The Meaning of 2 Peter 1:8 Explained

2 Peter 1:8

KJV: For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

YLT: for these things being to you and abounding, do make you neither inert nor unfruitful in regard to the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Darby: for these things existing and abounding in you make you to be neither idle nor unfruitful as regards the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ;

ASV: For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For  if these things  be  in you,  and  abound,  they make  [you that ye shall] neither  [be] barren  nor  unfruitful  in  the knowledge  of our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

What does 2 Peter 1:8 Mean?

Verse Meaning

We must continue to grow in these qualities as well as possessing them; we must grow in grace ( 2 Peter 3:18). Failure to do so will make us "useless" (Gr. argous) in God"s hands as His tools in the world (cf. James 2:20; cf. Matthew 20:3; Matthew 20:6), and "unfruitful" (Gr. akarpous) as communicators of His life ( John 15:2; John 15:4; cf. Mark 12:12-14; Mark 12:20-26). This is so even though we have received everything necessary for godly living through the knowledge of Christ ( 2 Peter 1:3). "Render you neither useless nor unfruitful" is a litotes, a figure of speech that affirms an idea by denying its opposite.
""Idle" (argous) is literally "unworking"; it is not a picture of one unavoidably unemployed but of one who avoids labor for which he should assume responsibility." [1]
When we diligently add these virtues to our lives we will be both useful and fruitful, and we will evidence true knowledge (Gr. epignosis) of our Lord Jesus Christ. True knowledge of Him involves not just intellectual understanding then, but knowledge that comes through obedience. This growth should be the goal of every believer (cf. 2 Peter 3:18).
"Some of the most effective Christians I have known are people without dramatic talents and special abilities, or even exciting personalities; yet God has used them in a marvelous way. Why? Because they are becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. They have the kind of character and conduct that God can trust with blessing. They are fruitful because they are faithful; they are effective because they are growing in their Christian experience." [2]

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 1:8

For if these things are yours and abound [ταυτα γαρ υμιν υπαρχοντα και πλεοναζοντα]
Present active circumstantial (conditional) participles neuter plural of υπαρχω — huparchō and πλεοναζω — pleonazō (see 1 Thessalonians 3:12) with dative case υμιν — humin “these things existing for you (or in you) and abounding.” [source]
They make you to be [κατιστησιν]
“Render” (present active indicative of κατιστημι — kathistēmi old verb, James 3:6), singular because ταυτα — tauta neuter plural.Not idle nor unfruitful (ουκ αργους ουδε ακαρπους — ouk argous oude akarpous). Accusative predicative plural with υμας — humas understood, both adjectives with alpha privative, for αργος — argos see James 2:20 and for ακαρπος — akarpos Matthew 13:22.Knowledge “Full (additional) knowledge” as in 2 Peter 1:2. [source]
Not idle nor unfruitful [ουκ αργους ουδε ακαρπους]
Accusative predicative plural with υμας — humas understood, both adjectives with alpha privative, for αργος — argos see James 2:20 and for ακαρπος — akarpos Matthew 13:22. [source]
Knowledge [επιγνωσιν]
“Full (additional) knowledge” as in 2 Peter 1:2. [source]
Be in you [ὑπάρχοντα]
Rev., are yours; following the sense ofpossession which legitimately belongs to the verb; as Matthew 19:21, that thou hast; 1 Corinthians 13:3, goods. In the sense of being the verb is stronger than the simple εἶναι , to be; denoting being which is from the beginning, and therefore attaching to a person as a proper characteristic; something belonging to him, and so running into the idea of rightful possession as above. [source]
In the knowledge [εἰς]
Rev., more correctly, unto. The idea is not idleness in the knowledge, but idleness in pressing on and developing toward and finally reaching the knowledge. With this agrees the compound ἐπίγνωσιν , the constantly increasing and finallyfull knowledge. [source]
Barren [ἀργοὺς]
From ἀ , not, and ἔργον , work. Hence, more correctly, as Rev., idle. Compare “idle word” (Matthew 12:36); “standing idle ” (Matthew 20:3, Matthew 20:6); also, 1 Timothy 5:13. The tautology, barren and unfruitful, is thus avoided. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Peter 1:8

