Peter writes to those who share the same precious faith. God’s divine power has granted everything that pertains to life and godliness, through knowing him. He has also given precious and exceedingly great promises. So believers should work hard. They should add to their faith moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love.

These qualities keep believers from being idle or unfruitful. Anyone who lacks them is blind, having forgotten the cleansing from old sins. So Peter urges, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. He knows his departure is near, so he keeps reminding them.

Peter says the apostles did not follow cleverly invented stories. They were eyewitnesses of the majesty of Jesus. They heard the voice from heaven on the holy mountain. The prophetic word is like a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns. No prophecy of Scripture came by human will, but holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Simon Peter writes to those who have obtained a like precious faith in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He prays that grace and peace will be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus. God’s divine power has granted all things that pertain to life and godliness. Through his precious and exceedingly great promises, believers may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world.

Therefore Peter calls them to all diligence. In your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness; and in godliness, brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. These qualities make believers fruitful. Peter writes, Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. Then they will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom.

Peter knows that putting off his tent comes swiftly, as Jesus showed him, so he wants them to remember these things after his departure. The apostles did not follow cunningly devised fables when they made known the power and coming of Jesus. They were eyewitnesses of his majesty. On the holy mountain they heard the Father’s voice: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. The prophetic word is a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. For no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.