2 Peter 1:3

“According as his divine power, etc.] Meaning either the power of God the Father, to whom belong eternal power and Godhead; and he is sometimes called by the name of power itself; (see <402664>Matthew 26:64) being all powerful and mighty; or rather the power of Christ, since he is the next and immediate antecedent to this relative; and who, as he has the fulness of the Godhead in him, is almighty, and can do all things; and is “El-shaddai”, God all-sufficient, and can communicate all things whatsoever he pleases, and does, as follows: for he hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness; referring not so much to a temporal life, though he gives that and preserves it, and…”

“According as, &c.--Seeing that [ALFORD]. "As He hath given us ALL things (needful) for life and godliness, (so) do you give us ALL diligence," &c. The oil and flame are given wholly of grace by God, and "taken" by believers: their part henceforth is to "trim their lamps" (compare Pe2 1:3-4 with Pe2 1:5, &c.). life and godliness--Spiritual life must exist first before there can be true godliness. Knowledge of God experimentally is the first step to life (Joh 17:3). The child must have vital breath. first, and then cry to, and walk in the ways of, his father. It is not by godliness that we obtain life, but by life, godliness. To life stands opposed corruption; to godliness, lust (Pe2 1:4).…”

“According as his divine power hath given unto us - All the effects of the gospel on the human heart are, in the Scriptures, traced to the power of God. See the notes at Romans 1:16. There are no moral means which have ever been used that have such power as the gospel; none through which God has done so much in changing the character and affecting the destiny of man. All things that pertain unto life and godliness - The reference here in the word “life” is undoubtedly to the life of religion; the life of the soul imparted by the gospel. The word “godliness” is synonymous with piety. The phrase “according as” (ὡς hōs) seems to be connected with the sentence in 2 Peter 1:5, “Forasmuch as he…”

“As his divine power has given us all things - There is a wonderful cheerfulness in this exordium, which begins with the exhortation itself. That pertain to life and godliness - To the present, natural life, and to the continuance and increase of spiritual life. Through that divine knowledge of him - Of Christ. Who hath called us by - His own glorious power, to eternal glory, as the end; by Christian virtue or fortitude, as the means. 2 Peter 1:4”

“1:3-11 An explanation of all that God has given us in Christ (1:3-4) forms the basis for an urgent exhortation to grow in the knowledge of Christ (1:5-11). 1:3 By his divine power, God has (literally His divine power has): The name of God does not occur in the Greek text; Peter could be referring to the divine power of “Jesus our Lord” (1:2).”

“his: Psa 110:3; Mat 28:18; Joh 17:2; Co2 12:9; Eph 1:19-21; Col 1:16; Heb 1:3 all: Psa 84:11; Rom 8:32; Co1 3:21-23; Ti1 4:8 through: Pe2 1:2; Joh 17:3 called: Rom 8:28-30, Rom 9:24; Co1 1:9; Eph 4:1, Eph 4:4; Th1 2:12, Th1 4:7; Th2 2:14; Ti2 1:9; Pe1 1:15, Pe1 2:9, Pe1 2:21, Pe1 3:9, Pe1 5:10 to: or, by virtue: Pe2 1:5; Rut 3:11; Pro 12:4, Pro 31:10, Pro 31:29; Phi 4:8 2 Peter 1:4”