2 Peter 1:9

2 Peter 1:9 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
• New Living Translation (NLT)But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

Context of 2 Peter 1:9

7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:9 word by word

ᾯ γὰρ μὴ πάρεστιν ταῦτα, τυφλός ἐστιν μυωπάζων, λήθην λαβὼν τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ τῶν πάλαι αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butγάρgar · forG1063
• he thatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• ·μήmē · notG3361
• lackethπάρειμιpareimi · be presentG3918
• these thingsοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• blindτυφλόςtuphlos · blindG5185
• and cannot see afar offμυωπάζωmuōpazō · be nearsightedG3467
• and hathλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• forgottenλήθηlēthē · forgetfulnessG3024
• that he was purgedὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• that he was purgedκαθαρισμόςkatharismos · cleansingG2512
• fromἁμαρτίαhamartia · sinG266
• hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• oldπάλαιpalai · of oldG3819

Cross-references for 2 Peter 1:9

• 2 Peter 1:5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
• Mark 10:21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
• Luke 18:22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
• Galatians 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
• James 2:14What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
• John 9:40Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
• 2 Corinthians 4:3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
• 1 John 2:9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.
• Revelation 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
• 2 Peter 1:4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
• 2 Peter 2:18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
• Romans 6:1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?
• Ephesians 5:26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
• Hebrews 9:14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
• 1 Peter 3:21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
• 1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

Commentaries on 2 Peter 1:9

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9But he that lacketh these things - He, whether Jew or Gentile, who professes to have Faith in God, and has not added to that Faith fortitude, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and universal love; is blind - his understanding is darkened, and cannot see afar off, , shutting his eyes against the light, winking, not able to look truth in the face, nor to behold that God whom he once knew was reconciled to him: and thus it…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9But he that lacketh these things is blind - He has no clear views of the nature and the requirements of religion. And cannot see afar off - The word used here, which does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament, ( ́ muōpazōnmeans to shut the eyes; i. e., to contract the eyelids, to blink, to twinkle, as one who cannot see clearly, and hence to be “near-sighted.” The meaning here is, that he is like one who has an indistinct vision; one who can see only…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-11God has given us many blessings through Christ (1:3–4). This provides a strong reason to encourage us to learn more about Christ (1:5–11).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. But--Greek, "For." Confirming the need of these graces (2Pe 1:5-8) by the fatal consequences of the want of them. he that lacketh--Greek, "he to whom these are not present." blind--as to the spiritual realities of the unseen world. and cannot see afar off--explanatory of "blind." He closes his eyes (Greek) as unable to see distant objects (namely, heavenly things), and fixes his gaze on present and earthly things which alone he can see. Perhaps a…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Peter 1:9

• Ablution
• Backsliders
• Blindness
• Graces
• Religion
• Righteousness
• Unfaithfulness

In the dictionaries

• Assurance
• Calling
• Corruption
• Cunningly
• Diligence
• Escape
• Glory
• Prophecy
• Sure
• Jude, the Epistle of

Commentaries on 2 Peter 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings