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2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

2 Peter 1 opens with Peter's greeting and then calls believers to steady growth in Christian character. He reminds readers that God's power has given all they need for godly living, and that their faith should lead to visible change.

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What happens in 2 Peter 1?

Peter begins by blessing his readers with grace and peace, then explains that God's power has already provided what is needed for life and godliness. He urges believers to add qualities to their faith: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Growing in these traits keeps them fruitful and steady, while neglect leaves them spiritually short-sighted. Peter also stresses the need to remember these truths and says he wants to leave them with lasting reminders. He ends by defending the gospel witness as based on eyewitness testimony and the sure voice of Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

This chapter opens the letter and sets out its main concerns: Christian growth, steadfast memory, and confidence in true apostolic witness. It prepares readers for the warnings in the next chapter by grounding them first in God's power, God's promises, and the reliability of Scripture.

Themes to notice

  • Growth in faithBelievers are called to keep adding to their faith so their lives become fruitful and steady.
  • Christlike characterPeter lists qualities that mark a life shaped by godliness, kindness, and love.
  • Sure testimonyThe chapter points to eyewitness witness and prophetic Scripture as trustworthy foundations.

Questions for 2 Peter 1

  • Which qualities does Peter say should grow alongside faith, and why do they matter?
  • What does Peter mean when he says believers should be diligent to confirm their calling and election?
  • How do the eyewitness account of Jesus and the prophetic word support confidence in the gospel?

Read the full text of 2 Peter 1 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

2 Peter

2 Peter 1

A Greeting from Peter

1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:2Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Partakers of the Divine Nature

3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.8For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,11and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have.13I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body,14because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.15And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.

Eyewitnesses of His Majesty

16For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty.17For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”18And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.20Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation.21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

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