1:2

a hope of the everlasting life . . . promised long ago: Paul here speaks of a divine promise made “long ago.” (Compare study note on 2Ti 1:9.) He may be referring to the time when Jehovah first purposed that humans enjoy “everlasting life” on earth. Or he may be referring to the time when Jehovah first revealed his purpose for humans. (Ge 1:27, 28; 2:17) When God pronounced his sentence on the rebels in Eden, he did not change his original purpose. (Ps 37:29) At that time, though, he foretold that a special “offspring” would crush Satan, and the Bible later shows that this “offspring” would include humans who would live forever in heaven. (Ge 3:15; compare Da 7:13, 14, 27; Lu 22:28-30.) Paul and other anointed Christians entertained such a heavenly “hope of the everlasting life.”​—See study note on Eph 3:11.

God, who cannot lie: To lie would violate the very nature of “Jehovah, the God of truth.” (Ps 31:5) All that Jehovah does, he carries out by means of his holy spirit, which Jesus referred to as “the spirit of the truth.” (Joh 15:26; 16:13) Jehovah is completely different from imperfect humans, for “God is not a mere man who tells lies.” (Nu 23:19) Further, Jehovah stands in contrast with Satan, who is “a liar and the father of the lie.” (Joh 8:44) Paul’s point: Because it is impossible for God to lie, his promises are completely trustworthy.​—Heb 6:18.