2 Peter 1

Greeting

1 Simeon 1 Peter, a servant 2 and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a a faith of equal standing with ours b by the righteousness of our c God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 d May grace and peace be multiplied to you e in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Make Your Calling and Election Sure

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him f who called us to 3 his own glory and excellence, 4 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become g partakers of the divine nature, h having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith i with virtue, 5 and virtue j with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control k with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness l with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection m with love. 8 For if these qualities 6 are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or n unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he o is blind, having forgotten that he was p cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, 7 be all the more diligent to make your calling and q election sure, for if you practice these qualities r you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you s an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 Therefore I intend t always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in u the truth that you have. 13 I think it right, as long as I am in this v body, 8 w to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 x since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, y as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things.

Christ's Glory and the Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow z cleverly devised a myths when we made known to you b the power and c coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but d we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, e "This is my beloved Son, 9 with whom I am well pleased," 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on f the holy mountain. 19 And g we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention h as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until i the day j dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For k no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God l as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

  1. Cross References
    Romans 1:12
    That is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine.
    2 Corinthians 4:13
    Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak.
    Titus 1:4
    To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 3:21 - 26
    But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it -
  3. Cross References
    Titus 2:13
    Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
  4. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:2
    According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you.
    Jude 1:2
    May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
  5. Cross References
    2 Peter 1:3
    His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.
    2 Peter 1:8
    For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    2 Peter 2:20
    For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
    John 17:3
    And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
    Philippians 3:8
    Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
  6. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:12
    We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
    2 Thessalonians 2:14
    To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    2 Timothy 1:9
    Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.
    1 Peter 5:10
    And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
  7. Cross References
    Ephesians 4:24
    And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
    Hebrews 12:10
    For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
    1 John 3:2
    Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
  8. Cross References
    2 Peter 2:18
    For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error.
    2 Peter 2:20
    For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
  9. Cross References
    Philippians 4:8
    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
  10. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:7
    Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
  11. Cross References
    Hebrews 10:36
    For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
    James 1:3
    For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
  12. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:1
    Let brotherly love continue.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 13:1
    If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
    1 John 4:16
    So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
  14. Cross References
    John 15:2
    Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
    Titus 3:14
    And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
  15. Cross References
    Job 5:14
    They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night.
    Job 12:25
    They grope in the dark without light, and he makes them stagger like a drunken man.
    Isaiah 59:10
    We grope for the wall like the blind; we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigor we are like dead men.
    Zephaniah 1:17
    I will bring distress on mankind, so that they shall walk like the blind, because they have sinned against the Lord ; their blood shall be poured out like dust, and their flesh like dung.
    1 John 2:9 - 11
    Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.
  16. Cross References
    Ephesians 5:26
    That he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.
    Titus 2:14
    Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
    Hebrews 9:14
    How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.
    1 John 1:7
    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
    Revelation 7:14
    I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
  17. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 1:4
    For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.
  18. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:17
    You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.
    1 John 2:10
    Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
  19. Cross References
    Colossians 1:13
    He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
    Acts 14:22
    Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
  20. Cross References
    Jude 1:5
    Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
    Romans 15:14 - 15
    I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
    Philippians 3:1
    Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
    1 John 2:21
    I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
  21. Cross References
    2 John 1:2
    Because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:
  22. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:1
    For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
    2 Corinthians 5:4
    For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened - not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
  23. Cross References
    2 Peter 3:1
    This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder.
  24. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 4:21 - 22
    Furthermore, the Lord was angry with me because of you, and he swore that I should not cross the Jordan, and that I should not enter the good land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.
    Deuteronomy 31:14
    And the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, the days approach when you must die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may commission him." And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting.
    2 Timothy 4:6
    For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
  25. Cross References
    John 21:18 - 19
    Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.
  26. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:17
    For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
  27. Cross References
    1 Timothy 1:4
    Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
  28. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:4
    And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.
  29. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 2:19
    For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
  30. Cross References
    Matthew 17:1 - 2
    And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
    Matthew 17:6
    When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.
    Mark 9:2
    And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them.
    Luke 9:28 - 29
    Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
    John 1:14
    And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
  31. Cross References
    Matthew 17:5
    He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.
    Mark 9:7
    And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son; listen to him.
    Luke 9:35
    And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!
    Matthew 3:17
    And behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
  32. Cross References
    Exodus 3:5
    Then he said, "Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.
    Joshua 5:15
    And the commander of the Lord 's army said to Joshua, "Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
  33. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:10
    Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully.
  34. Cross References
    Psalms 119:105
    Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
    John 5:35
    He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
  35. Cross References
    Revelation 2:28
    And I will give him the morning star.
    Revelation 22:16
    "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
    Malachi 4:2
    But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
  36. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:6
    For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
  37. Cross References
    2 Timothy 3:16
    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
  38. Cross References
    1 Peter 1:11
    Inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.
    2 Samuel 23:2
    The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.
    Luke 1:70
    As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old.
    Acts 1:16
    Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
    Acts 3:18
    But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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