2 Peter 1:7

← 2 Peter 1:6 2 Peter 1:8 →

2 Peter 1:7 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

King James Version KJV

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

American Standard Version ASV

and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And love of the brothers to fear of God, and to love of the brothers, love itself.

Free Bible Version FBV

add to reverence, affection for fellow-believers, add to affection for fellow-believers, love.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And with godlines, brotherly kindnes: and with brotherly kindnes, loue.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and in the piety the brotherly kindness, and in the brotherly kindness the love;

World English Bible WEB

and in godliness, brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And in godliness, love of brotherhood; and in love of brotherhood, charity.

Translation for Translators T4T

And make sure that you not only ◄are godly/live in a way that pleases God►, but that you also have a concern for your fellow believers, as brothers and sisters ought to have for each other. And make sure that you not only have a concern for your fellow believers, but that you also love others.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Peter 1:7

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

2 Peter 1:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK εν δε τη ευσεβεια την φιλαδελφιαν εν δε τη φιλαδελφια την αγαπην

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

δε de G1161 then Conj

τη ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSF

ευσεβεια eusebeia G2150 piety Noun-DSF

την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF

φιλαδελφιαν philadelphia G5360 brotherly love Noun-ASF

εν en G1722 in/on/among Prep

δε de G1161 then Conj

τη ho G3588 the/this/who Art-DSF

φιλαδελφια philadelphia G5360 brotherly love Noun-DSF

την ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASF

αγαπην agapē G26 love Noun-ASF

Greek Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Greek Word Reference — 2 Peter 1:7

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

This word is a preposition that means in, on, or among something. It's used in many places, like Matthew 7:3 and Luke 7:37, to describe a location or relationship. It can also mean by, with, or during.

