The Meaning of 2 Peter 1:6 Explained

2 Peter 1:6

KJV: And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

YLT: and in the knowledge the temperance, and in the temperance the endurance, and in the endurance the piety,

Darby: in knowledge temperance, in temperance endurance, in endurance godliness,

ASV: and in your knowledge self-control; and in your'self-control patience; and in your patience godliness;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  to  knowledge  temperance;  and  to  temperance  patience;  and  to  patience  godliness; 

What does 2 Peter 1:6 Mean?

Verse Meaning

"Perseverance" is the need to keep on keeping on in spite of adversity. It is patient endurance in holiness when we encounter temptation to give in or to give up (cf. Romans 5:3-4; Romans 15:4-5; 2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 6:4; Colossians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:4; James 1:3). The Greek word (hypomonen) literally means to remain under something, such as a heavy load.
"Many folk have the wrong concept of what patience really is. They think it means sitting in a traffic jam on the freeway in the morning without worrying about getting to work. Well, that is not patience. It just gives you an excuse for being late to work. Patience is being able to endure when trials come." [1]
"Godliness" (Gr. eusebeia) refers to behavior that reflects the character of God (cf. 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Peter 3:11; et al.). It presupposes a desire to please God in all the relationships of life.

Context Summary

2 Peter 1:1-11 - The Rule Of Christian Growth
The keynote of this paragraph is these things, 2 Peter 1:8-10. Precious faith, 2 Peter 1:1, answers to precious promises, 2 Peter 1:4. Notice that God has given us every provision for a godly life, through the knowledge of Jesus, but that we must avail ourselves of it. The promises are great and precious, but we must appropriate and absorb them, if we are through them to partake of the divine nature. Our redemption has been secured by our Savior, but we must constantly advance and add to the golden links already securely stapled in faith.
In 2 Peter 1:5-7, a choir with linked hands passes before us, each member of which leads another; or we may use another similitude, and say that each grace, here mentioned, is contained in the next, as a series of Chinese boxes. To be deficient in these things is to be barren and unfruitful, 2 Peter 1:8, and to be shortsighted, 2 Peter 1:9. We may well desire the abundant entrance, 2 Peter 1:11, not like waterlogged vessels, but with every sail unfurled-hot landing on the celestial shore unexpected and unwanted, but welcomed by those we have helped. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Peter 1

1  Peter confirms the hope of the increase of God's grace,
5  exhorts them, by faith, and good works, to make their calling sure;
12  whereof he is careful to remind them, knowing that his death is at hand;
16  and assures them of the authenticity of the Gospel, by the eyewitness of the apostles and the prophets

Greek Commentary for 2 Peter 1:6

Temperance [την εγκρατειαν]
Self-control. Old word (from εγκρατης — egkratēs εν — en and κρατος — kratos one holding himself in as in Titus 1:8), in N.T. only here, Acts 24:25; Galatians 5:23. The opposite of the πλεονεχια — pleonexia of the heretics. [source]
Patience [την υπομονην]
For which see James 1:3.Godliness (την ευσεβειαν — tēn eusebeian). For which see 2 Peter 1:3. [source]
Godliness [την ευσεβειαν]
For which see 2 Peter 1:3. [source]
Temperance [ἐγκρατεία]
Self-control; holding the passions and desires in hand. See 1 Corinthians 9:25. [source]
Patience [ὑπομονήν]
Lit., remaining behind or staying, from μένω , to wait. Not merely endurance of the inevitable, for Christ could have relieved himself of his sufferings (Hebrews 12:2, Hebrews 12:3; compare Matthew 26:53); but the heroic, brave patience with which a Christian not only bears but contends. Speaking of Christ's patience, Barrow remarks, “Neither was it out of a stupid insensibility or stubborn resolution that he did thus behave himself; for he had a most vigorous sense of all those grievances, and a strong (natural) aversation from under going them; … but from a perfect submission to the divine will, and entire command over his passions, an excessive charity toward mankind, this patient and meek behavior did spring.” The same writer defines patience as follows: “That virtue which qualifieth us to bear all conditions and all events, by God's disposal incident to us, with such apprehensions and persuasions of mind, such dispositions and affections of heart, such external deportment and practices of life as God requireth and good reason directeth (Sermon XLII., “On Patience”). [source]
Godliness []
See on 2 Peter 1:3. The quality is never ascribed to God. [source]
Brotherly kindness [φιλαδελφίαν]
Rev. renders, literally,love of the brethren. [source]
Charity [ἀγάπην]
There seems at first an infelicity in the rendering of the Rev., in your love of the brethren love. But this is only apparent. In the former word Peter contemplates Christian fellow-believers as naturally and properly holding the first place in our affections (compare Galatians 6:10, “Especially unto them which are of the household of faith ”)But he follows this with the broader affection which should characterize Christians, and which Paul lauds in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, the love of men as men. It may be remarked here that the entire rejection by the Rev. of charity as the rendering of ἀγάπη is wholesome and defensible. Charity has acquired two peculiar meanings, both of which are indeed included or implied in love, but neither of which expresses more than a single phase of love - tolerance and beneficence. The A. V. in the great majority of cases translates love; always in the Gospels, and mostly elsewhere. There is no more reason for saying “charity suffereth long,” than for saying, “the charity of God is shed abroad in our hearts,” or “God is charity. ” [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Peter 1:6

Romans 5:3 Patience [ὑπομονὴν]
See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. [source]
Romans 14:15 Charitably [κατὰ ἀγάπην]
Lit., according to love. Rev. in love. See on 2 Peter 1:6. [source]
Galatians 5:22 Love [αγαπη]
Late, almost Biblical word. First as in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, which see for discussion as superior to πιλια — philia and ερως — erōs Joy (χαρα — chara). Old word. See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:6. Peace See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:1. Long-suffering (makrothumia). See 2 Corinthians 6:6. Kindness See 2 Corinthians 6:6. Goodness (μακροτυμια — agathōsunē). See note on 2 Thessalonians 1:11. Faithfulness Same word as “faith.” See Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Corinthians 13:13. Meekness (prautēs). See 1 Corinthians 4:21; note on 2 Corinthians 10:1.Temperance See Acts 24:25. Old word from egkratēs one holding control or holding in. In N.T. only in these passages and 2 Peter 1:6. Paul has a better list than the four cardinal virtues of the Stoics (temperance, prudence, fortitude, justice), though they are included with better notes struck. Temperance is alike, but kindness is better than justice, long-suffering than fortitude, love than prudence. [source]
Galatians 5:22 Kindness [ειρηνη]
See 2 Corinthians 6:6. Goodness (μακροτυμια — agathōsunē). See note on 2 Thessalonians 1:11. Faithfulness Same word as “faith.” See Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Corinthians 13:13. Meekness (prautēs). See 1 Corinthians 4:21; note on 2 Corinthians 10:1.Temperance See Acts 24:25. Old word from egkratēs one holding control or holding in. In N.T. only in these passages and 2 Peter 1:6. Paul has a better list than the four cardinal virtues of the Stoics (temperance, prudence, fortitude, justice), though they are included with better notes struck. Temperance is alike, but kindness is better than justice, long-suffering than fortitude, love than prudence. [source]
Galatians 5:22 Faithfulness [pistis)]
Same word as “faith.” See Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Corinthians 13:13. Meekness (prautēs). See 1 Corinthians 4:21; note on 2 Corinthians 10:1.Temperance See Acts 24:25. Old word from egkratēs one holding control or holding in. In N.T. only in these passages and 2 Peter 1:6. Paul has a better list than the four cardinal virtues of the Stoics (temperance, prudence, fortitude, justice), though they are included with better notes struck. Temperance is alike, but kindness is better than justice, long-suffering than fortitude, love than prudence. [source]
Galatians 5:22 Temperance [χρηστοτης]
See Acts 24:25. Old word from egkratēs one holding control or holding in. In N.T. only in these passages and 2 Peter 1:6. Paul has a better list than the four cardinal virtues of the Stoics (temperance, prudence, fortitude, justice), though they are included with better notes struck. Temperance is alike, but kindness is better than justice, long-suffering than fortitude, love than prudence. [source]
Galatians 5:22 Peace [eirēnē)]
See note on 1 Thessalonians 1:1. Long-suffering (makrothumia). See 2 Corinthians 6:6. Kindness See 2 Corinthians 6:6. Goodness (μακροτυμια — agathōsunē). See note on 2 Thessalonians 1:11. Faithfulness Same word as “faith.” See Matthew 23:23; 1 Corinthians 13:7, 1 Corinthians 13:13. Meekness (prautēs). See 1 Corinthians 4:21; note on 2 Corinthians 10:1.Temperance See Acts 24:25. Old word from egkratēs one holding control or holding in. In N.T. only in these passages and 2 Peter 1:6. Paul has a better list than the four cardinal virtues of the Stoics (temperance, prudence, fortitude, justice), though they are included with better notes struck. Temperance is alike, but kindness is better than justice, long-suffering than fortitude, love than prudence. [source]
Colossians 1:11 Patience - long-suffering [ὑπομονὴν - μακροθυμίαν]
See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. [source]
1 Thessalonians 1:3 Work - labor - patience [ἔπργου - κόπου - ὑπομονῆς]
