His divine powerThis phrase emphasizes the source of the believer's strength and resources, which is God's own power. In the context of 2 Peter, this divine power is a reminder of God's sovereignty and omnipotence. The power of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, seen in creation (
Genesis 1:1), the resurrection of Christ (
Romans 1:4), and the believer's transformation (
Ephesians 1:19-20).
has given us everything we need
This indicates the completeness and sufficiency of what God provides. The Greek word for "given" suggests a generous and gracious bestowal. This provision is comprehensive, covering all aspects of spiritual life. It echoesPhilippians 4:19, where God supplies all needs according to His riches in glory.
for life and godliness
"Life" refers to both physical and spiritual life, while "godliness" pertains to living a life that reflects God's character. This dual focus underscores the holistic nature of God's provision. The call to godliness is a central theme in the New Testament, as seen in1 Timothy 4:8, which highlights the value of godliness in all things.
through the knowledge of Him
Knowledge here is not merely intellectual but relational and experiential. It involves a deep, personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This knowledge is transformative, as seen inJohn 17:3, where eternal life is defined as knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ.
who called us
The concept of calling is significant in Scripture, indicating God's initiative in salvation. This calling is effectual, meaning it accomplishes what God intends.Romans 8:30 speaks of those whom God predestined, He also called, justifying and glorifying them.
by His own glory and excellence
God's glory refers to His majestic presence and divine nature, while excellence denotes moral virtue and perfection. This phrase highlights the character of God as the basis for His calling. The glory of God is a theme throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament manifestations (Exodus 33:18-23) to the revelation of Christ's glory (John 1:14).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PeterThe author of the epistle, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, known for his leadership in the early church and his close relationship with Jesus.
2.
Divine PowerRefers to God's omnipotent nature, which is the source of all spiritual and physical provision for believers.
3.
Knowledge of HimThis phrase emphasizes the importance of knowing God personally and intimately, which is central to the Christian faith.
4.
Glory and ExcellenceAttributes of God that reflect His perfect nature and moral purity, which are the basis for His calling of believers.
5.
BelieversThe recipients of God's provision, called to live a life of godliness through the resources provided by His divine power.
Teaching Points
Divine ProvisionRecognize that God has already provided everything necessary for living a godly life. Trust in His sufficiency rather than relying on personal strength or worldly resources.
Knowledge of GodPrioritize growing in the knowledge of God through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. This knowledge is foundational to experiencing His power in our lives.
Call to GodlinessUnderstand that God's calling is rooted in His glory and excellence. Strive to reflect His character in daily life, knowing that His power enables us to do so.
Empowerment for LifeEmbrace the empowerment that comes from God's divine power. Approach challenges and opportunities with confidence, knowing that God equips us for every aspect of life.
Reflecting God's GloryLive in a way that reflects God's glory and excellence. Let your life be a testimony to His transformative power and goodness.
Lists and Questions
Top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 1
What are God's great and precious promises?
What does having everything for life and godliness mean?
What is the meaning of Theosis?
What does having everything for life and godliness mean?(3-11) Exhortation to progress in spiritual graces in order to win eternal life at Christ's coming. God has given us all we need for salvation; let us profit by it, and show ourselves worthy of it.
(3)According as.--Better,seeing that This must not be made to depend on2Peter 1:2. In the canonical Epistles the address does not go beyond the blessing. Galatians is the only exception; there a relative clause is added to the blessing; but this is solemnly brought to a close with a doxology, so that the exception is one that almost proves the rule. In Hebrews, James, 1 and 3 John, there is no opening blessing; the remark holds good of all the rest.2Peter 1:3-4 are a brief introduction to the direct exhortations contained2Peter 1:5-11. The eagerness with which the writer goes direct to his subject is characteristic of St. Peter's temper.
His divine power.--The pronoun refers to "Jesus our Lord." The adjective occurs in the New Testament in these two verses (3 and 4) only; elsewhere we have the genitive case, "of God," "of the Lord," "of the Father," and the like.
All things that pertain unto.--All that are necessary for the attainment of. He does not give life and godliness in maturity, but supplies us with the means of winning them for ourselves. "All" is emphatic; nothing that is requisite is grudged us, and nothing is our own, it is all the gift of God.