Definition: ἐν, prep, (the most frequently of all in NT), with dative (= Heb. בְּ, Lat. in, with abl.). __I. Of place, with dative of thing(s), of person(s), in, within, on, at, by, among: ἐν τ. πόλει, Luk.7:37; τ. οφθαλμῷ, Mat.7:3; τ. κοιλίᾳ, Mat.12:40; τ. ὄρει, 2Pe.1:18; τ. θρόνῳ, Rev.3:21; τ. δεξιᾷ τ. θεοῦ, Rom.8:34; ἐν ἡμῖν Abbott-Smith has ὑμῖν., Luk.1:1; of books, ἐν τ. βιβλίῳ, Gal.3:10; τ. νόμῳ, Mat.12:5, al.; ἐν τοῖς τ. Πατρός, in my Father's house (RV; cf. M, Pr., 103), Luk.2:49; trop., of the region of thought or feeling, ἐν τ. καρδίᾳ (-αις), Mat.5:28, 2Co.4:6, al.; τ. συνειδήσεσιν, 2Co.5:11; after verbs of motion, instead of εἰς (constructio praegnans, a usage extended in late Gk. beyond the limits observed in cl.; cf. Bl., §41, 1; M, Th., 12), ἀποστέλλω . . . ἐν, Mat.10:16. δέδωκεν ἐν τ. χειρί (cf. τιθέναι ἐν χερσί, Hom., Il., i, 441, al.), Jhn.3:35; id. after verbs of coming and going (not in cl.), εἰσῆλθε, Luk.9:46; ἐξῆλθεν, Luk.7:17. __II. Of state, condition, form, occupation, etc.: ἐν ζωῇ, Rom.5:10; ἐν τ. θανάτῳ, 1Jn.3:14; ἐν πειρασμοῖς, 1Pe.1:6; ἐν εἰρήνῃ, Mrk.5:25; ἐν δόξῃ, Php.4:19; ἐν πραΰτητι, Jas.3:13; ἐν μυστηρίῳ, 1Co.2:7; ἐν τ. διδαχῇ, Mrk.4:2; of a part as contained in a whole, ἐν τ. ἀμπέλῳ, Jhn.15:4; ἐν ἑνὶ σώματι, Rom.12:4; of accompanying objects or persons (simple dative in cl.), with, ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:25; ἐν δέκα χιλιάσιν, Luk.14:31 (cf. Ju 14, Act.7:14); similarly (cl.), of clothing, armour, arms, ἐν στολαῖς, Mrk.12:38; ἐν ἐσθῆτι λαμπρᾷ, Jas.2:2; ἐν μαξαίρῃ, Luk.22:49; ἐν ῥάβδῳ, 1Co.4:21 (cf. ἐν τόξοις, Xen., Mem., 3, 9, 2); of manner (cl.), ἐν τάχει (= ταχέως), Luk.18:8 (cf. Bl., §41, 1); of spiritual influence, ἐν πνεύματι, Rom.8:9; ἐν π. ἀκαθάρτῳ, Mrk.1:23; of the mystical relation of the Christian life and the believer himself, to God and Christ (cf. ICC, Ro., 160f.; Mayor on Ju 1; M, Pr., 103): ἐν Χριστῷ, Rom.3:24, 6:11, 1Co.3:1, 4:10, 2Co.12:2, Gal.2:17, Eph.6:21, Col.4:7, 1Th.4:16, al. __III. Of the agent, instrument or means (an extension of cl. ἐν of instr.—see LS, see word Ill—corresponding to similar use of Heb. בְּ), by, with: ἐν ὑμῖν κρίνεται ὁ κόσμος (= cl. παρά, C. dative), 1Co.6:2; ἐν τ. ἄρχοντι τ. δαιμονίων, Mat.9:34; ἐν αἵματι, Heb.9:22; ἐν ὕδατι, Mat.3:11, al.; ἐν μαχαίρᾳ ἀποκτενεῖ (cf. the absol. ἐν μ., ἐν ῥάβδῳ, supr., II, which some would classify here), Rev.13:10 (cf. 6:8). Allied to this usage and distinctly Semitic are the following: ἠγόρασας . . . ἐν τ. αἵματι σου (cf. BDB, see word בְּ, III, 3), Rev.5:9; ὁμολογεῖν ἐν (= Aram. אודי בּ; cf. McNeile on Mt, I.with; M, Pr., 104), Mat.10:32, Luk.12:8; ὀμνύναι ἐν (= cl. accusative, so Jas.5:12), Mat.5:34, al.; also at the rate of, amounting to, Mrk.4:8 (WH; vv. ll., εἰς, ἒν), Act.7:14 (LXX). __IV. Of time, __(a) in or during a period: ἐν τ. ἡμέρᾳ (νυκτί), Jhn.11:9, al.; ἐν σαββάτῳ, Mat.12:2, al.; ἐν τῷ μεταξύ, meanwhile, Jhn.4:31; __(b) at the time of an event: ἐν τ. παρουσίᾳ, 1Co.15:23; ἐν τ. ἀναστάσει, Mat.22:28; __(with) with art. inf., __(α) present (so sometimes in cl., but not as in NT = ἕως; V. M, Pr., 215), while: Mat.13:4, Mrk.6:48, Gal.4:18, al.; __(β) aor., when, after: Luk.9:36, al.; __(d) within (cl.): Mat.27:40, __V. In composition: (1) meaning: (a) with adjectives, it signifies usually the possession of a quality, as ἐνάλιος, ἐν́δοξος; (b) with verbs, continuance in (before ἐν) or motion into (before εἰς), as ἐμμένω, ἐμβαίνω. (ii) Assimilation: ἐν becomes ἐμ- before β, μ, π, φ, ψ; ἐγ- before γ, κ, ξ, χ; ἐλ- before λ. But in the older MSS of NT, followed by modern editions, assimilation is sometimes neglected, as in ἐνγράφω, ἐγκαινίζω, etc. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2120 NT verses. KJV: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Corinthians 15:17; 1 Peter 1:2.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

τη ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

ευσεβεια eusebeia G2150 "piety" Noun-DSF

Piety means showing respect and reverence to God and others, like parents. In the Bible, it appears in Acts 3:12 and 1 Timothy 2:2. It is about living a godly life.

