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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Peter 1:1-4

The apostle Peter, being moved by the Holy Ghost to write once more to those who from among the Jews were turned to faith in Christ, begins this second epistle with an introduction, wherein the same persons are described and the same blessings are desired that are in the preface to his former letter; but there are some additions or alterations which ought to be taken notice of, in all the three parts of the introduction. I. We have here a description of the person who wrote the epistle, by the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 1:2

1:2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you by the knowledge of God, and of Jesus, our Lord. Peter puts this in an unusual way. Grace and peace are to come from knowledge, the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Is he turning Christian experience into something dependent on knowledge? Or is there some other meaning here? First, let us look at the word which he uses for knowledge (epignosis, Greek #1922 ). It can be interpreted in two directions. (a) It can mean... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 1:3-7

1:3-7 Since his divine power has bestowed upon us all things that are necessary for true life and true religion, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, and since through these gifts there have been bestowed upon us precious and very great promises, that through them we might escape the world's corruption caused by lust and become sharers in the divine nature--since still this is so, bend all your energy to the task of equipping your faith with courage,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 1:3-7

Peter says that we must bend all our energies to equip ourselves with a series of great qualities. The word he uses for to equip is epichoregein ( Greek #2023 ) which he uses again in 2 Peter 1:11 when he speaks of us being richly gifted with the right of entry into the eternal kingdom. This is one of the many Greek words which have a pictorial background. The verb epichoregein ( Greek #2023 ) comes from the noun choregos ( Greek #5524 ), which literally means "the leader of a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 1:3-7

Let us then look at the list of virtues which have to be added one to another. it is worth noting that in the ancient world such lists were common. It was a world in which books were not nearly so cheap and so readily available as they are today. Instruction, therefore, had for the most part to be carried in the pupil's head; and easily memorized lists were one of the commonest ways of inculcating instruction. One ingenious way of teaching the child the names of the virtues was by means of a... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 1:3-7

(iv) To this practical knowledge must be added self-control, or self-mastery. The word is egkrateia ( Greek #1466 ), and it means literally the ability, to take a grip of oneself. This is a virtue of which the great Greeks spoke and wrote and thought much. In regard to a man and his passions Aristotle distinguishes four states in life. There is sophrosune ( Greek #4997 ), in which passion has been entirely subjugated to reason; we might call it perfect temperance. There is akolasia,... read more

John Gill

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

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you ,.... By a multiplication of grace may be meant a larger discovery of the love and favour of God; which though it admits of no degrees in itself, being never more or less in God's heart, yet, as to the manifestations of it, it is different, and capable of being increased, and drawn out to a greater length; or else an increase of the internal graces of the Spirit of God, as to the actings and exercise of them; or a larger measure of the gifts of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 1:3

According as his divine power ,.... Meaning either the power of God the Father, to whom belong eternal power and Godhead; and he is sometimes called by the name of power itself; see Matthew 26:64 being all powerful and mighty; or rather the power of Christ, since he is the next and immediate antecedent to this relative; and who, as he has the fulness of the Godhead in him, is almighty, and can do all things; and is "El-shaddai", God all-sufficient, and can communicate all things whatsoever... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Grace - God's favor; peace - the effects of that favor in the communication of spiritual and temporal blessings. Through the knowledge of God - Εν επιγνωσει· By the acknowledging of God, and of Jesus our Lord. For those who acknowledge him in all their ways, he will direct their steps. Those who know Christ; and do not acknowledge him before men, can get no multiplication of grace and peace. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:3

As his Divine power - His power, which no power can resist, because it is Divine - that which properly belongs to the infinite Godhead. Hath given unto us - Δεδωρημενης· Hath endowed us with the gifts; or, hath gifted us, as Dr. Macknight translates it, who observes that it refers to the gifts which the Holy Spirit communicated to the apostles, to enable them to bring men to life and godliness; which were, A complete knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel. Power to preach and... read more

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