<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="65001"%> 2 Peter Chapter 1

2 Peter

Chapter One

Introduction

Let’s spend the next few weeks studying the Epistle of 2 Peter. The purpose here is to become familiar with the text and to analyze the text for the proper context. Then we will take what we have learned and interpret the scriptures of this epistle followed by life application. I hope that after studying 2 Peter that you will be edified as the word of God enters into your mind and change your life to the glory of God.

Background

The author of this epistle identifies himself as the apostle Peter. This epistle was probably written between 65 and 68 AD. Peter was martyred during the reign of Emperor Nero. Therefore, Peter died prior to 68 AD. The purpose of this epistle seems to be to instruct the church how to deal with false teachers within the church.

Scripture Lesson

Now let’s look at the scriptures in chapter one verse by verse. I will provide some background and contextual information and then we will make conclusions on the way. Let’s begin with verse one.

Verse One

2 Peter 1:1 (NKJV) Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

The word bondservant can best be understood as someone bound to service of to another. Peter first identifies himself as someone who is bound to the service of Christ. Peter indeed is a servant of Christ and a servant for the long haul. He is bound to his service to Christ and for Christ, which he was eventually martyred for.

Do you consider yourself a servant of Christ? In what way are you a servant of Christ? Do you abide by the teachings of Jesus Christ pertaining to life and the Kingdom of God? How committed are you to following Christ?

Peter also identifies himself as an apostle. An apostle is one sent out to perform a task or mission on behalf of someone else and in the authority of the sender. The apostle is a representative of the sender. So Peter is bound to his service to Christ in addition to being on a mission for Christ and in His authority.

I know that there is a title called "apostle" in the Christian church community. However, this is much different then the way it is used in the Bible. Actually, anyone can call himself or herself an apostle of God and that call would be relatively subjective to someone else. However, the apostles in the Bible and the early church apostolic fathers were on a mission for Christ directly or through one of Christ’s apostles (disciples).

"To those who have obtained like precious faith." This basically or collectively refers to the true church (body of Christ, the believers). Some translations render this as, "obtained a faith." The faith referred to here is the capability to believe as opposed to the belief itself. This faith was provided by Jesus Christ’s righteousness, that is, he did what was right before God.

"God and Savior." This refers to the deity and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus is called God in that he is deity and we know that he is the savior of the world. He saved us from our sin by dying on the cross and rising from the dead by the power of God. To say that Jesus Christ is God is complicated and involves the doctrine of the Trinity, which is well beyond the scope of this lesson. However, we should understand that the Bible in no way tells us that Jesus and God are the same person. To say that Jesus is God is to acknowledge his deity and not to say that he IS God absolutely. This is evident for obvious reasons such as to whom did Jesus pray or by whom did Jesus rise from the dead? So we should understand the statement of God and savior as the acknowledgment of Jesus’ deity and not merely his identity.

This also reveals that the early church believed in the deity of Jesus Christ. He was more than a mere man or a great man. He was deity, the same essence as God himself. Again, this subject is well beyond the scope of this lesson. I would encourage you to look up the doctrine of the Trinity for more information. However, from a personal faith perspective, it isn’t all that important. This topic becomes important in discussions dealing with apologetics.

Verse Two

2 Peter 1:2 (NKJV) Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,

Peter seems to indicate here that grace and peace are multiplied in the life of a Christian by the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. The word "knowledge" is more than mere knowing something. The word knowledge here refers to a "full knowledge." There were false teachers during the first century (and beyond) that taught that knowledge was superior to faith. The apostolic writers stressed the Greek "full knowledge" to combat this heresy and to distinguish their concept of knowledge. This knowledge transcends speculation, which Gnostic thought derived from, and was founded in a relationship with Jesus Christ. I should also point out that most likely Gnosticism was not an organized system at this time but the seeds of that system were surely evident.

So we can see here the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. From that relationship flow grace and peace, which actually makes a lot of sense. How can grace and peace flow from God into your life if you have no intimate relationship with him? If God is merely the man upstairs or the entity that you worship in church than it is impossible for his grace and peace to flow into your life through that channel, which isn’t personal at all. So develop a personal and intimate relationship (fellowship) with God and allow his life to flow through you.