Ἔργον workmay mean either the act, the simple transaction, or the process of dealing with anything, or the result of the dealing, - as a book or a picture is called a work. Κόπος laborfrom κόπτειν tostrike or hew; hence, laborious, painful exertion. Ὑπομονὴ patiencepatient endurance and faithful persistence in toil and suffering. See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. The genitives, of faith, love, hope, mark the generating principles of the work and labor and patience, which set their stamp upon each; thus, work which springs from faith, and is characteristic of faith. The phrase patience of hope is found only here; but see Romans 5:4; Romans 8:25; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 8:7; Hebrews 7:11, Hebrews 7:12. ὑπομονὴ in lxx, see 1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 14:19; Psalm 9:18; Psalm 38:7; Jeremiah href="/desk/?q=jer+4:8&sr=1">Jeremiah 4:8. We have here the great triad of Christian graces, corresponding to 1 Corinthians 8:1-13. Hope is prominent throughout the two Epistles. The triad appears, 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Galatians 5:5, Galatians 5:6; 1 Corinthians 8:13; Ephesians 4:2-5; Colossians 1:4, Colossians 1:5; Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:21-22. Comp. 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 15:10, 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 11:27; Revelation 2:2. [source]
2 Timothy 3:10 Long-suffering, charity, patience []
For long -suffering, see on James 5:7. For charity rend. love, and see on Galatians 5:22. For patience, see on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. [source]
Titus 1:8 Temperate [ἐγκρατῆ]
N.T.oOriginally, having power over; possessed of; hence, controlling, keeping in hand. Ἑγκράτεια temperance Acts 24:25; Galatians 5:23; 2 Peter 1:6. Εγκρατεύεσθαι tocontain one's self, 1 Corinthians 7:9; 1 Corinthians 9:25. [source]
Hebrews 12:1 With patience [δἰ ὑπομονῆς]
Ὑπομονὴ includes both passive endurance and active persistence. See on 2 Peter 1:6, and see on James 5:7. For this use of δἰ withsee on Hebrews 9:11. [source]
James 1:3 Patience [ὑπομονήν]
See on 2 Peter 1:6, and James 5:7. [source]
2 Peter 1:2 In the knowledge [εν επιγνωσει]
Full (additional, επι — epi) knowledge as in 2 Peter 1:8 (only γνωσις — gnōsis in 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:6; 2 Peter 3:18), but επιγνωσιν — epignōsin again in 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:8; 2 Peter 2:20. As in Colossians, so here full knowledge is urged against the claims of the Gnostic heretics to special γνωσις — gnōsis God and of Jesus our Lord At first sight the idiom here seems to require one person as in 2 Peter 1:1, though there is a second article (του — tou) before κυριου — kuriou and Ιησου — Iēsou is a proper name. But the text here is very uncertain. Bengel, Spitta, Zahn, Nestle accept the short reading of P and some Vulgate MSS. and some minuscles with only του κυριου ημων — tou kuriou hēmōn (our Lord) from which the three other readings may have come. Elsewhere in 2 Peter γνωσις — gnōsis and επιγνωσις — epignōsis are used of Christ alone. The text of 2 Peter is not in a good state of preservation. [source]
Revelation 3:10 The word of my patience [τὸν λόγον τῆς ὑπομονῆς μου]
Not the words which Christ has spoken concerning patience, but the word of Christ which requires patience to keep it; the gospel which teaches the need o£ a patient waiting for Christ. On patience, see on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. [source]
Revelation 2:2 Patience [ὑπομονήν]
See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:1. Compare Paul's exhortation to Timothy in Ephesus, 2 Timothy 2:25, 2 Timothy 2:26. [source]
Revelation 1:9 Patience []
See on 2 Peter 1:6; see on James 5:7. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Peter 1:6 mean?

into then - knowledge - self-control self-control endurance endurance godliness
ἐν δὲ τῇ γνώσει τὴν ἐγκράτειαν ἐγκρατείᾳ ὑπομονήν ὑπομονῇ εὐσέβειαν

ἐν  into 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐν 
Sense: in, by, with etc.
τῇ  - 
Parse: Article, Dative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
γνώσει  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: γνῶσις  
Sense: knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐγκράτειαν  self-control 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐγκράτεια  
Sense: self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp.
ἐγκρατείᾳ  self-control 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐγκράτεια  
Sense: self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, esp.
ὑπομονήν  endurance 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑπομονή  
Sense: steadfastness, constancy, endurance.
ὑπομονῇ  endurance 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ὑπομονή  
Sense: steadfastness, constancy, endurance.
εὐσέβειαν  godliness 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: εὐσέβεια  
Sense: reverence, respect.