to another; one is of a strong, another is of a weaker
nature; and no one in all things is at all times situated as another.
Therefore every one should see to himself how he is situated, and
what he can bear.

_And to temperance, patience._ Thus would St. Peter say: though ye
lead a temperate and discreet life, ye are not to think that ye shall
live without conflict and persecution. For if ye believe, and lead a
fair christian life, the world will not let it alone; it must
persecute and hate you, in which you must show patience, which is a
fruit of faith.

_And to patience, godliness._ That is, that we in all our outward
life, whatever we do or suffer, should so conduct ourselves that we
may serve God therein, not seeking our own honor and gain, but that
God alone may be glorified thereby; and that we should so demean
ourselves that men may take knowledge that we do all for God's sake.

V. 7. _And to godliness, brotherly love._ In this St. Peter obliges
us all to extend a helping hand one to another, like brethren, so
that one should protect another, and none hate nor despise nor injure
another. This is also an evident proof of faith, whereby we show that
we have the godliness of which he has spoken.

_And to brotherly love (charity), common love._ Common love extends
to both friend and enemy, even to those who do not show themselves
friendly and brotherly towards us. Thus St. Peter has here
comprehended in few words whatever pertains to the christian life,
and whatever are the works and fruits of faith, discretion,
temperance, patience, a God-fearing life, brotherly love, and
kindness to every one.

V. 8. _For if such dwell richly in you, it will not permit you to be
idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ._ That
is, if ye do such works, then are ye on the right path, then do ye
have a real faith, and the knowledge of Christ becomes active and
fruitful in you. Therefore see to it that ye be not such as beat the
air. Restrain your body, and act toward your neighbor even in such a
manner as ye know that Christ has done toward you.

V. 9. _But to whomsoever such is wanting, he is blind, gropes with
the hand, and has forgotten the purifying of his former sins._
Whoever has not such a preparation of the fruits of faith, gropes
like a blind man here and there, rests in such a life that he knows
not what his state is, has not real faith, and has of the knowledge
of Christ nothing more