Verse by Verse

¹² But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption,

¹³ and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,

¹⁴ having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

natural (v.12) = merely animal, governed by instincts

brute (v.12) = without reason, destitute of  reason, absurd

do not understand (v.12) — Their behavior is irrational because they have chosen not to understand (Romans 1:21).

wages of unrighteousness (v.13) — the inevitable outcome of their corruption

carouse (v.13) = lit. “softness, indulgent living, effeminate luxury

in the daytime (v.13) — In other words, they play when they ought to be working.

deceptions (v.13) = delusions

We normally associate rewards with those that faithfully serve the Lord. But there is also a reward that awaits the ungodly who take pleasure in unrighteousness. These are brute beasts that have no morals whatsoever. Both Peter and Jude speak with a united voice that these beasts are filthy dreamers whose eyes are full of adultery. They cannot look upon a woman without desiring to be with her in an inappropriate way. Peter adds, they “cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls.” The adulterous ways of these false teachers had apparently influenced the unstable among the kingdom saints to think this was an acceptable lifestyle. …

The passion of Peter to expose these false teachers is unprecedented. He hurls one volley after another hoping to dislodge their influence. Peter warns those who may consider following their adulterous ways and luxurious lifestyle, at the expense of that saints, that they will on day stand before the Judge of all the earth who will render to every man according to his deeds.

We are reminded of the Psalmist who wrestled with why the ungodly prospered in the world, whereas he lived uprightly and struggled to make ends meet. It was almost too painful for him to bear, until he went into the sanctuary of the Lord, which proved to be an eye-opening experience. “Then [he says] understood I their end. Surely Thou didst set them in slippery places: Thous castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors” (Psalm 73:17-19). — Sadler, pages 209-210.

The false teachers aren’t content to indulge in sin themselves, they also seek to entice others to join them. It’s my opinion that they know they are wrong and feel guilty about it, but think that if they can force/persuade others to agree with them that the behavior is OK, then maybe they’ll believe it themselves. This is why the degenerate are so active in pushing their lifestyles and why they hate anyone who disagrees.

¹⁰ and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,

¹¹ whereas angels, who are greater in power and might, do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord.

the lust of uncleanness (v.10) = lit. “those who go after flesh with a desire for pollution.” Jude 1:7 makes it clear what particular lust Peter refers to.

presumptuous (v.10) = bold, with no concern for other’s, or even their own danger

self-willed (v.10) = self-pleasing, so obsessed with their own desires that they refuse to consider anything else

dignitaries (v.10) = the majesty and glory of angels (Jude 1:8). Sadler (below) has a different view of the dignitaries.

Peter warned his readers how false teachers walk after the lust of the flesh, and “despise government.” In other words, they hate all forms of authority. These unscrupulous leaders are self-willed and refuse to be accountable for their actions. …

One of the trademarks of a false teacher is that he desires absolute power. He will rarely submit himself to the authority of others, such as a board of elders, or if he does, he will make sure those around him can be easily manipulated.

So flagrant are these workers of iniquity, Peter says that “they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” The word “dignities” here denotes magnificence, excellence, glory, praise, honor, good report, etc. These false teachers speak evil of that which is good and holy. They recklessly take the Lord’s name in vain and openly slander the true servants of the Lord. — Sadler, pages 206-207

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angels (v.11) — Angels, by contrast, have the right to complain to God of the behavior of these arrogant mortals, but refuse to do so: this may be a reference to the kind of incident recorded in Jude 1:9. — Guthrie, page 1255.

reviling (v.11) = lit. slanderous, evil-speaking

The angels that report the irreverent behavior of these false teachers perform their duty with reverence before the throne of heaven. These angels, who are far superior, decline to bring railing accusations against them, unlike the workers of iniquity who arrogantly flaunt their authority. The angels submit themselves to the authority of God, who will judge all things in due time. — Sadler, pages 207-208.

Peter was writing to Jews in the first century and in the future Tribulation. But it’s easy to see these sorts of false teachers today when you drive past churches that boldly proclaim their celebration of sin on banners and signs.

⁴ For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment;

⁵ and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;

⁶ and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly;

⁷ and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked

⁸ (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—

⁹ then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment,

angels (v.4) — See Genesis 6:1-4 and Jude 1:6, where the writer draws attention to pride as being the cause of their downfall. — Guthrie, page 1255.