Verse Three

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

The term "divine power" refers to the power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead. This same power is available to the church today (Ephesians 1:19,20). Peter says that this divine power has given us all that we need to live a godly life in Christ.

This verse is important because it reveals the absoluteness of the redemptive act of Christ in that all we need for true life and godliness is given to us by that power that raised Jesus from the dead—the power of God. There is nothing else that we need that pertains to life and godliness. Faith in Jesus Christ is all that is needed for eternal life and reconciliation with the Father. That is, to believe in Jesus Christ is to trust that Jesus died for your sins and that that redemptive act was enough (complete).

We also see that this power comes to us by the knowledge of God or Lord and Savior. Again, this knowledge is more than mere mental capabilities. It refers to an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and therefore God the Father.

Peter also says in this verse that Jesus called us by his glory (that which is very apparent, referring to the attribute of his presence) and virtue. The word virtue from the Greek word used here means excellence. We are drawn to follow Jesus by his glory and virtue.

Verse Four

2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV) by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We have been given exceedingly great and precious promises by Jesus’ glory and virtue (excellence). In other words, Jesus Christ is true to His word.

We can be partakers of the divine nature through the promises of Christ and therefore escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

There is something else quite interesting and important that you should note. We can overcome the world by the power of God. By being like God (partaking in the divine nature), we can escape the worldly corruption that arises from worldly lusts. The power to overcome is found in the power of God and not our own will power or ability to not sin.

Verses Five through Seven

2 Peter 1:5 through 2 Peter 1:7 (NKJV) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

The listing of qualities by adding one quality to the previous in these verses was a standard literary form in Jewish, Greek, and Roman texts. Basically, these qualities would lead to a fruitful Christian life. Remember that we have all that we need for life and godliness because of Jesus’ divine power. Let’s look at these qualities.

First Peter says to diligently pursue the qualities listed. Therefore, it is up to us to pursue and live the things that he lists here as well as other things pertaining to the Christian life. You should also realize that Peter is not giving a pathway to follow for these qualities. That is, he is not saying to first get faith, then virtue, then knowledge, etc. It is understood that all of these qualities should be pursued simultaneously.

Faith refers to the belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This is related to the phrase "of the faith." It does not refer to a belief in God to give you something. I believe that this point is crucial to understand what Peter is saying here. The ability to believe God for a new car, new home, money, etc. is not the subject of faith. Again, faith refers to the belief in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

To that faith we should add virtue (excellence in character). Note that faith without works is dead (See James 2:17). Therefore we can add to our faith the evident qualities listed here.

To excellence (virtue) we also must have knowledge, which refers to an intimate relationship (knowledge of) with Jesus Christ.

To that relationship (knowing Christ) we must have and practice self-control. We saw how Jesus practiced self-control in his ministry when at times he would stand up to the religious leaders and other times he would avoid them or get away from them. And you should consider that Jesus had the power to do anything that he wanted to do to them.

Perseverance (the ability to last or endure, patience) comes after self-control. Perseverance implies the quality of patience.

After perseverance we have to have and practice godliness, which is piety or living according to God’s way or scheme.

Brotherly kindness refers to the kindness that Christians have for each other. It means fraternal affection or brotherly love. The Greek word here is Philadelphia, the name of the city that I live in—The city of brotherly love. I thought I would just throw that one in there.

The last quality is love, the foundation of the relationship that we have with God and should have with each other.

Now it is important that we don’t get into a religious mindset here. It is easy to take the list of qualities here and begin to religiously pursue them thinking that such would give you acceptance by God or somehow elevate you to some higher order of piety. These are guidelines of the lifestyle of a Christian. Paul gives us a list of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5 for example. The main thing is to live a productive Christian (godly) life.

Verse Eight

2 Peter 1:8 (NKJV) For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Having these qualities grow in us will cause us to be fruitful in our knowledge (relationship) with Jesus Christ. This is very important because it may free you from many of the rules and regulations that you are trying to keep in order to be a "good Christian." Manifest these qualities within yourself and you will be fruitful in your personal relationship with Christ. Simply be yoked to Christ and you will bear fruit.

