 | His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. |
 | According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: |
 | seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. |
| 2 Peter 1:3 |
Commentary
First we are assured that God has made full provision for us to have a life of holiness. This provision is said to be an evidence of His power: His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. Just as His power saves us in the first place, so His power energizes us to live holy lives from then on. The order is-first life, then godliness. The gospel is the power of God to save from the penalty of sin and from its power, from damnation and from defilement.
The all things that pertain to life and godliness include the high priestly work of Christ, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the activity of angelic agencies on our behalf, the new life we receive at conversion, and the instruction of the word of God.
The power to live a holy life comes through the knowledge of Him who called us. Just as His divine power is the source of holiness, so the knowledge of Him is the channel. To know Him is eternal life (John 17:3) and progress in knowing Him is progress in holiness. The better we get to know Him, the more we become like Him.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (2 Pe 1:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.