Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Wherefore - seeing the blessed consequence of having, and the evil effects of not having, these graces (2 Peter 1:8-9).
The rather - the more earnestly. Brethren. The term, which only here he addresses to them, marks his affection, which constrains him so earnestly to urge them.
To make, х poieisthai (G4160), middle] - 'to make so far as it depends on you.' "To make" absolutely is God's part: in the active.
Your calling and election sure - by 'ministering additionally in your faith virtue, and in your virtue knowledge,' etc. God must work all these graces in us, yet not so that we should be machines, but willing instruments in His hands, in making His election of us 'secure.' 'Aleph (') A, Vulgate, add, dia (G1223) toon (G3588) kaloon (G2570) humoon (G5216) ergoon (G2041) B C omit. The ensuring of our election is spoken of not as to God, whose counsel is stedfast, but as to our part. There is no uncertainty on His, but on ours the only security is our faith in His promise and the fruits of the Spirit (2 Peter 1:5-7; 2 Peter 1:11). Peter subjoins election to calling, because the calling is the effect and proof of God's election, which goes before, and is the main thing (Romans 8:28; Romans 8:30; Romans 8:33, where God's 'elect' are those 'predestinated,' and election is "His purpose," according to which He "called" them). We know His calling before His election; therefore calling is put first. Fall, х ptaiseste (G4417)] - 'stumble' finally (Romans 11:11). Metaphor from a race (1 Corinthians 9:24).