Bullet Point Bible

Greeting and Divine Provision

¹ From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours.² May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord!³ I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.⁴ Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.

Peter identifies himself with humility ("slave," Gk. *doulos*) and authority ("apostle").
The recipients possess a faith of equal value ("just as precious") granted through divine righteousness, emphasizing equality in Christ.
The phrase "our God and Savior, Jesus Christ" is a significant affirmation of Jesus' deity (likely application of the Granville Sharp grammatical rule).
Grace and peace are multiplied through "rich knowledge" (Gk. *epignosis*), suggesting deep, experiential understanding, not just intellectual assent.
God's divine power is the source of *all* resources needed for Christian living ("life and godliness").
Knowing God, specifically the one who initiated the call through His "glory and excellence," is the means by which these resources are accessed.
God's promises are described as "precious and most magnificent," highlighting their immense value.
The goal enabled by these promises is becoming "partakers of the divine nature," which refers to sharing God's moral character and holiness, not ontological divinity.
This participation involves escaping the world's corruption, which stems from "evil desire."
This opening section establishes the sufficiency of God's provision as the foundation for Christian growth and conduct.

The Call to Christian Growth

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith excellence, to excellence, knowledge;⁶ to knowledge, self-control; to self-control, perseverance; to perseverance, godliness;⁷ to godliness, brotherly affection; to brotherly affection, unselfish love.⁸ For if these things are really yours and are continually increasing, they will keep you from becoming ineffective and unproductive in your pursuit of knowing our Lord Jesus Christ more intimately.⁹ But concerning the one who lacks such things -he is blind. That is to say, he is nearsighted, since he has forgotten about the cleansing of his past sins.¹⁰ Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin.¹¹ For thus an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be richly provided for you.

Based on God's provision (v. 3-4), believers must respond with diligent effort (Gk. *spoudē*).
Peter presents a ladder or chain of virtues, where each quality builds upon the previous one, starting with faith and culminating in *agape* love.
The sequence: Faith -> Excellence (*aretē*) -> Knowledge (*gnōsis*) -> Self-control (*enkrateia*) -> Endurance (*hypomonē*) -> Godliness (*eusebeia*) -> Brotherly Affection (*philadelphia*) -> Love (*agapē*).
This progression illustrates the development of a well-rounded, mature Christian character.
Possessing and actively growing ("increasing") in these virtues ensures a fruitful and effective Christian life centered on knowing Christ.
Lacking these qualities results in spiritual "shortsightedness and blindness," indicating a failure to grasp the implications of one's salvation ("cleansed from his past sins").
Believers are urged to confirm their "calling and election" through diligent cultivation of these virtues, demonstrating the reality of their faith. This is about practical assurance, not earning salvation.
Practicing these virtues provides stability and prevents believers from stumbling spiritually.
The ultimate outcome of this growth is a "richly provided" entrance into Christ's eternal kingdom, suggesting a full and triumphant welcome.
This section balances divine enablement (vv. 3-4) with human responsibility and effort in sanctification.

Peter's Reminder and Impending Departure

¹² Therefore, I intend to remind you constantly of these things even though you know them and are well established in the truth that you now have.¹³ Indeed, as long as I am in this tabernacle, I consider it right to stir you up by way of a reminder,¹⁴ since I know that my tabernacle will soon be removed, because our Lord Jesus Christ revealed this to me.¹⁵ Indeed, I will also make every effort that, after my departure, you have a testimony of these things.

Peter emphasizes the importance of reminding believers of foundational truths, even if they are already known and established.
Continuous reinforcement is necessary for spiritual stability and perseverance against error.
Peter views this ministry of reminding as his duty during his remaining lifetime.
He refers to his physical body as a temporary dwelling ("tabernacle"), highlighting the transient nature of earthly life.
Peter expresses awareness of his impending death ("my tabernacle will soon be removed").
He attributes this knowledge to a revelation from Jesus Christ himself (possibly referencing John 21:18-19).
His urgent motivation is to ensure the believers can access and remember these vital teachings after he is gone ("my departure," Gk. *exodos*).
This section underscores the pastoral concern of Peter and the enduring importance of apostolic teaching.
The mention of his departure sets the stage for addressing the false teachers who will arise.

Eyewitness Testimony to Christ's Glory

¹⁶ For we did not follow cleverly concocted fables when we made known to you the power and return of our Lord Jesus Christ; no, we were eyewitnesses of his grandeur.¹⁷ For he received honor and glory from God the Father, when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory: "This is my dear Son, in whom I am delighted."¹⁸ When this voice was conveyed from heaven, we ourselves heard it, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Peter directly counters potential accusations (likely from false teachers) that the apostolic message is based on fabricated stories ("cleverly devised myths").
He grounds the proclamation of Christ's "power and coming" (*parousia*) in direct, personal experience.
The apostles were "eyewitnesses" (Gk. *epoptai*, a term used in mystery religions for initiates who saw secret rites) of Christ's divine "majesty."
The specific event cited is the Transfiguration (cf. Matt 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36), a preview of Christ's future glory.
At this event, Jesus received divine validation ("honor and glory") from God the Father.
The Father's voice came from the "Majestic Glory" (a circumlocution for God himself), affirming Jesus' identity.
Peter quotes the Father's declaration: `"{{This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!}}"` This echoes the baptism accounts and Psalm 2:7 / Isaiah 42:1.
Peter emphasizes the empirical nature of the event: "We heard this voice... when we were with him."
The location is designated the "holy mountain" because of the sacred event that occurred there.
This eyewitness testimony serves as a powerful validation of the apostolic preaching concerning Christ's identity and future return.

The Certainty of Prophetic Scripture

¹⁹ Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.²⁰ Above all, you do well if you recognize this: No prophecy of scripture ever comes about by the prophet's own imagination,²¹ for no prophecy was ever borne of human impulse; rather, men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Peter elevates the testimony of Scripture ("the prophetic word," primarily the Old Testament) alongside the eyewitness account.
The phrase "more reliable" (or "made more sure") suggests the Transfiguration confirmed the prophetic promises about the Messiah.
Believers are urged to heed Scripture diligently, comparing it to a vital "light shining in a dark place" (the present world).
This attention to Scripture is necessary until the ultimate fulfillment: the "day dawns" (Christ's return) and the "morning star" (Christ himself, cf. Rev 22:16) fully illuminates believers' hearts.
A fundamental principle of biblical interpretation is stated: Scripture's origin is not the prophet's private understanding or invention ("own interpretation").
Prophecy did not arise from mere "human impulse" or will.
Instead, the human authors were divinely guided: "men carried along by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." This affirms the doctrine of biblical inspiration.
The Holy Spirit is the ultimate source of Scripture, ensuring its divine authority and truthfulness.
This section provides a robust defense of Scripture's reliability, crucial for combating the false teachers who likely twisted or disregarded it (as seen in chapter 2).
It establishes Scripture, alongside apostolic testimony, as the objective standard for truth.

The Bullet Point Bible

2 Peter 1