first coming, and in that transient glory of His (17, 18), gives us the greater certainty of its full accomplishment; until which time we should use it as a “light,” or torch, to guide our steps in this dark world.

20 knowing this first, etc. As a truth essential to the knowledge of the rest.

no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. Perhaps, meaning that it could not be explained by the prophet himself; and implying that its full meaning was hidden from the prophet’s own mind (see Dan. xii. 8); so that it must be (21), not a human discovery or suggestion, but a direct communication from God; and should be received and attended to as such.

21 in old time. Rather, “at any time.”

moved. Lit., “borne along,” “like a ship before a strong wind” (Lange).