2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
His divine power
The phrase "His divine power" refers to the omnipotent nature of God, emphasizing that it is through God's own strength and authority that believers receive what they need. The Greek word for "power" here is "dynamis," which conveys the idea of inherent strength and ability. This power is not human but divine, indicating that it originates from God Himself, who is the source of all spiritual life and godliness. Historically, this underscores the early Christian understanding of God as the ultimate source of all that is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity.

has given us everything
This phrase highlights the completeness and sufficiency of what God provides. The Greek word "dedōrētai" (has given) is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing effects. This suggests that God's provision is not only complete but also continually effective in the believer's life. The use of "everything" underscores the totality of God's provision, leaving nothing lacking for the believer's spiritual journey.

we need for life and godliness
"Life and godliness" encompass both the physical and spiritual aspects of a believer's existence. "Life" (Greek "zōē") refers to the abundant life that Jesus promised, which includes both eternal life and a fulfilled life on earth. "Godliness" (Greek "eusebeia") refers to a life of piety and reverence towards God. Together, these terms indicate that God's provision covers all aspects of a believer's life, enabling them to live in a way that honors God.

through the knowledge of Him
This phrase emphasizes the means by which believers access God's provision: through knowledge. The Greek word "epignōsis" implies a deep, personal, and experiential knowledge, not just intellectual understanding. This knowledge is relational, indicating an intimate relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Historically, this reflects the early Christian emphasis on knowing God personally, as opposed to merely knowing about Him.

who called us by His own glory and excellence
The calling of believers is rooted in God's own "glory" and "excellence." "Glory" (Greek "doxa") refers to the majesty and honor of God, while "excellence" (Greek "aretē") denotes moral virtue and goodness. This calling is not based on human merit but on God's own character and purpose. The historical context here is significant, as it reflects the early Christian understanding of salvation as a divine initiative, rooted in God's own nature and purpose, rather than human effort. This calling is both a privilege and a responsibility, inviting believers to reflect God's character in their own lives.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The author of the epistle, one of Jesus' twelve apostles, known for his leadership in the early church and his close relationship with Jesus.

2. Divine Power
Refers to God's omnipotent nature, which is the source of all spiritual and physical provision for believers.

3. Knowledge of Him
This phrase emphasizes the importance of knowing God personally and intimately, which is central to the Christian faith.

4. Glory and Excellence
Attributes of God that reflect His perfect nature and moral purity, which are the basis for His calling of believers.

5. Believers
The recipients of God's provision, called to live a life of godliness through the resources provided by His divine power.
Teaching Points
Divine Provision
Recognize that God has already provided everything necessary for living a godly life. Trust in His sufficiency rather than relying on personal strength or worldly resources.

Knowledge of God
Prioritize growing in the knowledge of God through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers. This knowledge is foundational to experiencing His power in our lives.

Call to Godliness
Understand that God's calling is rooted in His glory and excellence. Strive to reflect His character in daily life, knowing that His power enables us to do so.

Empowerment for Life
Embrace the empowerment that comes from God's divine power. Approach challenges and opportunities with confidence, knowing that God equips us for every aspect of life.

Reflecting God's Glory
Live in a way that reflects God's glory and excellence. Let your life be a testimony to His transformative power and goodness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's divine power change the way you approach challenges in your life?

2. In what ways can you grow in the knowledge of God, and how might this impact your daily walk with Him?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in a specific area of your life. How did this strengthen your faith?

4. How can you actively pursue godliness in your current circumstances, and what role does God's power play in this pursuit?

5. Consider the attributes of God's glory and excellence. How can you reflect these attributes in your interactions with others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 1:3
This verse speaks of God blessing believers with every spiritual blessing in Christ, paralleling the idea of being given everything needed for life and godliness.

Philippians 4:13
Highlights the empowerment believers receive through Christ, similar to the divine power mentioned in 2 Peter 1:3.

John 17:3
Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God, which aligns with the emphasis on knowledge in 2 Peter 1:3.

Romans 8:28-30
Discusses God's calling and purpose for believers, echoing the themes of calling and divine provision.

