2 Peter 1 · Verse 3

2 Peter 1:3

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:
2 Peter 1:3, King James Version

2 Peter 1:3 in other translations

BSBHis 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.
WEBseeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue,
ASVseeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
YLTAs all things to us His divine power (the things pertaining unto life and piety) hath given, through the acknowledgement of him who did call us through glory and worthiness,
DARBYAs his divine power has given to us all things which relate to life andgodliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us by glory and virtue,
BBEBecause by his power he has given us everything necessary for life and righteousness, through the knowledge of him who has been our guide by his glory and virtue;
WebsterAccording as his divine power hath given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

What does 2 Peter 1:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
3. According as, &c.--Seeing that [Alford]. "As He hath given us ALL things (needful) for life and godliness, (so) do you give us ALL diligence," &c. The oil and flame are given wholly of grace by God, and "taken" by believers: their part henceforth is to "trim their lamps" (compare 2Pe 1:3, 4 with 2Pe 1:5, &c.). life and godliness--Spiritual life must exist first before there can be true godliness. Knowledge of God experimentally is the first step to life (Joh 17:3). The child must have vital breath. first, and then cry to, and walk in the ways of, his father. It is not by godliness that we obtain life, but by life, godliness. To life stands opposed corruption; to godliness, lust (2Pe 1:4). called us--(2Pe 1:10); "calling" (1Pe 2:9). to glory and virtue--rather, "through (His) glory." Thus English Version reads as one oldest manuscript. But other oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read, "By His own (peculiar) glory and virtue"; being the explanation of "His divine power"; glory and moral excellency (the same attribute is given to God in 1Pe 2:9, "praises," literally, "virtues") characterize God's "power." "Virtue," the standing word in heathen ethics, is found only once in Paul (Php 4:8), and in Peter in a distinct sense from its classic usage; it (in the heathen sense) is a term too low and earthly for expressing the gifts of the Spirit [Trench, Greek Synonyms of the New Testament].

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 3. According as his divine power hath given unto us. All the effects of the gospel on the human heart are, in the Scriptures, traced to the power of God. Rom 1:16. There are no moral means which have ever been used that have such power as the gospel; none through which God has done so much in changing the character and affecting the destiny of man.

All things that pertain unto life and godliness. The reference here in the word life is undoubtedly to the life of religion; the life of the soul imparted by the gospel. The word godliness is synonymous with piety. The phrase "according as" (ως) seems to be connected with the sentence in 2Pet 1:5, "Forasmuch as he has conferred on us these privileges and promises connected with life and godliness, we are bound, in order to obtain all that is implied in these things, to give all diligence to add to our faith, knowledge," etc.

Through the knowledge of him. By a proper acquaintance with him, or by the right kind of knowledge of him. Jn 17:3.

That hath called to glory and virtue. Margin, by. Greek, "through glory," etc. Doddridge supposes that it means that he has done this "by the strengthening virtue and energy of his spirit." Rosenmuller renders it, "by glorious benignity." Dr. Robinson (Lex.) renders it, "through a glorious display of his efficiency." The objection which any one feels to this rendering arises solely from the word virtue, from the fact that we are not accustomed to apply that word to God. But the original word (αρετη) is not as limited in its signification as the English word is, but is rather a word which denotes a good quality or excellence of any kind. In the ancient classics it is used to denote manliness, vigour, courage, valour, fortitude; and the word would rather denote energy or power of some kind, than what we commonly understand by virtue, and would be, therefore, properly applied to the energy or efficiency which God has displayed in the work of our salvation. Indeed, when applied to moral excellence at all, as it is in 1Pet 1:5 of this chapter, and often elsewhere, it is perhaps with a reference to the energy, boldness, rigour, or courage which is evinced in overcoming our evil propensities, and resisting allurements and temptations. According to this interpretation, the passage teaches that it is by a glorious Divine efficiency that we are called into the kingdom of God.

(c) "all things" Ps 84:11, 1Timm 4:8 (*) "unto" "belong to" (3) "to glory" "by" (d) "virtue" 2Ti 1:9