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These [v.4] were the angels who left their first habitation and committed unspeakable atrocities in the days of Noah. God cast these angelic Beings down to tartarus, which is located in the lower parts of the earth on the sides of the bottomless pit (Isaiah 14:15 cf. Revelation 20:1-3). They are confined in the blackness of darkness until the Great White Throne Judgment. If God spared not these angels, who are a higher creation than man, what hope do these false teachers have of escaping the wrath of God? They, too, are guilty of rebelling against god and leading men to perdition. — Sadler, page 200.

hell (v.4) — Peter used the word tartarus, the Greek name for the place where they supposed the Titans, the enemies of the gods, were confined. Peter, writing in Greek, may have used it as a general term for a place where the wicked angels were held, although his idea of what that was was different from that of the Greeks. The word tartarus is not used anywhere else in the New Testament. The angels are confined in that place, whether or not they are literally in chains.

For over 100 years Noah warned those of his day about the impending judgment of the flood [1 Peter 3:20]. But they seemed as idle tales to those who listened. Consequently, “They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:27). While there isn’t anything essentially wrong with eating and giving in marriage, those in Noah’s day did so as though God did not even exist. They had “corrupted His way,” that is, His way of marriage—one man for one woman. Since both “marrying wives” and “giving in marriage” are mentioned in conjunction with one another, the former is an indication they were adulterers and also guilty of committing polygamy (Genesis 4:19 cf. 6:11). — Sadler, page 200.

Sodom and Gomorrah (v.6) — Genesis 18:16-19:28

example (v.6) — Matthew 10:15; 11:23-24; Luke 17:29

wicked (v.7) = lawless, the consequence of having no fear of God and therefore feeling completely free to live without principles, indulging the fallen nature.

Over the course of time, the filthy language and ungodly lifestyle of the Sodomites “vexed” or tormented Lot’s righteous soul. He knew the vile affections of the men at Sodom were not only contrary to nature, but reprehensible to a holy and righteous God. Yet he remained among them! — Sadler, page 202.

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But the Lord knows how to deliver the believer out of trials and temptations, as Noah and Lot illustrate. This will be an especially comforting passage to the future Tribulation saints. … The Lord will grant deliverance to His chosen people at that day (Revelation 12:3-16). He also knows how to “reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.” — Sadler, page 203.

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.

² And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.

³ By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

the people (v.1) – The Old Testament Israelites (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; 1 Kings 13:18, 22:5-23; Jeremiah 5:13, 31; 6:13, etc.)

false teachers (v.1) — The falsity may refer to the content of their teaching or to their claim to be teachers. Probably both are implied — Guthrie, page 1254.

heresies (v.1) = literally, chosen beliefs. In Scripture, it refers to wrong beliefs deliberately chosen by man (as opposed to true beliefs revealed by God).

Having established that prophecy came through holy men who were moved by the Spirit in time past [2 Peter 1:20-21], Peter reminds his hearers that there were also false prophets among the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 13:1-5). Then he adds, “even as there shall be false teachers among you,” that is, their counterparts. They were not to think that they were exempt from these insidious attacks, nor should we. …

A false teacher is someone who knowingly, deceitfully, and deliberately teaches that which is untrue. We normally associate false teachers with the unregenerate; however, this is not always the case. Paul wrote to the Galatians regarding his defense of the gospel of the grace of God at Jerusalem: “and that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:4-5). — Sadler, pages 196-197

destructive (v.2) = licentious, wanton, outrageous, shocking to public decency, lewd

The false teachers of the day [Gnostics] tended to argue that it did not matter how the Christian behaved, as grace could forgive every sin. — Guthrie, page 1254.

The false teaching led to licentiousness, but it was disguised as truth. As a result, unbelievers didn’t distinguish between the false and the true and reviled the true.

The unregenerate false teachers spoken of here are the masters of deception. Peter effectively warned his countrymen to beware of those who, after his death, would lie in wait to deceive. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing. It is important to note that these deceivers “bring in damnable [destructive] heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them.” They deliberately bring falsehood alongside the truth that they might deceive the unsuspecting. This is often accomplished by introducing something new as a fuller expression of sound doctrine. …

These false teachers denied the very One who provided redemption for them. While they probably taught their hearers that Christ was a great prophet and teacher, they rejected the truth that He was the Redeemer of Israel. These “wells without water” blatantly denied Christ’s subsitutionary death, precious shed blood, and bodily resurrection. They even called into question the inspiration of the Scriptures themselves when they defiantly declared “Where is the promise of His coming?” (2 Peter 3:4). the trademark of all false teachers is the denial of the Deity of Christ. …

