2 Peter 1:1 kjv

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 1:1 nkjv

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 1:1 niv

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

2 Peter 1:1 esv

Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 Peter 1:1 nlt

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

2 Peter 1 verses

2 Peter 1 1 Meaning

This verse serves as the formal yet theologically rich opening to Peter's second epistle. Simon Peter identifies himself, emphasizing his twin roles of humble service and authoritative apostleship. He addresses believers who, by divine design rather than personal merit, have received a faith that is equally precious and valuable to that of the apostles themselves. The source and foundation of this faith is definitively stated to be "through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ," a powerful declaration affirming Jesus Christ as truly God and the source of salvation and imputed righteousness for all who believe.

2 Peter 1 1 Context

2 Peter chapter 1 serves as an urgent reminder of the secure foundation believers possess in Christ and the imperative to grow in godliness. Peter, keenly aware of his impending death (2 Pet 1:14), aims to ensure his readers recall these vital truths, especially in light of the creeping false teachings that challenge core doctrines and promote moral laxity. Verse 1:1 establishes Peter’s authority as an apostle, yet emphasizes his humility as a servant, lending weight to his exhortations. More significantly, it immediately lays down a crucial theological bedrock by declaring the equality of all believers in their faith and explicitly affirming the full deity of Jesus Christ as "our God and Savior." This bold statement is foundational, counteracting any subtle or overt attempts by nascent heresies (like certain gnostic tendencies) to diminish Christ's divine person or the grace-based nature of salvation, thereby preparing the reader for the subsequent warnings against false teachers in later chapters. The greeting underscores divine initiative in salvation and unity in faith for the scattered first-century Gentile Christians facing spiritual and doctrinal challenges in the Roman world.

2 Peter 1 1 Word analysis

• Simon Peter (Συμεὼν Πέτρος, Symeōn Petros): Simon was Peter's original Hebrew name, indicating his humanity and former life. Peter (Πέτρος, Petros, meaning "rock") was the name given to him by Jesus (Matt 16:18), signifying his divinely ordained role and transformation. The combination emphasizes both his human fallibility and his apostolic calling, highlighting a life dramatically changed by Christ.
• a servant (δοῦλος, doulos): More than a mere employee, "doulos" signifies a bondservant or slave. This term connotes absolute submission, ownership, and unreserved devotion to a master. For apostles like Peter and Paul, it speaks to their total allegiance to Christ, putting His will and mission above their own lives, rather than worldly status or self-ambition. It reflects humility and the privilege of being fully dedicated to the divine Master. This resonates with Old Testament figures who were called "servants of Yahweh" (e.g., Moses, David, the prophets).
• and apostle (ἀπόστολος, apostolos): This term designates one who is "sent out" with authority, a specific commission, and representation. In the New Testament, an apostle typically implies having seen the risen Christ and being specially appointed by Him to lay the foundation of the church (Eph 2:20) and transmit His teaching authoritatively. This designation balances "servant," showing that his submission to Christ equips him with unique, delegated authority to speak and act on Christ’s behalf.
• of Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, Iēsou Christou): This genitive phrase indicates that Peter’s identity as a servant and apostle derives entirely from, belongs to, and functions for Jesus Christ. It’s the source of his calling, authority, and ministry. "Jesus" (Savior) speaks to His humanity and saving work; "Christ" (Anointed One/Messiah) points to His divine appointment as King and Redeemer.
• to them that have obtained (τοῖς λαχοῦσιν, tois lachosinn): The verb "lachosinn" (perfect active participle from lambanō) literally means "to receive by lot" or "to obtain by divine allotment/inheritance." This emphasizes that the reception of faith is not through human striving, merit, or personal choice as a primary initiator, but is a divine gift, sovereignly appointed and graciously bestowed. It removes any ground for boasting, placing the entire credit on God’s gracious initiative.
• like precious faith (ἰσότιμον πίστιν, isotimon pistin): "Isotimon" means "of equal worth" or "equally honored." Peter affirms that the faith of his readers, including Gentile Christians, holds the exact same value, quality, and dignity as the faith held by the apostles themselves. There are no superior or inferior levels of genuine saving faith. Its preciousness (related to the Greek word "timē" for value/honor) comes not from the one holding it, but from its divine source, object (Christ), and transformative power. This directly addresses any potential perceived disparity between early, authoritative figures and common believers, affirming their unity in Christ.
• with us: This phrase reinforces the idea of equality and fellowship in faith. Peter includes himself and the other apostles, confirming that their status as apostles does not give them a higher-quality faith than those they address. All true believers share equally in the preciousness of faith.
• through the righteousness (ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ, en dikaiosynē): The preposition "en" here means "in," "by," or "through," indicating the means or basis. This "righteousness" is not human morality or legal obedience, but specifically God’s righteousness. This refers to God’s own just character, His consistent faithfulness to His covenant promises, and especially His divine act of making sinful humanity righteous in His sight. It's the righteousness He provides, specifically through justification.
• of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, tou Theou hēmōn kai Sōtēros Iēsou Christou): This is a profound and decisive theological statement. The grammatical construction, with a single definite article (τοῦ) preceding both "God" and "Savior" (a linguistic feature known as Granville Sharp’s Rule), unmistakably identifies "God" and "our Savior" as one and the same person: Jesus Christ. Peter is not referring to God the Father and then to Jesus Christ as a separate Savior; rather, he asserts that Jesus Christ IS our God and our Savior. This foundational declaration of Christ’s full deity establishes the absolute trustworthiness and divine power behind the faith they have received. "Savior" (Σωτήρ, Sōtēr) highlights Christ's role in delivering humanity from sin and death.

