2 Peter 1:7

New Testament Epistle (General) ASV (1901)

What does 2 Peter 1:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and in [your] godliness brotherly kindness; and in [your] brotherly kindness love.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and in [your] godliness brotherly kindness; and in [your] brotherly kindness love.
2 Peter 1:7 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Peter 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7and in [your] godliness brotherly kindness; and in [your] brotherly kindness love.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And to godliness, brotherly kindness, etc.] Without which, godliness, or external worship, or a profession of religion, is a vain show; for this is both the evidence of regeneration, and of the truth and power of real godliness; and also the beauty, comfort, and security of Christian society and worship, and without which they cannot be maintained with peace, profit, and honour: and to brotherly kindness, charity: or “love”; that is, to all men, enemies, as well as to the household of faith; and to God and Christ, to his house, worship, ordinances, people and truths. Charity is more extensive in its objects and acts than brotherly kindness or love. As faith leads the van, charity brings up…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“"And in your godliness brotherly kindness"; not suffering your godliness to be moroseness, nor a sullen solitary habit of life, but kind, generous, and courteous [ALFORD]. Your natural affection and brotherly kindness are to be sanctified by godliness. "And in your brotherly kindness love," namely, to all men, even to enemies, in thought, word, and deed. From brotherly kindness we are to go forward to love. Compare Th1 3:12, "Love one toward another (brotherly kindness), and toward all men (charity)." So charity completes the choir of graces in Col 3:14. In a retrograde order, he who has love will exercise brotherly kindness; he who has brotherly kindness will feel godliness needful; the…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And to godliness brotherly kindness - Love to Christians as such. See the John 13:34 note; Hebrews 13:1 note. And to brotherly kindness charity - Love to all mankind. There is to be a special affection for Christians as of the same family; there is to be a true and warm love, however, for all the race. See the notes at 1 Corinthians 13:0. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And to godliness brotherly kindness - No sullenness, sternness, moroseness: "sour godliness," so called, is of the devil. Of Christian godliness it may always be said, "Mild, sweet, serene, and tender is her mood, Nor grave with sternness, nor with lightness free: Against example resolutely good, Fervent in zeal, and warm in charity." And to brotherly kindness love - The pure and perfect love of God and of all mankind. The apostle here makes an advance upon the preceding article, brotherly kindness, which seems only to relate to the love of Christians toward one another. 2 Peter 1:8”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“brotherly: Joh 13:34, Joh 13:35; Rom 12:10; Th1 3:12, Th1 4:9, Th1 4:10; Heb 13:1; Pe1 1:22, Pe1 2:17; Jo1 3:14, Jo1 3:16 charity: Co1 13:1-8; Gal 6:10; Col 3:14; Th1 5:15; Pe1 3:8; Jo1 4:21 2 Peter 1:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification