2 Peter Chapter 1
Introduction to 2 Peter
The Second Epistle of Peter stands as a final, urgent warning from the Apostle Peter shortly before his martyrdom (2 Peter 1:14). In this letter, Peter exhorts believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, even as false teachers seek to deceive and undermine the truth of the gospel. This epistle is his farewell message, written with the clarity and intensity of a man who knows that his time on earth is drawing to a close.
Peter’s tone in this letter is more direct and sober than in his first epistle. Whereas 1 Peter focused on encouraging suffering Christians to remain steadfast in persecution, 2 Peter deals more with internal threats—false teachers, scoffers, and the danger of doctrinal corruption from within the Church. This aligns with Paul’s warning in Acts 20:29-30, where he said: “For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.”
Peter opens with a rich theological introduction affirming the divine power given to believers, which equips them for all godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). He exhorts believers to build upon their faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love—traits that mark a fruitful and steadfast Christian life (2 Peter 1:5-8). These qualities prevent believers from becoming barren or unfruitful, reminding them of their calling and election.
A major thrust of 2 Peter is the authority of the Scriptures and the apostolic witness. Peter boldly asserts that he and the other apostles were “eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16), referring to the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9), and that the Scriptures themselves are more sure than even that incredible experience. This high view of Scripture culminates in 2 Peter 1:21, which states: “For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
In chapter 2, Peter turns to a scathing denunciation of false teachers, comparing them to Balaam and denouncing their greed, deception, and immoral conduct. He prophesies that many will follow their destructive ways and that the truth will be blasphemed because of them (2 Peter 2:1-2). Their judgment is certain, just as God judged the angels who sinned, the ancient world during the flood, and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Chapter 3 shifts to eschatology. Peter reminds readers of the certainty of the Lord’s return, rebuking scoffers who mock the promise of His coming. He stresses that God is not slow but patient, “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He warns that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and exhorts believers to live holy and godly lives in light of this future judgment.
Peter closes the letter by urging believers to be on guard, lest they be led away by error, and instead to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). That final verse encapsulates the central theme of the letter: the Christian life is not static. It must be growing, maturing, and deepening in Christ to withstand the deceptions of false doctrine and the moral decay of the world.
This letter, likely written from Rome and addressed to the same general group of believers as 1 Peter (see 2 Peter 3:1), is intensely relevant in today’s age of doctrinal compromise and moral confusion. It calls the Church to wakefulness, doctrinal vigilance, and growth in holiness as we await the return of Christ.
The Sure Christian Life
A. Encouragement to Know God and What He Has Done for Us
2 Peter 1:1
Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have obtained like precious faith with us
by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Peter introduces himself with both humility and authority. He calls himself Simon Peter, reminding readers of his humanity. “Simon” was his birth name — a reminder of his past, his weaknesses, his failures. “Peter,” the name given by Christ (John 1:42), represents his calling to be a steadfast rock in the early church. By including both names, Peter acknowledges his transformation, but he also expresses a sober awareness that he still battles his old nature.
He introduces himself first as a bondservant (Greek: doulos) of Jesus Christ — a voluntary slave entirely surrendered to his Master. Only after that does he call himself an apostle, one who was sent with authority. In doing this, Peter shows that servanthood is greater than status. Authority must always be grounded in submission.
Peter then addresses those who have obtained like precious faith — meaning every believer shares in the same value and standing before God, whether Jew or Gentile. This faith is not earned, but obtained — it is a gift, given by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. The grammar in the Greek makes it unmistakably clear that Peter identifies Jesus not only as Savior, but as God. This verse is a powerful testimony to the full deity of Christ.
This “precious faith” is precious because it connects us to all the riches of Christ: His blood, His promises, His presence, and His kingdom. As Spurgeon said, “Faith is precious because it deals with precious things.”
2 Peter 1:2–4
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,
by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises,
that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Peter’s greeting is not a formality but a theological affirmation. Grace and peace — the twin blessings of the gospel — are multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. The word “knowledge” here (Greek: epignosis) means full, experiential knowledge — not just intellectual data, but relationship. This sets the tone for the entire epistle: true strength in the Christian life flows from deep and personal knowledge of Christ.
He declares that His divine power has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness. This is one of the most sweeping and encouraging truths in the New Testament. Nothing is lacking. We are not spiritual beggars. Everything we need for holy living, strength, endurance, and maturity has already been granted. The power that created the universe is now operating in us, not through mystical experiences or self-effort, but through the knowledge of Him — through knowing Jesus Christ intimately.
This calling came by His own glory and virtue, not by anything we deserved. His character and majesty are what drew us in, not our merit. And by this, Peter says, we have been given exceedingly great and precious promises — rich, weighty, divine truths that anchor us in this present life and point us toward eternity.
