2 Peter 1:9
What does 2 Peter 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 1:9 means
The absence of these qualities reveals serious spiritual impairment. Peter says such a person is “blind,” so nearsighted that he forgets he was cleansed from former sins. Without growth, a believer loses sight of gospel realities—God’s forgiveness, the new identity in Christ, and the call to holiness. Spiritual amnesia leads to stumbling; when the past grace of cleansing is forgotten, present obedience withers. Peter highlights the moral and perceptual consequences of neglect. The issue is not merely failing to improve but failing to remember. The cure is to return to the cleansing God has provided and pursue the virtues that keep the heart attentive to Christ’s saving work.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the man who has not these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having no memory of how he was made clean from his old sins.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for he with whom these things are not present is blind, dim-sighted, having become forgetful of the cleansing of his old sins;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he that hath not these things with him is blind and groping, having forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890for he with whom these things are not present is blind, short-sighted, and has forgotten the purging of his former sins.
Context
After the encouragement of verse 8, verse 9 warns of the cost of neglecting growth. Spiritual deficiency results in blindness and forgetfulness about God’s cleansing. This sets up verses 10–11, where Peter urges greater diligence to confirm calling and election and promises stability and a rich entrance into the eternal kingdom. The contrast between fruitfulness and blindness explains why the following appeal is so urgent. Peter’s pastoral aim is assurance rooted in a life that reflects the gospel’s power, not a complacent profession that forgets what Christ has done.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Titus 2:14
who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.
- Galatians 5:13
For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
- John 9:40
Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said unto him, Are we also blind?
- Hebrews 9:14
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your 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 one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
- Mark 10:21
And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
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