Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Peter 1:5

"Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in [your] virtue knowledge;" — 2 Peter 1:5 (ASV)

Because of the new birth and the promises associated with it, Christians participate in the divine nature (v.4). But the new birth does not rule out human activity. Sanctification is a work of God in which believers cooperate. This is why the Bible gives ethical imperatives based on dogmatic indicatives (cf. Romans 6:11–14; 12:1–2; 1 Peter 1:13–21); this principle is in accord with biblical statements of how God works (cf. Romans 8:13b). So Peter urgently calls for a progressive, active Christianity. It is by faith alone that we are saved through grace, but this saving faith does not continue by itself (Ephesians 2:8–10). Peter’s chain of eight virtues (vv.5–7) starts with “faith” and ends in “love” (cf. 1 Timothy 1:5). Christians are told to “make every effort to add to [their] faith.” In NT times the word “add” (GK 2220) was used of making a rich or lavish provision. To make every “effort” (GK 5082) requires both zeal and seriousness in the pursuit of holiness. “Goodness” (GK 746) is an attribute of Christ himself (1:3) and therefore is to be sought by his people. It is excellence of achievement or mastery in a specific field—in this case virtue or moral excellence (cf. Php 4:8; 1 Peter 2:9). The “knowledge” (GK 1194) that is to be added to faith is the advance into the will of God. The false teachers (eventually known as the Gnostics) claimed a superior knowledge. The apostles stressed that it was necessary for those who know God to live a godly life (cf. 1Jn 2:3-4; 5:18) and that Christ taught them the will of the Father .