FocusPromises, character, and a sure calling
Connection to the wholeGod's provision and promises are joined to adding the qualities of faithful life, with explicit exhortation to diligence rather than presumption.
interpretation 2 Peter 1:7
KJVAnd to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Read it in context
Diligent growth
Start reading at 2 Peter 1:1 (2 Peter 1:1 to 2 Peter 1:11).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
God's provision and promises are joined to adding the qualities of faithful life, with explicit exhortation to diligence rather than presumption.
- 1:1 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:
- 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
- 1:3 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:
- 1:4 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.
- 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
- 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
- 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
- 1:8 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.
- 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
- 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
- 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Simon Peter is the named author and the traditional identification. The letter's authorship was disputed in antiquity and remains debated; the self-identification should not be confused with unanimous historical agreement. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Peter 1:1–3:18): The writer, identifying himself as Simon Peter, addresses believers who have received like precious faith, warning about false teachers and scoffers and urging growth and readiness. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Those who have obtained like precious faith, whom the writer also addresses as recipients of a previous letter. The greeting gives no city or province. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Diligent growth. Read 2 Peter 1:1 through 2 Peter 1:11 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? God's provision and promises are joined to adding the qualities of faithful life, with explicit exhortation to diligence rather than presumption. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The writer speaks of his approaching death and recalls a former letter and the transfiguration. No calendar date is supplied. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The recipients' specific location is not stated in the opening, and the writing location is not explicitly named. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Diligent growth (2 Peter 1:1 to 2 Peter 1:11). Start reading at 2 Peter 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The letter bears witness to Jesus' majesty and addresses His promised coming. It joins knowledge of Him with growth, holiness, and warnings against falling from steadfastness. See 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Grow in the qualities the letter names, resist destructive teaching, and live in view of the promised coming. Retain its warnings rather than treating earlier knowledge as a guarantee of perseverance. interpretation
Cited: 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 1:11, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Simon Peter and refers to a former letter and to the transfiguration.
2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:162 Peter 3:1
Early traditionTradition names Peter, though this letter was accepted more slowly than the first.
What is debatedThis is the most disputed New Testament letter on authorship grounds, ancient and modern.
Related passages
- brotherly John 13:34-35 Rom 12:10 1 Thess 3:12 1 Thess 4:9-10 Heb 13:1 1 Pet 1:22 1 Pet 2:17 1 John 3:14,16
- charity 1 Cor 13:1-8 Gal 6:10 Col 3:14 1 Thess 5:15 1 Pet 3:8 1 John 4:21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
2 Peter 1
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.
2 Peter 1:1 2 Peter 1:5 2 Peter 3:11
A necessary reminder
2 Peter 1:12–21FocusEyewitness and prophetic testimony
Connection to the wholePeter explains his urgency and points to the witnessed majesty of Christ and the prophetic word rather than invented stories.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
2 Peter
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.
2 Peter 1:1 2 Peter 1:5 2 Peter 3:11
FocusGod's provision and reliable testimony
Connection to the wholePeter joins divine provision with diligent growth and grounds his reminder in apostolic witness and the prophetic word.
interpretation False teachers exposed
2 Peter 2:1–22FocusDestructive teaching and corrupt conduct
Connection to the wholeExamples of judgment and rescue frame warnings about teachers whose promises of liberty conceal bondage and corruption.
interpretation The coming day and present holiness
2 Peter 3:1–18FocusPatience, judgment, and growth
Connection to the wholePeter answers scoffers by recalling God's word and patience, then calls believers to holy living and continued growth.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.