Observe here, 1. The author and penman of this epistle, described by his name, SIMON PETER, the former given at his circumcision, the latter by Christ, upon the occasion of his confession, Matthew 16:18; by his condition, A SERVANT; by his office, an APOSTLE by the author of his office, JESUS CHRIST... [ Continue Reading ]
The person saluting, and the parties saluted, were mentioned in the former verse; here we have the salutation itself, 1. The matter of it, GRACE AND PEACE; grace to free us from God's wrath, and reinstate us in his favour; peace to quiet our own consciences, and reconcile us to ourselves. Observe,2... [ Continue Reading ]
In these words our apostle shews, what reason they had to believe and hope, that grace and peace should be multiplied unto them, namely, because almighty God had already given them all things which conduced to make them holy in this life, and happy in the next, by the knowledge of Christ. Others, by... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREBY, or BY WHOM, that is, through the knowledge of Christ in the gospel, God has given to us all things conducing to our present and future happiness; and, amongst the rest, the precious promises of the gospel, which so directly tend to make men partakers of the divine nature. Note here, That th... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle spends the former part of the chapter in comforting, this in exhorting; he told us before what God had done for us; he tells us now, what we must do for ourselves; it is not fit that heaven should take all the pains, and we none; we must give diligence, all diligence. BESIDES THIS, that... [ Continue Reading ]
To encourage Christians to grow and improve in the fore-mentioned virtues and graces, our apostle here lays before us, 1. The great advantage of such. proficiency and growth; IF THESE THINGS BE IN YOU AND ABOUND, that is, the fore-mentioned graces, they will both cause you, and evidence you not to b... [ Continue Reading ]
As if our apostle had said, "See that in the diligent exercise of the afore-named graces, and in the daily practice of the afore-mentioned duties, you make your calling and election, which are sure in themselves, sure to you; for so doing, you shall never fall or miscarry eternally." Here note, Tha... [ Continue Reading ]
There are four sorts of persons spoken of in scripture: 1. Some are said to be far from the kingdom of God, afar off from God, as Heathens and Infidels, who know not God. 2. Others are said not to be far from the kingdom of God, Mark 12:34, who yet will never come there. 3. Others are scarcely sa... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. The persons to whom the apostle gave the foregoing exhortation to progressiveness and proficiency in holiness, they were knowing persons, yea, established persons, they were both informed and confirmed in the truth; but were they knowing, yet they wanted farther information: were th... [ Continue Reading ]
Our apostle comes now to exhort them to constancy in the faith of the gospel, assuring them that himself and his fellow-apostles had not followed artificially devised fables, when they made known to them the coming of Christ in the flesh, and that he was truly, and in very deed, the promised Messias... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, That the Scriptures, or written word of God, are. more sure word to us than any voice from heaven, or revelation whatsoever; not that there was any uncertainty in the Lord's voice uttered from heaven at Christ's transfiguration, but because that transient voice was heard only by three,... [ Continue Reading ]
These words are understood variously. 1. Some interpret them thus; That no part of the holy Scripture was written by any private impulse, incitation, or motion, by no suggestion of men's own private spirits, but they gave out to us what the Holy Ghost gave in to them; nor did they prophesy accordin... [ Continue Reading ]