2 Peter Chapter One: Obtaining a Rich Entry
It is so very tempting for me to think that 2 Peter chapter one is one of the most important segments of Scripture in all of the Bible. Peter writes this letter towards the end of his life, and the truth that he wants to continually remind them of is in verses 5-11. This is a primary focus of his teaching in the final lap, so that they will recall these things after he is gone:
“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things”(verses 12-15).
What things? The things he previously writes of in verses 5-8. It is sort of a if you forget everything else I write, don’t forget this exhortation.
What is the end of following this instruction? Peter states the end of this teaching in verse 11:
“and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The goal of this teaching is a rich entry into the kingdom. Obviously then, we can have an unfortunate entry fraught with fear and doubt. Peter states this by antithesis in verses 9 and 10:
“But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,”
This is what Matthew Henry said in regard to the above text:
“He cannot see far off. This present evil world he can see, and dotes upon, but has no discerning at all of the world to come, so as to be affected with the spiritual privileges and heavenly blessings thereof. He who sees the excellences of Christianity must needs be diligent in endeavours after all those graces that are absolutely necessary for obtaining glory, honour, and immortality; but, where these graces are not obtained nor endeavoured after, men are not able to look forward to the things that are but a very little way off in reality, though in appearance, or in their apprehension, they are at a great distance, because they put them far away from them; and how wretched is their condition who are thus blind as to the awfully great things of the other world, who cannot see any thing of the reality and certainty, the greatness and nearness, of the glorious rewards God will bestow on the righteous, and the dreadful punishment he will inflict on the ungodly!
But this is not all the misery of those who do not add to their faith virtue, knowledge, etc. They are as unable to look backward as forward, their memories are slippery and unable to retain what is past, as their sight is short and unable to discern what is future; they forget that they have been baptized, and had the means, and been laid under the obligations to holiness of heart and life. By baptism we are engaged in a holy war against sin, and are solemnly bound to fight against the flesh, the world, and the devil. Often call to mind, and seriously meditate on, your solemn engagement to be the Lord’s, and your peculiar advantages and encouragements to lay aside all filthiness of flesh and spirit.”
Following Peter’s instruction as contained in verses 5-8 results in a surety of our election. Obviously, we cannot earn our election, but following Peter’s instruction will make us sure that we belong to God. If one is sure that they belong to the kingdom and have extensive knowledge of its glories, they are truly unshakable and will not stumble in this present life. Peter says to be “eager” and diligent to make our calling sure, resulting in a rich entry into the kingdom of God.
Peter teaches the practice that leads to this rich entry in verses 5-8:
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Again, Peter emphasizes the importance of effort on our part. We are to make “every” effort to add these qualities to our life. To the degree that we practice these things, we will have surety and a rich entry into heaven. The goal is to implement these qualities in increasing measure, which also keeps us from being unproductive in our knowledge Christ. To the degree that we know Christ, we can effectively follow him as he commanded. However, sandwiched in between these qualities is the working together of knowledge and practice (add). We can’t follow what we don’t know, so adding knowledge is of great import, but the Holy Spirit will not give a continued, increased understanding along with true discernment without our practice. This is a theme throughout Scripture (John 7:17 Hebrews 5:14).
Peter starts with the foundation of faith which can only come from God, and then we supplement or add to faith the following seven categorical qualities: goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and finally, love. Don’t miss this: all of these qualities are connected or build on each other. You can’t build on any of these qualities without the foundation of the prior. You can’t add knowledge to faith unless you have goodness first. Peter doesn’t say to add knowledge to faith, he says to add goodness, and then knowledge, and so forth. Call it a building; the foundation is faith, and each floor provides a foundation for the next until you get to the top floor which is love. Or call it a chain; the chain is made up of eight links, and it is not a complete chain without all of the links. But I prefer to think of this concept as an electrical circuit. Every electrical circuit needs a power source and a proper load (components on the circuit and complete connection between them) to work properly.
