Literally, “in holy behaviors and godliness,” both nouns being in the plural in Greek, since Peter is making his thought as comprehensive as possible and wishes his readers to bring every part of their conduct into conformity to the highest Christian standards. For comment on “conversation” (anastrophē) see on ch. 2:7; for “godliness” (eusebeia) see on 1 Tim. 2:2.

That is, with special reference to character.

Or, “what sort of men?” from an older word meaning “from what country?” Here Peter reveals that his great concern is not with events but with men, that is, with the characters of his readers. He has gone into detail about last-day events in order to bring before them the imperative need for holiness, and now devotes the remainder of his epistle to impressing this need upon them.

In view of the certainty that every evidence of sin is to be destroyed, it behooves those who know of the impending day when the present world will be dissolved in a holocaust of fire, to be diligent that they separate every trace of sin from their thoughts and their lives.