2 Peter 1:1

KJV

¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

KJV (with Strong's)

Simon {G4826} Peter {G4074}, a servant {G1401} and {G2532} an apostle {G652} of Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}, to them that have obtained {G2975} like precious {G2472} faith {G4102} with us {G2254} through {G1722} the righteousness {G1343} of God {G2316} and {G2532} our {G2257} Saviour {G4990} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}:

Complete Jewish Bible

From: Shim‘on Kefa, a slave and emissary of Yeshua the Messiah

To: Those who, through the righteousness of our God and of our Deliverer Yeshua the Messiah, have been given the same kind of trust as ours:

Berean Standard Bible

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

American Standard Version

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The opening verse of Peter’s second epistle serves as a profound salutation, identifying the author as Simon Peter, a humble servant and authoritative apostle of Jesus Christ. It addresses believers who share a faith of equal value and honor with the apostles, emphasizing that this precious faith is not self-generated but divinely bestowed, rooted in the perfect righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. This declaration immediately establishes the divine origin and profound significance of the Christian's faith, setting a foundational theological truth for the entire letter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse functions as the customary apostolic salutation, immediately establishing the author's identity and authority while defining the recipients and the core nature of their shared spiritual standing. It sets the stage for the epistle's overarching themes: the call to spiritual growth and diligence (building upon the "precious faith" introduced here), and the urgent warnings against false teachers and their destructive doctrines that emerge in [2 Peter 2](/2_peter/2 "2 Peter 2 - Warnings Against False Teachers"). The emphasis on "knowledge" and "righteousness" in the subsequent verses directly builds upon the foundation of "righteousness of God" presented in this opening. Furthermore, it implicitly connects to Peter's first epistle, which addressed believers facing persecution, offering hope and encouraging steadfastness in their faith (e.g., [1 Peter 1:6-9](/1_peter/1-6-9 "1 Peter 1:6-9 - Testing of Faith")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter likely penned this letter towards the end of his life, possibly from Rome, addressing a broad audience of believers scattered throughout Asia Minor (similar to [1 Peter 1:1](/1_peter/1-1 "1 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Salutation")). The early church was experiencing internal challenges, particularly the rise of false teachers who denied the second coming of Christ, promoted moral laxity, and questioned the authority of the apostles. This historical backdrop makes Peter's emphasis on the divine origin and objective truth of their shared faith, grounded in "the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," particularly potent. It counters any relativistic or human-centered claims about faith by firmly rooting it in God's immutable character and Christ's saving work. The term "servant" (doûlos) was understood in the Greco-Roman world as a bond-slave, signifying complete submission and devotion, while "apostle" conveyed a divinely commissioned authority.

* **Key Themes:** The verse introduces several foundational themes that permeate the epistle. Firstly, it highlights the **authority and humility of the apostle** Peter, who identifies himself as both a "servant" (doûlos) and an "apostle" of Jesus Christ, balancing complete dedication with divine commissioning. Secondly, it underscores the **universal and precious nature of true faith**, asserting that the recipients have "like precious faith" with the apostles, meaning it is equally genuine and valuable, irrespective of their background or direct encounter with Christ. This theme of shared, divinely-given faith is crucial for unity and perseverance, as seen in the call to add to their faith in [2 Peter 1:5-7](/2_peter/1-5-7 "2 Peter 1:5-7 - Christian Virtues"). Thirdly, and most significantly, the verse establishes the **divine source and basis of this faith**: it is obtained "through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." This points to faith as a gift, made possible by God's just character and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, a truth central to the gospel message (e.g., [Romans 1:17](/romans/1-17 "Romans 1:17 - The Righteousness of God Revealed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **servant (Greek, _doûlos'_):** From G1401, meaning "a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)." Peter's self-designation as a "servant" or "bond-slave" of Jesus Christ is a profound statement of humility and absolute devotion. It signifies complete submission to Christ's will and authority, placing himself in the same category as other apostles and even Christ Himself, who took the form of a servant (e.g., [Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). This term emphasizes that his apostleship is not a position of self-importance but one of loyal service.
* **like precious (Greek, _isótimos'_):** From G2472, meaning "of equal value or honor." This crucial term asserts that the faith possessed by the recipients of the letter is of the same quality, worth, and divine origin as that of Peter and the other apostles. It dismantles any hierarchy of faith, affirming that all true believers stand on equal footing before God, having received the same divine gift. This equality in faith is a powerful unifying principle within the body of Christ.
* **righteousness (Greek, _dikaiosýnē'_):** From G1343, meaning "equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification." This refers to God's inherent attribute of perfect justice and moral uprightness, as well as His saving act by which He declares sinners righteous through faith in Christ. In this context, it is the divine standard and provision that makes faith possible and acceptable. It is not human righteousness, but God's own perfect righteousness, manifested in Christ, that serves as the foundation for the "like precious faith" obtained by believers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ,"**: This clause identifies the author. "Simon" is his original Hebrew name, while "Peter" (from Greek _Petros_, meaning "rock") was given to him by Jesus. His dual self-description as "servant" (doûlos) and "apostle" balances deep humility with divinely conferred authority. As a "servant," he acknowledges his absolute submission to Christ; as an "apostle," he asserts his unique commission as one sent by Christ with authority to proclaim the gospel and establish the church. This dual identity underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of his message.
* **"to them that have obtained like precious faith with us"**: This clause identifies the recipients and the nature of their faith. The verb "obtained" (Greek _lanchánō_) suggests that this faith was received by divine allotment or allocation, not earned through human merit or striving. It is a gift, not an achievement. The phrase "like precious faith with us" is central, signifying that the faith of the recipients is of the same intrinsic value, quality, and divine source as that of Peter and the other apostles. This establishes a profound spiritual equality among all believers, regardless of their status or direct experience with Christ.
* **"through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:"**: This final clause reveals the ultimate source and basis of this precious faith. The preposition "through" (Greek _en_) indicates the instrumental means by which this faith is obtained. Critically, the Greek text uses a single definite article before "God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," a grammatical construction (the Granville Sharp rule) that strongly identifies "God" and "our Saviour Jesus Christ" as referring to the same person. This is a powerful affirmation of the deity of Jesus Christ. It is through God's perfect, saving righteousness, fully embodied and accomplished in Jesus Christ, that believers receive their faith and are justified. This righteousness is the unshakeable foundation upon which their "like precious faith" rests.