These promises are not abstract ideas. They are tools for transformation. Through them, Peter says, you may be partakers of the divine nature — not that we become divine ourselves, but that God shares His life, His character, and His holiness with us (cf. Romans 8:29, Galatians 4:6–7). It is a staggering expression of grace. God does not just save us; He brings us into a relationship where His nature begins to shape ours.
Finally, Peter says that as we partake of this divine nature, we escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. The word for “corruption” speaks of moral decay, the rot of sin that infects everything in a fallen world. Lust — meaning any kind of inordinate, selfish desire — is the channel through which that corruption flows. But by knowing Christ and clinging to His promises, we walk in victory and transformation.
How to Live as a Partaker of the Divine Nature
2 Peter 1:5–7
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”
Having shown that we are granted exceedingly great and precious promises and made partakers of the divine nature, Peter now exhorts believers to respond to this divine gift with determined effort. “But also for this very reason” points back to the preceding truths: because God has given us everything for life and godliness, and because we have escaped the corruption of this world, we must not be passive.
Peter writes, “giving all diligence” — the phrase conveys urgency and intentionality. The Christian life is not a cruise control experience. We are not called to coast. The spiritual fruit outlined here requires effort, attention, and persistence. It is a call to partner with God in the sanctification process.
The Greek verb translated as “add” (Greek: epichorēgēsan) is a vivid metaphor. It refers to furnishing or supplying lavishly, much like a benefactor who generously funds a theater production. In this spiritual "performance," faith is the foundation, and to it we must lavishly supply a sequence of graces that mature the believer.
Peter presents a staircase of Christian character development:
Faith: The beginning of the Christian life — trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.
Virtue: Moral excellence; a courageous commitment to doing what is right in the face of cultural opposition.
Knowledge: Spiritual discernment grounded in the Word of God; not speculative philosophy but godly insight.
Self-control: Mastery over one’s desires and impulses — especially in the moral and sensual realm.
Perseverance: Endurance through trials without quitting; the capacity to stay the course faithfully.
Godliness: A reverent awareness of God in all areas of life; practical piety in thought and behavior.
Brotherly kindness: Philadelphía — heartfelt affection for fellow believers, especially in the local church.
Love: Agápē — selfless, sacrificial love that mirrors Christ’s own love for us, the supreme virtue that binds all the others together (cf. Colossians 3:14).
These are not isolated traits, but interwoven disciplines. They grow out of each other, showing the comprehensive nature of a godly life. This is how a believer "partakes" of the divine nature — not through mystical experience, but through the real, gritty work of growing in grace and character.
2 Peter 1:8–9
“For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”
Peter transitions from exhortation to evaluation. This passage teaches that spiritual fruitfulness can be measured. It is not automatic. A person may have saving faith and still live a barren Christian life. But if the traits in verses 5–7 are yours and abound, then your life will be both productive and mature in your walk with Christ.
To abound in these things is to be rich in them — not satisfied with a hint of virtue here and a little self-control there. Peter expects overflow. This spiritual abundance guards us against being barren (idle, ineffective) or unfruitful (lacking results) in our relationship with Jesus Christ.
However, those who lack these graces are in spiritual danger. They are shortsighted, even to blindness. The Greek word for “shortsighted” (myōpazō) literally refers to someone who squints, unable to see far off. Spiritually, they are focused on temporary things and blind to eternity. They see what is near — pleasure, success, comfort — but cannot see the weight of eternal glory or the judgment seat of Christ.
This condition is compounded by forgetfulness: “he has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” This is spiritual amnesia. To forget the purging of sin is to forget the cross, the grace that saved, and the seriousness of sin. A Christian who forgets their cleansing becomes careless. They fall into old habits and begin to think and act like someone who has never been redeemed.
Isaiah 1:18 says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” To forget such a miracle is to drift into apathy and worldliness. Peter’s warning is not to question our salvation but to stir us to gratitude and holiness. Spiritual growth is evidence that we remember who we are, what God has done, and what we are called to become.
Making Our Call and Election Sure
2 Peter 1:10–11
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Peter now gives a decisive and practical exhortation — the believer must confirm the reality of their salvation by the visible fruit of their life. When he says, “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure,” he is not suggesting that our works earn salvation, but rather that they serve as evidence of salvation.
The terms “call” and “election” reflect God’s sovereign grace in salvation (cf. Romans 8:28–30). Yet Peter places the emphasis on our responsibility: we are to labor diligently, building upon the foundation of faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5–7). This diligent pursuit assures us that our profession of faith is genuine.
Charles Spurgeon rightly observed:
“Calling is put before election here because calling is something we experience in time, whereas election occurred in eternity past. We confirm our election by examining whether we have truly been called — evidenced by a changed life.”
