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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJohn Bengel Commentary - 2 Peter 1:3 - 1:3
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2Pe 1:3. Ὡς πάντα ἡμῖν, as all things to us) There is a wonderful cheerfulness in this exordium, beginning with the exhortation itself, add, etc., 2Pe 1:5. For this is the object of the Epistle; 2Pe 1:13; 2Pe 3:1. All things, in this passage, and all, 2Pe 1:5, have reference to one another; for as the Protasis is here, so is the Apodosis there. As has the effect of explaining, as 2Co 5:20. Comp. altogether the parable of the ten virgins, Matthew 25. The flame is that which is imparted to us by God and from God, without any labour on our part: but the oil is that which man ought to add by his own diligence and faithfulness, that the flame may be fed and increased. Thus the matter is set forth without a parable in this passage of Peter: in 2Pe 1:3-4, we have the flame; but in 2Pe 1:5-6, and those which follow, we have that which man himself ought to add [lit. to pour upon it], the presence of Divine grace being presupposed.-τῆς θείας δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ, the Divine power of Him) of Him, that is, God: for this is to be repeated from the word divine. From the power of God proceeds all power to life and godliness.-τὰ πρὸς ζωὴν καὶ εὐσέβειαν) those things which pertain unto life from God, and earnestness towards God. Observe, it is plainly not by godliness that we obtain life. The Divine glory imparts life (comp. Rom 6:4, note); His power, godliness. To the one corruption is opposed, to the other lust; 2Pe 1:4.-δεδωρημένης, has given) Thus δεδώρηται, He hath given: used twice in an active sense. Thus Gen 30:20, Septuagint, δεδώρηται ὁ Θεός μοι δῶρον καλόν, God hath given me a goodly gift.-τοῦ καλέσαντος, of Him that called us) To this refer the calling in 2Pe 1:10. The calling and knowledge are correlative terms. It is the knowledge of God which is meant; and to this God calls us.-ἰδίᾳ δόξῃ καὶ ἀρετῇ, by His own glory and virtue) This is an explanation of what His Divine power is: so that the natural attributes of God have reference to His glory; those attributes which are called moral, have reference to His virtue. The two are closely united.