Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Simon. So B, Greek form; in 'Aleph (') A. 'Symeon' (Hebrew, i:e., hearing), as Acts 15:14. His mention of his original name accords with the design here, to warn against the coming false teachers, by setting forth the true "knowledge" of Christ on the testimony of the original apostolic eyewitnesses like himself. This was not required in the first letter.
Servant - `slave:' so Paul, Romans 1:1. To them ... He addresses a wider range of readers (all believers) than in the first letter, but includes especially those therein addressed, as 2 Peter 3:1 proves.
Obtained - by grace х lachousin (G2975)]; applied by Peter to receiving of the apostleship by allotment (Acts 1:17; Luke 1:9). They did not acquire it: Divine election is as independent of man's control, as the lot which is east forth.
Like precious - `equally precious' to those who believe, though not having seen Christ, as to Peter and those who have seen Him. For it lays hold of the same "exceeding great and precious promise," and the same "righteousness of God our Saviour." "The common salvation," Jude 1:3. "Precious" is applied by Peter to "faith" and its "trial," 1 Peter 1:7; to "Christ," 1 Peter 2:7; it is "blood," 1 Peter 1:19; God's "promises," 2 Peter 1:4.
With us - apostles and eyewitnesses (2 Peter 1:18). Though enforcing his exhortation by his apostleship, he puts himself, as to "the faith," on a level with all believers. The degree of faith varies in different believers; but as to its objects, justification, sanctification, and future glorification, it is common to all. Christ is to all believers "made of God wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption."
Through, х en (G1722)] - 'IN.' The one article to both nouns requires, "the righteousness of Him who is (at once) our God and (our) Saviour." Peter, confirming Paul's testimony to the same churches, adopts Paul's inspired phraseology. The Gospel plan sets forth God's righteousness, which is Christ's righteousness, in the brightest light. This passage establishes the imputation to us of the righteousness of Christ. Compare Isaiah 42:21; Jeremiah 23:6; Romans 3:22; Romans 4:6; Romans 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:30. Faith has its sphere IN it as its element: God is in redemption "righteous," and at the same time a "Saviour" (cf. Isaiah 45:21, end).