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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
1:5-7 Making Every Effort to Live a Godly Life. Peter lists "qualities" (v. 8) that characterize a life partaking of the divine nature. These verses contain a straightforward catalog of biblical virtues (cf. Gal. 5:22-23; Heb. 12:10-11). This list does not reflect a legalistic code but rather the desires and features of a transformed heart (cf. "for this very reason," 2 Pet. 1:5). The exhortations to live a new life are grounded in the divine power and promises that were granted to believers when they came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
1:5 supplement your faith. Peter exhorts Christians not merely to confess faith in Christ but actually to live as he taught. He is not saying that works are a prerequisite for salvation but rather is arguing that faith must take concrete form in life. All the virtues listed in vv. 5-7 are results of faith, so faith is listed first, while love (the ultimate result of faith) is listed last (v. 7; cf. 1 Tim. 1:5). Virtue translates Greek aretē; see note on 2 Pet. 1:3.
1:6 Godliness translates Greek eusebeia, "devoutness, piety, devotion to God" (also in vv. 3, 7; 3:11; see 2 Tim. 3:5).
