Notice how Peter doesn't just tell us what to add to our faith, but how to do it: "make every effort." This isn't about passively receiving grace; it's about actively, intentionally building on the faith God has already given us, like adding essential bricks to a foundation.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is writing to remind believers of the solid foundation they have in Christ and to encourage them to live lives worthy of their calling, moving beyond just initial faith. He's urging them to actively cultivate spiritual growth, building on the grace they've already received by adding essential character qualities to their belief. This exhortation sets the stage for his warnings against false teachers and his emphasis on the certainty of the prophetic word.
We often hear about the importance of faith, but what happens after you believe? This verse hints that faith is just the starting point.
The Apostle Peter isn't saying faith is weak; he's saying it's foundational. It's the solid ground upon which we build. But just like a house needs more than just a foundation to be complete and strong, our faith needs to be developed and expanded.
Peter urges us to 'make every effort' – this isn't passive. It's an active pursuit. He lists two crucial additions: virtue and knowledge.
What if growing in faith felt less like a chore and more like an unstoppable, natural progression? Peter outlines that very trajectory.
Peter isn't just giving a shopping list of Christian virtues; he's describing a process of spiritual growth that builds on itself. Think of it like adding ingredients to a recipe, where each one enhances the next.
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This isn't about earning God's favor, but about responding to the incredible gift of salvation and becoming more like Christ. It's a journey of becoming fully equipped and mature.
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.
gnōsis · Greek Noun
The practical, experimental understanding of God and His truth, moving beyond intellectual assent to a transformative, relational acquaintance with Him.
enkrateia · Greek Noun
The ability to master one’s passions, desires, and impulses through the power of the Holy Spirit, resulting in discipline and moderation.
hypomonē · Greek Noun
The capacity to hold one's ground or endure under pressure and trial without yielding or abandoning one's faith.
eusebeia · Greek Noun
A reverent lifestyle characterized by devotion to God, manifested in daily conduct that honors and reflects His character.
philadelphia · Greek Noun
The warm, tender affection that characterizes the relationship among fellow believers within the family of God.
agapē · Greek Noun
The highest, self-sacrificial, and unconditional love (agape) that seeks the ultimate good of others, modeled perfectly by God’s love for humanity.
This passage lists the 'fruit of the Spirit,' which aligns with Peter's call to develop specific virtues that naturally flow from a life empowered by God, rather than just human effort.
1 Timothy 4:7-8Paul also speaks about 'training' oneself in godliness and spiritual discipline, emphasizing that while godliness has value for all things, it requires active pursuit, much like Peter's exhortation to 'make every effort'.
Philippians 4:8This verse directs believers to focus their minds on 'whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable,' which mirrors Peter's emphasis on cultivating knowledge and virtue as foundational elements for Christian living.
2 Timothy 3:16-17Peter's encouragement to grow in knowledge and virtue is rooted in the divine inspiration and usefulness of Scripture, as highlighted here, which equips believers for every good work.
Notice how Peter doesn't just tell us what to add to our faith, but how to do it: "make every effort." This isn't about passively receiving grace; it's about actively, intentionally building on the faith God has already given us, like adding essential bricks to a foundation.
Peter is writing to remind believers of the solid foundation they have in Christ and to encourage them to live lives worthy of their calling, moving beyond just initial faith. He's urging them to actively cultivate spiritual growth, building on the grace they've already received by adding essential character qualities to their belief. This exhortation sets the stage for his warnings against false teachers and his emphasis on the certainty of the prophetic word.
Peter is writing to remind believers of the solid foundation they have in Christ and to encourage them to live lives worthy of their calling, moving beyond just initial faith. He's urging them to actively cultivate spiritual growth, building on the grace they've already received by adding essential character qualities to their belief. This exhortation sets the stage for his warnings against false teachers and his emphasis on the certainty of the prophetic word.
"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly a…" — Notice how Peter doesn't just tell us what to add to our faith, but how to do it: "make every effort." This isn't about passively receiving grace; it's about actively, intentionally building on t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
