2 Peter 1:2

KJV

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

KJV (with Strong's)

Grace {G5485} and {G2532} peace {G1515} be multiplied {G4129} unto you {G5213} through {G1722} the knowledge {G1922} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} of Jesus {G2424} our {G2257} Lord {G2962},

Complete Jewish Bible

May grace and shalom be yours in full measure, as you come to a full knowledge of God and Yeshua our Lord.

Berean Standard Bible

Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

American Standard Version

Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Peter opens his second epistle with a profound and expansive blessing, praying for an ever-increasing measure of "grace" and "peace" upon his readers. This multiplication of divine favor and inner tranquility is not presented as an arbitrary gift but as a direct consequence of a deepening, intimate, and experiential "knowledge" of God the Father and Jesus Christ, our Lord. This salutation immediately sets the theological trajectory for the entire letter, emphasizing that true spiritual growth and steadfastness are rooted in a transformative understanding of the divine.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the opening salutation of Peter's second epistle, immediately following the identification of the author and the recipients in [2 Peter 1:1](/2_peter/1-1 "2 Peter 1:1 - Peter's Greeting"). As a standard apostolic greeting, it conveys a blessing, but Peter expands upon the typical "grace and peace" by adding the crucial phrase "be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." This addition is not merely a stylistic flourish but a foundational theological statement that anticipates the epistle's central themes. The subsequent verses, [2 Peter 1:3-4](/2_peter/1-3-4 "2 Peter 1:3-4 - God's Divine Power and Precious Promises"), immediately connect God's divine power and precious promises to this same "knowledge," indicating that this opening blessing is intrinsically linked to the means by which believers grow in godliness and escape the world's corruption.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter's second epistle is addressed to believers, likely scattered across Asia Minor, facing significant challenges from within the church. The primary threat is the infiltration of false teachers (addressed extensively in [2 Peter 2](/2_peter/2 "2 Peter 2 - False Teachers")) who deny the Lord, promote immorality, and scoff at the promise of Christ's return ([2 Peter 3:3-4](/2_peter/3-3-4 "2 Peter 3:3-4 - Scorners and the Coming Day of the Lord")). In this turbulent environment, Peter's prayer for "multiplied grace and peace" is deeply relevant. Grace provides the divine enablement and favor needed to resist error and live righteously, while peace offers inner stability and wholeness amidst external turmoil and deceptive influences. The emphasis on "knowledge" serves as an antidote to the false teachings, which often relied on superficial or distorted understandings of God.
* **Key Themes:** [Second Peter](/2_peter/1 "The Second Epistle of Peter") is profoundly concerned with the themes of genuine **knowledge** versus false teaching, **spiritual growth** and **godliness**, and the **certainty of Christ's return** and the **Day of the Lord**. This opening verse immediately introduces the theme of knowledge as the conduit for divine blessings. The "multiplication" of grace and peace underscores God's desire for the abundant spiritual well-being of His people, not just a static measure. It also subtly introduces the theme of **progression** in the Christian life, which is further developed in [2 Peter 1:5-7](/2_peter/1-5-7 "2 Peter 1:5-7 - Adding to Your Faith"), where believers are exhorted to diligently "add" virtues to their faith, ensuring that they are "not ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" ([2 Peter 1:8](/2_peter/1-8 "2 Peter 1:8 - Bearing Fruit in Knowledge")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grace (Greek, _cháris'_):** This term, derived from a verb meaning "to rejoice," signifies graciousness, favor, and divine influence upon the heart, which is then reflected in the life. In this context, it refers to God's unmerited favor and divine enablement, the spiritual power and blessings He bestows upon believers. It encompasses all that God freely gives to humanity, not based on merit but on His benevolent character.
* **Peace (Greek, _eirḗnē'_):** Rooted in a verb meaning "to join," this word denotes a state of wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation. It implies harmony, tranquility, and the absence of conflict, both internally and externally. In a theological sense, it refers to the state of being reconciled with God and experiencing the resultant inner calm and spiritual prosperity that flows from that relationship.
* **Knowledge (Greek, _epígnōsis'_):** Distinct from mere intellectual acquaintance (_gnōsis_), _epígnōsis_ signifies a full, precise, or experiential recognition and discernment. It implies a deep, intimate, and transformative understanding that comes from personal relationship and engagement, rather than just factual information. Peter uses this term throughout his letter to emphasize a true, saving, and transformative knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, contrasting it with the superficial or erroneous claims of the false teachers he addresses.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you":** This is a profound apostolic benediction, a prayer or wish for the recipients. The verb "multiplied" (Greek: _plēthýnō_) indicates an increase, an overflowing abundance, rather than a static measure. It signifies Peter's desire for the believers to experience an ever-growing supply of God's unmerited favor and inner spiritual wholeness. This multiplication suggests a dynamic, progressive experience of divine blessing, not merely a one-time endowment.
* **"through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord":** This crucial phrase identifies the means or channel by which grace and peace are multiplied. The preposition "through" (Greek: _en_, here denoting instrumentality or means) establishes a direct causal link. The "knowledge" specified is _epígnōsis_, a deep, personal, and transformative understanding. It is not just about knowing facts about God and Jesus, but intimately knowing God the Father and Jesus Christ as Lord. This implies that the more intimately believers know God and Jesus, the more they will experience an increase in divine grace and peace in their lives. The pairing of "God" (referring to the Father) and "Jesus our Lord" emphasizes the co-equal and unified source of this knowledge and the blessings it brings.

