2 Peter 1:7

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} to {G1722} godliness {G2150} brotherly kindness {G5360}; and {G1161} to {G1722} brotherly kindness {G5360} charity {G26}.

Complete Jewish Bible

godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Peter 1:7 concludes a vital progression of virtues, urging believers to diligently cultivate a life that moves beyond mere faith to active, Christ-like character. This verse specifically highlights the essential steps of adding "brotherly kindness" (love for fellow believers) to "godliness" (devotion to God), and then culminating in "charity" (unconditional, divine love for all humanity), thereby ensuring a fruitful and steadfast walk with Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the culmination of a "spiritual ladder" or "chain of virtues" that Peter introduces in [2 Peter 1:5](/2_peter/1-5 "2 Peter 1:5 - Adding Virtues to Faith"). Beginning with faith, Peter exhorts believers to "add" (Greek: *epichorēgeō*, implying a generous supply or equipping) virtue, knowledge, temperance (self-control), patience (endurance), godliness, brotherly kindness, and finally, charity. The structure is intentional, showing a progressive development where each virtue builds upon the last. The purpose of this cultivation is explicitly stated in [2 Peter 1:8](/2_peter/1-8 "2 Peter 1:8 - Fruitfulness in Knowledge of Christ"), ensuring that believers are not "barren nor unfruitful" in their knowledge of Jesus Christ, but rather that their "calling and election" are made "sure" ([2 Peter 1:10](/2_peter/1-10 "2 Peter 1:10 - Making Your Calling and Election Sure")). This sequence underscores the dynamic and active nature of Christian sanctification.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Peter wrote this epistle to believers, likely scattered throughout Asia Minor, who were facing internal threats from false teachers and external pressures. These false teachers often promoted a form of Gnosticism, emphasizing secret knowledge (gnosis) over ethical conduct, leading to moral laxity. In this context, Peter's emphasis on a progressive development of virtues, culminating in practical love, served as a powerful counter-narrative. It underscored that true knowledge of Christ (epignosis) is not merely intellectual assent but is demonstrated through a transformed life characterized by divine virtues. The call to "godliness" (reverence for God) and "brotherly kindness" (love within the Christian community) was particularly crucial for maintaining unity and witness amidst divisive teachings and societal pressures.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in [2 Peter 1](/2_peter/1 "2 Peter 1 - The Divine Call to Christian Growth") is the **Progressive Spiritual Growth** and **Christian Maturity** of the believer. Peter asserts that divine power has given believers "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" ([2 Peter 1:3](/2_peter/1-3 "2 Peter 1:3 - Divine Power for Life and Godliness")), enabling them to participate in the "divine nature" and escape the corruption of the world ([2 Peter 1:4](/2_peter/1-4 "2 Peter 1:4 - Partakers of the Divine Nature")). The "spiritual ladder" is the practical outworking of this divine enablement. This verse specifically highlights **Love as the Pinnacle Virtue**, showing how love for the brethren (brotherly kindness) serves as a necessary bridge to the expansive, unconditional love (charity) that reflects God's own character. The cultivation of these virtues also contributes to the **Assurance of Salvation**, as Peter links spiritual diligence to a "sure" calling and election ([2 Peter 1:10](/2_peter/1-10 "2 Peter 1:10 - Making Your Calling and Election Sure")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Godliness (Greek, _eusébeia'_):** From G2150, this term signifies "piety" or "holiness," specifically encompassing the "gospel scheme." It denotes a deep reverence for God, expressed through a life that is devoted to Him and aligns with His will. It is not merely an inward feeling but an outward manifestation of devotion, reflecting a proper attitude towards God and His commands. In Peter's progression, godliness is the foundation upon which brotherly kindness is built, indicating that genuine love for others flows from a right relationship with God.
* **Brotherly kindness (Greek, _philadelphía'_):** From G5360, this word literally means "fraternal affection" or "love of brothers." It refers to the specific, warm, and affectionate love shared among members of the Christian community. It is the bond of unity, mutual care, and support that should characterize the family of God. This virtue emphasizes the importance of internal communal love as a vital step in the believer's spiritual development, showing that love begins within the household of faith.
* **Charity (Greek, _agápē'_):** From G26, this term denotes "love, i.e., affection or benevolence." It represents the highest form of love—a selfless, unconditional, and volitional love that seeks the highest good of the other, regardless of their deservingness. Unlike *philadelphia*, which is specific to brethren, *agápē* extends universally, encompassing even enemies. It is the love that characterizes God Himself and is poured into the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit. Peter places *agápē* as the climactic virtue, indicating that love for fellow believers should naturally expand into this broader, divine love for all humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And to godliness brotherly kindness;":** This clause emphasizes the vital connection between one's personal devotion to God (*godliness*) and the practical outworking of that devotion in relationships with fellow believers (*brotherly kindness*). It suggests that true piety is not isolated but manifests as genuine affection, care, and solidarity within the Christian community. A deep reverence for God should naturally lead to a warm, fraternal love for those who also belong to God's family. This is the first step in extending love beyond oneself.
* **"and to brotherly kindness charity.":** Building upon the previous clause, this phrase highlights the progression from the specific love for brethren (*brotherly kindness*) to the universal, unconditional love (*charity* or *agápē*). It implies that the love cultivated within the Christian community serves as a training ground for the broader, self-sacrificial love that extends to all people, including those outside the faith or even those who are hostile. This is the pinnacle of the virtues, demonstrating that the ultimate goal of Christian character development is to embody the very nature of God, who is love.

#### Literary Devices
Peter employs a clear **Progression** or **Climax** in this verse, as part of the larger "spiritual ladder" introduced in [2 Peter 1:5](/2_peter/1-5 "2 Peter 1:5 - The Ladder of Virtues"). Each virtue is presented as building upon the previous one, leading to a higher state of spiritual maturity. The culmination in "charity" (*agápē*) signifies that this divine, unconditional love is the ultimate goal and expression of a transformed life. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of **Anadiplosis** or **Repetition** with the phrase "and to brotherly kindness," where the end of the first clause ("brotherly kindness") becomes the beginning of the next, creating a seamless flow and emphasizing the continuous building process of virtues. This rhetorical device effectively reinforces the idea that one virtue leads naturally into the next, creating an unbreakable chain of spiritual development.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological significance of 2 Peter 1:7 lies in its portrayal of love (*agápē*) as the crowning virtue of Christian life, the ultimate expression of spiritual maturity. This progression from godliness to brotherly kindness and then to charity reveals that a true relationship with God (godliness) must manifest in tangible love for His people (brotherly kindness), which then expands to encompass all humanity (charity). This *agápē* love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate, self-sacrificial action that reflects the very character of God. It is the ultimate proof of genuine faith and the means by which believers participate in the divine nature, demonstrating that the Christian walk is not static but a dynamic journey towards becoming more like Christ.

* [1 Corinthians 13:4-7](/1_corinthians/13-4-7 "1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - The Characteristics of Love")
* [John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - A New Commandment to Love")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God Is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Second Peter 1:7 serves as a profound call to intentional spiritual development, reminding us that our faith is meant to be active and growing, not passive or stagnant. It challenges us to examine the quality and scope of our love. Are we merely content with a surface-level affection for those within our immediate Christian circles, or are we actively striving to extend the selfless, unconditional love of God to all people, even those who are difficult to love or who may be considered "outsiders"? This verse encourages us to see brotherly kindness as a vital training ground, preparing us to embody the expansive *agápē* that truly reflects Christ. Our spiritual maturity is not measured by knowledge alone, but by the depth and breadth of our love, demonstrating that we are indeed partakers of the divine nature and effective witnesses to a world desperately in need of God's love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my daily life demonstrate a progression from "godliness" to "brotherly kindness" and then to "charity"?**
* **In what specific ways can I intentionally cultivate deeper "brotherly kindness" within my church or Christian community?**
* **What practical steps can I take to extend "charity" (agápē love) to those outside my immediate circle, especially to those I find challenging to love?**
* **How does the presence (or absence) of these virtues indicate my spiritual fruitfulness and assurance in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the practical difference between "brotherly kindness" and "charity" as described in this verse?**

Answer: The practical difference lies in their scope and nature. "Brotherly kindness" (Greek: *philadelphia*) refers to the specific, affectionate, and familial love shared among fellow believers within the Christian community. It's the warm bond that unites spiritual siblings, fostering mutual support, encouragement, and care. "Charity" (Greek: *agápē*), on the other hand, is a broader, unconditional, and self-sacrificial love that extends beyond the Christian community to all humanity, including enemies. It is a deliberate act of the will, seeking the highest good of the other, regardless of whether they are deserving or lovable. Peter presents *philadelphia* as a necessary step towards *agápē*, implying that the love cultivated within the church prepares believers to manifest God's expansive love to the entire world, reflecting the love that Christ demonstrated for us while we were still sinners ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Second Peter 1:7 finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential example of "godliness," living a life of perfect devotion and obedience to the Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases God")). His life also perfectly demonstrated "brotherly kindness," as He loved and served His disciples, calling them His friends and laying down His life for them ([John 15:13-15](/john/15-13-15 "John 15:13-15 - Greater Love Has No One Than This")). Most profoundly, Christ is the very definition of "charity" (*agápē*), for He, being God, willingly emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and becoming obedient to death on a cross for the salvation of all humanity ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - The Humility of Christ")). His death on the cross is the supreme act of *agápē* love, demonstrating God's love for a lost world ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Therefore, as believers are called to "add" these virtues, they are essentially called to be conformed to the image of Christ, whose life perfectly modeled the progressive and culminating power of divine love, empowered by the Holy Spirit who pours God's love into our hearts ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Poured Out")).

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

Hebrews 13:1

¶ Let brotherly love continue.

Romans 12:10

[Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1 Thessalonians 3:12

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you:

John 13:34

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35

By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1 Corinthians 13:1

¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:8

¶ Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.