But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Parallel translations
- WEB For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
- KJV But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
- NKJV For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.
- NASB For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
- NLT But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Whoever lacks these qualities is spiritually blind and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. It matters because neglecting growth reveals a dangerous forgetfulness of the gospel.
Overview
The negative counterpart to verse 8 warns that the absence of these graces signals spiritual blindness and shortsightedness. Such a person has lost sight of the cleansing he received, the forgiveness purchased by Christ. Remembering our cleansing from sin is meant to fuel ongoing pursuit of holiness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- 1 Jn 2:9–11If anyone claims to be in the light but hates his brother, he is still in the darkness.
- 2 Pet 2:18–20With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
- Titus 2:14He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
- Eph 5:26to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
- 1 Jn 1:7But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
- Rom 6:11So you too must count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
- Jas 2:14–26What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
- Rom 6:1–4What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?
- 2 Pet 1:4–7Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
- Heb 9:14how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!
- 1 Pet 3:21And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
- Gal 5:13For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love.
- Gal 5:6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
- John 9:40–41Some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard this, and they asked Him, “Are we blind too?”
- Luke 18:22On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- 2 Cor 4:3–4And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
- Mark 10:21Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
- Rev 3:17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The sure word of the prophets and the promise of the coming day of the Lord anchor the believer in the knowledge of 'our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.'
How 2 Peter 1:9 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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