Colossians 1:9-10
Encourages believers to grow in the knowledge of God, reinforcing the importance of knowing Him as mentioned in 2 Peter 1:3.
Man Summoned by God's Glory and EnergyAlexander Maclaren2 Peter 1:3
Increase of Spiritual Life Dependent on the Knowledge of GodC. New 2 Peter 1:2, 3
A Glimpse of GloryThos. Adams.2 Peter 1:3-4
All Things Pertaining to Life and Godliness Given unto the SaintsH. Quick.2 Peter 1:3-4
Christ the Complement of Our LifeF. B. Meyer, B. A.2 Peter 1:3-4
DepravityHomilist2 Peter 1:3-4
Divine Promises2 Peter 1:3-4
Exceeding Great and Precious PromisesJohn Graham.2 Peter 1:3-4
Great and Precious PromisesE. P. Hood.2 Peter 1:3-4
Partakers of the Divine NatureW. Wilson, M. A.2 Peter 1:3-4
Partakers of the Divine NatureC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.2 Peter 1:3-4
Partakers of the Divine NatureA. Maclaren, D. D.2 Peter 1:3-4
Precious PromisesW. Lawson, D. D.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Beginning of Soul-SalvationU.R. Thomas 2 Peter 1:3, 4
The Bounty of GodJ.R. Thomson 2 Peter 1:3, 4
The Design of the Promises of GodR. Watson.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Divine LiberalityThos. Adams.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Divinely Assimilating Force of Divine PromisesHomilist2 Peter 1:3-4
The Efficacy of the PromisesH. Melvill, B. D.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Influence of the Promises of the GospelAbp. Tillotson.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Promises Designed to Make Men HolyN. W. Taylor, D. D.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Promises of GodD. Wilson, M. A.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Promises of GodW. Scott.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Wonders of Divine GraceThe Freeman.2 Peter 1:3-4
The Christian Virtues in Their CompletenessU.R. Thomas 2 Peter 1:3-11
People
Peter, Simeon, Simon
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Pontus
Topics
Acknowledgement, Appealed, Divine, Excellence, Glorious, Glory, Godliness, Goodness, Granted, Guide, Necessary, Needful, Perfections, Pertain, Pertaining, Piety, Power, Relate, Righteousness, Seeing, Virtue, Worthiness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Peter 1:3

     1105   God, power of
     1330   God, the provider
     4018   life, spiritual
     5441   philosophy
     6620   calling
     6646   eternal life, gift
     8203   character
     8244   ethics, and grace
     8265   godliness
     8347   spiritual growth
     8349   spiritual growth, means of
     8443   growth

2 Peter 1:1-4

     5467   promises, divine

2 Peter 1:2-3

     5029   knowledge, of God
     8261   generosity, God's

2 Peter 1:2-4

     6660   freedom, through Christ

2 Peter 1:3-4

     5454   power, God's saving
     5598   victory, over spiritual forces

2 Peter 1:3-11

     6639   election, to salvation

Library
Like Precious Faith
'... Them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.'--2 Peter i. 1. Peter seems to have had a liking for that word 'precious.' It is not a very descriptive one; it does not give much light as to the quality of the things to which it is applied; but it is a suggestion of one-idea value. It is interesting to notice the objects to which, in his two letters--for I take this to be his letter--he applies it. He speaks of the trial of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Man Summoned by God's Glory and Energy
'... 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.'--2 Peter i. 3. 'I knew thee,' said the idle servant in our Lord's parable, 'that thou wert an austere man, reaping where thou didst not sow, and gathering where thou hadst not strewed. I was afraid, and went and hid my talent in the earth.' Our Lord would teach us all with that pregnant word the great truth that if once a man gets it into
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Partakers of the Divine Nature
'He hath 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 i. 4. 'Partakers of the Divine nature.' These are bold words, and may be so understood as to excite the wildest and most presumptuous dreams. But bold as they are, and startling as they may sound to some of us, they are only putting into other language the teaching of which the whole New Testament is full,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

The Power of Diligence
'Giving all diligence, add to your faith ...'--2 Peter i. 5. It seems to me very like Peter that there should be so much in this letter about the very commonplace and familiar excellence of diligence. He over and over again exhorts to it as the one means to the attainment of all Christian graces, and of all the blessedness of the Christian life. We do not expect fine-spun counsels from a teacher whose natural bent is, like his, but plain, sturdy, common sense, directed to the highest matter, and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Going Out and Going In
'An entrance ... my decease.'--2 Peter i. 11, 15. I do not like, and do not often indulge in, the practice of taking fragments of Scripture for a text, but I venture to isolate these two words, because they correspond to one another, and when thus isolated and connected, bring out very prominently two aspects of one thing. In the original the correspondence is even closer, for the words, literally rendered, are 'a going in' and 'a going out.' The same event is looked at from two sides. On the one
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Faith and Life
Now, it will be clear to all, that in the four verses before us, our apostle has most excellently set forth the necessity of these two things--twice over he insists upon the faith, and twice over upon holiness of life. We will take the first occasion first. I. Observe, in the first place, what he says concerning the character and the origin of faith, and then concerning the character and origin of spiritual life. "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 10: 1864

Particular Election
When Mr. Whitfield was once applied to to use his influence at a general election, he returned answer to his lordship who requested him, that he knew very little about general elections, but that if his lordship took his advice he would make his own particular "calling and election sure;" which was a very proper remark. I would not, however, say to any persons here present, despise the privilege which you have as citizens. Far be it from me to do it. When we become Christians we do not leave off
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope
In 2 Timothy, 3:16, Paul declares: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;" but there are some people who tell us when we take up prophecy that it is all very well to be believed, but that there is no use in one trying to understand it; these future events are things that the church does not agree about, and it is better to let them alone, and deal only with those prophecies which have already been
Dwight L. Moody—That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope

The Faithful Promiser
THE FAITHFUL PROMISER. By the Author of "THE WORDS OF JESUS," "THE MORNING AND NIGHT WATCHES," ETC. "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises."--2 Pet. i. 4. NEW YORK: STANFORD & DELISSER, No. 508, BROADWAY. 1858.
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

Assurance
Q-xxxvi: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS WHICH FLOW FROM SANCTIFICATION? A: Assurance of God's love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end. The first benefit flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. 'Give diligence to make your calling and election sure.' 2 Pet 1:10. Sanctification is the seed, assurance is the flower which grows out of it: assurance is a consequent of sanctification. The saints of old had it. We know that we know
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is Perfect. Matthew 5:48.
In the 43rd verse, the Savior says, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward
Charles G. Finney—Lectures to Professing Christians

The Author to the Reader.
CHRISTIAN READER,--After the foregoing address, I need not put thee to much more trouble: only I shall say, that he must needs be a great stranger in our Israel, or sadly smitten with that epidemic plague of indifferency, which hath infected many of this generation, to a benumbing of them, and rendering them insensible and unconcerned in the matters of God, and of their own souls, and sunk deep in the gulf of dreadful inconsideration, who seeth not, or taketh no notice of, nor is troubled at the
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers.
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

The Mystical Union with Immanuel.
"Christ in you the hope of glory." --Col. i. 27. The union of believers with Christ their Head is not effected by instilling a divine-human life-tincture into the soul. There is no divine-human life. There is a most holy Person, who unites in Himself the divine and the human life; but both natures continue unmixed, unblended, each retaining its own properties. And since there is no divine-human life in Jesus, He can not instil it into us. We do heartily acknowledge that there is a certain conformity
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Its Basis
In our last chapter we contemplated the problem which is presented in the justifying or pronouncing righteous one who is a flagrant violater of the Law of God. Some may have been surprised at the introduction of such a term as "problem": as there are many in the ranks of the ungodly who feel that the world owes them a living, so there are not a few Pharisees in Christendom who suppose it is due them that at death their Creator should take them to Heaven. But different far is it with one who has been
Arthur W. Pink—The Doctrine of Justification

The Beatific vision.
Reason, revelation, and the experience of six thousand years unite their voices in proclaiming that perfect happiness cannot be found in this world. It certainly cannot be found in creatures; for they were not clothed with the power to give it. It cannot be found even in the practice of virtue; for God has, in His wisdom, decreed that virtue should merit, but never enjoy perfect happiness in this world. He has solemnly pledged himself to give "eternal life" to all who love and serve him here on earth.
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

The Authority and Utility of the Scriptures
2 Tim. iii. 16.--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We told you that there was nothing more necessary to know than what our end is, and what the way is that leads to that end. We see the most part of men walking at random,--running an uncertain race,--because they do not propose unto themselves a certain scope to aim at, and whither to direct their whole course. According to men's particular
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"If So be that the Spirit of God Dwell in You. Now if any Man have not the Spirit of Christ, He is None of His. "
Rom. viii. 9.--"If so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." There is a great marriage spoken of, Eph. v. that hath a great mystery in it, which the apostle propoundeth as the sample and archetype of all marriages or rather as the substance, of which all conjunctions and relations among the creatures are but the shadows. It is that marriage between Christ and his church, for which, it would appear, this world was builded, to be
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
I come now to speak a little to the other part of sanctification, which concerneth the change of our nature and frame, and is called vivification, or quickening of the new man of grace; which is called the new man, as having all its several members and parts, as well as the old man; and called new, because posterior to the other; and after regeneration is upon the growing hand, this duty of growing in grace, as it is called, 2 Pet. iii. &c. is variously expressed and held forth to us in Scripture;
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Remaining Books of the Old Testament.
1. The divine authority of the Pentateuch having been established, it is not necessary to dwell at length on the historical books which follow. The events which they record are a natural and necessary sequel to the establishment of the theocracy, as given in the five books of Moses. The Pentateuch is occupied mainly with the founding of the theocracy; the following historical books describe the settlement of the Israelitish nation under this theocracy in the promised land, and its practical operation
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Concerning the Sacrament of Baptism
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to the riches of His mercy has at least preserved this one sacrament in His Church uninjured and uncontaminated by the devices of men, and has made it free to all nations and to men of every class. He has not suffered it to be overwhelmed with the foul and impious monstrosities of avarice and superstition; doubtless having this purpose, that He would have little children, incapable of avarice and superstition, to be initiated into
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Faith
What does God require of us, that we may escape his wrath and curse due to us for our sin? Faith in Jesus Christ, repentance unto life, with the diligent use of all the outward means, whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption. I begin with the first, faith in Jesus Christ. Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood.' Rom 3: 25. The great privilege in the text is, to have Christ for a propitiation; which is not only to free us from God's wrath, but to
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Approval of the Spirit
TEXT: "Yea, saith the Spirit."--Rev. 14:31. The world has had many notable galleries of art in which we have been enabled to study the beautiful landscape, to consider deeds of heroism which have made the past illustrious, in which we have also read the stories of saintly lives; but surpassing all these is the gallery of art in which we find the text. Humanly speaking John is the artist while he is an exile on the Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. The words he uses and the figures he presents
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot

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