2 Peter

Read · 2 Peter

2 Peter 1

King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context

About this chapter

AI-assisted, sourced

Peter says God's divine power "hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness," and urges believers to "add to your faith virtue," and so on up to charity, to make their "calling and election sure." Knowing he must soon die, he reminds them that the apostles "were eyewitnesses of his majesty" when they were with him "in the holy mount," and that prophecy came as "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:52 Peter 1:102 Peter 1:142 Peter 1:162 Peter 1:182 Peter 1:21

Who, where, when, and the key verses

Who

"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ," writes "to them that have obtained like precious faith with us." 2 Peter 1:12 Peter overview

Where

The letter names no place. Traditionally its readers are the believers in Asia Minor addressed in 1 Peter. Peter recalls "the holy mount" where the voice came from heaven. 2 Peter overview2 Peter 1:18

When

Traditionally about AD 64-68, shortly before Peter's death. Many scholars date it later, perhaps AD 100-150. Peter writes "knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle." 2 Peter overview2 Peter 1:14

How it fits

As the letter's opening, this chapter grounds believers in the apostles' witness and in Scripture. Chapter 2 continues, "But there were false prophets also among the people." 2 Peter 1:162 Peter 1:212 Peter 2:1

Key verses

Takeaway

God has given you all you need for godliness; keep growing in faith and virtue, and take heed to Scripture as "a light that shineth in a dark place." 2 Peter 1:32 Peter 1:52 Peter 1:102 Peter 1:19

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.

Greeting

1Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

Add to your faith

3According 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: 4Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

A reminder before Peter's death

12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

Eyewitnesses and the sure word of prophecy

16For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.