Peter then gives a promise: “if you do these things you will never stumble.” The Greek indicates a continual practice. Consistent spiritual growth and sanctification act as guardrails, keeping us from moral failure or doctrinal drift. Those who pursue Christ earnestly are less likely to fall into sin or deception.
He adds that “an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” This is no bare or begrudging admission into heaven — this is a triumphant, celebrated welcome. The language evokes the imagery of a victorious athlete or conquering general being honored in a grand processional.
F.B. Meyer describes two kinds of entry:
“A ship may arrive at harbor battered, leaking, and barely afloat. Or it may arrive with sails full, colors flying, and crew rejoicing. The latter is the abundant entrance Peter envisions.”
As believers who pursue Christ wholeheartedly, we do not merely "make it into heaven." Instead, we look forward to a glorious entrance, cheered on by those we’ve impacted and welcomed into the eternal kingdom by our Savior Himself.
The Need to Be Reminded
2 Peter 1:12
“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.”
Peter, now an older man near the end of his life, recognizes that spiritual maturity must be continually reinforced. He writes, “I will not be negligent to remind you always,” showing pastoral concern. These believers already “know and are established in the present truth” — meaning they are grounded in sound doctrine — yet Peter refuses to assume they no longer need teaching.
Just as athletes rehearse fundamentals no matter how experienced they become, so too must Christians hear the gospel and the basics of spiritual life repeatedly. The goal is not merely information, but transformation.
The word translated “established” is the same Greek root as in Luke 22:32, where Jesus told Peter, “when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Peter is now fulfilling that very commission, strengthening others in the truth he once denied under pressure but now affirms with bold clarity.
The Urgency in Peter’s Heart
2 Peter 1:13–14
“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,
knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”
Peter refers to his body as a tent, underscoring its temporary nature. This echoes 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV): “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God.” The tent metaphor conveys a healthy detachment from the physical body. The Christian hope is not in this life but in the resurrection and the eternal kingdom to come.
Peter’s phrase “shortly I must put off my tent” is both tender and solemn. He knew death was imminent, not by instinct, but by prophetic certainty. Jesus had told him plainly in John 21:18–19 (NKJV):
“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished;
but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
John adds, “This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God.”
Peter knew he would die a martyr’s death. Church tradition records that he was crucified under Nero, requesting to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. Regardless of how death came, Peter accepted it as his “putting off the tent,” and he pressed forward in his mission — to stir up the saints by reminding them of God’s promises.
Preparing a Lasting Legacy
2 Peter 1:15
"Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease."
Peter, knowing his death was imminent, commits himself to leave a lasting legacy. The phrase “I will be careful to ensure” reveals apostolic intentionality: he is deliberately planning to leave behind an enduring reminder of the truths he had taught. This likely refers to both this epistle and the broader apostolic teaching that would be preserved in the New Testament canon.
The word “decease” in the Greek is exodos, the same word used in Luke 9:31 for Jesus' departure from this world — a reminder that for believers, death is not the end but an exit into glory. Peter views his death not with fear, but with urgency to edify the Church. This reflects Paul’s mindset in 2 Timothy 4:6–7 (NKJV): “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
This verse shows that Peter understood the weight of apostolic teaching and its unique role as the foundation of the Church (cf. Ephesians 2:20: “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.”). The apostles were not inventing truth but faithfully transmitting divine revelation that would be preserved for the edification of the saints across every generation.
The Sureness of Apostolic Testimony
2 Peter 1:16–18
"For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'
And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain."
Peter now testifies that the gospel message and the promise of Christ’s return are not mythological constructs. The term “cunningly devised fables” (Greek: mythos) rebukes those who reduce the gospel to ancient religious fiction. These were not cleverly crafted legends; Peter and the apostles were eyewitnesses of His majesty — referring specifically to the Transfiguration, which occurred on the mountain as described in Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–9, and Luke 9:28–36.
The transfiguration was more than a vision; it was a literal, historical event in which Jesus was revealed in His divine glory. Peter, James, and John witnessed the Lord shining as the sun and speaking with Moses and Elijah. It was a foretaste of the Second Coming — a preview of the glory and dominion Jesus will reveal when He returns.
Peter highlights the Father's audible voice: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” These words served to affirm Christ’s divine identity and mission, especially after Jesus had just told His disciples about His upcoming death on the cross. The voice from heaven was both an assurance to the disciples and a rebuke to Peter, who had earlier misunderstood Christ’s mission by trying to prevent His suffering (cf. Mark 8:31–33).
Moses (representing the Law) and Elijah (representing the Prophets) stood alongside Jesus, but the Father's voice elevated Jesus above both. This moment, rich in symbolic and theological significance, was forever etched in Peter’s mind.
