For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to see this as a simple checklist, but Peter's "make every effort" isn't just about trying harder; it's about actively adding to your faith, like building layers onto a foundation. Notice how it's not just "faith and virtue" side-by-side, but a deliberate "supplementing" – one quality strengthens and builds upon the other in a continuous growth process.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is writing to encourage believers facing intense persecution and deception, reminding them of God's power and promises. Just before this, he described how God has given them "everything needed for a godly life," so now he urges them to actively build upon the faith they've received. This call to add virtues like knowledge, self-control, and love is about actively growing in Christ, not just passively holding beliefs, especially as false teachers were twisting Scripture.
We often think of faith as the finish line, but the Bible calls it the starting block. What comes next is crucial for spiritual growth.
The Apostle Peter isn't talking about a passive belief here. He's addressing a vibrant, living faith that needs to be actively developed. Think of it like a seed: faith is planted, but it needs water, sunlight, and good soil to grow into a fruitful plant. Peter urges us to make every effort – this isn't optional! – to add to our faith.
From Belief to Action
Peter lays out a sequence for spiritual development. It's not random; it’s a deliberate climb towards Christlikeness.
Peter presents a beautiful, progressive building process. It's a staircase where each step supports the next, leading us higher:
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Each step is essential. Without virtue, knowledge can become arrogant or useless. Without knowledge, virtue might be misguided or weak. And without faith, neither virtue nor knowledge has its true divine purpose.
Understand the original words
aretē · Greek Noun
Moral virtue, courage, or goodness. It is the active expression of moral character that aligns with the requirements of a life surrendered to God.
This passage lists the fruit of the Spirit, which aligns with the idea of cultivating specific virtues like those mentioned in 2 Peter, showing that these qualities are God-given and meant to be expressed.
Philippians 4:8Paul encourages believers to focus their minds on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, which directly relates to the 'knowledge' that Peter says should supplement virtue.
1 John 2:3-6John connects knowing God with obeying His commands and walking in the same way Jesus walked, highlighting that true knowledge isn't just intellectual but leads to a life of action and obedience, echoing the call to virtue.
2 Timothy 3:16-17This verse emphasizes that all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, underscoring the importance of the knowledge gained through God's Word as foundational for a virtuous life.
It's easy to see this as a simple checklist, but Peter's "make every effort" isn't just about trying harder; it's about actively adding to your faith, like building layers onto a foundation. Notice how it's not just "faith and virtue" side-by-side, but a deliberate "supplementing" – one quality strengthens and builds upon the other in a continuous growth process.
Peter is writing to encourage believers facing intense persecution and deception, reminding them of God's power and promises. Just before this, he described how God has given them "everything needed for a godly life," so now he urges them to actively build upon the faith they've received. This call to add virtues like knowledge, self-control, and love is about actively growing in Christ, not just passively holding beliefs, especially as false teachers were twisting Scripture.
Peter is writing to encourage believers facing intense persecution and deception, reminding them of God's power and promises. Just before this, he described how God has given them "everything needed for a godly life," so now he urges them to actively build upon the faith they've received. This call to add virtues like knowledge, self-control, and love is about actively growing in Christ, not just passively holding beliefs, especially as false teachers were twisting Scripture.
"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge," — It's easy to see this as a simple checklist, but Peter's "make every effort" isn't just about trying harder; it's about actively adding to your faith, like building layers onto a foundation. Notice h…
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Last reviewed October 2026