What does 2 Peter 1:1-4 mean?

¹ 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 Saviour Jesus Christ: ² Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, ³ According 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: ⁴ Whereby 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. (2 Peter 1:1-4 KJV)

Introduction of Chapter 1

In this chapter, we have: An introduction, preparing the way for what is mainly intended by the apostle (2 Peter 1:1-4). An exhortation to grow in all Christian virtues (2 Peter 1:5-7). To reinforce this exhortation and encourage serious commitment to it, he adds:

1. The great benefit they will receive by doing so (2 Peter 1:8-11).
2. A promise of his best support to help them in this work (2 Peter 1:12-15).
3. A declaration of the truth and divine origin of the gospel of Christ, in which they were urged to continue.

Greeting the Faithful

Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes again to those who, from among the Jews, had come to faith in Christ. He identifies himself by both the names Simon and Peter, and by the titles servant and apostle. The name Peter, given by Christ (Matthew 16:18), had special meaning as it pointed to the foundational truth of Christ as the Son of the living God. The name Simon, though not used in the first epistle, is included here to assure Jewish believers that he does not reject his roots, particularly circumcision. He calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ—a title of great honor. To be Christ’s servant is to share in the dignity and purpose of the highest calling (John 12:26; Revelation 1:6).

The recipients of this letter are described as those who have obtained precious faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. This faith is different from the false faith of heretics, hypocrites, and formal professors. It is the faith of God’s elect (Titus 1:1), created by the Holy Spirit during effectual calling.

1. True saving faith is a precious grace, not only because it is rare among visible Christians (Matthew 22:14), but because of its value and usefulness. The righteous live by faith. It brings all the nourishment the new life needs (Isaiah 55:1), brings heavenly treasure, and clothes believers in Christ’s righteousness (Revelation 3:18).
2. This faith is equally precious for both private believers and apostles. It works the same transformation in all who truly possess it. It unites both the weak and strong to Christ, purifies hearts, and justifies from all sin (Acts 13:39).
3. This precious faith is a gift from God, given through the work of the Holy Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead.
4. The worth of this faith comes through the righteousness of Christ. His perfect obedience makes this faith valuable.
   (1) Jesus Christ is truly God—our God. His divine nature gives infinite value to his righteousness.
   (2) As Savior, he obeyed on behalf of believers. As their substitute and surety, his righteousness is fully credited to them.

The apostolic blessing follows, asking that grace and peace be multiplied. This increase happens through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. Knowing and trusting in the only true God and the one he sent is the essence of spiritual life (John 17:3).

1. The source of all spiritual blessings is the divine power of Jesus Christ. He could not fulfill the role of Mediator unless he were both God and man.
2. Everything needed for spiritual life and godliness comes from Christ. All fullness dwells in him, and from him we receive grace upon grace (John 1:16).
3. Knowledge of God is the channel by which all spiritual strength and comfort are given. God is the one who has called us to glory and virtue. The purpose of his calling is to bring us to these blessings. Others interpret it as “by glory and virtue,” meaning that God’s glorious power is what brings about our calling (Ephesians 1:19). It is a display of God’s greatness that he converts sinners, calling them out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

The apostle strengthens their hope by showing that the same glory and power involved in their calling is also seen in the promises of the gospel.

1. The promises offer exceedingly great blessings. One of the greatest is the forgiveness of sins. All who know the seriousness of sin understand how powerful God’s mercy must be to forgive (Numbers 14:17; Psalm 119:18).
2. The promises are precious. Just as the great Old Testament promise was the coming Messiah (Hebrews 11:39), the great New Testament promise is the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). His presence is life-giving, enlightening, and sanctifying.
3. Those who receive the promises become partakers of the divine nature. They are renewed in the spirit of their minds, conformed to God’s image in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. Their hearts are set on God and his service.
4. Those in whom this new nature is formed are freed from the corruption of the world. The world is under the power of sin (1 John 5:19), and sin rules through the desires of those who belong to it. Those renewed by the Spirit are freed from these corrupting desires and enter the freedom of God’s children. Sin’s power over us corresponds to how much we delight in it; those who delight in Christ are no longer under its rule.