#### Literary Devices
Peter employs several literary devices in this concise opening. The verse functions as a **Benediction** or blessing, a common feature in ancient letters, but it is elevated beyond a mere formality. The use of the verb "multiplied" (Greek: _plēthýnō_) serves as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the abundance and progressive nature of the grace and peace Peter desires for his readers. This word choice conveys a sense of overflowing divine provision. Furthermore, the phrase "through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord" establishes a clear **Causal Relationship** or conditionality. It explicitly links the multiplication of these spiritual blessings to a specific, active pursuit of deep knowledge, making the blessing contingent upon the believer's engagement with the divine. This structure underscores a key theological principle: spiritual benefits are often tied to spiritual disciplines and relational intimacy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological significance of [2 Peter 1:2](/2_peter/1-2 "2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and Peace Through Knowledge") lies in its articulation of the dynamic relationship between divine blessing and personal knowledge of God. It posits that grace and peace are not passively received in a static measure but are actively multiplied as believers deepen their intimate understanding of the Father and the Son. This "knowledge" is not intellectual assent alone, but a transformative, experiential relationship that reorients one's life. It underscores the active role of the believer in pursuing God, recognizing that spiritual vitality and inner tranquility are directly proportional to the depth of one's communion with the divine. This verse sets the stage for Peter's subsequent exhortations to grow in godliness, emphasizing that such growth is both enabled by God's grace and propelled by a genuine, living knowledge of Him.

* [John 17:3](/john/17-3 "John 17:3 - Eternal Life Through Knowing God"): "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
* [Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of God"): "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
* [Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1-2 "Romans 5:1-2 - Peace and Access Through Faith"): "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's opening prayer in [2 Peter 1:2](/2_peter/1-2 "2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and Peace Through Knowledge") offers a profound principle for Christian living: the pathway to experiencing an ever-increasing abundance of God's grace and peace is through a deepening, intimate knowledge of Him and His Son, Jesus. This isn't merely about acquiring more facts or doctrines, but about cultivating a transformative relationship that impacts every facet of our being. In a world often characterized by anxiety, turmoil, and spiritual deception, the promise of multiplied grace—God's empowering presence and unmerited favor—and peace—His profound inner tranquility—is immensely comforting and stabilizing. To walk in this multiplied blessing requires intentional pursuit: diligent engagement with God's Word, fervent and consistent prayer, active obedience to His commands, and a conscious effort to know Him more fully through all circumstances of life. As we draw nearer to God in this intimate knowledge, our lives are progressively transformed, reflecting more of His character and experiencing the profound spiritual well-being He offers.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "multiplied" grace and peace look like in your daily life, and how might you actively pursue more of it?**
* **How does your current understanding of "knowledge" in this verse compare to mere intellectual assent, and what steps can you take to deepen your experiential knowledge of God and Jesus?**
* **In what specific ways do you seek to know God and Jesus our Lord more intimately, and how has this pursuit impacted your experience of grace and peace?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "multiplied" grace and peace in 2 Peter 1:2?**

Answer: The term "multiplied" (Greek: _plēthýnō_) signifies an ever-increasing, overflowing abundance of God's grace and peace, rather than a static or fixed amount. This is highly significant because it implies a dynamic and progressive experience of divine blessing. It means that God desires for believers not just to have grace and peace, but for these spiritual realities to grow and abound in their lives. This multiplication is directly linked to the depth of one's "knowledge" of God and Jesus, suggesting that as our understanding and intimacy with God deepen, so too does our experience of His favor and inner tranquility. It's a promise of progressive spiritual well-being and enablement, particularly vital for believers facing spiritual challenges and false teachings, as was the case for Peter's original audience (see [2 Peter 2:1-3](/2_peter/2-1-3 "2 Peter 2:1-3 - False Prophets and Teachers")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Second Peter 1:2](/2_peter/1-2 "2 Peter 1:2 - Grace and Peace Through Knowledge") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in recognizing that Jesus Christ is not only the supreme revelation of God but also the very embodiment and source of the grace and peace Peter speaks of. The "knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord" is intrinsically linked, as Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ the Image of God")) and the one through whom all divine truth and grace are mediated ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth Came Through Jesus Christ")). It is in Christ that believers find true peace with God, having been reconciled through His atoning sacrifice ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Peace with God Through Christ")). He is our peace, breaking down all barriers ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), and in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge ([Colossians 2:2-3](/colossians/2-2-3 "Colossians 2:2-3 - All Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge in Christ")). Therefore, to pursue a deeper knowledge of God is to pursue a deeper knowledge of Christ, and as we do, the grace that saves and sustains us, and the peace that transcends all understanding, are indeed multiplied through Him.

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

2 Peter 3:18

But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Philippians 3:8

Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

1 Peter 1:2

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Jude 1:2

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Romans 1:7

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 53:11

He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.