Whatever your analogy, we are on safe ground as follows: it is absolutely essential that all of these elements are in operation daily in order for each element to be functioning properly. They all work together to maximize each other. Obviously, to the degree that we add to goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and brotherly kindness; we have a higher quality of love. Think of love and how it would be diminished if one of the other elements were missing. For instance, lack of knowledge would end up as an attempt to love with a love that is not according to God’s way of love. Love would not last very long without perseverance, etc. Therefore, let’s look at each quality individually.
Goodness (arete): it means courage and valor. The idea of an excellent or praiseworthy courage. We are to nourish or add courage to our faith. Knowledge (gnosis): knowledge. Self-control (egkrateia): temperance or moderation. We cannot serve multiple masters. Perseverance (hupomone): patience, continuance, joyful enduring, waiting. Godliness (eusebeia): piety, holiness. Brotherly kindness (Philadelphia): brotherly love. Love (agape): benevolence.
It would seem that forgetfulness is one of our more formidable nemeses in regard to adding these qualities to our faith. But as you can imagine, it would be easy enough to fill our daily lives with the practice of these qualities. Certainly, life its self offers plenty of opportunity to practice the one element of patience. Do you struggle with patience? Take note of how well you apply the other elements, they all contribute to our grand goal of love.
paul
2 Peter 1:3-20; How To Have Assurance Of Eternal Life
Second Peter one is an incredible portion of scripture that answers one of the monumental questions of life, how does one know for sure that he is in right standing with God? If a person is full of assurance in this regard, the world cannot shake them save their concern for others. However, in this eternally profound portion of scripture, Peter even addresses the Heavenly mandate for the assured christian in regard to others.Yes, lack of assurance in regard to right standing with God seems to be the curse of the true Christian and Peter knows this. This is evident by the fact that Peter states the keys to assurance while also saying that it will be necessary to continually remind us of them. This was Peters primary focus on the last leg of his lifely mandate from Heaven [verses 12-15]. Why is this? Why is the true christian cursed with this doubt that can at times cripple ones service to God? How can you be effective for God when you are not positive that you are even in his army but unwittingly serving the other army? Well, one reason is because knowledge causes doubt. Our biblical understanding of the human condition and it’s propensity to be deceived is not the least bit comforting. In Matthew 7:21-23, the subjects are astounded that they are not loved by God. Paul the apostle exhorts us to examine ourselves to see if we are “in the faith [2Cor. 13:5].”
Secondly, our battle with the flesh can cause doubt even though we often forget that before we were saved, there was no battle at all. I highly recommend “The Enemy Within” by Kris Lundgaard for a sobering education in regard to our warfare with the flesh.
Before we begin, the hope of verses 10 and 11 is where we want to end up. Peter will teach us how:
2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Peter 1:11
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
There it is. A life of assurance concluded with an “abundant” entrance into the kingdom of God. Let there be no doubt here, this is a “how to” post. God has supplied us with all we need to accomplish his will when we believed [verses 3 and 4], now it is our task to appropriate it. Our God is not a capricious God who at any time wants us to be confused and hopeless. There is always hope because we co-labor with God and he will show us how. This is not our works only or living by a list. Without verses 3 and 4, we cannot do anything nor would we know how. Lost people or the misguided do not dig around in 2 Peter 1 in order to find peace with God. If we do not have assurance, it is not God’s fault, it is our fault. That is why Peter says to “make every effort” in verse 5. That is why he says to “be all the more diligent” in verse 10. To possess assurance and the earnest expectation of a joyful entry into heaven will require “every” effort and diligence. Those who teach otherwise lead God’s people into doubt, discouragement and despair.
In verses 5 thru 8, we find our instruction for obtaining this glorious reality. These verses can be treated as a list, but I think there is something much more here. It seems to me that these characteristics build upon each other much like you build floors of a building one upon the other. It is also possible that each characteristic, when aptly applied, brings a temptation that the supplement or addition thwarts while compounding the effect of the latter. It all starts with faith which is a gift from God, but Peter tells us to add virtue.
arete [ar-et’-ay] properly, manliness (valor), i.e. excellence (intrinsic or attributed):–praise, virtue.
As James says: “faith without works is dead [James 2:17].” This is not only works however, but a mindset to be the best or to excel at these works. It is a moral excellence. Here, we are called to add good works to our faith in a pro-active way. James put it this way:
James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of {our} God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, {and} to keep oneself unstained by the world.
