Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Peter 1:8

"For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." — 2 Peter 1:8 (ASV)

The “knowledge” of God is the beginning, the continuance, and the goal of the Christian life (cf. Php 3:10). If Christians possess in ever-increasing measure the eight virtues just listed, they will not be “ineffective and unproductive” (like the false teachers described in ch. 2). Progressive growth in the Christian graces is a sign of spiritual vitality and prevents sloth and unfruitfulness (Matthew 13:22).