#### Literary Devices
Peter employs several literary devices in this concise salutation. The primary device is the **Apostolic Salutation**, a standard epistolary convention in the ancient world, immediately establishing the sender and recipient, but here imbued with profound theological meaning. Peter uses **Apposition** when he describes himself as "a servant and an apostle," where two nouns or phrases are placed side-by-side, with one explaining or modifying the other. This highlights the dual nature of his identity: humble submission and authoritative commission. Furthermore, the **Grammatical Construction** of "God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" (using a single article for two nouns joined by "and") serves as a powerful rhetorical device. This specific construction, known as the Granville Sharp rule, functions to emphasize the **identity** of God and Jesus Christ, thereby affirming the deity of Jesus. This subtle yet profound grammatical choice is a deliberate way to convey a central theological truth about Christ's divine nature, which is foundational to the "righteousness" that makes faith possible.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This foundational verse establishes that true saving faith is not a human achievement but a divine gift, graciously bestowed upon believers through God's perfect righteousness, fully manifested in Jesus Christ. The "like precious faith" emphasizes the universal equality of all believers before God, irrespective of their background or the circumstances of their conversion. This faith is rooted in the objective reality of God's character and Christ's redemptive work, rather than subjective experience. It underscores the profound truth that our standing with God is entirely dependent on His initiative and His Son's finished work, providing a secure and unshakeable basis for salvation and spiritual life. This divine origin of faith cultivates humility in the believer and glorifies God as the sole author and perfecter of our salvation.

* [Romans 3:22](/romans/3-22 "Romans 3:22 - The Righteousness of God Through Faith")
* [Ephesians 2:8](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Titus 2:13](/titus/2-13 "Titus 2:13 - The Blessed Hope and Glorious Appearing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth embedded in 2 Peter 1:1 offers immense encouragement and a call to humble gratitude for every believer. To know that our faith is "like precious" to that of the apostles means that we share in the same divine gift, the same access to God, and the same glorious inheritance. This should eliminate any sense of inferiority or spiritual hierarchy within the body of Christ, fostering unity and mutual respect. Furthermore, recognizing that this faith is "obtained... through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" reminds us that salvation is entirely God's work, not ours. This truth should deepen our humility, eradicate self-reliance, and ignite profound gratitude for His unmerited favor. It calls us to rest securely in Christ's perfect righteousness, knowing that our standing before God is not based on our fluctuating performance but on His unchanging character and redemptive provision. This foundational assurance empowers us to live out the implications of our faith, diligently pursuing godliness as Peter exhorts in the subsequent verses.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that your faith is "like precious" to that of the apostles impact your self-perception as a believer and your view of other Christians?**
* **In what ways does recognizing faith as a gift, rooted in God's righteousness, deepen your gratitude and humility in your walk with Christ?**
* **How does the affirmation of Jesus Christ's deity in this verse strengthen your trust and worship of Him as your God and Savior?**

### FAQ
**What does "obtained like precious faith" mean for ordinary believers today?**

Answer: "Obtained like precious faith" means that every true believer, regardless of their background, spiritual maturity, or personal experiences, possesses a faith that is of equal value, quality, and divine origin as that of the apostles themselves. It signifies that the faith given to us by God is not a lesser version but the same genuine, saving faith that empowered Peter and the early church. This truth levels the playing field, affirming the inherent dignity and spiritual standing of every Christian, and it underscores that salvation is a gift from God, received by His grace, not earned by human merit or status. It provides profound assurance that our faith is legitimate and effective because its source is divine, not human.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
This opening verse profoundly points to Christ as the very foundation and embodiment of the "righteousness of God" through whom "like precious faith" is obtained. Jesus Christ is not merely an instrument; He is the divine source and perfect manifestation of God's righteousness. His sinless life, His atoning death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection constitute the perfect righteousness that God requires and provides. It is through faith in Him that this righteousness is imputed to believers, making them acceptable before a holy God. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness") declares, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Our faith is "precious" precisely because it connects us to Christ, who is our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption (cf. [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")). The affirmation of Jesus as "our Saviour Jesus Christ" alongside "God" underscores His divine identity and His singular role as the one who delivers us from sin and death, making the gift of faith and access to God's righteousness possible. He is the "author and finisher of our faith" (cf. [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith")), the one in whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (cf. [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 2:13

Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Romans 3:21

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:26

To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:13

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Titus 1:4

To Titus, [mine] own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, [and] peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

John 12:26

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour.

Romans 1:12

That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.