The big picture
2 Peter 1 opens in verse 1 with “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 11 with “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom…”, and closes in verse 21 with “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as…” Repeated or prominent terms include Jesus, Christ, knowledge, Lord, glory. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
2 Peter · King James Version · 212 Peter 1:1-7
1–7: Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have…
2 Peter 1:1–7 opens with “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious…” and reaches “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, kindness, and love like a steadily built path; Peter recalling the holy mountain and a lamp shining in a dark place as eyewitness testimony and prophecy are joined, with particular weight carried by knowledge, godliness, Jesus.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through…” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
2 Peter 1:1-7
King James Version1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Peter 1:8-14
8–14: For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall…
2 Peter 1:8–14 opens with “For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor…” and reaches “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, kindness, and love like a steadily built path; Peter recalling the holy mountain and a lamp shining in a dark place as eyewitness testimony and prophecy are joined, with particular weight carried by Christ, Jesus, Lord.
Context that brings the passage to life
“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Peter 1:8-14
King James Version8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
2 Peter 1:15-21
15–21: Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have…
2 Peter 1:15–21 opens with “Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in…” and reaches “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Believers adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, kindness, and love like a steadily built path; Peter recalling the holy mountain and a lamp shining in a dark place as eyewitness testimony and prophecy are joined, with particular weight carried by holy, prophecy, glory.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” Naming Moreover keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
2 Peter 1:15-21
King James Version15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
2 Peter 1:1 begins with “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our…”
Where the chapter turns
2 Peter 1:9 forms a natural hinge: “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”
The final note
2 Peter 1:21 leaves the reader with “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Jesus, Christ, knowledge, Lord, glory, godliness help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- hath
- has
- spake
- spoke
- wherefore
- for that reason
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.