2 Peter 1:7
What does 2 Peter 1:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 1:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 1:7 means
The list culminates in “brotherly kindness” and “love.” Brotherly kindness is warm affection and practical care for fellow believers, treating them as family in Christ. Love is the highest grace—self-giving goodwill that seeks the other’s good, even at cost to oneself. It embraces both the household of faith and all people. By ending with love, Peter shows that all the virtues aim at and are crowned by Christlike love. Knowledge, self-control, and godliness must express themselves in relationships; otherwise they miss the mark. Love is the visible badge of maturity and the fulfillment of God’s work in us, for it mirrors the character of the Lord who loved and gave himself for us.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And love of the brothers to fear of God, and to love of the brothers, love itself.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and in the piety the brotherly kindness, and in the brotherly kindness the love;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And in godliness, love of brotherhood: and in love of brotherhood, charity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890ingodliness brotherly love, in brotherly love love:
Context
Verse 7 completes the virtue chain from verses 5–7, moving from inner formation to outward expression. With the list finished, verse 8 will state the positive outcome of possessing these qualities in abundance—usefulness and fruitfulness in the knowledge of Christ. Verses 9–11 will offer a sober contrast for those lacking them and an encouragement to pursue assurance and a rich entrance into Christ’s kingdom. The order of the list matters: love is the crown, guiding how all other graces operate. This prepares readers to consider the results of either cultivating or neglecting such qualities.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
- John 13:34
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
- Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith.
- 1 John 3:14
We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not abideth in death.
- 1 Peter 2:17
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all.
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