Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Peter 1:9

"For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins." — 2 Peter 1:9 (ASV)

But he that lacks.—Rather, for he that lacks. The Geneva and Rheims versions have “for.” The “for” introduces the second reason for the exhortation to develop all these graces—namely, the evil of not having them. The Greek implies an absence of possession in any degree, not merely an absence of permanent possession. (See first Note on 2 Peter 1:8.)

Is blind.—We might have expected “will be idle and unfruitful, etc.,” but the writer is not content with merely emphasizing what has just been said, in the manner of St. John (e.g., 2 Peter 1:3; 1 John 1:5; 1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:27–28; 1 John 4:2–3; 1 John 4:6); he puts the case in a new way, with a new metaphor equally applicable to the subject of knowledge. Note that he does not say “will be blind,” but “is blind.” The very fact of his possessing none of these graces shows that he has no eye for them.

Cannot see far off.—The Greek word literally means closing the eyes; and the point seems to be, not willful shutting of the eyes (those who won’t see), but involuntary and partial closing, as in the case of short-sighted people. In a spiritual sense, this refers to those who have only a very hazy apprehension of the objects of belief and of the bearing which their beliefs should have on their conduct. There is, therefore, no anti-climax—a weak expression following a strong one—but a simple explanation, a more definite term following a general one; it explains what kind of blindness is meant.

The special kind of short-sightedness indicated here is that of one who just sees that he is a member of a Christian community, but perceives neither the kind of life that one who has been purged from heathen enormities is bound to lead, nor the kind of life which alone can win an entrance into Christ’s kingdom. The short-sightedness of not being able to see beyond this present world is probably not expressed here.

And has forgotten.—Literally, having received or incurred forgetfulness—a unique expression in the New Testament. The phrase does not necessarily imply that the forgetfulness is voluntary; it is the inevitable result of willful neglect—the neglect to cultivate Christian virtues. The forgetfulness is not the cause of the short-sightedness, but a phase of it.

His old sins.—Those committed before he was “purged” in baptism (1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 3:21).