Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Peter 1:3 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 3. 3According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse grounds life and godliness in divine power and knowledge of the one who calls, before any command to add virtue.
Read It With
- 2 Peter 1:3–4
Read 2 Peter 1:3 with 1:3–4. This verse grounds life and godliness in divine power and knowledge of the one who calls, before any command to add virtue. The complete unit establishes this movement: Divine power has supplied what life and godliness require through knowing the caller; great promises aim at participation in divine nature and escape from desire-driven corruption.
Why This Verse Appears Here
Gift precedes effort. The ethical sequence that follows is response to divine power, calling, glory, virtue, and promise rather than self-salvation. Within that movement, this verse grounds life and godliness in divine power and knowledge of the one who calls, before any command to add virtue.
Follow the Context
- Divine power has given what pertains to life and godliness through knowledge of the caller.
- Calling is associated with glory and excellence, though the exact preposition and agency are textually discussed.
- Great promises aim at participation in divine nature.
- That participation is paired with escape from corruption produced by disordered desire.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“all things that pertain unto life and godliness”
In plain language: The scope is controlled by life with God and the following formation, not every desired outcome.
Grounds life and godliness in divine power and knowledge of the one who calls, before any command to add virtue. Divine provision precedes and enables ethical effort.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
'All things' does not promise wealth, health, expertise, or instant relief from every material need.
What Remains True
Divine provision precedes and enables ethical effort.
How It Can Shape Life
- Teach spiritual sufficiency while still meeting concrete needs for safety, health, food, access, and care.
Teach It Back
Explain 2 Peter 1:3's contribution to 2 Peter 1:3–4: Grounds life and godliness in divine power and knowledge of the one who calls, before any command to add virtue. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 2 Peter 1:3–4 — Divine Power Gives Life, Godliness, Promises, and EscapeSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The call is textually and syntactically described as to or by glory and excellence.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Peter 1:3–4, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and the base text used for original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Pet.txt, 1:3–4
Open the 2 Peter Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Peter with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Peter PDF, 1:3–4 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 2 Peter PDF ↗