What does 2 Peter 1:1 mean?

This letter begins in the style of the time by identifying the author. He uses both his given name in its older Jewish form, Simeon, as well as the name given to him by Jesus: Peter. Peter further identifies himself as both an honored servant / slave of Jesus, as well as Christ's apostle. "Apostle" was an official position in the early church filled by those who had been specifically chosen and commissioned by Jesus to fulfill His mission. Thus, Peter declares that he is under the authority of Christ, as well as having authority from Christ to deliver the commands and instructions which will follow in this letter.

Peter writes to Christian believers. Every saved Christian has received a faith of the same kind as, and of equal standing to, that of Peter and the other apostles. There is only one faith in Christ—not multiple faiths, not better and lesser faiths—and that one faith is something we receive by the righteousness of Jesus. Peter is making a critical point here. Nobody is righteous because they were smart enough, or special enough on their own, to have faith in Christ. Leaders within the church are not morally or spiritually more valuable than others. It is only by Christ's righteousness that we receive this precious, enormously valuable faith. Jesus secured this faith for us.

Peter adds another declaration here in calling Jesus "our God and Savior." This phrasing leaves no doubt that Jesus is, in fact, God. Elsewhere, Peter attests to the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Here, though, he reinforces the truth that Jesus is fully God.