2 Peter 1 1 Bonus section

The strong affirmation of Jesus Christ as "our God and Savior" (tou Theou hēmōn kai Sōtēros Iēsou Christou) in 2 Peter 1:1 is a direct and early New Testament polemic against several contemporary worldviews. In the Hellenistic world, titles like "Savior" (Sotēr) were commonly ascribed to various pagan deities (e.g., Zeus Soter, Asclepius Soter) and even to Roman emperors (e.g., Caesar as Soter and Divus, "divine"). By applying "God and Savior" singularly and definitively to Jesus Christ, Peter asserts Christ's exclusive, ultimate, and supreme divine authority and saving power, implicitly contrasting Him with any false gods or imperial claims. This declaration was revolutionary, directly challenging polytheism and the imperial cult by proclaiming a unique "God and Savior" who was not a part of the Greco-Roman pantheon or the Roman state. Furthermore, it firmly anchors Christian theology in Christ’s full deity, safeguarding against nascent Jewish legalism or philosophical movements that might reduce Christ to less than divine, an important defense that the entire epistle builds upon against emerging heresies.

2 Peter 1 1 Commentary

2 Peter 1:1 functions as more than just a formal salutation; it's a foundational theological statement that underpins the entire epistle. Peter opens by asserting his apostolic authority derived from Christ, yet he humbly refers to himself as a "servant" (doulos), signifying complete dedication and ownership by God. The recipient's faith is immediately declared "like precious," dismantling any notion of a hierarchical spiritual status among believers—the common believer's faith is as valuable and efficacious as that of the apostles, demonstrating equality in salvation. Crucially, Peter attributes this faith not to human effort but to divine "allotment" or "obtainment," emphasizing God's sovereign grace as its origin. The theological pinnacle of the verse lies in its unambiguous declaration of Christ’s deity: He is explicitly called "our God and Savior Jesus Christ." This statement, reinforced by Greek grammar, makes it clear that Peter equates Jesus with God, positioning Christ not merely as a prophet or good man, but as the divine being who justly bestows righteousness. This profound truth counters emerging false teachings that would later deny Christ’s divinity or the integrity of salvation by grace, thereby grounding the subsequent call to spiritual diligence and discernment in the irrefutable truth of who Christ is and what He has accomplished.