2 Peter 1:5-7

2 Peter 1:5-7 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness; and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.

Expanded Translation

And, indeed, for this very reason (that is, that you might be partakers of the divine nature) having added to your life all diligence and earnest application, you must in your faith and trust supply (furnish, present) moral goodness; and in your moral goodness knowledge (intelligence, understanding); and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control enduring fortitude, and in your enduring fortitude godliness (piety, devotion); and in your godliness brotherly-kindness; and in your brotherly-kindness love.

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Yea, and for this very cause

We have been granted great promises and escaped from the corruption of the world (2 Peter 1:4), that we might be sharers in God's divine nature. For this same reason, we must make the virtues listed here our own.

adding on your part all diligence

Adding on your part being one word in the original (pareisphero). The King James Version's giving does not provide an adequate meaning. It means, literally, to bring in besides (para, beside; eis, in; and phero, bring), hence to superinduce, add, exhibit in addition, In addition to what? To what God has already done (2 Peter 1:3-4). As Woods well remarks, the term indicates the comparative unimportance of man's participation in his salvation, by showing that his part is only contributory to God's work. Yet our part is very essential, for God's part is not fulfilled in our lives if we do not do ours.

DILIGENCEspoude, literally, haste; hence earnestness, zeal, earnest application. It is used of one's earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or striving after anything. Here it is prefaced with all.[47] We are to bend every effort to do our best for our Master! If we would be diligent, then the virtues here mentioned will be inculcated into our lives.

[47] Jude so uses it in 2 Peter 1:3 of his epistle: Beloved, while I was giving all diligence to write unto you.

in your faith supply virtue

Or, supplement your faith with virtue, and so on with each of these phrases. The word supply (epichoregeo) has been the subject of much discussion. It is an emphatic form of the word choregeo, which originally meant to be a chorus-leader, lead a chorus, and secondly to furnish a chorus at one's own expense; procure and supply all the things necessary to fit out a chorus, This chorus, from the Greek choros, is not to be interpreted as equivalent to our word choir. It was a band of dancers, who, in the process of their dancing performance also sang.[48] Both choregeo and epichoregeo later means to supply, furnish abundantly (choregeo, supplieth 1 Peter 4:11), the latter word being more emphatic and expressive than the former. Just as this chorus had to have several items of dress and make-up to be completely furnished, so the Christian must supply these various attributes if he is to be equipped properly for the spiritual life.

[48] The word choros is used only once in the N.T. Luke 15:25 where it merely refers to dancing.

FAITHpistis, here referring to their trust, confidence, and belief in God and His Son. Such a precious faith had resulted in their salvation (2 Peter 1:1); now they were to build upon this foundation. So they are told to supplement their faith with

VIRTUEarete (see also 2 Peter 1:3). Thayer says the word means a virtuous course of thought, feeling, and action; virtue, moral goodness. But as the word was commonly used, it referred to manliness, courage, vigor, and energy, particularly in overcoming or enduring anything. True virtue is not a tame and passive thing. It requires great energy and boldness, for its very essence is firmness, manliness, and independence.Barnes. Many modern translators have decided courage most accurately expresses the idea of the original. This must be supplemented with

KNOWLEDGEgnosis, the acquisition of information (concerning spiritual truth) and the understanding and discrimination which results from having such information. However, knowledge by itself is ruinous. It must be coupled with

SELF-CONTROLegkrateia, the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites (Thayer); countenance, temperance. It is from the root egkrates, meaning strong, stout, possessed of mastery. The Christian must be a master of himself!

and in your self-control patience

PATIENCEhupomone, literally an abiding under or after, hence, to remain behind (when others have departed); to remain, not to flee. Patience is not a passive virtue, it is a very active one! It is the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose to serve God, and his loyalty to faith and piety, by even the greatest trials and sufferings. It is that temper which does not easily succumb under suffering, as opposed to cowardice or despondence. See 1 Peter 2:19-20. To this quality we must add

GODLINESSeusebeia, from eu, well, good, and sebomai, to be devout. It denotes that piety which, characterized by a God-ward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him. This person is conscious and mindful of God and His will! Oh that their number might increase! With such an attitude, the next virtue should not be difficult. For true religion involves

BROTHERLY-KINDNESSPhiladelphia. (See comments under 1 Peter 1:22). But loving our brothers and sisters in Christ is not enough! To this specific type of love, we must add the general.

and in your brotherly kindness love.

LOVEagape. (See comments, 1 Peter 1:22). The man possessing this quality seeks the good and welfare of allwhether deserved or not. In this way he becomes like God (John 3:16). It is that outgoing, self-forgetful love that a person has within himself for God and othersall others! We are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). We are to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2). Ours is to be a labor of love (1 Thessalonians 1:3). We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15); and be rooted and grounded in love (Ephesians 3:17).

It is interesting to note that Peter, like Paul, places love in a preeminent position. And the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13), And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14).