1:1 Simeon. Greek Symeon, which is closer to the Hebrew form of the name. See note 1 Pet. 1:1.

apostle. See note 2 Cor. 1:1.

a faith of equal standing. Though some interpret this to refer to “the faith” as a body of belief (Jude 3), it more likely refers to the subjective experience of the believer. As an apostle writing to those who will live on after his death (vv. 13–15), Peter assures his readers that they do not have a second-class Christianity, inferior to Peter’s and the other apostles’ (cf. John 20:29).

by the righteousness. This probably refers to God’s fairness and impartiality in bestowing the gift of faith upon all types of people, rather than to the vicarious righteousness of Christ by which Christians are justified (Rom. 3:22; 4:6). The word “righteousness” is generally used in an ethical sense in Peter’s letters (2:5, 21; 3:13; 1 Pet. 2:24; 4:18).

our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Since one definite article governs both nouns in the Greek (lit. “the God of us and Savior”), this phrase ascribes deity to Jesus.