2 Peter 1:3-5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:4

Whereby are given unto us - By his own glorious power he hath freely given unto us exceeding great and invaluable promises. The Jews were distinguished in a very particular manner by the promises which they received from God; the promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and the prophets. God promised to be their God; to protect, support, and save them; to give them what was emphatically called the promised land; and to cause the Messiah to spring from their race. St. Peter intimates to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:5

And beside this - Notwithstanding what God hath done for you, in order that ye may not receive the grace of God in vain; Giving all diligence - Furnishing all earnestness and activity: the original is very emphatic. Add to your faith - Επιχορηγησατε· Lead up hand in hand; alluding, as most think, to the chorus in the Grecian dance, who danced with joined hands. See the note on this word, 2 Corinthians 9:10 ; (note). Your faith - That faith in Jesus by which ye have been led to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:3

Verse 3 3.According as his divine power. He refers to the infinite goodness of God which they had already experienced, that they might more fully understand it for the future. For he continues the course of his benevolence perpetually to the end, except when we ourselves break it off by our unbelief; for he possesses exhaustless power and an equal will to do good. Hence the Apostle justly animates the faithful to entertain good hope by the consideration of the former benefits of God. (146) For... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:4

Verse 4 4.Whereby are given to us. It is doubtful whether he refers only to glory and power, or to the preceding things also. The whole difficulty arises from this, — that what is here said is not suitable to the glory and virtue which God confers on us; but if we read, “by his own glory and power,” there will be no ambiguity nor perplexity. For what things have been promised to us by God, ought to be properly and justly deemed to be the effects of his power and glory. (148) At the same time... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:5

Verse 5 5And besides this. As it is a work arduous and of immense labor, to put off the corruption which is in us, he bids us to strive and make every effort for this purpose. He intimates that no place is to be given in this case to sloth, and that we ought to obey God calling us, not slowly or carelessly, but that there is need of alacrity; as though he had said, “Put forth every effort, and make your exertions manifest to all.” — For this is what the participle he uses imports. Add to your... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:1-4

The address. I. ST . PETER 'S DESCRIPTION OF HIMSELF . 1 . His name. He wrote "Peter" simply in the First Epistle; he writes "Symeon Peter" now. Apparently he is writing to the same Churches as before; but it is a Second Epistle, he seems to know more of them—he gives his full name. That name contains the history of his soul: the first tells of his admission into the old covenant by circumcision; the second, of his admission into the new covenant through faith in Jesus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:2-3

Increase of spiritual life dependent on the knowledge of God. Our text strikes the key-note of the Epistle—the need of watchfulness against error. Scripture demands a clear knowledge of revealed truth. On this the maintenance of spiritual life depends; to swerve from Divine truth is to suffer spiritual loss. I. A GREAT INCREASE OF SPIRITUAL BLESSING IS POSSIBLE TO THE BELIEVER . "Grace and peace" we may take as including all spiritual good. Grace is God's part... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:3

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 2 Peter 1:2 : "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 2 Peter 1:2 , and to connect 2 Peter 1:3 and 2 Peter... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:3-4

The bounty of God. The lot of the primitive Christians whom the apostles addressed in their spoken and written utterances must, for the most part, have appeared to ordinary observers far from desirable. Not only were they drawn from the lowly and unconsidered classes of society, but they often had much to endure as a consequence of their reception of the gospel and their fidelity to Christ. Especially did they meet with the contempt of the great, on account of their adhesion to what the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:3-4

The beginning of soul-salvation. These words, read in connection with what immediately follows (specially if we, following Ellicott and Farrar, place a period at the end of the second verse), distinctly predicate certain things about the beginning of soul-salvation. I. GOD HAS GIVEN ALL THINGS NECESSARY for soul-salvation. Note: 1 . The idea of soul-salvation. "Life and godliness." Observe the order. Vitality, then external piety. 2 . The means of... read more

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