2 Peter 1:9 kjv

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:9 nkjv

For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:9 niv

But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

2 Peter 1:9 esv

For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

2 Peter 1:9 nlt

But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

2 Peter 1 verses

2 Peter 1 9 Meaning

2 Peter 1:9 describes the spiritual condition of believers who fail to develop the virtues listed in the preceding verses (2 Pet 1:5-7). Such individuals are deemed spiritually blind and short-sighted, signifying a lack of discernment and a narrow focus, failing to see God's purposes, eternal truths, or the future hope in Christ. Their condition arises because they have neglected or forgotten the profound reality of their initial cleansing and purification from their past sins through Christ. This spiritual amnesia hinders their growth, preventing them from living out the transformative power of their salvation and accessing a deeper relationship with God.

2 Peter 1 9 Context

This verse is a crucial part of Peter's instruction on Christian growth and spiritual maturity. The preceding verses (2 Pet 1:3-8) detail the "divine power" that grants "all things that pertain to life and godliness" (2 Pet 1:3) and outlines a progressive list of virtues: faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (love). Peter exhorts believers to "add to" or diligently pursue the development of these qualities, asserting that their presence makes one "not barren nor unfruitful" (2 Pet 1:8).

Verse 9, therefore, functions as a direct warning, describing the negative consequences of neglecting this spiritual cultivation. It warns that stagnation is not neutral; it leads to spiritual decay and a loss of clarity. Peter contrasts the "effective and fruitful" life (2 Pet 1:8) with the "blind" and "short-sighted" state, characterized by forgetting the foundational reality of their initial salvation and cleansing from past sins. This passage serves as a reminder of the dynamic, transformative nature of the Christian faith, emphasizing that genuine belief expresses itself in ongoing growth and an ever-present awareness of God's grace and calling.

2 Peter 1 9 Word analysis

• For he that lacketh these things:
  • lacketh (Greek: leipei, λείπει): Meaning to be short of, fall behind, or be wanting in. It implies an absence or deficiency of the aforementioned virtues (2 Pet 1:5-7). This is not a casual oversight but a failure to actively cultivate these essential Christian qualities, indicating spiritual stagnation.
  • these things: Directly refers to the seven virtues previously listed in 2 Peter 1:5-7: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, built upon the foundation of faith. The active cultivation of these qualities is crucial for fruitfulness and clear spiritual vision.
• is blind, and cannot see afar off:
  • blind (Greek: typhlos, τυφλός): This denotes spiritual blindness, not physical. It describes an inability to discern spiritual realities, God's truth, or the true path of discipleship. Such individuals might profess faith but lack genuine insight into its demands or implications. This suggests an immediate impairment of spiritual perception.
  • cannot see afar off (Greek: myopazōn, μυωπάζων): This unique Greek word means "to be short-sighted" or "to blink or squint," implying an inability to see things that are distant. In a spiritual context, it signifies a lack of eschatological vision. They are not looking forward to the future hope in Christ's return, the eternal rewards, or the ongoing purpose of God's kingdom. Their spiritual horizon is limited to immediate, temporal concerns, neglecting eternal implications.
• and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins:
  • hath forgotten (Greek: lēthēn labōn, λήθην λαβών): Literally "having received forgetfulness" or "having become forgetful." This is more than a mere lapse in memory. It implies a disregard, neglect, or loss of awareness concerning a foundational truth of their salvation. This forgetfulness indicates a failure to retain the spiritual significance and transforming power of their initial cleansing.
  • purged (Greek: katharismou, καθαρισμοῦ): Means cleansing, purification, or atonement. This refers to the decisive act of salvation where, through faith in Christ's sacrifice, believers are purified and acquitted of their past sins. It signifies the spiritual washing, regeneration, and justification that initiates their new life in Christ. This "purging" frees them from the guilt and dominion of sin.
  • his old sins (Greek: tōn palai hamartiōn, τῶν πάλαι ἁμαρτιῶν): Refers to the sins committed prior to their conversion and the cleansing experience. The point is not necessarily that they have reverted to old sinful habits, but that they have lost the spiritual memory and appreciation of what it truly meant to be delivered from those sins and their former way of life. Forgetting this profound transformation diminishes the urgency for continuous spiritual growth and gratitude.

2 Peter 1 9 Bonus section

The progression from "not barren or unfruitful" (1:8) to "blind and shortsighted" (1:9) underscores Peter's emphasis on active discipleship. There is no neutral ground in spiritual life; one is either growing towards deeper spiritual sight and fruitfulness, or regressing towards blindness and barrenness. The "purging from old sins" here specifically highlights the initial and complete nature of cleansing given at salvation, which is foundational to understanding one's new identity and purpose. To "forget" this suggests a serious lapse in comprehending the radical break from the past, thus hindering the believer from living out the freedom and responsibility of their new life in Christ. This forgetfulness might manifest in a casual attitude towards sin or a lack of motivation for holiness.

2 Peter 1 9 Commentary

2 Peter 1:9 delivers a solemn warning about the spiritual state of those who neglect growth in the Christian virtues Peter just listed. Far from remaining static, the ungrowing believer actually regresses into a state of spiritual blindness and short-sightedness. This blindness is an inability to grasp deeper spiritual truths and a failure to discern God's present and future purposes. The "short-sightedness" refers to a narrow vision, fixated on temporal realities rather than the eternal hope and promises associated with Christ's return. This condition is intrinsically linked to having "forgotten" the profound significance of their initial "purging from old sins." This "forgetfulness" is not mere amnesia, but a profound devaluation of the miraculous cleansing from past life of sin provided by Christ. It is an indication of taking the transformative power of the Gospel for granted, leading to complacency and spiritual lethargy. The verse emphasizes that authentic salvation calls for ongoing transformation and diligent pursuit of Christlikeness, otherwise, one's initial spiritual breakthrough becomes increasingly irrelevant to daily life.