Verse Nine

2 Peter 1:9 (NKJV) For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Anyone who lacks the qualities given in verse eight is deceived. These people have forgotten that Jesus cleansed them from their old sins. Therefore we should remember what Jesus did for us. To say that you believe in Jesus is not enough. Your life must show forth the faith that you claim to have.

Consider that "those who lacks these things" are those who are not growing spiritually. These people are not progressing in the qualities of the righteousness of God. Therefore, these people either have closed their eyes to the truth for whatever reason or they have been deceived to believe or to pursue something else (as in the church of Galatia). This is why it is so important for us to pursue those things pertaining to godliness and not to be so attached to religious activities and doctrine at the expense of the pursuit of the truth.

Verses Ten and Eleven

2 Peter 1:10 through 2 Peter 1:11 (NKJV) Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Show forth the salvation that you have by practicing the qualities given previously. The only evidence that people have of our relationship with God (our salvation) is from the lives that we live. We are living witnesses of Christ. If we diligently pursue and practice the qualities of an effective Christian lifestyle then we will not stumble. Also, because of our living an effective and righteous Christian life, we will be enthusiastically welcomed into God’s everlasting Kingdom (as opposed to those that merely made it in).

We can see here that the way to stay standing in the righteousness of God is to live a godly life and practice the qualities of the Christian lifestyle. These will keep us safe from the worldly things that go on around us. It seems that the pursuit of the truth will keep us on the path of righteousness.

Verses Twelve through Fifteen

2 Peter 1:12-15 (NKJV) For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

The significance of these verses is that the people who knew the truth needed to be reminded of that truth. Therefore, we can conclude that having acquired some level of revelation or truth is not sufficient to maintain that state. We constantly need to be "energized" and edified by each other and by the constant pursuit of truth in God’s written word. We constantly need to be reminded of the faith that we have and the lifestyle that is required of us. It is never the time to rest while we live on this earth because temptation and deception are all around us constantly looking for a way to enter into our lives to ultimately cause our demise.

So respect those who admonish you, encourage you, and inform you of a perceived fault. These people are in a sense reminding you of the lifestyle that is conducive of a Christian. Of course, beware of false teachings by knowing the truth but be aware that all criticisms are not meant to destroy you but to edify you.

It is also very interesting to see in these verses that Peter suspected or "knew" that he would die soon. He accepted it as God’s will because he said that Jesus revealed it to him. This is interesting because we would like to think that God’s will would have been to secure his safety so that Peter could continue to preach until he died of natural causes. However, that appears to not be the case. Peter accepted "God’s will" and prepared for the time when that will was carried out. That is, he prepared the people to be constantly reminded of the truth even after he had died.

This tells us that all that is painful or "bad" may be God’s will. We would like to believe that God’s will is a utopia existence. However, when we consider how some of the apostles were martyred and even later apostolic fathers were killed, we must reconsider our conclusions about God’s will. Even today people die for what they belief and while fighting for what they believe. We can’t dare say that for some reason he or she went outside of God’s will and was therefore killed. We must reckon that perhaps their death was in line with the will of God. Perhaps our perception of death (leaving this world) is not the same as God’s perception of death since to God you still exist as you always have but without a body. Perhaps your work is done and you can come to glory for eternity. Whatever the reason, we should not be quick to declare the will of God based on pleasant or unpleasant experiences.

Verses Sixteen Through Eighteen

2 Peter 1:16-18 (NKJV) For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

There were heretics that preached that the stories of Jesus Christ were fables and therefore not true. This belief exists even today. However, Peter says that they (the disciples) were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ majesty. They were present when God declared that Jesus was his son and that he was well pleased with him. They were also present when Jesus was transfigured before them (James, Peter, and John). See Matthew 17.

Verses Nineteen Through Twenty-One

2 Peter 1:19-21 (NKJV) And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

In addition to being eyewitnesses of Jesus’ glory, prophecy also confirmed their claims and the glory of Jesus Christ. The prophet did not interpret the prophecy that he spoke because the prophet was not the originator of the prophecy. God inspired these men to speak the words that He had for His people.