ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for 2 Peter 1

2 Pet. 1:1–2 Initial Greeting. Peter’s greeting is short and to the point. He identifies himself and his audience, and offers a blessing.

2 Pet. 1:1 Simeon. A Hebrew spelling of Simon. Peter, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, writes to those who have a faith of equal standing. All believers share equal privileges before God. This standing was accomplished by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. “Righteousness” refers here to God’s saving righteousness. Jesus is called “God and Savior.” This is one of the clearest NT statements about Christ’s deity (compare Titus 2:13; see also chart).

2 Pet. 1:2 In his initial blessing of his readers, Peter mentions a common theme in the letter: true knowledge of God and of Jesus. This verse also points to the deity of Christ (see note on v. 1).

2 Pet. 1:3–11 God’s Grace in Christ Is the Source of Godly Living. In this first main section, Peter emphasizes that God’s grace results in godliness.

2 Pet. 1:3 called us to his own glory and excellence. Believers are called to live in harmony with God’s moral character. On God’s “glory,” see note on John 1:14; compare Rev. 21:23. Greek writers used the word “excellence” to describe the sum total of all desirable character qualities.

2 Pet. 1:4 partakers of the divine nature. Believers never become part of God, yet they share in his nature as they become increasingly like him. The great promises include the promises Peter identifies in his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:14–41. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in new power is particularly important. Other promises include likeness to God (2 Pet. 1:4; see 1 John 3:2), Christ’s return (2 Pet. 3:4), and eternal life in heaven (1 Pet. 1:4).

2 Pet. 1:5 supplement your faith. Peter encourages Christians to confess faith in Christ and to live as he taught. All the virtues listed in vv. 5–7 are results of faith.

2 Pet. 1:6 Godliness means “piety, devotion to God” (also in vv. 3; 7; 3:11; see 2 Tim. 3:5).

2 Pet. 1:9 The one who lacks these qualities (vv. 5–7) is spiritually blind and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his sins. Perhaps this describes a person whose “cleansing” was merely external and did not come from a truly changed heart. It could also describe a genuine Christian who has fallen into serious sin.

2 Pet. 1:10 Christians should be diligent to confirm their calling and election. God calls believers to faith through the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14), but he has also chosen (elected) them “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). Growing in the Christlike virtues mentioned in 2 Pet. 1:5–7 will give believers increasing confidence that God really did call them and elect them to salvation. Those who practice these qualities . . . will never fall, probably meaning apostasy (falling away from the faith). Peter’s wording does not imply that true followers of Christ can ever apostatize; those who do so were never really “called,” “elected,” or born again (see notes on John 6:39; 6:40; 10:26–29; 1 Thess. 1:4; Heb. 6:4–8).

2 Pet. 1:11 in this way. That is, by doing the things Peter mentions in vv. 5–10. richly provided. Some interpreters think “richly” indicates degrees of blessing and reward in this life and in heaven. Others think that eternal life is the reward in view.

2 Pet. 1:12–21 Peter’s Reminder to the Churches. Peter contrasts the truth about Christ and the falsehood of man-made myths. In light of this certain truth, the church should focus on living faithfully.

2 Pet. 1:14 as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. It seems that Peter has recently become aware of how soon he will be martyred. He may also be thinking about what Jesus told him in John 21:18–19.

2 Pet. 1:16 cleverly devised myths. “Myth” here means “a story without basis in fact.” The gospel of Christ was no myth. The apostles were eyewitnesses of his majesty at the transfiguration. Peter knew, at that point, that Christ had come in power.

2 Pet. 1:17 Majestic Glory. A name for God the Father that emphasizes the power of his presence (see Ex. 33:12–23; 34:29–35; 2 Cor. 3:12–18). beloved Son. Compare Ps. 2:7; Matt. 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22.

2 Pet. 1:18 we ourselves heard. Peter emphasizes that he and James and John were eyewitnesses to the transfiguration (Matt. 17:1–8).

2 Pet. 1:19 the prophetic word more fully confirmed. Some have understood this to mean that Peter’s experience of the Transfiguration provides confirmation of OT prophecy, making the already-sure prophecy of the OT even more sure as confirmed by the Transfiguration. Others have understood “more fully confirmed” to mean that the prophetic writings of the OT are even “more sure” than Peter’s experience at the Transfiguration. The contrast between “we have” and “you will do well” seems to imply that the interpretation of the apostles (“we”) is to be regarded as authoritative for the church (“you”). Day dawns and morning star both refer to the day of final judgment and salvation (Isa. 13:9; Joel 1:15; Amos 5:20). Jesus’ second coming will also rise in your hearts. Christ’s presence will purify the hearts of his people.

2 Pet. 1:20 No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation, that is, from someone’s individual understanding of events, visions, or other things. Rather, “all prophecy of Scripture” came about from the Holy Spirit’s leading (v. 21). Peter reassures his readers that the Holy Spirit inspired all the OT Scriptures that pointed to Christ. Therefore they should pay close attention to them (v. 19).

2 Pet. 1:21 No biblical prophecy was ever produced merely because someone wanted to prophesy (by the will of man). God gave the words of Scripture through men who “spoke” as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit worked within the OT prophets and through their lives and circumstances as they prophesied. This key verse shows that the Holy Spirit inspired Scripture. At the same time, men spoke God’s words, using their own personalities, knowledge, background, and literary style. The exact way this was accomplished remains a mystery. What is true of OT prophecy is true of “all Scripture” (see 2 Tim. 3:16 and note).