How do these workers of iniquity so effectively mislead their followers? As Peter says, many shall follow” them. Since the natural man is inherently religious and would rather believe a lie, he’s easy prey for the “pernicious ways” and “feigned words” of a false teacher. Notice they are identified by their pernicious ways. In other words, they’re outrageous, shameless, and given to excess. These unscrupulous preachers have magnetic personalities that draw men to them. And with “feigned words” or persuasive speech … they lead men to destruction. …

The goal of these false teachers is to exploit their unwary followers. They are solely out for financial gain; therefore, Peter warns those that are intrigued by their notoriety accordingly, they will “make merchandise of you.” Like a thief, they will rob you blind, while promising you health, wealth, and prosperity. — Sadler, pages 198-199.

exploit (v.3) = make a gain or business of

their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber (v.3) — Not … idle means that judgment is impending (hard on their heels). Asleep is a vivid metaphor (waits for them with unsleeping eyes) Retribution is certain, though it may not be swift, for the man who leads another astray. — Guthrie, page 1254.

Verse 1 says that the false teachers bring on themselves “swift judgment.” Verse 3 (see Guthrie’s comment above) seems to be saying that it may not be immediate. I think this is a case where you have to remember the context of Peter’s letter. For those in the first century, it may have seemed that the false teachers were getting away with their heresies (although Peter made it clear that their judgment was coming. For those in the Tribulation, the false will be judge very quickly.

I’m not sure I entirely agree with Sadler that false teachers always know they’re wrong. There are prominent “Christian” pastors today who are leading masses of people astray, but I have to think some of them “believe” they’re right. And what about those Paul referred to in Galatians 2:4-5? Did they know they were wrong? In a sense, coming from James, they were right for kingdom Jews, but wrong for Gentiles. Because they acted in secret, they obviously knew Paul was teaching something different, but did they know they were wrong? I don’t know.

Maybe false teaching isn’t only deliberate falsehood, but falsehood brought about by wrong motives—a desire for wealth, concern for one’s reputation, a longing to become popular. There are many prominent speakers who have taken a stand and built huge ministries based on bad doctrine. To recant would be to lose all their standing, power, and wealth. But again, keep in mind that Peter’s audience was facing/will face specific threats.

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;

²⁰ knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,

²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

prophetic (v.19) = stated by a prophet

confirmed (v.19) = steadfast, enduring, sure, certain

The words “in your hearts” (v.19) should follow the verb “take heed.” The Bible is a lamp. The world is morally dark and squalid, and will remain so until the Lord comes and the Day dawns. The words “private interpretation” should read “human origination,” for that is the sense of the passage. The question is: where id the Holy Scriptures originate? The answer is: not in the will of man but in the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit here declares that no Scripture is of human origination, and in 2 Timothy 3:16 He adds that all Scripture is of Divine inspiration. — Williams, page 1007.

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In the midst of the night, which will grow even darker with the coming Tribulation Period, the Prophetic Scriptures were like a lamp showing the way to the glory of the Second Coming of Christ. Peter was holding out hope to his readers that in spite of what they may be called upon to endure, soon they would experience the joy of the Lord when Christ, the bright and morning star, returns to usher them into the blessings of the Golden Age (Zephaniah 1:14-16 cf. Revelation 22:16-18).

“Knowing this first that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.” We believe the sense here is, prophecy did not originate with the human writers of the Scriptures, but rather with the Holy Spirit. Prophecy should never be thought of as merely a collection of human thoughts. Given that the Scriptures originated with God, no prediction of Holy Scripture is of any private interpretation. Peter’s hearers did not necessarily have to rely upon him to interpret the Word of God; they could search the Scriptures themselves regarding the return of the Lord. — Sadler, page 191.

I know of at least on instance in which a “theologian” used verse 20 to mean that nobody should try to figure out what the Bible means on their own but, instead, should rely on what God “told” him in dreams and visions. That view is nonsense, of course, and is easily refuted by Acts 17:11 and 2 Timothy 2:15.

The divine work of inspiration passed through the writers’ very thought process (including those who spoke it orally). It miraculously filtered through their different styles of writing, vocabulary, vocations, experiences, moods, and sufferings. Yet we can safely say that the 66 Books of the Bible are the inspired Word of God in their original writings. …

There were times God gave direct revelations to the prophets, which are usually prefaced with “Thus saith the Lord.” Frequently the writers of Holy Writ were recounting their own personal experiences in the faith, such as we have here with the Apostle Peter. The writers even documented the evil deeds of men and angels. Thus the Scriptures record “lies” and “deceitful” practices, but it always does so accurately. — Sadler, pages 193-194.

¹⁶ 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.

¹⁷ 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.”

¹⁸ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

Peter is careful to remind his countrymen that “we,” that is, the twelve apostles of the kingdom, have not followed cleverly crafted myths and legends of men. Our message is based on the living Word of God and personal experience when we made known unto you the power an coming of Christ, at which time He will establish His kingdom upon the earth. This has been the theme of the Prophetic Program since the foundation of the world. In fact, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied how the Lord would return with myriads and myriads of His saints to execute judgment upon the ungodly (Matthew 25:31-34 cf. Jude 1:14-15). Clearly this was and will be the hope of Peter’s hearers both past and future.

During the earthly ministry of Christ, the Lord said to the twelve these words: “For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, there will be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (Matthew 16:27-28). Note the verb “see.”

Six days later the Word of the Lord was fulfilled when He took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where He transfigured before their very eyes. This is what Peter means when he said we “were eyewitnesses of His majesty—for He received from God the Father honor and glory.” They had a sneak preview of the power and glory of Christ’s Second Coming when He will return to set up His kingdom of righteousness. While they were trying to gather their wits they heard the voice of the Father say, “This is My beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Peter was there that fateful day—he saw the transfiguration of Christ—he heard the voice of the Father from the excellent glory in the mount. Be that as it may, he pointed his readers back to the Scriptures. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed” (2 Peter 1:19). Peter did not want the faith of these dear saints to rest on his experience, or on anyone else’s for that matter; rather, he wanted it to be based upon the Word of God. To paraphrase Peter’s thought, “The Prophetic Word is a more sure foundation to which you would do well to pay very close attention.”

Peter could appeal to a wide array of Prophetic Scriptures to substantiate his teaching regarding the kingdom hope. He could easily authenticate his message on the basis of the law and prophets. — Sadler, pages 189-190

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“He received honor and glory” (v.17). Christ was then appointed as Priest, for the subject spoken of on the Mount was the atonement which he should accomplish at Jerusalem (Luke 9:31). Compare Exodus 28:2 for the priestly garments of honor and glory. — Williams, page 1007.

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Cleverly devised myths were a feature of the theological systems of the Gnostic speculators. … Majesty is used in the N.T. only to describe divine glory (cf. Luke 9:43; Acts 19:27). This is … This formula of the voice from heaven, repeated at our Lord’s baptism and the transfiguration, combines the prophecies of Psalm 2:7 (the coronation of the Son of God) and Isaiah 42:1 (the ordination of the suffering Servant). — Guthrie, pages1253-1254

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.

¹³ Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,

¹⁴ knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.

¹⁵ Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

We learn by repetition. Both Peter and Paul understood the importance of this principle, and it is incumbent that ministers of the gospel today follow their example. Paul writes to the Philippians, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1). It is safe to repeat the Word of God because the saints have different degrees of understanding. — Sadler, page 186.

established (v.12) = strengthened, propped up, supported by a support that fixes something in place.

stir you up (v.13) = wake out of sleep, arouse completely, render active

Peter knew that he must soon put off his tabernacle, as the Lord had shown him. A tabernacle was a tent in biblical times. in this context, we are to understand the physical body is merely the tent that houses the soul and spirit. …

What the Lord had shown Peter concerned the manner of death he would experience. “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.” This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me” (John 21:18-19). The day would come, while Peter was attending to the needs of the sheep, that he would be carried away to suffer a violent martyr’s death. This is what the Lord meant by the phrase they will “carry you where you do not wish.” In short, it would not be a natural death, but one premature and repulsive to the flesh. Through it all, the Lord adds, his death would ultimately glorify God. — Sadler, page 188.

I’ve never been entirely convinced that the Lord foretold a violent death for Peter. I think John 21:18 could be interpreted to mean that Peter would grow old and lose either his ability to make decisions for himself or at least his ability to get around on his own—perhaps in infirmity or senility. But Sadler (above) could be right also. At least he didn’t propagate the Catholic tradition that Peter was crucified upside-down. It’s possible, but there’s no biblical or historical support for that view.

The Apostle knew that there would be no Apostolic succession (vs.13 and 15). Therefore he wrote these two epistles. Like the Apostle Paul (Acts 20:30-32) he handed them the Bible as the rule of faith, and told them that false apostles would succeed him. — Williams, page 1007.

¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

¹¹ for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Anyone who does not understand that Peter’s audience was kingdom Jews but instead believes that he wrote to members of the Church, the Body of Christ, has to either explain these verses away or embrace bad theology. For example, the Calvinists enjoy using these verses as proof of their election. One extreme Calvinist pastor I heard referred repeatedly to the things listed in verses 5-7 as our “part” in salvation, which is simply salvation by works. If we have a part, then Christ’s death wasn’t sufficient in and of itself and we are all lost.

Guthrie (below) uses these verses to deny eternal security.

Confirm your call and election is the tension which runs right through the first letter. Christians are “chosen and destined by God the Father (1 Peter 1:2), and yet must conduct themselves “with fear and trembling” (1 Peter 1:17; cf. Philippians 2:12-13). So Peter even hints at the possibility that one can fall from grace. Guthrie, page 1253

Again, Guthrie is wrong. But at least he’s honest. If Peter was writing to us today, then these verses would make it clear that we could lose our salvation. If he was, but he wasn’t. I only included his quote to show how quickly one can get off base if they don’t understand the distinction between Paul and the twelve. The Philippians verses he cites are taken totally out of context and refer to sanctification, not salvation.

diligent (v.10) = being eager, being zealous, exert yourself, lit. be swift, speedy

calling (v.10) = invitation

election (v.10) = a choosing out, a selecting. Referring to God’s choice of Israel as his chosen people (Romans 9:3-5).

abundantly (v.11) = richly

While those saved under the kingdom gospel had eternal life, they did not enjoy the assurance of it, as we do today. (John 3:15-16; John 10:27-28; 1 John 5:13)

A man who’s released from prison after committing a serious offense is always given a probationary period to ensure that he’s fit to return to society. In similar fashion, the kingdom saints were placed on probation—it was required that they demonstrate they were indeed saved. … The Lord mad the following comments regarding deceivers, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” A corrupt tree does not produce good fruit, and vice versa, a good tree doesn’t produce evil fruit (Matthew 7:12-20).

To this, Peter adds, “to make your calling and election sure.” How? “If ye do these things, ye shall never fall.” What things? Those things mentioned in the previous passages (2 Peter 1:5-7). Peter’s hearers could have the assurance of their eternal life if they simply abided in these things. Of course, the true believer would endure to the end.

The entrance here (v.11) is the way. Christ, of course, is the way! He has provided an entrance into the everlasting kingdom by virtue of His shed blood. Peter gives his countrymen some additional incentive to remain faithful to the end when he states that the way “shall be ministered unto you abundantly.” While all the kingdom saints will enter into the millennial reign of Christ, the entrance of some will be more glorious than others. Only those who heed the commands of Christ for Israel will hear the Lord say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21). — Sadler, pages 185-186.

The election Peter referred to was the election of Israel to be God’s chosen nation, not the election of individual Jews to be saved. If God chose individuals to be saved, then there would be no reason for Peter to urge his hearers to make their election sure.

⁵ But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

⁶ to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,

⁷ to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

⁸ For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁹ For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

for this reason (v.5) — because they were “partakers of the divine nature” (v.4)

diligence (v.5) = speed, haste, earnestness, enthusiasm

add (v.5) = supply, provide, lavish provision. Used in classical Greek to describe the munificence of rich citizens who would finance a theatrical performance or fit out a warship for the state.

Peter now instructs his hearers to “add” to their faith seven things … Although some of these virtues are attributes that the world seeks after to become more refined and cultured, “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23).

If these things abounded in them it was an evidence that they were bearing fruit. These seven virtues were the fruits that sprung forth from the new nature they possessed This is another distinction between the kingdom gospel and the gospel of the grace of God. Today, believers may or may not bear fruits; therefore, it is sometimes difficult to ascertain whether or not someone is saved. Paul says regarding good works after salvation, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 cf. 2 Corinthians 8:11). Notice believers “should walk in them,” implying that they may not always increase in the fruits of righteousness.

