Catholic Commentary on 2 Peter 1

"His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." (2 Peter 1:3)

Partakers of the Divine Nature

Second Peter opens with one of the most extraordinary statements in the New Testament: God's divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life, and through his great and precious promises we may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. The phrase partakers of the divine nature is the scriptural foundation of the Eastern tradition's theology of theosis, deification: the goal of the Christian life is not merely moral improvement or even the forgiveness of sins but genuine participation in the life of God. The Catechism calls this the ultimate purpose of the Incarnation: the Word became man so that man might become divine, sharing in the life of the Trinity through grace (CCC 460).

For this very reason, believers are to add to their faith goodness, and to goodness knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control perseverance, and to perseverance godliness, and to godliness mutual affection, and to mutual affection love. For if they possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will be neither ineffective nor unproductive in their knowledge of Christ. The author urges them to confirm their calling and election, for if they do these things they will never stumble and will receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom.

The Eyewitness and the Word

The author recalls the Transfiguration: we were eyewitnesses of his majesty; we heard the voice from heaven saying this is my Son. And we have the prophetic word made more certain, a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts. No prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation, for prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, his divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. Everything. Not most things. Not almost everything. Everything, through the knowledge of him who called us. Whatever you are facing today that seems impossible, the divine power that has already given everything needed for a godly life is available to you. You are not lacking. You have been given everything. Draw on it.

Prayer

Lord God, your divine power has given us everything we need for godly life. Let us participate in the divine nature, escaping the corruption of the world and growing in the chain of virtues that leads from faith to love. Confirm our calling and election. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2 Peter
1
A Greeting from Peter
(1 Peter 1:1–2)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
 
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
 
2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Partakers of the Divine Nature
 
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own * 1:3 Or to His own glory and excellence. 4 Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
 
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
 
10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a lavish reception into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
 
12 Therefore I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of my body,† 1:13 Literally as long as I am in this tent 14 because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure, you will be able to recall these things at all times.
Eyewitnesses of His Majesty
(Matthew 17:1–13; Mark 9:1–13; Luke 9:28–36)
 
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”‡ 1:17 Matthew 17:5; see also Mark 9:7 and Luke 9:35. 18 And we ourselves heard this voice from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
 
19 We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. 21 For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

*1:3 1:3 Or to His own

†1:13 1:13 Literally as long as I am in this tent

‡1:17 1:17 Matthew 17:5; see also Mark 9:7 and Luke 9:35.

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