Commentary on 2 Peter 1:3
“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.”
Contextual Overview
2 Peter chapter 1[i] opens with an apostolic greeting and immediately pivots into an exhortation to spiritual growth. Peter reminds believers that their faith is a gift of God’s righteousness and then launches into how that gift should bear fruit in godliness (2 Peter 1:1–2). Verses 3–4 form a compact introduction to the call for diligent virtue (2 Peter 1:5–11) by affirming that everything needed for holy living has already been provided. This establishes both the source (divine power) and the means (knowledge of Christ) for sanctification in the Christian life.
Exegesis of 2 Peter 1:3
Divine Power as the Source
Peter attributes the supply of “all things that pertain to life and godliness” to “His divine power.” Christian theology underscores that sanctification is rooted in God’s sovereign strength rather than mere human effort. This power is the same omnipotence that raised Christ from the dead, now at work in believers to restore the image of God within them.
“All Things That Pertain to Life and Godliness”
The phrase all things affirms the completeness of God’s provision. Nothing essential for spiritual growth is omitted. Life here connotes spiritual vitality; godliness, the lived-out reverence and devotion to God. Together they form a hendiadys[ii]: living godly lives is made possible by divine enablement rather than moral self-help.
Through the Knowledge of Him
The means by which divine power effects transformation is epignosis—full, experiential knowledge of Christ. In Christian thought, this knowledge is more than intellectual assent; it is union with Christ by the Spirit. As we grow in our grasp of His person and work, we tap into the resources He supplies for godly living.
Called by His Own Glory and Excellence
Peter highlights the motive and origin of our calling. God’s own glory (the splendour of His character) and excellence (moral perfection) draw us into relationship with Him. In Christian preaching, effectual calling is seen as an act of God’s irresistible grace, where He beckons sinners into union with Himself for His praise and our sanctification.
Theological Significance
- Sufficiency of Scripture and Spirit
God’s divine power is primarily mediated through the Word and the Spirit, reaffirming Sola Scriptura. Believers need no extra-biblical apparatus for growth—Scripture and Spirit provide all essentials for life and godliness. - Doctrine of Union with Christ
Our transformation is grounded in union with Christ. Knowledge (epignosis[iii]) is relational and participatory; we share in His life by faith and obedience. - Effectual Calling and Grace
The verse underscores God’s initiative. He calls us “by His own glory and excellence,” a sovereign invitation that secures our perseverance and eventual glorification. - Sanctification as Divine Work
While Christians labour in virtue (2 Peter 1:5–11), the foundation of all godliness rests on divine power, not on human will alone.
Application to Modern Christian Living
- Pursue Christ-Centred Knowledge
Make daily Scripture reading and meditation non-negotiable. True growth stems from knowing the Lord, not accumulating information. - Depend on Divine Power
In moments of temptation or spiritual dryness, remember that you already possess everything needed. Pray for the Spirit’s enabling rather than rely on willpower alone. - Cultivate Assurance
Since God’s power guarantees provision for godliness, believers can rest confidently in His promises and pursue holiness with joy, not fear. - Live Out Your Calling
Reflect God’s glory and excellence in your attitudes, relationships and service. Your daily life becomes an echo of the divine calling you have received.
Teaching Summary from 2 Peter 1:3
2 Peter 1:3 teaches that God’s own power has already furnished every believer with the means for spiritual life and godliness. This provision comes exclusively through an intimate, experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ, who calls us by the splendour of His character. This verse emphasises the sufficiency of God’s grace, the necessity of union with Christ, and the assurance that divine power undergirds our sanctification.
[i] 2 Peter 1
New King James Version
Greeting the Faithful
1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who have [a]obtained like[b] precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 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 [c]corruption that is in the world through lust.
Fruitful Growth in the Faith
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 [d]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 [e]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.
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.
Peter’s Approaching Death
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 [f]tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must [g]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 [h]decease.
The Trustworthy Prophetic Word
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.
19 [i]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 [j]interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but [k]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Footnotes
2 Peter 1:1 received
2 Peter 1:1 faith of the same value
2 Peter 1:4 depravity
2 Peter 1:6 patience
2 Peter 1:8 useless
2 Peter 1:13 Body
2 Peter 1:14 Die and leave this body
2 Peter 1:15 Lit. exodus, departure
2 Peter 1:19 Or We also have the more sure prophetic word
2 Peter 1:20 Or origin
2 Peter 1:21 NU men spoke from God
[ii] noun the expression of a single idea by two words connected with ‘and’, e.g. nice and warm, when one could be used to modify the other, as in nicely warm.
[iii] Epignosis is a Greek noun that conveys “full knowledge,” “precise and correct knowledge,” or “recognition” rooted in firsthand, experiential understanding rather than mere intellectual awareness
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