2 Peter 1

2 Peter · Chapter 1

2 Peter 1:9

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,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.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.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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
9But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

In context

AI-assisted, sourced

Whoever lacks these qualities "is blind, and cannot see afar off." He "hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." 2 Peter 1:82 Peter 1:9

SpeakingSimon Peter, "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ," who saw Christ's majesty on the holy mount. 2 Peter overview

To"Them that have obtained like precious faith"; traditionally the same believers as 1 Peter, in Asia Minor. 2 Peter overview

Also involvedAnyone who professes faith but lacks these qualities. 2 Peter 1:9

This is the negative side of 1:8. Verse 10 draws the conclusion: be diligent. 2 Peter 1:82 Peter 1:92 Peter 1:10

The letter names no place. If the readers are those of 1 Peter, they were in Asia Minor; tradition places Peter in Rome at the end of his life. 2 Peter overview

The eventsThe verse gives no date of its own. Peter writes near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview

WrittenTraditional: about AD 64-68, shortly before Peter's death. Scholarly: many hold a follower wrote it in Peter's name, perhaps AD 100-150; others accept that Peter wrote it near the end of his life. 2 Peter overview

HerePeter warns that neglecting growth makes believers forget their own cleansing. 2 Peter 1:9

In the whole of Scripture"The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). "He that hateth his brother ... walketh in darkness ... because that darkness hath blinded his eyes" (1 John 2:11). The blood of Christ will "purge your conscience from dead works" (Hebrews 9:14). 1 John 1:71 John 2:11Hebrews 9:14

For readersPeter ties lacking these qualities to forgetting one's cleansing. "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). 2 Peter 1:91 John 1:7

  • blindτυφλός
    Greek · tuphlos · G5185

    The word means blind. Strong's G5185

  • cannot see afar offμυωπάζω
    Greek · muōpazō · G3467

    The word means to be short-sighted. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G3467

  • forgottenλήθη
    Greek · lēthē · G3024

    The word means forgetfulness. The lexicon lists this verse as its only New Testament use. Strong's G3024

  • purgedκαθαρισμός
    Greek · katharismos · G2512

    The word means cleansing, purification. The lexicon lists Hebrews 1:3 among its uses. Strong's G2512

Takeaway

Whoever lacks these qualities is blind and short-sighted, having forgotten his cleansing from past sins. 2 Peter 1:91 John 2:11

Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a second AI pass. Updated 2026-10-28.

Original Greek words

EnglishGreekSay itStrong'sMeaning
In whomeverᾯHōG3739
which

ὅς (hos, hē) ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. …

forγὰρgarG1063
for

γάρ (gar) γάρ, co-ordinating particle, contr. of γε ἄρα, verily then, hence, in truth, indeed, yea, then, why, and when giving a reason or explanation, for, the usage in NT being in general accord with that of cl.; 1. explicative and epexegetic: Mat.4:18 19:12, Mrk.1:16 5:42 16:4, Luk.11:3o, Rom.7:1, 1Co.16:5, al. 2. Conclusive, in questions, answers and exclamations: Mat.9:5 27:23, Luk.9:25 22:27, Jhn.9:30, Act.8:31 16:37 19:35, Rom.15:26, 1Co.9:10, Php.1:18 (Ellic., in l.), 1Th.2:20, al. …

notμὴmēG3361
not

μή (mē) μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] I. As a neg. adv., not; 1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. 2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. …

are presentπάρεστινparestinG3918
be present

πάρειμι (pareimi) πάρ-ειμι [in LXX for בּוֹא, etc. ;] 1. to be by, at hand or present; (a) of persons: Rev.17:8; παρών (opposite to ἀπών), 1Co.5:3, 2Co.10:2 10:11 13:2 13:10; before ἐπί with genitive, Act.24:19; ἐνώπιον, Act.10:33; ἐνθάδε, Act.17:6; πρός, with accusative of person(s), Act.12:20, 2Co.11:8, Gal.4:18, 20; (b) of things : of time, ὁ καιρός, Jhn.7:6; τ. παρόν, Heb.12:11; ἡ ἀλήθεια, 2Pe.1:12; ταῦτα, 2Pe.1:9; τ. παρόντα, Heb.13:5. …

these things,ταῦτα,tautaG3778
this/he/she/it

οὗτος (ohutos) οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; 1. as subst., this one, he; (a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; (b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; …

blindτυφλόςtuphlosG5185
blind

τυφλός (tuphlos) τυφλός, -ή, -όν [in LXX for עִוֵּר ;] blind: as subst., ὁ τ., Mat.9:27, Mrk.8:22, Luk.4:18" (LXX), Jhn.5:3, al. Metaphorical: Mat.15:14 23:16-26, Jhn.9:39-41, Rom.2:19, 2Pe.1:9, Rev.3:17. (AS)

