Matthew Henry Commentary 2 Peter 1:1-11

"Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and [the] Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in [your] virtue knowledge; and in [your] knowledge self-control; and in [your] self-control patience; and in [your] patience godliness; and in [your] godliness brotherly kindness; and in [your] brotherly kindness love. 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. For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." — 2 Peter 1:1-11 (ASV)

Faith unites the weak believer to Christ as really as it does the strong one, and purifies the heart of one as truly as of another; and every sincere believer is by his faith justified in the sight of God. Faith works godliness and produces effects that no other grace in the soul can do. In Christ all fullness dwells, and pardon, peace, grace, knowledge, and new principles are thus given through the Holy Spirit.

The promises to those who are partakers of a divine nature will cause us to inquire whether we are really renewed in the spirit of our minds; let us turn all these promises into prayers for the transforming and purifying grace of the Holy Spirit. The believer must add knowledge to his virtue, increasing acquaintance with the whole truth and will of God. We must add temperance to knowledge—moderation about worldly things—and to temperance, add patience, or cheerful submission to the will of God.

Tribulation works patience, by which we bear all calamities and crosses with silence and submission. To patience we must add godliness: this includes the holy affections and dispositions found in the true worshipper of God, and tender affection to all fellow Christians, who are children of the same Father, servants of the same Master, members of the same family, travellers to the same country, and heirs of the same inheritance. Therefore, let Christians labour to attain assurance of their calling and of their election by believing and well-doing; and to endeavour carefully in this way is a firm argument of the grace and mercy of God, upholding them so that they will not utterly fall.

Those who are diligent in the work of religion will have a triumphant entrance into that everlasting kingdom where Christ reigns, and they will reign with him forever and ever; and it is in the practice of every good work that we are to expect entrance to heaven.