2 Peter 1
Book Summary Apparently written shortly before his death in the AD 60s, 2 Peter may have been written to the same audience as 1 Peter, which was Christians scattered by persecution. Peter writes this letter to encourage Christians to live out the purpose of their lives in Christ. He warns readers to beware of teachers who claim to be believers, but present a false version of Christianity. And, Peter calls on all Christians to eagerly watch and wait for the return of the Lord.
Chapter Context Peter begins his letter by urging his Christian readers not to be unproductive in their knowledge of Jesus. Rather, they should work to add all of Christ’s qualities to their lives. Then Peter begins to lay a foundation to support his attack on the false teachers in the church. He also introduces ideas supporting his declaration that the Day of the Lord is coming. Later chapters will use the background of this first chapter to support those arguments. Source: https://www.bibleref.com/2-Peter/1/2-Peter-chapter-1.html
Greeting
1 Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
The word knowledge is used 5 times in this chapter and 7 times in this letter in reference to our knowledge of God and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Since Peter clearly says that our knowledge of Jesus is important, it is our godly duty to understand what he means by this knowledge. Reading the rest of this letter clearly shows us that by knowledge, Peter is referring to knowledge of Scripture. I once heard a preacher specifically say knowledge in this verse "does NOT mean Bible knowledge" but "a knowledge that comes from a relationship with God". That's utter rubbish! That directly contradicts the words of an Apostle of Christ. May God have mercy on that preacher!
Confirm your calling and election
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
Notice Peter links our calling with our election. Both words are used in reference to our salvation. The Bible often uses the word "calling" in reference to our salvation. God called us to salvation and he elected us to salvation. Many people use the word "calling" in reference to some sort of ministry or vocation. Be very careful not to misinterpret the "calling" to salvation with calling to vocation when you read the Bible.
11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.
13 I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder,
14 since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.
my departure: Peter is saying that he expects to die soon. This was probably one of his final letters to his brethren.
Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,"
18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.
19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation.
21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Peter links "prophetic word" in v.19 with "prophecy" and "Scripture" in v.20 and tells us they are NOT produced by the will of man, but by God the Holy Spirit. To preach from the Bible is to speak the prophecies and oracles of God.