2 Peter 1:4-8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:7

Without which, godliness, or external worship, or a profession of religion, is a vain show; for this is both the evidence of regeneration, and of the truth and power of real godliness; and also the beauty, comfort, and security of Christian society and worship, and without which they cannot be maintained with peace, profit, and honour: and to brotherly kindness, charity : or "love"; that is, to all men, enemies, as well as to the household of faith; and to God and Christ, to his house,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:8

For if these things be in you ,.... Are wrought in you by the Spirit of God, and exercised and performed by his assistance, who works in his people both to will and do: and abound ; increase in their acts and exercises by the frequent performance of them: they make you; both by way of influence and evidence, that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ . There is a knowledge of Christ which is barren and fruitless; and those that have... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:6

Temperance - A proper and limited use of all earthly enjoyments, keeping every sense under proper restraints, and never permitting the animal part to subjugate the rational. Patience - Bearing all trials and difficulties with an even mind, enduring in all, and persevering through all. Godliness - Piety towards God; a deep, reverential, religious fear; not only worshipping God with every becoming outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying him in the heart: a disposition... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:7

Brotherly kindness - Φιλαδελφιαν· Love of the brotherhood - the strongest attachment to Christ's flock; feeling each as a member of your own body. Charity - Αγαπην· Love to the whole human race, even to your persecutors: love to God and the brethren they had; love to all mankind they must also have. True religion is neither selfish nor insulated; where the love of God is, bigotry cannot exist. Narrow, selfish people, and people of a party, who scarcely have any hope of the salvation... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:8

For if these things be in you and abound - If ye possess all there graces, and they increase and abound in your souls, they will make - show, you to be neither αργους , idle, nor ακαρπους , unfruitful, in the acknowledgment of our Lord Jesus Christ. The common translation is here very unhappy: barren and unfruitful certainly convey the same ideas; but idle or inactive, which is the proper sense of αργους , takes away this tautology, and restores the sense. The graces already mentioned... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:8

Verse 8 8.For if these things be in you. Then, he says, you will at length prove that Christ is really known by you, if ye be endued with virtue, temperance, and the other endowments. For the knowledge of Christ is an efficacious thing and a living root, which brings forth fruit. For by saying that these things would make them neither barren nor unfruitful, he shews that all those glory, in vain and falsely, that they have the knowledge of Christ, who boast of it without love, patience, and the... read more

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