Under the kingdom gospel this wasn’t an option, it was an absolute necessity. As Peter says, “neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our Lord cursed the barren fig tree because it was of no profit. Thus, He emphatically declared, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits … Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:15-20). …

If those of their number only bore a very small amount of fruit, it was an indication that there was life, but that they obviously didn’t take the things of the Lord seriously. Peter calls these saints blind because they had forgotten that they had been purged from the very sins they were again committing. — Sadler, pages 181-182.

faith (v.5) = belief, trust, confidence, fidelity, faithfulness

virtue (v.5) = goodness, uprightness

knowledge (v.5) = knowledge gained by experience and direct relationship, moral wisdom

self-control (v.6) = mastering desires and passions, especially of the sensual appetites

perseverance (v.6) = endurance, patient waiting for. The characteristic of one who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and virtue even in the greatest trials and sufferings

godliness (v.6) = devotion, respect toward God

brotherly kindness (v.7) = philadelphia, affection for the brethren, the love of Christians for one another as “brethren” in Christ

love (v.7) = agape, love, to refer one—in this case, to prefer and esteem another because he or she is a fellow believer

barren nor unfruitful in knowledge (v.8) — To be barren is to be idle or lazy, unprofitable, shunning the labor one should be performing. To be unfruitful is to not be yielding what one ought to yield, contributing nothing.

shortsighted (v.9) = see dimly, closing the eyes.

I think what Peter was doing here was instructing his Jewish readers on how to do what he was instructing them to do. He had just reminded them of what they had through Christ (v.4). Now he was telling them how to be sure they had these things—how to be sure that they were “partakers of the divine nature.” Partaking of the divine nature is an abstract idea that may be hard to grasp and it can be hard to know if you are doing it correctly, or at all. But if you are treating others kindly, controlling your passions, respecting God, etc. then you know you’re on the right path. In other words, the easiest way to know if you’re a kind person is to do kind things. The easiest way to know if you have your passions under control is to avoid the things that cause you to fall. If you do the right things, you will bear fruit and you will grow in knowledge of the Lord. If you don’t do these things, you’ve obviously closed your eyes to the truth (another deliberate act).

As Sadler points out (above) for kingdom Jews, it was required that they do these things to prove their faith. For us, under the dispensation of grace, our faith is sure and the good works are our response. By application, if we demonstrate none of these virtues, our sanctification will suffer and we will not grow—but it doesn’t mean we aren’t saved. Salvation is by faith alone through grace alone apart from works.

³ 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,

⁴ 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.

Life must precede godliness (v.3). That life is “given” through a personal knowledge of the Giver; and He by His Divine power provides everything necessary to sustain that life and its Christian manifestations. As moral glory and nobility of character characterized Him, so must they characterize those who live by Him. — Williams, page 1006.

His (v.3) = Christ’s (from v.2)

knowledge (v.3) = knowledge gained through first-hand relationship

glory (v.3) = honor, what evokes good opinion, intrinsic worth

virtue (v.3) = goodness, excellence, uprightness

Twice in these two passages [vs. 2-3] the apostle emphasizes the importance of having a fuller knowledge of God. With the majority of the prophets and apostles of the kingdom having passed from the scene, Peter directs his countrymen to the written revelation of god, where they could grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Seeing that these offices were left vacant is strong evidence against apostolic succession, simply because the written Word of God was now to be their final authority (2 Peter 1:19-21). A deeper understanding of the Scriptures would also serve as a safeguard against the insidious heresies the false teachers were seeking to spread among them. — Sadler, page 178.

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If you were living continually in the face of death, as these saints were, the promises of god would become exceedingly great and precious. This will be especially true of future Israel during the Tribulation period. While the promises of the Abrahamic, Davidic, and the New covenants were cherished, the specific ones Peter highlights are the promise of the Second Coming of Christ to destroy Israel’s enemies, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth wherin dwelleth righteousness (2 Peter 3:3-9, 13). — Sadler, page 178.

exceedingly great (v.4) = great in the widest sense, superlative

precious (v.4) = valuable as recognized in the eyes of the beholder, of great price

partakers (v.4) = sharers, partners, companions

nature (v.4) = the underlying constitution or make-up of someone

corruption (v.4) = destruction, decay, rottenness, decomposition. In this case, moral decay.

lust (v.4) = passionate longing, inordinate desire, desire for what is forbidden

Here’s my personal explanation of these verses. We will experience more of God’s grace and peace the more we know the Lord (from v.2) because He has given us everything we need to live, and to live godly. He provides us with these things because of His own greatness (glory and virtue). That knowledge includes His promises which give us the ability (because of our faith in the future) to escape the corruption of the world and live godly lives. We know something better is coming, and that hope saves us (Romans 8:24-25). Peter will go on in the next verses to explain exactly how to take this knowledge and power and use it practically.

As Sadler explains (above) these verses were, in the immediate context, for Israel, but the application applies to us also.