2 Peter 1:3
What does 2 Peter 1:3 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 1:3 means
Peter asserts that God’s divine power has provided believers with all they need for life and godliness. Nothing essential is lacking. This provision comes “through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue.” God’s saving call is effective and rooted in his excellence; he draws us by revealing the beauty and moral splendor of Christ. Life with God is not sustained by human resources but by God’s power at work in those who know Jesus. This means the Christian life is possible and fruitful, not because we are strong, but because Christ is sufficient. His call both creates and shapes our pursuit of a godly life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000seeing 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611According 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:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901seeing 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because 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;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862As 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,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As all things of his divine power which appertain to life and godliness are given us through the knowledge of him who hath called us by his own proper glory and virtue.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890As 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,
Context
Building on the wish for multiplied grace and peace, Peter now gives the reason such multiplication is realistic: God has already given everything needed. Verse 3 lays the theological foundation for the ethical exhortations of verses 5–7. Before calling believers to add virtues, Peter ensures they know the supply comes from God’s power, accessed through knowing Christ. Verse 4 will expand the idea of divine provision by focusing on the promises through which believers share in God’s nature and escape the world’s corruption. Together, these verses ground duty in divine grace.
v.2Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
v.3This passage
v.4whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 1:16
for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him;
- Ephesians 4:4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12
to the end that ye should walk worthily of God, who calleth you into his own kingdom and glory.
- 1 Corinthians 3:21
Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
- Proverbs 31:10
A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
- 1 Timothy 4:8
for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.
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