Luke 13:7 Why cumbereth it []
The A. V. omits the very important καὶ , also (Rev.), which, as Trench observes, is the key-word of the sentence. Besides being barren in itself, it also injures the soil. “Not only is it unfruitful, but it draws away the juices which the vines would extract from the earth, intercepts the sun, and occupies room” (Bengel). The verb cumbereth ( καταργεῖ ) means to make of no effect. So Romans 3:3, Romans 3:31; Galatians 3:17. Cumbereth expresses the meaning in a very general and comprehensive way. The specific elements included in it are expressed by Bengel above. De Wette, makes the land unfruitful. See on barren and unfruitful, 2 Peter 1:8. [source]
Romans 5:19 Were made [κατεστάθησαν]
See on James 3:6. Used elsewhere by Paul only at Titus 1:5, in the sense of to appoint to office or position. This is its most frequent use in the New Testament. See Matthew 24:25; Acts 6:3; Acts 7:10; Hebrews 5:1, etc. The primary meaning being to set down, it is used in classical Greek of bringing to a place, as a ship to the land, or a man to a place or person; hence to bring before a magistrate (Acts 17:15). From this comes the meaning to set down as, i.e., to declare or show to be; or to constitute, make to be. So 2 Peter 1:8; James 4:4; James 3:6. The exact meaning in this passage is disputed. The following are the principal explanations: 1. Set down in a declarative sense; declared to be. 2. Placed in the category of sinners because of a vital connection with the first tranegressor. 3. Became sinners; were made. This last harmonizes with sinned in Romans 5:12. The disobedience of Adam is thus declared to have been the occasion of the death of all, because it is the occasion of their sin; but the precise nature of this relation is not explained. [source]
James 2:15 Be [ὑπάρχωσιν]
The distinction between this word and the simple εἶναι , to be, is very subtle. The verb ὑπάρχω originally means to make a beginning; hence, to begin or to come into being; and, though used substantially as a synonym of εἶναι , of a thing actually existing and at hand, it has a backward look to an antecedent condition which has been protracted into the present. Thus we might paraphrase here, “If a brother or sister, having been in a destitute condition, be found by you in that condition.” Εἶναι , on the other hand, would simply state the present fact of destitution. See on 2 Peter 1:8. [source]
James 2:20 O vain man [ω αντρωπε κενε]
Goes on with the singular objector and demolishes him. For “empty” (deficient) Paul uses απρων — aphrōn (fool) in 1 Corinthians 15:36 and just αντρωπε — anthrōpe in Romans 2:1; Romans 9:20.Barren (αργε — arge). See 2 Peter 1:8 (not idle nor unfruitful) and Matthew 12:36, but Hort urges “inactive” as the idea here, like money with no interest and land with no crops. [source]
James 2:20 Barren [αργε]
See 2 Peter 1:8 (not idle nor unfruitful) and Matthew 12:36, but Hort urges “inactive” as the idea here, like money with no interest and land with no crops. [source]
2 Peter 3:11 Ought ye to be [ὑπάρχειν]
See on 2 Peter 1:8. [source]
2 Peter 2:3 Lingereth [ἀργεῖ]
Only here in New Testament. Compare on the kindred adjective idle, 2 Peter 1:8. There is a graphic picture in the sentence. The judgment is not idle. It is “represented as a living thing, awake and expectant. Long ago that judgment started on its destroying path, and the fate of sinning angels, and the deluge, and the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah were but incidental illustrations of its power; nor has it ever since lingered … .It advances still, strong and vigilant as when first it sprang from the bosom of God, and will not fail to reach the mark to which it was pointed from of old” (Salmond and Lillie). [source]
2 Peter 1:9 He that lacketh these things [ᾧ μὴ πάρεστιν ταῦτα]
Lit., to whom these things are not present. Note that a different word is used here from that in 2 Peter 1:8, are yours, to convey the idea of possession. Instead of speaking of the gifts as belonging to the Christian by habitual, settled possession, he denotes them now as merely present with him. [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]
2 Peter 3:11 What manner of persons [ποταπους]
Late qualitative interrogative pronoun for the older ποδαπος — podapos as in Matthew 8:27, accusative case with δει υπαρχειν — dei huparchein agreeing with υμας — humās (you). See 2 Peter 1:8 for υπαρχω — huparchō all holy living and godliness “In holy behaviours and pieties” (Alford). Plural of neither word elsewhere in N.T., but a practical plural in πασα αναστροπη — pāsa anastrophē in 1 Peter 1:15. [source]
Jude 1:12 Autumn trees [δενδρα πτινοπωρινα]
Late adjective (Aristotle, Polybius, Strabo) from πτινω — phthinō to waste away, and οπωρα — opōra autumn, here only in N.T. For ακαρπα — akarpa (without fruit) see 2 Peter 1:8.Twice dead (δις αποτανοντα — dis apothanonta). Second aorist active participle of αποτνησκω — apothnēskō Fruitless and having died. Having died and also “uprooted” (εκριζωτεντα — ekrizōthenta). First aorist passive participle of εκριζοω — ekrizoō late compound, to root out, to pluck up by the roots, as in Matthew 13:29. [source]
Jude 1:12 When they feast with you [συνευωχουμενοι]
See 2 Peter 2:13 for this very word and form. Masculine gender with ουτοι οι — houtoi hoi rather than with the feminine σπιλαδες — spilades Cf. Revelation 11:4. Construction according to sense.Shepherds that feed themselves (εαυτους ποιμαινοντες — heautous poimainontes). “Shepherding themselves.” Cf. Revelation 7:17 for this use of ποιμαινω — poimainō Clouds without water (νεπελαι ανυδροι — nephelai anudroi). Νεπελη — Nephelē common word for cloud (Matthew 24:30). 2 Peter 2:17 has πηγαι ανυδροι — pēgai anudroi (springs without water) and then ομιχλαι — homichlai (mists) and ελαυνομεναι — elaunomenai (driven) rather than περιπερομεναι — peripheromenai here (borne around, whirled around, present passive participle of περιπερω — peripherō to bear around), a powerful picture of disappointed hopes.Autumn trees Late adjective (Aristotle, Polybius, Strabo) from πτινω — phthinō to waste away, and οπωρα — opōra autumn, here only in N.T. For ακαρπα — akarpa (without fruit) see 2 Peter 1:8.Twice dead (δις αποτανοντα — dis apothanonta). Second aorist active participle of αποτνησκω — apothnēskō Fruitless and having died. Having died and also “uprooted” (εκριζωτεντα — ekrizōthenta). First aorist passive participle of εκριζοω — ekrizoō late compound, to root out, to pluck up by the roots, as in Matthew 13:29. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Peter 1:8 mean?

