2 Peter 1:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Indeed, whoever lacks them is blind, so shortsighted that he forgets that his past sins have been washed away.

Berean Standard Bible:

But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

American Standard Version:

For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1063} he that^{G3739} lacketh^{G3361}^{G3918} these things^{G5023} is^{G2076} blind^{G5185}, and cannot see afar off^{G3467}, and hath forgotten^{G3024}^{G2983} that he was purged from^{G2512} his^{G846} old^{G3819} sins^{G266}.

Cross-References (KJV):

2 Peter 2:18

For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 2:9

He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.

1 John 2:11

But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Romans 6:11

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Commentary for 2 Peter 1:9

2 Peter 1:9 is part of a letter traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter, written to encourage and strengthen the faith of early Christians amidst false teachings and moral laxity. The verse serves as a caution within a broader exhortation to grow in virtues such as faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7).

In this verse, Peter addresses the condition of a believer who lacks these Christian virtues. The text suggests that such a person is spiritually "blind," implying an inability to perceive spiritual truths and discern the will of God. The phrase "cannot see afar off" may metaphorically mean that the individual is unable to look ahead with clear spiritual vision, to anticipate the consequences of their actions, or to grasp the future hope that their faith promises.

Moreover, the verse indicates that this spiritual myopia is coupled with a profound amnesia: the person "hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins." This forgetfulness points to a lack of appreciation for the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice, which in the Christian belief, cleanses believers from their past sins. Forgetting this foundational aspect of their faith leads to a regression in spiritual maturity and a failure to live out the moral implications of their redemption.

In summary, 2 Peter 1:9 underscores the importance of cultivating Christian virtues to maintain spiritual clarity and to remember the salvific work of Christ. It serves as a stark reminder that neglecting these spiritual practices can result in a loss of moral and spiritual insight, causing one to forget the very essence of their faith—the forgiveness and purification from sin that Christ offers. The historical context reflects the early Church's struggle with maintaining doctrinal purity and moral integrity in the face of heretical teachings and worldly influences.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G1063
There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γάρ
Transliteration: gár
Pronunciation: gar
Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
Strong's Number: G3361
There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μή
Transliteration: mḗ
Pronunciation: may
Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.
Strong's Number: G3918
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πάρειμι
Transliteration: páreimi
Pronunciation: par'-i-mee
Description: from παρά and εἰμί (including its various forms); to be near, i.e. at hand; neuter present participle (singular) time being, or (plural) property:--come, X have, be here, + lack, (be here) present.
Strong's Number: G5023
There are 237 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ταῦτα
Transliteration: taûta
Pronunciation: tow'-tah
Description: nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.
Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.
Strong's Number: G5185
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: τυφλός
Transliteration: typhlós
Pronunciation: toof-los'
Description: from, τυφόω; opaque (as if smoky), i.e. (by analogy) blind (physically or mentally):--blind.
Strong's Number: G3467
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μυωπάζω
Transliteration: myōpázō
Pronunciation: moo-ope-ad'-zo
Description: from a compound of the base of μυστήριον and (the face; from ὀπτάνομαι); to shut the eyes, i.e. blink (see indistinctly):-- cannot see far off.
Strong's Number: G3024
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λήθη
Transliteration: lḗthē
Pronunciation: lay'-thay
Description: from λανθάνω; forgetfulness:--+ forget.
Strong's Number: G2983
There are 248 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: λαμβάνω
Transliteration: lambánō
Pronunciation: lam-ban'-o
Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is use only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively (properly objective or active, to get hold of; whereas δέχομαι is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while αἱρέομαι is more violent, to seize or remove)):--accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up).
Strong's Number: G2512
There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καθαρισμός
Transliteration: katharismós
Pronunciation: kath-ar-is-mos'
Description: from καθαρίζω; a washing off, i.e. (ceremonially) ablution, (morally) expiation:--cleansing, + purge, purification(-fying).
Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
Strong's Number: G3819
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πάλαι
Transliteration: pálai
Pronunciation: pal'-ahee
Description: probably another form for πάλιν (through the idea of retrocession); (adverbially) formerly, or (by relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective) ancient:--any while, a great while ago, (of) old, in time past.
Strong's Number: G266
There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἁμαρτία
Transliteration: hamartía
Pronunciation: ham-ar-tee'-ah
Description: from ἁμαρτάνω; a sin (properly abstract):--offence, sin(-ful).

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