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2 Peter 1:5

in 2 Peter 1

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;

KJV

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

⋯

This verse in 2 Peter 1

Commentary

11 notes on this verse

A commentator

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

Superadd the latter, without losing the former. The Greek word properly means lead up, as in dance, one of these after the other, in a beautiful order. Your faith, that "evidence of things not seen," termed before "the knowledge of God and of Christ," the root of all Christian graces.

This site's exposition

add to your faith virtue

on 2 Peter 1:5-7

And beside this turns gift into diligence: add is epichoregeo, the word for the wealthy citizen who furnished a chorus, lavish supply. The ladder runs eight rungs, each grace supplied in the one before it, faith the root and charity the crown as in Paul.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

Oecumenius

Commentary on 2 Peter · Written before 550.

proposed

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue, to virtue, knowledge, to knowledge, self-control, to self-control, perseverance, to perseverance, godliness, to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. The step leads to promotion: first indeed faith, which is …

The Medieval Church4 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 2 Peter · Written before 1107.

proposed

He shows the degrees of progress. In the first place is faith, since it is the foundation and support of good. In the second place is virtue, that is, works, for without them, as the Apostle James says, "faith is dead" (Jas. 2:26). Next is …

A commentator

Bonaventure

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 3 · Written in the 13th century.

proposed

To this piety blessed Peter invites us, who was the other Apostle, in his second Canonical epistle saying: "Supply in faith virtue, in virtue knowledge, in knowledge abstinence, in abstinence patience, in patience piety, in piety brotherly love, and in brotherly love charity." What does …

A commentator

Bede

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles · Written before 735.

proposed

But you, giving all diligence, supply virtue in your faith. Virtue in this place is placed not for strength and miracles, but for good conduct; which is rightly to be joined to faith, lest it be idle and dead without works: in which he rightly …

A commentator

Bede

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles · Written before 735.

proposed

And in virtue, knowledge. According to that of Isaiah: "Learn to do well, seek judgment."
4 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

And besides this, giving all diligence,.... "Or upon this", as the Syriac and Arabic versions read, bestow all your labour, diligence, and care; namely, on what follows, and that from the consideration of what goes before; for nothing can more strongly animate, and engage to the diligent exercise of grace and discharge of duty, than a consideration of the high favours, and free grace gifts of God, and the exceeding great and precious promises of his Gospel: add to your faith virtue; or "with your faith", so the Arabic version renders it, and the like, in the following clauses.

The Nineteenth Century3 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

So accordingly, "there will be ministered abundantly unto you an entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Saviour" (2Pe 1:11). to--Greek, "in"; "in the possession of your faith, minister virtue. Their faith (answering to "knowledge of Him," 2Pe 1:3) is presupposed as the gift of God (2Pe 1:3;

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens+odd-straight-quotes

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

proposed

And beside this - Notwithstanding what God hath done for you, in order that ye may not receive the grace of God in vain; Giving all diligence - Furnishing all earnestness and activity: the original is very emphatic. Add to your faith - Επιχορηγησατε· Lead up hand in hand; alluding, as most think, to the chorus in the Grecian dance, who danced with joined hands. See the note on this word, 2Co 9:10 (note). Your faith - That faith in Jesus by which ye have been led to embrace the whole Gospel, and by which ye have the evidence of things unseen. Virtue - Αρετην· Courage or fortitude, to enable you to profess the faith before men, in these times of persecution. Knowledge - True wisdom, by which your faith will be increased, and your courage directed, and preserved from degenerating into rashness.
And beside this - Καὶ αὐτὸ τοῦτο Kai auto touto. Something here is necessary to be understood in order to complete the sense. The reference is to 2Pe 1:3; and the connection is, since 2Pe 1:3 God has given us these exalted privileges and hopes, “in respect to this,” (κατὰ kata or διὰ dia being understood,) or as a “consequence” fairly flowing from this, we ought to give all diligence that we may make good use of these advantages, and secure as high attainments as we possibly can.

The words behind it

20 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.52 worksHebrews 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.36 worksProverbs 4:23Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.29 works2 Peter 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.24 works2 Peter 1:2–3Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.19 worksHebrews 6:11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.19 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Philippians 1:9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,17 works2 Peter 1:10Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,17 works2 Peter 1:3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.17 works2 Peter 3:14Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.16 worksEphesians 5:17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.14 worksColossians 2:3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.14 worksEphesians 1:17–18that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.13 worksPsalms 119:4You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.13 worksIsaiah 55:2Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.12 worksPhilippians 2:12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.12 worksLuke 24:21But we were hoping He was the One who would redeem Israel. And besides all this, it is the third day since these things took place.9 worksJohn 6:27Do not work for food that perishes, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”9 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    Proverbs 4:23

    Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.

    it leads to

    • Luke 6:45

      The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow…

    • Matthew 12:34–35

      You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

    • Mark 7:21–23

      For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,

    • Psalms 139:23–24

      Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns.

    • Proverbs 13:3

      He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

  • Through

    Philippians 4:8

    Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

    it leads to

    • James 3:17

      But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

    • Titus 2:7

      In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,

    • Romans 12:9–21

      Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.

Where this verse is studied

About 2 Peter

The Transfiguration, Giovanni Bellini, about 1478 to 1479, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte. Public domain.
The Transfiguration, Giovanni Bellini, about 1478 to 1479, Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte. Public domain.
2 Peter: the study guide →Read 2 Peter 1 →
This page draws on 11 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the New Testament; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on the Catholic Epistles; Bonaventure, Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 3; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament; Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Oecumenius, Commentary on 2 Peter and Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Peter.

Read on in 2 Peter 1 →