Definition: εὐ-σέβεια, -ας, ἡ (εὐσεβής, which see), [in LXX: Pro.1:7, Isa.33:6 (יִרְאָה), Pro.13:11 (aliter in Heb.), Isa.11:2 (יְהוָֹה יִרְאָה), I Est.1:23, Wis.10:12, Sir.49:3, and very frequently in 4Mac ;] __1. piety, reverence (towards parents and others). __2. piety towards God, godliness: Act.3:12, 1Ti.2:2 4:7-8 6:5-6 6:11, 2Pe.1:3 1:6-7; τὸ τῆς εὐ. μυστήριον, 1Ti.3:16; ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ. διδασκαλία, 1Ti.6:3; ἡ ἀλήθεια ἡ κατ᾽ εὐ., Tit.1:1; μόρφωσις εὐσεβείας, 2Ti.3:5; pl. (see Bl., § 32, 6; Mayor on Jas.2:1), 2Pe.3:11 (on the use of εὐ. and cognates in Past. Epp., see CGT, on 1Ti.2:2; cf. also Cremer, 524).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: godliness, holiness See also: 1 Timothy 2:2; 1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 1:1.

την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

φιλαδελφιαν philadelphia G5360 "brotherly love" Noun-ASF

This word means brotherly love, describing the affection Christians have for each other as family in faith, seen in Romans 12:10 and 1 Peter 1:22.

Definition: φιλαδελφία, -ας, ἡ (φιλάδελφος), [in LXX: 4Ma.13:23 4Mac 13:26 4Mac 14:1 * ;] the love of brothers, brotherly love: of Christians' mutual love as brethren (see: ἀδελφός), Rom.12:10, 1Th.4:9, Heb.13:1, 1Pe.1:22, 2Pe.1:7.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren See also: 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7; Hebrews 13:1.

εν en G1722 "in/on/among" Prep

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

τη ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-DSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

φιλαδελφια philadelphia G5360 "brotherly love" Noun-DSF

This word means brotherly love, describing the affection Christians have for each other as family in faith, seen in Romans 12:10 and 1 Peter 1:22.

Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren See also: 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7; Hebrews 13:1.

την ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αγαπην agapē G26 "love" Noun-ASF

Unconditional love or affection, like the love God shows to humanity in John 3:16. It's also used to describe love between people, like in John 13:35.

Definition: ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, __1. Of men's love: __(a) to one another, Jhn.13:35; __(b) to God, 1Jn.2:5. __2. Of divine love; __(a) God's love: to men, Rom.5:8; to Christ, Jhn.17:26; __(b) Christ's love to men: Rom.8:35. __3. In pl., love feasts: Ju 12 (DB, iii, 157). SYN.: φιλία. ἀ., signifying properly (see: ἀγαπάω) love which chooses its object, is taken over from LXX, where its connotation is more general, into NT, and there used exclusively to express that spiritual bond of love between God and man and between man and man, in Christ, which is characteristic of Christianity. It is thusdistinct from φιλία, friendship (Jas.4:4 only), στοργή, natural affection (in NT only in compounds, see: ἄστοργος) and ἔρως, sexual love, which is not used in NT, its place being taken by ἐπιθυμία. (Cf. ἀγαπάω; and see Abbott, Essays, 70f.; DB, vol. i., 555; Cremer, 13, 593; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 106 NT verses. KJV: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love See also: 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Peter 4:8.