Godliness.--The Greek word occursActs 3:12, in a speech of St. Peter, and four times in this Epistle; elsewhere only in those to Timothy and Titus. It belongs to the phraseology of the later books of the New Testament. "Godliness" is the realisation of God's abiding presence, the fruits of which are reverence and trust: "Thou God seest me;" "I have set God always before me, therefore I cannot fall." It is introduced here, perhaps, in opposition to the godlessness and irreverence of the false teachers. (Comp.2Timothy 3:5.) . . .
Verse 3. -
According as his Divine power; better,
seeing that, as in the Revised Version. The construction is the genitive absolute with
ὡς. The words are to be closely connected with verse 2: "We need not fear, for God has given us all things that are necessary for our salvation; grace and peace will be multiplied unto us, if only we seek the knowledge of God." This is better than, with Huther and others, to make a full stop after verse 2, and to connect verses 3 and 4 closely with verse 5. The word for "Divine" (
θεῖος) is unusual in the Greek Testament; it occurs only in two other places - verse 4 and
Acts 17:29. Hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness; rather, as in the Revised Version,
hath granted. St. Peter does not here use the ordinary verb for "to give," but one (
δωρέομαι) which in the New Testament occurs only in this Epistle and in
Mark 15:45. "God hath given us all things for (
πρός) life,"
i.e., all things necessary for life. By "life" St. Peter means the spiritual life of the soul; that life which consists in union with Christ, which is the life of Christ living in us. "Godliness" (
εὐσέβεια) is a word of the later apostolic age; besides this Epistle (in which it occurs four times) and a speech of St. Peter's in
Acts 3:12, it is found only in St. Paul's pastoral Epistles; it means reverence, true piety towards God. Through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue; literally,
through the full knowledge (
ἐπιγνώσρως)
of him that called us (comp.
John 17:3, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God. and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent"). The best-supported reading seems to be that followed by the Revised Version, "By his own glory and virtue (
ἰδίᾳ δόξῃ καὶ ἀρετῇ)
." Bengel says, "Ad gloriam referuntur attributa Dei naturalia, ad virtutem ea quae dicuntur moralia; intime unum sunt utraque." All his glorious attributes make up his glory;
ἀρετή, virtue, is the energy, the activity of those attributes. The other reading, also well supported (
διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀρετῆς, "through glory and virtue"), would mean nearly the same (comp.
Galatians 1:15;
καλέσαςδιὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ). God calls us through his attributes; his glorious perfections invite us, the revelation of those perfections calls us to his service. The word
ἀρετή, with one exception (
Philippians 4:8), occurs in the New Testament only in St. Peter's Epistles (see
1 Peter 2:9;
2 Peter 1:3 and 5). This
is, so far, an argument in favour of identity of authorship.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Hisαὐτοῦ(autou)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.divineθείας(theias)Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2304:Divine; subst: the Deity. From theos; godlike: - divine, godhead.powerδυνάμεως(dynameōs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1411:From dunamai; force; specially, miraculous power.has givenδεδωρημένης(dedōrēmenēs)Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1433:To give, grant, donate. Middle voice from doron; to bestow gratuitously.usἡμῖν(hēmin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.everythingπάντα(panta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3956:All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.[we need]τὰ(ta)Article - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.forπρὸς(pros)Preposition
Strong's 4314:To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.lifeζωὴν(zōēn)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2222:Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.godlinessεὐσέβειαν(eusebeian)Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2150:Piety (towards God), godliness, devotion, godliness. From eusebes; piety; specially, the gospel scheme.throughδιὰ(dia)Preposition
Strong's 1223:A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.theτῆς(tēs)Article - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.knowledgeἐπιγνώσεως(epignōseōs)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 1922:From epiginosko; recognition, i.e. full discernment, acknowledgement.of Him whoτοῦ(tou)Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.calledκαλέσαντος(kalesantos)Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2564:(a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.usἡμᾶς(hēmas)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.[by His] ownἰδίᾳ(idia)Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2398:Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.gloryδόξῃ(doxē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1391:From the base of dokeo; glory, in a wide application.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.excellence.ἀρετῇ(aretē)Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 703:Goodness, a gracious act, virtue, uprightness. From the same as arrhen; properly, manliness, i.e. Excellence.
Links
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NT Letters: 2 Peter 1:3 Seeing that his divine power has granted (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) 
