2 Peter 1:5-7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:7

Brotherly kindness - Φιλαδελφιαν· Love of the brotherhood - the strongest attachment to Christ's flock; feeling each as a member of your own body. Charity - Αγαπην· Love to the whole human race, even to your persecutors: love to God and the brethren they had; love to all mankind they must also have. True religion is neither selfish nor insulated; where the love of God is, bigotry cannot exist. Narrow, selfish people, and people of a party, who scarcely have any hope of the salvation... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:5

Verse 5 5And besides this. As it is a work arduous and of immense labor, to put off the corruption which is in us, he bids us to strive and make every effort for this purpose. He intimates that no place is to be given in this case to sloth, and that we ought to obey God calling us, not slowly or carelessly, but that there is need of alacrity; as though he had said, “Put forth every effort, and make your exertions manifest to all.” — For this is what the participle he uses imports. Add to your... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5

And beside this, giving all diligence; rather, but for this very cause also. αὐτὸ τοῦτο is frequently used in this sense in classical Greek, but in the New Testament only here. It refers back to the last verse. God's precious gifts and promises should stimulate us to earnest effort. The verb rendered "giving" means literally "bringing in by the side;" it is one of those graphic and picturesque expressions which are characteristic of St. Peter's style. God worketh within us both to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-7

True Christian character. This notable passage, growing very evidently out of what precedes and into what follows, has a wealth of instruction. I. True Christian character CONSISTS OF MANIFOLD ELEMENTS . Here is a chain no link of which may be omitted, a structure no stone in which may be lacking, a body no member of which may be wanting. 1 . Whether the general order is to be insisted on or not, it is certain that faith is the primary essential of the whole character. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-11

Exhortation to earnest effort. I. OUR DUTY . 1 . To use all diligence. God's Divine power is with us; he has granted us all necessary helps. But this, says the apostle, is the very reason why we should work all the more strenuously. It would be heartless work, if we had not the great power of God to help us; but he hath endued his Church with power from on high. This gift of power is the very ground on which the apostle bases his exhortations; the great argument, not for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-11

Personal diligence needed for sanctification. The former verses say that God gives the knowledge of himself in the Word of promise, as the means by which grace and peace are to be multiplied; these verses say, to that must be added by you "all diligence." I. WE HAVE HERE AN ENUMERATION OF CERTAIN GRACES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE . It begins with "faith" and ends with "love," and between these are two or three words which need attention. Next to "faith," "virtue" is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:6

And to knowledge temperance; rather, self-control ( ἐγκράτεια ). The words ἐκράτεια ψυχῆς are the heading of a section in the Greek of Ecclus. 18:30, and are followed immediately by the maxim, "Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites." This self-control extends over the whole of life, and consists in the government of all the appetites; it must be learned in the exercise of that practical knowledge which discerns between good and evil. True knowledge... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:7

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. The word for "brotherly kindness" ( φιλαδελφία ) is another link between the two Epistles (see 1 Peter 1:22 ; 1 Peter 3:8 ). "In your godliness," St. Peter says, "ye must develop brotherly kindness, the unfeigned love of the brethren;" for "every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him" ( 1 John 5:1 ). And as God is loving unto every man, and "maketh his sun to rise on the evil... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 1:5

And beside this - Καὶ αὐτὸ τοῦτο Kai auto touto. Something here is necessary to be understood in order to complete the sense. The reference is to 2 Peter 1:3; and the connection is, since 2 Peter 1:3 God has given us these exalted privileges and hopes, “in respect to this,” (κατὰ kata or διὰ dia being understood,) or as a “consequence” fairly flowing from this, we ought to give all diligence that we may make good use of these advantages, and secure as high attainments as we possibly can.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 1:6

And to knowledge temperance - On the meaning of the word “temperance,” see the Acts 24:25 note, and 1 Corinthians 9:25 note. The word here refers to the mastery over all our evil inclinations and appetites. We are to allow none of them to obtain control over us. See the notes at 1 Corinthians 6:12. This would include, of course, abstinence from intoxicating drinks; but it would also embrace all evil passions and propensities. Everything is to be confined within proper limits, and to no... read more

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