Study Notes — 2 Peter 1:7

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
2 Peter 1:7 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on 2 Peter 1:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Peter 1:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7
Cambridge Bible on 2 Peter 1:7
Barnes' Notes on 2 Peter 1:7
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7
Sermons on 2 Peter 1:7

Context — Partakers of the Divine Nature

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

8For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Hebrews 13:1	Continue in brotherly love.
2	Romans 12:10	Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
3	1 Thessalonians 3:12	And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,
4	Colossians 3:14	And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
5	John 13:34–35	A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
6	1 Peter 1:22	Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
7	1 Corinthians 13:1–8	If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.
8	1 John 4:21	And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.
9	Galatians 6:10	Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
10	1 Peter 2:17	Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

2 Peter 1:7 Summary

[This verse shows us that as we grow in our faith, we should also grow in our love for others. This starts with being kind to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and then extends to loving everyone around us. As it says in Matthew 22:37-40, loving God and loving others are the most important commands we can follow. By following these commands, we can demonstrate the love of Christ to a world in need, and bring glory to our heavenly Father.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the progression from godliness to brotherly kindness to love in 2 Peter 1:7?

This progression highlights the importance of cultivating a deep love for others, which is rooted in our love for God and demonstrated through our treatment of fellow believers, as seen in John 13:35 and 1 John 4:7-8.

How can we demonstrate brotherly kindness in our daily lives?

We can show brotherly kindness by being compassionate, generous, and hospitable towards others, as exhorted in Romans 12:10-13 and Hebrews 13:1-3, and by following the example of Jesus Christ in Matthew 25:31-46.

What is the relationship between godliness and love in this verse?

Godliness and love are intimately connected, as godliness is the foundation for demonstrating genuine love for others, and love is the ultimate expression of a godly character, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:8 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

How does this verse relate to our spiritual growth and maturity?

This verse emphasizes the importance of continually adding virtues to our faith, as mentioned in 2 Peter 1:5-6, in order to become more like Christ and to demonstrate His love to a world in need, as seen in Ephesians 4:13-16 and Colossians 1:28-29.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can cultivate brotherly kindness in my relationships with fellow believers?
How can I demonstrate love to those around me, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable?
What are some practical steps I can take to prioritize godliness and love in my daily life?
How can I balance the pursuit of spiritual growth with the need to demonstrate love and kindness to others?
What are some areas in my life where I can show more love and kindness to those around me, and how can I start making changes today?

Gill's Exposition on 2 Peter 1:7

Ver. 7 And to godliness, brotherly kindness,.... Without which, godliness, or external worship, or a profession of religion, is a vain show; for this is both the evidence of regeneration, and of the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Peter 1:7

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 'And in your godliness brotherly-kindness;' not suffering your piety to be morose and sullen, but kind to the brethren.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7

Brotherly kindness; a love to those that are of the household of faith. This is joined to godliness, to show that it is in vain to pretend to true religion and yet be destitute of brotherly love. Charity; this is more general than the former, and relates to all men, even our enemies themselves.

Trapp's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. Ver. 7. And to godliness, brotherly kindness] Zeal for God should eat us up, but not eat up our love to God’ s people. Fire purgeth gold, but burneth it not; the fire of zeal may be warming, comforting, not scalding or scorching. Moses was angry with the people, but prayed for them. Christ was angry with the Pharisees, but grieved also for the hardness of their hearts, Mark 3:5. And to brotherly kindness, &c.] Love we must all men, but especially the family of faith; as our Saviour loved the young man, but not so as he did Lazarus, Mark 10:21; John 11:3.

Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7

(7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.—And in your godliness [supply] love of the brethren, and in your love of the brethren, charity. In other words, your godliness must not be selfish and solitary, but social and Christian; for he who loveth God must love his brother also (1 John 4:20-21). And though “charity begins at home” with “them who are of the household of faith,” it must not end there, but reach out to all men, whether Christians or not. (Comp. 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Galatians 6:10.) The translation “brotherly kindness” is a little to be regretted; it obscures the exact meaning of the Word, and also the fact that the very same word is used in 1 Peter 1:22. “Love of the brethren” means love of Christians as such, as members of the same great family, as God’s adopted children. “Charity” means love of men as such, as creatures made in the likeness of God, as souls for which Christ died. The word for “charity” is emphatically Christian love; not mere natural benevolence. Each in this noble chain of virtues prepares the way for the next, and is supplemented and perfected by it. It begins with faith, and it ends (like St. Paul’s list of virtues, Colossians 3:12-14) with charity. But we must not insist too strongly upon the order in the series, as being either logically or chronologically necessary. It is a natural order that is here given, but not the only one. These three verses are the First Epistle condensed. Each one of the virtues mentioned here is represented quite distinctly in 1 Peter: virtue, 1 Peter 1:13; knowledge, 1 Peter 3:15; self-control, 1 Peter 1:14; 1 Peter 2:11; patience, 1 Peter 1:6; 1 Peter 2:21; godliness, 1 Peter 1:15-16; 1 Peter 3:4; love of the brethren, 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 3:8; charity, 1 Peter 4:8. The list of virtues given in the Epistle of Barnabas 2 runs thus:—Faith, fear, patience, long - suffering, temperance, wisdom, prudence, science, knowledge. The very slight amount of similarity affords no ground for supposing that the writer was acquainted with 2 Peter.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7

Verse 7. Brotherly kindness] φιλαδελφιαν. Love of the brotherhood-the strongest attachment to Christ's flock; feeling each as a member of your own body. Charity] αγαπην. Love to the whole human race, even to your persecutors: love to God and the brethren they had; love to all mankind they must also have. True religion is neither selfish nor insulated; where the love of God is, bigotry cannot exist. Narrow, selfish people, and people of a party, who scarcely have any hope of the salvation of those who do not believe as they believe, and who do not follow with them, have scarcely any religion, though in their own apprehension none is so truly orthodox or religious as themselves. After αγαπην, love, one MS. adds these words, ενδετηαγαπητηνπαρακλησιν, and to this love consolation; but this is an idle and useless addition.

Cambridge Bible on 2 Peter 1:7

7. and to godliness brotherly kindness] Better, perhaps, love of the brethren. See note on 1 Peter 1:22. The recurrence of the words may be noted as evidence in favour of identity of authorship.and to brotherly kindness charity] Better, love. See note on 1 Peter 4:8. It is to be regretted, as has been said before, that the varying usage of our translators hinders us from recognising at once the unity of the writers of the New Testament as to the greatness and majesty of “love.”

Barnes' Notes on 2 Peter 1:7

And to godliness brotherly kindness - Love to Christians as such. See the John 13:34 note; Hebrews 13:1 note. And to brotherly kindness charity - Love to all mankind.

Whedon's Commentary on 2 Peter 1:7

7. Godliness, unguarded, becomes morose and estranged from brethren, and loves its own solitude; therefore, in your godliness furnish brotherly kindness, or rather, brotherly love.

Sermons on 2 Peter 1:7

	Sermon	Description
	2 Peter 1:7 by John Gill	John Gill emphasizes the significance of brotherly kindness as an essential aspect of godliness, asserting that without it, external worship and religious profession are meaningles
	Christian Fellowship by Thomas Reade	Thomas Reade preaches on the importance of Christian fellowship, emphasizing the unity, love, and harmony that should exist among believers. He highlights the beauty and blessednes
	A Study in Hebrews 13 - Part 1 by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a preacher in a parking lot and encourages the audience to show support and encouragement to those who bold
	(Genesis) - Part 17 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the attitude of Abraham and Sarah towards hospitality. He emphasizes that Abraham, despite being a servant of God, humbly serves the three m
	Descending Morals and Sinking Values by Ralph Sexton	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of brotherly love and helping one another in the church. He mentions the biblical verse about entertaining strangers, suggest
	This Is the Sum by David Cooper	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the role of Jesus as a high priest who can empathize with our temptations and sufferings. The preacher references Hebrews chapter 4, specifi
	Twelve Encouragements to Finish Well by Richard Owen Roberts	In this sermon, the speaker shares a helpful analogy given to him by a devout man in Texas. The analogy suggests that material possessions are necessary for life, but they become d