1

The nature of the faith described

The faith is described as ἰσότιμον ἡμῖν (“like precious faith with us”). Grammatically and contextually, Peter is describing what the recipients possess, not how the faith was produced. The phrase emphasizes equality of kind and value, not the manner of acquisition. The recipients possess the same quality of faith as the apostles themselves. This language naturally fits a Jew–Gentile equality theme rather than a doctrine of selective infusion of faith. See “no difference between us and them” in Acts 15:8–9.

“Have obtained” does not mean “were given”

The Greek verb λαγχάνω (lagchanō) literally means “to receive by allotment,” a divinely governed distribution. The verse immediately clarifies the method of this allotment: it comes through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Because God’s righteousness is universally provided, everyone can obtain like precious faith by hearing and responding to His word, rather than by human effort or exclusive divine selection.

1. God’s righteousness is universally provided

   Romans 3:22-23 “Even the righteousness of God...unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned...”

   Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men…”

   1 Timothy 2:4 “God… will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”

2. Faith is available to everyone

   Acts 17:30–31 shows that God commands every single man to repent, grounding that command in the universally given "assurance" (pistis, the same word used 239x for faith) of the resurrection. The language “to all men” in context (judging the world, commanding all to repent) indicates that the grounds for faith are universally available, not restricted to any group or individual. While belief remains a matter of personal response, the universality of the call and the public evidence of the resurrection provide every person with the opportunity to exercise faith.

   1. Acts 17:31 “commandeth all men every where to repent...he will judge the world ...by that man...whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead”.

3. Anyone can receive faith as it comes by hearing God’s word

   Romans 10:27 ”So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

   John 20:31 “These are written, that ye might believe… and that believing ye might have life.”

   Hebrews 3:15 “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Faith is not obtained by divine selection to the exclusion of others, nor by human effort. Instead, it flows from the righteousness of God through His gracious provision of His word and Christ's sacrificial death. This enables us to hear the gospel, receive faith through hearing (if we choose to, as Hebrews 3:15 says, "Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts"), and then believe. God sends forth His word into the world, providing the means by which faith takes root in the heart.

Thus, we have obtained (by divine allotment), through God's gracious method, His word and Christ's sacrificial death, making like precious faith accessible to all who hear and respond, rather than reserved for a select few.

Our love can grow as Paul says in Philipians 1:9 “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.”

We can forget who we are in Christ, doubts can creep in, am I really saved? The key to thwart these things is to “abound” as Peter says in verse 8 and “giving all diligence” in verse 5 to pursuing this list of things he gives us.

In 1 Peter 5:8 Peter tells us the devil is roaming about trying to find individuals to attack. If we are not producing fruit or advancing in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ we won’t be putting on our armor and we won’t be able to stand when attacks come.

A believer can fall

Here again, Paul tells us to give diligence to these things, and if we do, we won’t fall when attacks come. He parallels this idea elsewhere, emphasizing the importance of God’s Word and spiritual preparedness, noting that we will “stand” rather than “fall” if we are diligent:

1. Ephesians 6:13 “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

If ye do these things

The “things” we are to do are in addition to our faith. As Peter instructs:

2 Peter 1:5 “giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue...etc”.

If we diligently practice these things, we are promised an abundant entrance into the kingdom (2 Peter 1:11). John expresses a similar idea, showing that diligence and abiding in Christ lead to confidence rather than shame at His appearing:

1. 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

We can just enter heaven or we can enter heaven “abundantly” or richly the choice is up to the individual. Will he give diligence to study the word, pray and fight his flesh?