Pursue Christian Virtue and Assured Calling
2 Peter 1:1-11
2Pet.1.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Συμεων: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- δουλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- αποστολος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ισοτιμον: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- λαχουσιν: VERB,pres,act,part,dat,pl,m
- πιστιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- δικαιοσυνη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- σωτηρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- 1 Pet.1.1 (verbal): Both epistles open with Peter's name and apostolic identity; similar epistolary greeting and self-designation as an apostle of Jesus Christ.
- Jude 1:1 (verbal): Jude also begins by calling himself a 'servant (doulos) of Jesus Christ,' echoing the same servant-title found in 2 Peter's salutation.
- Rom.1:1 (structural): Paul's opening ('servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle') parallels 2 Peter's double title ('servant and apostle'), reflecting common apostolic epistolary self-designation.
- Titus 2:13 (verbal): The phrase 'our God and Savior Jesus Christ' (or close variants) appears here as in 2 Peter 1:1, linking the language that names Jesus as both God and Savior.
- Rom.1:17 (thematic): Connects 'faith' and 'the righteousness of God' — Romans emphasizes righteousness revealed and received by faith, a theological theme invoked in 2 Peter 1:1's reference to faith in the righteousness of God and our Savior.
Alternative generated candidates
- Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal worth with us through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
- Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith as precious as ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
2Pet.1.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χαρις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- ειρηνη: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- πληθυνθειη: VERB,aor,pass,opt,3,sg
- εν: PREP
- επιγνωσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
Parallels
- Romans 1:7 (verbal): Paul's salutation 'Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ' closely parallels the blessing of grace and peace in 2 Pet 1:2.
- Philippians 1:2 (verbal): The greeting 'Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ' repeats the same formulation of grace and peace coming from God and Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:2 (verbal): 1 Pet 1:2 uses the nearly identical phrase 'Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied,' echoing the same blessing language and formula of multiplication.
- 2 Peter 3:18 (thematic): Both verses link grace and the knowledge of Jesus—2 Pet 1:2 blesses 'in the knowledge of God and of Jesus,' while 3:18 exhorts believers to 'grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'
- Jude 1:2 (verbal): Jude's greeting 'Mercy unto you, and peace, and love be multiplied' shares the 'be multiplied' formula and the pairing of peace with divine blessings.
Alternative generated candidates
- May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
- Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
2Pet.1.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ως: CONJ
- παντα: ADJ,nom,pl,n
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- θειας: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- δυναμεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- προς: PREP
- ζωην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ευσεβειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- δεδωρημενης: VERB,perf,pass,part,gen,sg,f
- δια: PREP
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- επιγνωσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- καλεσαντος: VERB,aor,act,ptcp,gen,sg,m
- ημας: PRON,acc,pl,1
- ιδια: ADJ,acc,pl,n
- δοξη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- αρετη: NOUN,gen,sg,f
Parallels
- Eph.1.3 (thematic): Both speak of God granting believers 'every' needed spiritual benefit (Eph 1:3: 'every spiritual blessing')—the idea that divine provision equips believers for life in Christ.
- Titus 2.11-12 (thematic): Titus connects God's grace/working with instruction to 'live godly lives,' paralleling 2 Pet 1:3's claim that divine power supplies what is needed for life and godliness.
- Phil.2.13 (thematic): Both emphasize God's active enabling of moral and spiritual life—'God is at work in you…to will and to act' corresponds to divine power given for godliness in 2 Pet 1:3.
- 1 Thess.2.12 (verbal): 1 Thessalonians speaks of God calling believers 'into his kingdom and glory,' echoing 2 Pet 1:3's language of being 'called...to his own glory,' linking calling and glorious destiny.
- 2 Pet.1.4 (structural): Immediate sequel: 1:4 develops 1:3's promise—through the knowledge given we receive 'precious promises' and become 'partakers of the divine nature,' continuing the theme of divine provision for godly life.
Alternative generated candidates
- His divine power has granted to us everything necessary for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence.
- His divine power has granted to us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence.
2Pet.1.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- δι᾽ων: PREP+REL,gen,pl,neut
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- τιμια: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- και: CONJ
- μεγιστα: ADJ,nom,pl,neut
- ημιν: PRON,dat,pl,1
- επαγγελματα: NOUN,nom,pl,neut
- δεδωρηται: VERB,perf,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- ινα: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- τουτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
- γενησθε: VERB,aor,mid/pass,subj,2,pl
- θειας: ADJ,gen,sg,fem
- κοινωνοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- φυσεως: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
- αποφυγοντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- κοσμω: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- επιθυμια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- φθορας: NOUN,gen,sg,fem
Parallels
- 2 Peter 1:3 (verbal): Same context and vocabulary — God’s ‘divine power’ has given what is needed and provides the ‘precious and very great promises’ that enable participation in the divine nature.
- 2 Corinthians 1:20 (verbal): Speaks of God’s promises as definitively fulfilled in Christ (‘For all the promises of God find their Yes in him’), corresponding to 2 Pet 1:4’s emphasis on the saving importance of God’s promises.
- Romans 8:29 (thematic): Describes God’s purpose to conform believers to the image of his Son — a parallel goal to becoming ‘partakers of the divine nature’ (sharing in God‑like life/transformation).
- 1 John 3:2 (allusion): Affirms that when Christ appears we shall be like him, echoing the expectation of transformation and participation in God’s character expressed in 2 Pet 1:4.
- Titus 3:5-7 (thematic): Attributes salvation and renewal to God’s action (washing/renewal of the Spirit) and presents believers as heirs of eternal life — paralleling the escape from corrupting lust and entrance into God‑given life promised in 2 Pet 1:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- Through these he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
- Through these he has given us precious and very great promises, so that by them you may share in the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world because of desire.
2Pet.1.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αυτο: PRON,acc,sg,neut
- τουτο: PRON,nom,sg,n
- δε: CONJ
- σπουδην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- πασαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- παρεισενεγκαντες: PART,aor,act,nom,pl,m
- επιχορηγησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- πιστει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αρετην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- αρετη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- γνωσιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- 2 Peter 1:3-4 (structural): Immediate context: God's promises and enablement provide the basis for ‘adding’ virtues to faith—verse 5 continues the chain begun in 1:3–4.
- James 2:14-26 (thematic): Explores the necessary relationship between faith and concrete moral action (works/virtue), paralleling Peter's exhortation to add virtue to faith.
- Philippians 2:12-13 (thematic): Calls for diligent, cooperative effort in Christian growth (‘work out your salvation’) while recognizing God's empowering—resonates with Peter's call to earnest diligence in increasing virtues.
- Hebrews 5:12-14 (thematic): Describes spiritual maturity and training in righteousness—like Peter's sequence of faith leading to virtue and knowledge as progressive growth.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (thematic): Lists the Spirit-produced moral qualities (fruit) that correspond to the virtues Peter urges believers to cultivate through diligent effort.
Alternative generated candidates
- For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue;
- For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue; and virtue with knowledge;
2Pet.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- γνωσει: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- εγκρατειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- εγκρατεια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- υπομονην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- υπομονη: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- ευσεβειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- 2 Peter 1:5 (structural): Immediate context — the same progression of virtues (knowledge leading to self‑control, perseverance, godliness) is part of the larger list and exhortation to add these qualities.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (verbal): The fruit of the Spirit includes 'self‑control' (ἐγκράτεια), directly paralleling the virtue of self‑control named here.
- Titus 2:11-12 (thematic): The gospel 'teaches us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self‑controlled, upright and godly lives' — linking self‑control with godliness as in 2 Pet 1:6.
- James 1:3-4 (thematic): Trials produce perseverance (ὑπομονή), and perseverance leads to maturity — paralleling the role of perseverance here as a stage in spiritual growth toward godliness.
- Hebrews 12:11-14 (thematic): Biblical teaching that discipline/endurance produces holiness (godliness) — connects the sequence of endurance/perseverance leading to holiness/godliness found in 2 Pet 1:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, steadfastness;
- and knowledge with self-control; and self-control with steadfastness; and steadfastness with godliness;
2Pet.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ευσεβεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- φιλαδελφιαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εν: PREP
- δε: CONJ
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- φιλαδελφια: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αγαπην·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Romans 12:10 (verbal): Uses the term 'brotherly love' (philadelphia) and exhorts devoted affection among believers, echoing 2 Pet's emphasis on brotherly kindness and love.
- Colossians 3:12-14 (thematic): Commands Christians to 'put on' compassion, kindness and above all love—paralleling the moral sequence from godliness to brotherly kindness to love.
- Galatians 5:22-23 (thematic): The fruit of the Spirit includes love along with self-control and goodness, corresponding to the cluster of virtues (self-control, perseverance, godliness, love) in 2 Pet 1:5-7.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (verbal): Explicit instruction about brotherly love (philadelphia) as a distinguishing duty of the community, reflecting 2 Pet's stress on fraternal affection.
- 1 Peter 1:22 (thematic): Connects moral purification/godly obedience to earnest love for one another, mirroring the causal link from godliness to active love found in 2 Pet 1:7.
Alternative generated candidates
- and to steadfastness, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly affection; and to brotherly affection, love.
- and godliness with mutual affection; and mutual affection with love.
2Pet.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- γαρ: PART
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- υπαρχοντα: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,n
- και: CONJ
- πλεοναζοντα: VERB,pres,act,ptc,nom,pl,n
- ουκ: PART,neg
- αργους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- ακαρπους: ADJ,acc,pl,m
- καθιστησιν: VERB,fut,act,ind,3,pl
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- επιγνωσιν·: NOUN,acc,sg,f
Parallels
- Colossians 1:10 (verbal): Asks that believers 'walk worthy' and 'bear fruit in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God'—closely parallels the ideas of fruitfulness and growth in the knowledge of the Lord.
- John 15:8 (thematic): Jesus teaches that bearing much fruit demonstrates true discipleship; this theme of fruitfulness as evidence of a living relationship with Christ echoes 2 Pet 1:8's concern with not being 'idle or unfruitful' in the knowledge of the Lord.
