THE ARGUMENT It cannot be denied, but that some question there hath been, both about the penman and the authority of this Epistle. The former hath been questioned, because of the difference of the style of this from that of the former Epistle.

A servant and an apostle; i.e. such a servant as is likewise an apostle. The former agrees to all gospel ministers generally, the latter is a title of a greater eminency; and so he intimates, that he wrote to them not merely as an ordinary minister, but in the authority of an apostle, an officer of…

Through the knowledge of God; or acknowledgment, i.e. faith, whereby we are made partakers of all the saving graces of the Spirit; and whereby being justified, we are at peace with God, Rom. 5:1. And of Jesus our Lord; there being no saving knowledge of God, or faith in him, but by Christ.

According as; this may refer either: 1. To what goes before: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, & c., according as his divine power hath given unto us, &c.

Whereby: this word may be rendered, in that, for that, inasmuch as, and then this is an explication of the things that pertain to life and godliness, to glory and virtue, all those things being contained in the promises; or whereby may be understood of the glory and virtue last mentioned, taking…

And beside this, giving all diligence: here the apostle begins his exhortation, that since God had done so much for them, 2 Pet. 1:3–4, they would likewise do their duty; and that their care and diligence in improving the grace they had received, might be added to his bounty in giving it them.

Temperance; a grace which represseth, and curbs in, not only sensual lusts, but all inordinate appetites, Gal. 5:22, Titus 1:8. Patience; that Christian fortitude whereby we hear afflictions and injuries, so as to persevere in our duty without being moved by the evils that attend us in the doing of…

Brotherly kindness; a love to those that are of the household of faith. This is joined to godliness, to show that it is in vain to pretend to true religion and yet be destitute of brotherly love. Charity; this is more general than the former, and relates to all men, even our enemies themselves.

For if these things be in you, and abound; if ye not only have these graces in you, but abound or grow in them, both as to the inward degree and outward exercise of them.

But he that lacketh these things; he that doth not live in the exercise of the forementioned graces. Is blind; spiritually blind, as being destitute of saving knowledge. And cannot see afar off: the Greek word is variously translated; the most probable account of it is either: 1.

Give diligence; viz. in the exercise of the forementioned graces. To make your calling, your effectual calling to the faith of Christ, and election, your eternal election to grace and glory, sure, not in respect of God, whose counsel is in itself sure and stable, Rom. 11:29, 2 Tim.

Abundantly; or richly: while ye minister, or add one grace to another, one good work to another, 2 Pet. 1:5;c., God likewise will minister, (the same word is here used as 2 Pet.

I will not be negligent; i.e. I will be diligent and careful. Though ye know them: he prevents an objection; q.d. Though ye know these things already, yet being things of great moment, and you being beset with temptations, encompassed about with infirmities, and, while you are on the earth, being…

In this tabernacle; in the body; q.d. Having not long to live, I would live to the best purpose, and so as I may do the most good. He calls his body a tabernacle both in respect of its short continuance, its mean structure, and his laborious life in it.

I must put off; a metaphor taken from garments; the soul, while in the body, is clothed with flesh, and death to the godly is but the putting off their clothes, and going to bed, Isa. 57:2. This my tabernacle: see 2 Cor. 5:1.

These things; the doctrine before delivered concerning faith in Christ, the practice of good works, and their continuance in both. Always; this may be joined either to endeavour, and so relate to the apostle himself; he would always be diligent, and do his part, that they might have these things in…

Cunningly devised fables; human figments artificially contrived, either to please and gratify men’s fancies, or to deceive and pervert their judgment: q.d.

Either honour and glory for glorious honour; or glory may relate to that lustre which appeared in the body of Christ at his transfiguration, Matt. 17:2, and honour to the voice which came to him from his Father, and the honourable testimony thereby given him.

We; I, and James, and John. Heard: the apostle avoucheth himself to have been an ear-witness, as well as eye-witness, of Christ’s glory, hereby intimating that there was as much certainty of the gospel, even in a human way, as could possibly be obtained of any thing that is done in the world,…

Peter having proved the certainty of the evangelical doctrine, by their testimony that had seen Christ’s glory in his transfiguration, and heard the Father’s testimony of him, now proves the same by the testimony of the prophets under the Old Testament, and calls the word of prophecy a more sure…

Knowing this first; either, principally and above other things, as being most worthy to be known; or, knowing this as the first principle of faith, or the first thing to be believed.

The prophecy; the prophetical writings, or word of prophecy, 2 Pet. 1:19. Came not in old time by the will of man; the prophets spake not of themselves what and when they pleased. But holy men of God; prophets, called men of God, 1 Sam. 2:27, 1 Sam. 9:6, 1 Kings 17:18, and elsewhere.