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 As his Divine power - His power, which no power can resist, because it is Divine - that which properly belongs to the infinite Godhead. Hath given unto us - Δεδωρημενης· Hath endowed us with the gifts; or, hath gifted us, as Dr. Macknight translates it, who observes that it refers to the gifts which the Holy Spirit communicated to the apostles, to enable them to bring men to life and godliness; which were, 1. A complete knowledge of the doctrines of the Gospel. 2. Power to preach and defend their doctrines in suitable language, which their adversaries were not able to gainsay or resist. 3. Wisdom to direct them how to behave in all cases, where and when to labor; and the matter suitable to all different cases, and every variety of persons. 4. Miraculous powers, so that on all proper and necessary occasions they could work miracles for the confirmation of their doctrines and mission. By life and godliness we may understand, 1. a godly life; or, 2. eternal life as the end, and godliness the way to it; or, 3. what was essentially necessary for the present life, food, raiment, etc., and what was requisite for the life to come. As they were in a suffering state, and most probably many of them strangers in those places, one can scarcely say that they had all things that pertained to life; and yet so had God worked in their behalf, that none of them perished, either through lack of food or raiment. And as to what was necessary for godliness, they had that from the Gospel ministry, which it appears was still continued among them, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit which were not withdrawn; and what was farther necessary in the way of personal caution, comfort, and instruction, was supplied by means of these two epistles. That hath called us to glory and virtue - To virtue or courage as the means; and glory - the kingdom of heaven, as the end. This is the way in which these words are commonly understood, and this sense is plain enough, but the construction is harsh. Others have translated δια δοξης και αρετης, by his glorious benignity, a Hebraism for δια της ενδοξου αρετης· and read the whole verse thus: God by his own power hath bestowed on us every thing necessary for a happy life and godliness, having called us to the knowledge of himself, by his own infinite goodness. It is certain that the word αρετη, which we translate virtue or courage, is used, 1Pet 2:9, to express the perfection of the Divine nature: That ye may show forth τας αρετας, the virtues or Perfections, of him who hath called you from darkness into his marvellous light. But there is a various reading here which is of considerable importance, and which, from the authorities by which it is supported, appears to be genuine: Του καλεσαντος ἡμας ιδια δοξῃ και αρετῃ, through the knowledge of him who hath called us by his own glory and power, or by his own glorious power. This is the reading of AC, several others; and, in effect, of the Coptic, Armenian, Syriac, Ethiopic, Vulgate, Cyril, Cassiodorus, etc.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Peter 1:1-11

Chapter Outline Exhortations to add the exercise of various other graces to faith. (1-11) The apostle looks forward to his approaching decease. (12-15) And confirms the truth of the gospel, relating to Christ's appearing to judgment. (16-21) Verses 1-11 Faith unites the weak believer to Christ, as really as it does the strong one, and purifies the heart of one as truly as of another; and every sincere believer is by…

Read the full comment on 2 Peter 1:1-11 →

2 Peter 1:3 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ὡςhōsAccordinglyG5613
πάνταpantaall thingsG3956
ἡμῖνhēminto usG3165
τῆςtēsby theG3588
θείαςtheiasdivineG2304
δυνάμεωςdunameōspowerG1411
αὐτοῦautouof HimG846
τὰta<the>G3588
πρὸςprostowardG4314
ζωὴνzōēnlifeG2222
καὶkaiandG2532
εὐσέβειανeusebeiangodlinessG2150
δεδωρημένηςdedōrēmenēshaving himself givenG1433
διὰdiathroughG1223
τῆςtēstheG3588
ἐπιγνώσεωςepignōseōsknowledgeG1922
τοῦtouof the [One who]G3588
καλέσαντοςkalesantoshaving calledG2564
ἡμᾶςhēmasusG3165
ἰδίᾳidia[by His] ownG2398
δόξῃdoxēgloryG1391
καὶkaiandG2532
ἀρετῇ,aretēaexcellence,G703

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Peter 1:3

  • 1 Peter 5:10

    But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

  • 2 Timothy 1:9

    Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

  • Romans 8:28-30

    And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

  • Psalms 84:11

    For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

    Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

  • Romans 8:32

    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

  • Ephesians 1:19-21

    And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9

    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  • 1 Peter 2:21

    For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

  • 1 Peter 2:9

    But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • 2 Thessalonians 2:14

    Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:12

    That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
his.
Ps 110:3; Mt 28:18; Joh 17:2; 2Co 12:9; Eph 1:19-21; Col 1:16
Heb 1:3
all.
Ps 84:11; Ro 8:32; 1Co 3:21-23; 1Ti 4:8
through.
2; Joh 17:3
called.
Ro 8:28-30; 9:24; 1Co 1:9; Eph 4:1,4; 1Th 2:12; 4:7; 2Th 2:14
2Ti 1:9; 1Pe 1:15; 2:9,21; 3:9; 5:10
to. or, by. virtue.
5; Ru 3:11; Pr 12:4; 31:10,29; Php 4:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 2 Peter 1:2

    Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

  • 2 Peter 1:3

    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:

  • 2 Peter 1:4

    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.

Read all of 2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1:3 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Como todas las cosas que pertenecen á la vida y á la piedad nos sean dadas de su divina potencia, por el conocimiento de aquel que nos ha llamado por su gloria y virtud:
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Comme sa divine puissance nous a donné tout ce qui regarde la vie et la piété, par la connaissance de celui qui nous a appelés par la gloire et par la vertu,
German
Elberfelder 1871		Da seine göttliche Kraft uns alles in betreff des Lebens und der Gottseligkeit geschenkt hat durch die Erkenntnis dessen, der uns berufen hat durch Herrlichkeit und Tugend,
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Quomodo omnia nobis divinæ virtutis suæ, quæ ad vitam et pietatem donata sunt, per cognitionem ejus, qui vocavit nos propria gloria, et virtute,