- Philippians 1:9-11 (verbal): Paul prays that love may 'abound more and more in knowledge' and result in 'the fruit of righteousness' through Jesus Christ—paralleling the language of abounding, knowledge, and resulting fruitfulness.
- Ephesians 4:15-16 (thematic): Describes the church's growth and mutual building up—'joined and knit together' so the body 'causes growth'—a parallel theme of progressive growth and productive Christian life culminating in effective knowledge of Christ.
Alternative generated candidates
- For if these things are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- If these qualities are in you and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Pet.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- γαρ: PART
- μη: PART
- παρεστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ταυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- τυφλος: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- μυωπαζων: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ληθην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- λαβων: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- καθαρισμου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- παλαι: ADV
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- αμαρτηματων: NOUN,gen,pl,neut
Parallels
- John 9:39-41 (thematic): Jesus contrasts physical sight and spiritual blindness—those who think they see may be blind—paralleling Peter’s description of a believer rendered spiritually blind and unable to see ahead.
- 1 John 1:7-9 (verbal): Speaks of Christ’s blood cleansing us from sin and the need to confess; connects directly with Peter’s note that the person has forgotten he was cleansed from his former sins.
- Titus 3:3-5 (thematic): Describes former state of foolishness and sin and God’s saving act by washing and renewal—parallels the idea of past sins having been cleansed and the danger of forgetting that transformation.
- Isaiah 42:18-20 (allusion): Isaiah’s rebuke of the blind and deaf who cannot see or hear supplies the Old Testament background for NT language of spiritual blindness applied by Peter.
- Matthew 13:13-15 (quotation): Jesus cites Isaiah about hearing without understanding and seeing without perceiving; parallels Peter’s motif of spiritual incapacity (blindness/forgetfulness) toward past cleansing and truth.
Alternative generated candidates
- But whoever lacks these things is blind and short-sighted, forgetting that he has been cleansed from his former sins.
- But whoever lacks them is blind and short-sighted, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
2Pet.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- διο: CONJ
- μαλλον: ADV
- αδελφοι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- σπουδασατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- βεβαιαν: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- κλησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- εκλογην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- ποιεισθαι·ταυτα: VERB,pres,mid/pas,inf
- γαρ: PART
- ποιουντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- ου: PART,neg
- μη: PART
- πταισητε: VERB,aor,act,subj,2,pl
- ποτε·: ADV
Parallels
- Romans 8:29-30 (thematic): Uses the same theological framework of calling and election (predestination, calling, justification), relating divine initiative to believers' final standing—background for confirming one's calling.
- Philippians 2:12-13 (thematic): Calls for diligent, active cooperation in the Christian life ('work out your salvation') while recognizing God's enabling work—parallels the imperative to be diligent in confirming calling and election.
- Hebrews 6:11-12 (thematic): Exhorts believers to show earnestness/diligence so as to have full assurance of hope to the end—closely parallels the admonition to be diligent to make one’s calling and election sure.
- Jude 1:24-25 (thematic): Assures God's ability to keep and present believers blameless—resonates with Peter's promise that those who practice these things will not stumble.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 (thematic): Affirms believers’ election by God and links it to observable faithfulness and the power of the gospel—relates to the concern for assurance and confirming one’s election.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election; for if you practice these things you will never stumble.
- Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election; for if you practice these things you will never stumble.
2Pet.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουτως: ADV
- γαρ: PART
- πλουσιως: ADV
- επιχορηγηθησεται: VERB,fut,pass,ind,3,sg
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- εισοδος: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αιωνιον: ADJ,acc,sg,f
- βασιλειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- κυριου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- ημων: PRON,gen,pl,1
- και: CONJ
- σωτηρος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- Χριστου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 25:21 (thematic): Reward language and entrance into the master's joy as the outcome of faithful service parallels the promised entrance into the Lord's realm in 2 Pet 1:11.
- Matthew 7:21 (thematic): Emphasizes actual entrance into the kingdom of heaven (not mere profession), echoing 2 Pet 1:11’s concern with entrance into the eternal kingdom.
- Colossians 1:13 (thematic): Speaks of God transferring believers into the kingdom of his Son, paralleling 2 Pet 1:11’s focus on access/entrance to Christ’s kingdom.
- Romans 2:7 (thematic): Promises eternal life/immortality as the result of perseverance in doing good, a parallel reward theme to the entrance into the eternal kingdom.
- 1 Peter 1:4 (allusion): Describes an imperishable, undefiled, unfading inheritance kept in heaven, corresponding to 2 Pet 1:11’s depiction of an eternal kingdom as believers’ inheritance.
Alternative generated candidates
- For in this way you will be richly granted an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
- For in this way you will be richly admitted into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received faith of equal standing with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
His divine power has granted to us all things necessary for life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence;
by which he has bestowed on us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you might become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
For if these things are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these things is blind and short-sighted, forgetting that he has been cleansed from his former sins.
Therefore, brothers, be all the more earnest to confirm your calling and election; for if you practice these things you will never stumble.
For in this way you will be richly supplied with an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.