These things for in you being and abounding neither idle nor unfruitful make [you] as to the of the Lord of us Jesus Christ knowledge
ταῦτα γὰρ ὑμῖν ὑπάρχοντα καὶ πλεονάζοντα οὐκ ἀργοὺς οὐδὲ ἀκάρπους καθίστησιν εἰς τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπίγνωσιν

ταῦτα  These  things 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: οὗτος  
Sense: this.
ὑμῖν  in  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
ὑπάρχοντα  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: ὑπάρχω  
Sense: to begin below, to make a beginning.
πλεονάζοντα  abounding 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Nominative Neuter Plural
Root: πλεονάζω  
Sense: to superabound.
οὐκ  neither 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
ἀργοὺς  idle 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀργός  
Sense: free from labour, at leisure.
οὐδὲ  nor 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: οὐδέ  
Sense: but not, neither, nor, not even.
ἀκάρπους  unfruitful 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄκαρπος  
Sense: metaph.
καθίστησιν  make  [you] 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: καθιστάνω 
Sense: to set, place, put.
εἰς  as  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: εἰς  
Sense: into, unto, to, towards, for, among.
τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Κυρίου  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Ἰησοῦ  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Χριστοῦ  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.
ἐπίγνωσιν  knowledge 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἐπίγνωσις  
Sense: precise and correct knowledge.