2 Peter 1:2-4

Growing In Grace and Peace In the Knowledge of Christ

As in the first letter (1:2), Peter prays that they may have the great blessings of God's unmerited favor and the peace which it supplies. Grace and peace quickly grow when we continue to grow in our understanding of God and Christ (2 Peter 1:2).

Christ, through his powers as God, to which the word "divine" points, gave the apostles all things that pertain to eternal life and living God-like, which will keep one in the way of that life. Passages such as this one, and others like John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and Judges 1:3, reveal no apostolic thought of future revelations. Instead, they clearly teach the completeness of the revelation delivered in the first century. Life and godliness come through the knowledge of Christ who both called us to glory and purity of deeds and called us by his glory and pure deeds (2 Peter 1:3).

The "things that pertain unto life and godliness" reveal great and priceless promises. When these promises belong to someone, he shares in the divine nature, or becomes partners with God (Hebrews 12:10). Christians have escaped the corrupt morals of the sinful world. The corruption which comes because of lust (2 Peter 1:4).