(1) SIMON PETER. — The marginal reading “Symeon” is to be preferred. “Simon” has probably been substituted as being more usual. The Geneva Bible, which our translators unfortunately sometimes follow when it is _misleading,_ has “Simeon.” “Symeon,” of St. Peter, occurs elsewhere only Acts 15:14, in a... [ Continue Reading ]
GRACE AND PEACE BE MULTIPLIED UNTO YOU. — Identical with the last clause of 1 Peter 1:2, and with no other greeting in any Epistle. What follows here is peculiar to this Epistle, which begins and ends with grace and knowledge. (Comp. 2 Peter 3:18.) THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE. — Better, as before, _in._ T... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCORDING AS. — Better, _seeing that_ This must not be made to depend on 2 Peter 1:2. In the canonical Epistles the address does not go beyond the blessing. Galatians is the only exception; there a relative clause is added to the blessing; but this is solemnly brought to a close with a doxology, so... [ Continue Reading ]
(3-11) Exhortation to progress in spiritual graces in order to win eternal life at Christ’s coming. God has given us all we need for salvation; let us profit by it, and show ourselves worthy of it.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREBY. — By God’s “glory and virtue;” not by “all things that pertain unto life and godliness,” although the latter is possible, and is preferred by some. ARE GIVEN UNTO US. — Better, _He hath given unto us,_ viz., He who called us, God. Wiclif, “He gaf;” Rheims, “He hath given.” PROMISES. — The... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BESIDE THIS. — Rather, _and for this very reason._ The Authorised version is quite indefensible, and is the more to be regretted because it obscures a parallel between this and 1 Peter. There also we are exhorted to regulate our conduct by God’s (1 Peter 1:15; 1 Peter 2:1; 1 Peter 2:5). [In the... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO KNOWLEDGE TEMPERANCE; AND TO TEMPERANCE PATIENCE; AND TO PATIENCE GODLINESS. — _And in your knowledge_ [_supply_]_ self control, and in your self-control, patience, and in your patience, godliness._ In other words, your discerning between good and evil must lead to avoiding the evil and choos... [ Continue Reading ]
AND TO GODLINESS BROTHERLY KINDNESS; AND TO BROTHERLY KINDNESS CHARITY. — _And in your godliness_ [_supply_]_ love of the brethren, and in your love of the brethren, charity._ In other words, your godliness must not be selfish and solitary, but social and Christian; for he who loveth God must love h... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR IF THESE THINGS BE IN YOU. — First reason for the preceding exhortation — the benefit of having these graces. The original of “be in you” is a strong expression, implying permanent and not mere momentary existence. AND ABOUND. — Strictly, _and multiply_ or _increase._ (Comp. Romans 5:20, and No... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT HE THAT LACKETH. — Rather, _for he that lacketh._ Geneva and Rheims have “for.” The “for” introduces the second reason for the exhortation to furnish forth all these graces — viz., the evil of not having them. The Greek implies absence of possession in any degree, not merely absence of permanent... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE THE RATHER. — Exhortation resumed, with still more earnestness, for the reasons just stated in 2 Peter 1:8. The direct address, “brethren,” is a mark of this increased earnestness, and also assures those addressed that they are not included among the mere nominal Christians described in th... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ENTRANCE SHALL BE MINISTERED UNTO YOU. — “Ministered” is the passive of the same verb that is translated “add” in 2 Peter 1:5, and is probably chosen to answer to 2 Peter 1:5. “Supply these graces, and an entrance into the kingdom shall be abundantly supplied to you” — “abundantly,” _i.e.,_ with... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL NOT BE NEGLIGENT. — According to the right reading, _I shall be sure to_; because on your doing these things depends your entrance into Christ’s kingdom. THOUGH YE KNOW THEM. — We find the same affectionate delicacy in Romans 15:14 (see Notes there); 1 John 2:21; Jude 1:5. AND BE ESTABLISHED... [ Continue Reading ]
(12-15) Transition from the exhortation just concluded to the argument that follows, closely and naturally connected with both.... [ Continue Reading ]
YEA, I THINK IT MEET. — Better, _But I think it right._ So Rheims; Tyndale and Cranmer have “notwithstanding.” The meaning is, “but (so far from my writing being unnecessary) I think it right,” &c. IN THIS TABERNACLE. — The comparison of the human body to a dwelling is common in all literatures, an... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWING THAT SHORTLY I MUST PUT OFF THIS MY TABERNACLE. — This is rather wide of the mark. Among English versions Wiclif alone is right. The meaning is, _Knowing as I do that the putting off of my tabernacle will be done swiftly_ (comp. 2 Peter 2:1) — _i.e._, will soon be over when it once begins. T... [ Continue Reading ]
MOREOVER I WILL ENDEAVOUR. — The verse requires re-arranging. “Always” (or better, _at all times_) belongs to “may be able,” not to “have in remembrance;” and perhaps “moreover” is not quite right. Better, _But I will endeavour that ye may at all times also_ (as well as now) _have it in your power a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WE HAVE NOT FOLLOWED. — More literally, _For we did not follow,_ or, _It was not by following out, &c., that. “_For” introduces the reason for “I will endeavour” above. The word for “follow,” or “follow out,” occurs again in 2 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 2:15, and nowhere else in the New Testament. CUNNI... [ Continue Reading ]
(16-21) The certainty of Christ’s coming again is the basis of these exhortations; and that certainty is proved (1) by the Transfiguration, which was an anticipation of His coming again in glory; (2) by the utterances of the prophets who predicted it.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE RECEIVED. — Literally, _For having received._ The sentence is unfinished, owing to the long dependent clause, “when there came... well pleased.” The natural ending would be, “He had us as His attendants to hear it,” or something of that kind. HONOUR AND GLORY. — Both refer to the voice from... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THIS VOICE WHICH CAME FROM HEAVEN WE HEARD. — Rather, _And this voice we heard borne from heaven:_ We were ear-witnesses of the voice coming from heaven, as we were eye-witnesses of His majesty. It was no vision, it was no hallucination. We all heard, and we all saw; so that I have the highest a... [ Continue Reading ]
WE HAVE ALSO A MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY. — Rather, _And we have the prophetic word more sure_ (so Rheims alone); or, _And we have, as something more sure, the prophetic word,_ as a second proof of the truth of my teaching respecting Christ’s coming. The expression, “the prophetic word,” occurs now... [ Continue Reading ]
KNOWING THIS FIRST. — The participle belongs to “take heed” in 2 Peter 1:19. “First” means “first of all” (1 Timothy 2:1), not “before I tell you.” In studying prophecy this is the first thing to be borne in mind. IS OF ANY PRIVATE INTERPRETATION. — Better, _comes to be,_ or _becomes of private inte... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE PROPHECY CAME NOT IN OLD TIME. — Rather, _For prophecy was never sent,_ or _brought._ Wiclif and Rheims alone have “brought”; all the rest “came.” The verb is the same as that used of the voice from heaven (2 Peter 1:17), and also in this verse for “moved,” so that there is a telling antithe... [ Continue Reading ]