2 Peter 1:5
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;”
King James Version (KJV)
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This verse begins Peter's famous "ladder of virtues" (verses 5-7), where each quality builds on the previous one, beginning with faith and culminating in love. It flows directly from the provision described in verses 3-4.
What Does 2 Peter 1:5 Mean?
In short, 2 Peter 1:5 calls believers to actively build on their faith by adding virtue and knowledge with wholehearted effort. After grounding everything in God's provision (verses 3-4), Peter now turns to the believer's response. "Giving all diligence" signals that the Christian life, though founded on grace, is not passive. There is real effort to be made -- earnest, eager, wholehearted application.
Peter begins a chain of qualities, each one built upon the last. Faith is the starting point and foundation, but it is meant to be enlarged. To faith we "add" -- the word pictures generously supplying or furnishing -- "virtue," moral excellence and courage. A faith that never produces good character remains incomplete. Then to virtue we add "knowledge," a practical discernment that knows how to apply truth to daily decisions. The picture is of a life that keeps growing, never standing still. Peter will continue this ladder through temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (verses 6-7). The opening links are telling: faith establishes the relationship, virtue shapes the character, and knowledge guides the steps. God supplies the power; the believer supplies the diligence, working hand in hand with grace.
In the Original Language
The Greek "spoude" (diligence) means earnest haste, eagerness, and zealous effort. "Epichoregeo" (add, supply) was used of generously furnishing or lavishly providing what is needed.
Cross References
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
- Galatians 5:22
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
- James 2:17
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
- Philippians 2:12
Application
Do not let your faith stand still; with grateful, diligent effort, keep building character and discernment onto it, cooperating with the power God has already given.