he isἐστινestinG1510
you are

εἶ (ei) εἰμί, with various uses and significations, like the English verb to be. I. As substantive verb. 1. Of persons and things, to be, exist: Act.17:28, Jhn.1:1, 8:58, 17:5, al; ὁ ὢν καὶ ὁ ἦν (for past ptcp.), Rev.1:4, 8, 4:8, 11:17, 16:5 (see Swete, Ap., 5; M, Pr., 228); τὰ (μὴ) ὄντα, Rom.4:17, 1Co.1:28. 2. Of times, events, etc., to be, happen, take place: Mat.24:3, Mrk.14:2, 15:42, Luk.21:23, Jhn.4:6, 23, 5:10, al. …

being short sighted,μυωπάζων,muōpazōnG3467
be nearsighted

μυωπάζω (muōpazō) μυ-ωπάζω (μύωψ, closing the eyes, short-sighted; μύω, ὤψ) to be short-sighted: 2Pe.1:9 (R, mg., closing his eyes; see ICC, in l).† (AS)

forgetfulnessλήθηνlēthēnG3024
forgetfulness

λήθη (lēthē) λήθη, -ης, ἡ (λήθω = λανθάνω) [in LXX: Lev.5:15 (מַעַל), Wis.16:11, Sir.14:7, al. ;] forgetfulness: λ. λαβεῖν (on the phrase, see Mayor, in l): 2Pe.1:9.† (AS)

having receivedλαβὼνlabōnG2983
to take

λαμβάνω (lambanō) λαμβάνω, [in LXX chiefly for לקח, also for אחז ,לכד ,נשׂא, etc. ;] 1. to take, lay hold of: absol., Mat.26:26, Mrk.14:22; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.5:40 26:52, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.21:35, Mrk.12:3, al.; pleonastic λαβών (M, Pr., 230; Bl., §74, 2), Mat.13:31 14:19, al.; so also indic., Mrk.7:27, Jhn.19:1, 40 Rev.8:5, al.; metaphorically, with accusative of thing(s), ἀφορμήν, Rom.7:8, 11; ὑδόδειγμα, Jas.5:10; id. with accusative of person(s), φόβος, Luk.7:16; πνεῦμα, Luk.9:39; πειρασμός, 1Co.10:13; aoristic pf. (M, Pr., 145, 238; BL, §59, 4), Rev.5:7 8:5, al. …

purificationκαθαρισμοῦkatharismouG2512
cleansing

καθαρισμός (katharismos) καθαρισμός, -oῦ, τό (καθαρίζω). [in LXX for טָהֵר, טׇהֳרָה, etc. ;] cleansing, purification: Jhn.3:25; with genitive subjc., τ. Ἰουδαίων, Jhn.2:6; with genitive obj., of women after childbirth, Luk.2:22; of lepers, Mrk.1:44, Luk.5:14; with genitive of thing(s), τ. ἁμαρτιῶν, Heb.1:3, 2Pe.1:9 (Cremer, 319).† (AS)

formerπάλαιpalaiG3819
of old

πάλαι (palai) πάλαι adv. of time, [in LXX: Isa.48:5, 7 (אָז), etc. ;] long ago, of old, in time past (denoting past time absolutely, as πρότερον relatively) : Mat.11:21, Luk.10:13, Heb.1:1, Ju 4; as adj., with art., 2Pe.1:9; of time just past, Mrk.6:47 (WH, mg.), Mrk.15:44 (WH, mg., R, txt.); with durst. praes. (RV, all this time), 2Co.12:19.† (AS)

of himαὐτοῦautouG0846
it/s/he

αὐτός (autos) αὐτός, -ή, -ό, determinative pron., in late Gk. much more frequently than in cl. (WM, 178f.; Jannaris, HGG, §1399). 1. Emphatic (so always in nom. exc. when preceded by the art., see infr., iii); (1) self (ipse), expressing opposition, distinction, exclusion, etc., αὐ. ἐκχυθήσεται, Luk.5:37; αὐ. ἐγινώσκεν, Jhn.2:25; αὐ.ὑμεῖς, Jhn.3:28; καὶ αὐ. ἐγώ, Rom.15:14; αὐ. Ἰησοῦς, Jhn.2:24; αὐ. καὶ οἱ μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, Mrk.2:25; ὑμεῖς αὐ., Mrk.6:31; esp. (as freq in cl.) αὐ. ὁ, Mat.3:4, Mrk.6:17, Jhn.16:27, 1Th.3:11, al.; in late Gk., sometimes weakened, ἐν αὐτῇ τ. ὥρᾳ, in that hour, Luk.10:21 (M, Pr., 91; …

sins.ἁμαρτιῶν.hamartiōnG0266
sin

ἁμαρτία (hamartia) ἁμαρτία, -ας, ἡ (ἁμαρτάνω, which see), [in LXX chiefly for חַטָּאת and cogn. forms, also for פֶּשַׁע ,עָוֹן, etc. ;] prop. a missing the mark; in cl. (see reff. to CR in MM, VGT, see word); (a) guilt, sin (Plat., Arist., al.); (b) more freq., from Æsch. down, a fault, failure. In NT (as LXX) always in ethical sense; …

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.