2 Peter 1:5 kjv

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2 Peter 1:5 nkjv

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,

2 Peter 1:5 niv

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

2 Peter 1:5 esv

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

2 Peter 1:5 nlt

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge,

2 Peter 1 verses

2 Peter 1 5 Meaning

2 Peter 1:5 instructs believers to diligently add specific Christ-like qualities to their faith as a foundation, progressing from initial faith to moral excellence, and then to a deepening knowledge of God. This verse initiates a list of eight virtues, emphasizing an active and continuous pursuit of spiritual growth and character development, powered by God's divine enablement (as mentioned in verses 3-4).

2 Peter 1 5 Context

2 Peter chapter 1 serves as an encouragement to believers, urging them to diligently pursue spiritual maturity and growth, standing firm against false teachers (which becomes a central theme later in the epistle). Peter begins by highlighting the immense divine resources already given to believers—God's divine power has granted them "everything pertaining to life and godliness" through "precious and very great promises" (2 Pet 1:3-4). Verse 5, therefore, is not a call for self-reliant effort, but an exhortation to actively appropriate and apply the divine power already provided. It is presented as a crucial step towards becoming effective and fruitful in the "knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 1:8) and ultimately making one's calling and election sure (2 Pet 1:10). The immediate historical context points to a Christian community facing internal and external pressures, including the nascent challenges of Gnosticism or proto-Gnostic tendencies that might de-emphasize moral conduct in favor of a theoretical, intellectual "knowledge." Peter counters this by tying "knowledge" (gnōsis) inextricably to practical virtue (aretē) and diligent effort (spoudē).

2 Peter 1 5 Word analysis

• For this very reason (διὰ τοῦτο, dia touto): This phrase links directly back to 2 Peter 1:3-4. It signifies that because God has already given believers "everything pertaining to life and godliness" and "His precious and very great promises," believers are now responsible for actively responding and applying these divine provisions. It highlights enablement rather than pure self-effort.
• giving all diligence (σπουδὴν πᾶσαν παρεισενέγκαντες, spoudēn pasan pareisenenkantes): This is an emphatic double expression in Greek, "all diligence" (literally, "bringing in all earnestness/haste").
  • σπουδὴν (spoudēn): Means diligence, earnestness, haste, zeal. It implies strenuous effort and commitment, not passive reception. It reflects the intensity of action required from the believer.
  • πᾶσαν (pasan): "All," emphasizing the totality and comprehensiveness of the effort. No half-heartedness is allowed.
  • παρεισενέγκαντες (pareisenenkantes): "Bring in beside," "furnish in addition to." This word suggests a complementary action to God's divine provision. God has supplied; now believers must "bring in" their part, their zealous effort, building upon what has been freely given.
• add to (ἐπιχορηγήσατε, epichorēgēsate): "To furnish, supply, provide, or lavishly supply." This verb originally referred to providing a chorus for a theatrical production at one's own expense, implying generous and full provision. Here, it means to abundantly supply or super-add one quality upon another, building a cumulative character. It's not a mere "having," but an active and continuous process of "providing more" of these qualities.
• your faith (τὴν πίστιν ὑμῶν, tēn pistin hymōn): This is the foundational quality upon which all subsequent virtues are built. It is the initial act of trust in Jesus Christ for salvation (Eph 2:8). Peter does not list "faith" as something to be "added to" (since it's already possessed, implicit in "your faith"), but as the starting point. This foundation is crucial because without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6).
• virtue (τὴν ἀρετήν, tēn aretēn):
  • ἀρετήν (aretēn): In classical Greek, it meant excellence of any kind—moral, physical, or intellectual. It signified being the best one can be or the distinctive excellence of something. In the biblical context, especially for God, it often translates as "praises" or "excellencies" (1 Pet 2:9). When applied to humans here, it means moral excellence, uprightness, and spiritual vigor. It is active goodness, courage, and integrity. It refers to practical living and ethical conduct flowing from faith, demonstrating the character of Christ. It combats any tendency to embrace faith without accompanying good works (Jas 2:17).
• and to virtue knowledge (ἐν δὲ τῇ ἀρετῇ τὴν γνῶσιν, en de tē aretē tēn gnōsin): This sequence implies that knowledge must be built upon moral excellence, not in isolation from it.
  • γνῶσιν (gnōsin): Knowledge. This is not merely intellectual or abstract knowledge (e.g., as debated by early Gnostics). It is practical, experiential knowledge of God and Christ, an intimate understanding that transforms life (Phil 3:10, John 17:3). It is discerned and applied wisdom, flowing from a virtuous life and leading to more effective service and spiritual discernment (Col 1:9-10). It signifies a deep, personal acquaintance with the divine, contrasting sharply with any 'knowledge' that promoted unholy living or diminished Christ's authority. This phrase could be seen as an indirect polemic against proto-Gnostic ideas, which valued abstract 'knowledge' over concrete morality.

2 Peter 1 5 Bonus section

The sequential nature of the virtues listed by Peter in 2 Peter 1:5-7 is highly significant. It implies a developmental progression, where each virtue serves as a building block for the next. While modern interpretation sometimes focuses on acquiring all virtues simultaneously, the original language's "add to... and to... and to..." suggests a methodical cultivation. "Virtue" (ἀρετή) preceding "knowledge" (γνῶσις) is a deliberate and crucial ordering. This placement prevents "knowledge" from becoming a mere intellectual exercise or a source of spiritual arrogance without corresponding moral transformation. Peter's emphasis counters tendencies (even early Gnostic whispers) that privileged abstract wisdom over practical piety. It underscores that true spiritual understanding is always rooted in, and manifested through, righteous living and character. This continuous accumulation implies that Christian growth is a life-long journey of progressive sanctification, demanding constant attention and purposeful living, culminating in Christ-likeness.

2 Peter 1 5 Commentary

2 Peter 1:5, far from suggesting salvation is by works, exhorts believers to an active, divinely enabled process of spiritual formation. Having established that God's power grants everything needed for life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3-4), Peter urges believers to respond with "all diligence." This diligent effort is not a self-sufficient endeavor but a cooperative undertaking, where believers actively apply and build upon the grace already received. "Add to your faith" emphasizes that faith is the indispensable foundation, yet it's dynamic, meant to mature and blossom. The first quality to add is "virtue," signifying moral excellence and practical godliness. This counters any notion that faith is merely a theological assent without ethical implications. On top of this moral excellence, "knowledge" is to be built. This is not a detached intellectualism, but an intimate, experiential knowledge of God and Christ that profoundly shapes one's character and conduct. The progression from faith to virtue to knowledge illustrates an intentional path of spiritual maturity, ensuring that understanding of God deepens only as character is refined. The passage stresses that true spiritual vitality is evidenced by these visible, lived qualities, ensuring a fruitful and productive life in Christ. For practical usage, consider: consistently seeking out wisdom from Scripture, purposefully choosing moral actions over convenient ones, or making an intentional effort to understand and apply one specific spiritual truth daily.