“But hee that lacketh these things, is blind, and cannot see farre off, and hath forgotten that hee was purged from his old sinnes.”
1611 King James Version (KJV)
1:9 But he that wanteth these - That does not add them to his faith. Is blind - The eyes of his understanding are again closed. He cannot see God, or his pardoning love. He has lost the evidence of things not seen. Not able to see afar off - Literally, purblind. He has lost sight of the precious promises: perfect love and heaven are equally out of his sight. Nay, he cannot now see what himself once enjoyed. Having, as it were, forgot the purification from his former sins - Scarce knowing what he himself then felt, when his sins were forgiven.
2Pe 1:9 He that lacketh these things. The qualities named in 2Pe 1:5-7. Is blind. Shows that he has a defective moral vision. And cannot see afar off. Is short sighted; does not see what his future good requires. And hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. If he could remember how he was cleansed from his own sinful state, he would show greater diligence lest he should again fall into sin.