Yet Peter makes an important point: as awe-inspiring as that moment was, the foundation of our faith rests not in mystical experience but in the written Word of God.
The Supremacy of the Prophetic Word
2 Peter 1:19
"And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;"
Peter boldly declares that the Scriptures — particularly the prophetic word concerning Christ — are even more certain than the most powerful experiences. He does not downplay the transfiguration, but he exalts the authority and sufficiency of the written Word.
The phrase “we have the prophetic word confirmed” could be translated “made more sure” (KJV). While some understand this to mean that the transfiguration confirmed the Word, others — more in line with the Greek syntax — argue that the Word is more sure than even the transfiguration. Either way, Peter exhorts believers to cling to the prophetic Word as a light in a dark place — a metaphor for a fallen world devoid of truth, clarity, and direction.
The prophetic Scriptures about the Messiah (such as Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Micah 5:2, Zechariah 9:9, Malachi 3:1, etc.) were perfectly fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This isn’t just inspirational writing — it’s divine revelation confirmed by historical fulfillment.
Professor Peter Stoner famously calculated the odds of one man fulfilling just eight messianic prophecies to be 1 in 10¹⁷. That’s like covering Texas in silver dollars two feet deep and picking one marked coin blindfolded. For Jesus to fulfill over 300 messianic prophecies defies probability. It affirms the supernatural origin of the Bible and the reliability of Christ’s claims.
Peter calls believers to heed this Word “until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” — a reference to the Second Coming of Christ, when all shadows will vanish. Until that glorious day, the Word remains our lamp (cf. Psalm 119:105 (NKJV): “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”).
Principles for Prophetic Assurance
2 Peter 1:20–21
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit."
Peter closes this chapter by establishing the foundational doctrine of the divine origin of Scripture — especially the prophetic Word. He exhorts believers to “know this first,” signaling the fundamental importance of this truth to the Christian faith.
“No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.”
This phrase has been misunderstood and misapplied, but in context, Peter is not saying individuals cannot interpret Scripture. Rather, he is warning that prophecy’s meaning is not derived from the private imagination or opinion of man. In Peter’s time, false teachers were already twisting Old Testament prophecies to support their own agendas, particularly to deny Christ's Messiahship and Second Coming (see 2 Peter 3:3–4).
Peter insists that Scripture — especially prophecy — must be interpreted according to its divine origin and confirmed by the broader community of believers, not hijacked for private or personal revelations. This echoes Acts 17:11 (NKJV), which praises the Bereans for “searching the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” The rule is clear: the meaning of prophecy must be tested by the Scriptures, not by feelings or isolated visions.
This applies not only to the Old Testament prophets, but also to those who claim to speak prophetically today. The gift of prophecy must be held accountable to Scripture. God’s voice does not contradict His Word, and the Holy Spirit who inspired the prophets will never contradict Himself through modern-day utterances.
“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
Peter then affirms the doctrine of inspiration. The phrase “never came by the will of man” underscores that the prophetic writings of Scripture were not human in origin. Though they were penned by men, those men were not acting on personal initiative or philosophical speculation. Rather, they were “moved by the Holy Spirit.”
The Greek word translated “moved” (pheromenoi) conveys the idea of being carried along — the same word is used in Acts 27:15 and 27:17 (NKJV) to describe how a ship is driven by the wind and sea: “we let her drive … we were driven.” This nautical imagery paints a vivid picture of inspiration: the writers of Scripture were like vessels with their sails raised, and the Holy Spirit was the wind directing their course.
This harmonizes perfectly with 2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV): “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” The term “inspiration” (theopneustos) means “God-breathed.” The Spirit did not dictate mechanically, nor did He override the personalities and styles of the human writers. Instead, He sovereignly guided their words so that what they wrote was exactly what God intended — infallible, inerrant, and authoritative.
Even when the prophets themselves did not fully understand what they wrote (cf. 1 Peter 1:10–12), their words were divinely appointed and intended for later generations. Fulfillment in history — especially in the person and work of Jesus Christ — would prove the divine origin of the prophecy.
Summary and Application
Chapter 1 of 2 Peter establishes a high view of Scripture and the Christian life. The apostle exhorts believers to pursue spiritual maturity (“giving all diligence”) by building on faith with godliness, love, and virtue. He anchors that growth in truth — not human opinion or mystical experience, but in the prophetic Word confirmed by the transfiguration and fulfilled prophecy.
Peter closes the chapter with a warning and a promise: Scripture is not the product of human will but divine breath. Its meaning is not ours to manipulate. Rather, we must submit to it, obey it, and cling to it like a lamp in a dark world until Christ returns.
As Psalm 119:160 (NKJV) declares: “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”
