Chapter 1
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Simon 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:
2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3According 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:
4Whereby 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.
5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8For 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.
9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12Wherefore 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.
13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16For 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.
17For 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.
18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19We 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:
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21For 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.
“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
Peter writes to those who have obtained like precious faith, reminding them that God's divine power has given all things pertaining to life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ. He urges believers to add to their faith virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. He affirms the certainty of his eyewitness testimony of Christ's glory on the mount of transfiguration and declares that the prophecy of Scripture is of no private interpretation but came as holy men spoke moved by the Holy Ghost.
Key Themes
Growing in Godliness
Believers are to make their calling and election sure by diligently adding spiritual virtues to their faith, building a chain of character from virtue to love.
Eyewitness Testimony
Peter was an eyewitness of Christ's majesty on the mount of transfiguration, and this testimony grounds the apostolic message in historical reality, not cleverly devised fables.
The Certainty of Scripture
Prophecy of Scripture came not by human will but as holy men of God spoke, moved by the Holy Ghost — making the written word a sure foundation.
Study Questions
How does the promise that we may be 'partakers of the divine nature' (v. 4) shape your view of sanctification?
What is the practical value of adding the chain of virtues listed in verses 5-7 to your faith?
Why does Peter emphasize that he was an 'eyewitness of his majesty' (v. 16) rather than following cunningly devised fables?
What does it mean that 'no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation' (v. 20)?
How does knowing that Scripture was given by men 'moved by the Holy Ghost' (v. 21) affect how you approach the Bible?
Connection to Christ
Peter declares that God's divine power through the knowledge of Jesus Christ has given all things pertaining to life and godliness. Christ's glory was revealed on the mount of transfiguration, and the Scriptures that testify of Him were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 2 Peter 1. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?