Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. "Wherefore" connects this exhortation to the previous warning (v. 9). Because barrenness indicates blindness and forgetfulness, "the rather" (mallon, μᾶλλον, "all the more") believers must "give diligence" (spoudasate, σπουδάσατε, same root as v. 5)—earnest, eager effort—to "make your calling and election sure" (bebaian hymōn tēn klēsin kai eklogēn poieisthai).
This phrase requires careful interpretation to avoid Arminian or Pelagian misunderstanding. Peter isn't teaching that human effort secures divine election or that salvation can be lost. "Calling" (klēsis) and "election" (eklogē) are God's sovereign acts in salvation (Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:4-5). "Make sure" (bebaian poieisthai, βεβαίαν ποιεῖσθαι) means "confirm" or "establish"—not making it objectively certain (God has already done that) but making it subjectively evident through transformed living. Diligent pursuit of godliness provides assurance of genuine salvation.
"For if ye do these things" (the virtues of vv. 5-7), "ye shall never fall" (ou mē ptaisēte pote, οὐ μὴ πταίσητε ποτε, emphatic double negative: "certainly not ever stumble"). This isn't sinless perfection but perseverance—not falling away from faith or being eternally lost. Those whom God elects and calls will persevere, evidenced by growing godliness. Peter grounds assurance in both God's sovereign faithfulness and believers' responsive fruitfulness.
Historical Context
The Reformed doctrine of perseverance of the saints, grounded in biblical texts like this one, teaches that God preserves His elect to final salvation (John 10:28-29; Phil 1:6; 1 Pet 1:5). However, perseverance isn't passivity but includes believers' diligent pursuit of holiness as evidence of genuine faith. This balances divine sovereignty and human responsibility without collapsing into either fatalism or works-righteousness.
In the early church, debates about apostasy arose when persecution caused some professing Christians to deny the faith. Were these true Christians who lost salvation, or false professors exposed under trial? Peter's teaching supports the latter—those who ultimately fall away demonstrate they were never genuinely elect, while true believers persevere through trials, confirming their calling. Against false teachers promising security without holiness, Peter insists that assurance comes through demonstrated transformation, not mere profession.
Questions for Reflection
How do you balance confidence in God's sovereign election with Peter's call to diligently confirm your calling through godliness?
What fruit in your life provides assurance of genuine conversion, and what barrenness should concern you?
How can churches provide both comfort to struggling saints and warning to presumptuous false professors?
Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. "Wherefore" connects this exhortation to the previous warning (v. 9). Because barrenness indicates blindness and forgetfulness, "the rather" (mallon, μᾶλλον, "all the more") believers must "give diligence" (spoudasate, σπουδάσατε, same root as v. 5)—earnest, eager effort—to "make your calling and election sure" (bebaian hymōn tēn klēsin kai eklogēn poieisthai).
This phrase requires careful interpretation to avoid Arminian or Pelagian misunderstanding. Peter isn't teaching that human effort secures divine election or that salvation can be lost. "Calling" (klēsis) and "election" (eklogē) are God's sovereign acts in salvation (Rom 8:28-30; Eph 1:4-5). "Make sure" (bebaian poieisthai, βεβαίαν ποιεῖσθαι) means "confirm" or "establish"—not making it objectively certain (God has already done that) but making it subjectively evident through transformed living. Diligent pursuit of godliness provides assurance of genuine salvation.
"For if ye do these things" (the virtues of vv. 5-7), "ye shall never fall" (ou mē ptaisēte pote, οὐ μὴ πταίσητε ποτε, emphatic double negative: "certainly not ever stumble"). This isn't sinless perfection but perseverance—not falling away from faith or being eternally lost. Those whom God elects and calls will persevere, evidenced by growing godliness. Peter grounds assurance in both God's sovereign faithfulness and believers' responsive fruitfulness.