It is easy to see here why we must add works to our faith, the exercise of our faith increases and enhances our faith.
James 2:22
You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
There is also the back and forth contribution between the two as long as the two are properly linked. Faith feeds works and works feed faith. They work together.
Next, Peter says to add knowledge to virtue. He doesn’t say to add it to faith. This is key. It’s easy to add knowledge to faith, but without practice, we have the exact thing James condemns. Christianity already has an abundance of scholars who wouldn’t even dream of stopping to help a stranded motorist. This is due to a missing link in their chain. Among the well known biblical scholars of our age, there is one thing missing, stories of valor [virtuous works, the second link]. In case you haven’t noticed, such events are not missing from Peters life or the other apostles, especially Paul.
Next, Peter says to add “self-control” to knowledge:
egkrates 1468; self-control (especially continence):–temperance.
Without practice, [of knowledge], knowledge cannot increase. The practice or walk here has to do with overcoming the flesh and it’s passions. Peter defines the walk necessary to enhance knowledge of Jesus Christ in four links that also must be added to each other; virtue [pro-active valor] self-control, stead-fastness and godliness.
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or [whether] I speak of myself.” John 7:17.
“But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” Hebrews 5:14
Also, in the passage we are looking at, Peter says:
“For if these {qualities} are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:8
The practice of biblical knowledge leads to more knowledge and discernment. Again, these two links work back and forth together and enhance each other. You can’t practice what you don’t know but continued knowledge and the ability to discern will not increase without consistent practice. Does this lend any understanding to you in regard to the rampant error and lack of discernment of our age? New books and knowledge are often driven by imagination rather than virtue.
Next, Peter says to add or supplement self-control with steadfastness.
hupomeno 5278; cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy:–enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting).
Patience [endurance] must be added to self-control because self-control speaks to the constant and relentless battle with the flesh. It is a war within that entangles us with an inner enemy tenacious enough to wage war against the Spirit:
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. Galations 5:17
As I have done before, and will do again, I highly recommend “The Enemy Within” by Kris Lundgaard for good biblical instruction concerning our war with the inner man. To consistently war against the flesh will require endurance. This must therefore be added to self-control.
Next, Peter says to add or supplement endurance with godliness:
eusebes 2152; piety; specially, the gospel scheme:–godliness, holiness.
This word could easily imply and encompass the other three elements of the walk necessary to enhance knowledge with the result of biblically informed obedience. However, using a process of elimination and assuming a lack of redundance on Peter’s part, and applying a meaning that fits the word, I take this to mean a devotion to formal piety. In other words, a devotion to prayer, assembling with other saints and study of God’s word and a well ordered life in that regard. Piety adds structure to the other three. We can certainly see what God did in Daniels life in regard to his faithfulness to word study and prayer [ the whole book of Daniel but especially Daniel 9].
Peter now says to add brotherly effection to piety. The treading gets a little tougher here toward the end of Peter’s chain so any comments are welcome, but it seems that piety and perhaps orthodoxy is nothing without affection towards the brothers. We can see this clearly in regard to the Ephesian church of Revelation 2:1-7. Christ said they where doing well in regard to works [virtue], toil [diligence], patient endurance [perseverance] discernment [result of practice], uncompromise in regard to error [more virtue] and not growing weary [more endurance]. But they were not adding;
agapao 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:–(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
The word Peter uses is: philadelphos 5361; fraternal affection:–brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.
I contend that Christ had both in mind while speaking to the Ephesians. The Ephesians were doing well but falling short in regard to affection for others and God.
The Ephesian church was doing great in regard to Peters chain, until you get towards the end of the chain. The missing link was love and Christ says to get that in order or all bets are off. Towards the end, love gives the rest of the elements, or works, their validity:
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have {the gift of} prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed {the poor,} and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing [1Corinthians 13:1-3].
I wonder if an interesting study would be a comparison with Peters chain and the letters of Revelation. In each case, what were their missing links or weak links? When another believer comes to you in regard to weakness in a certain area, what are they missing that is not enabling the other areas of their life?
Lastly, Peter says to add Love to Brotherly Love. This Love is an intimate knowledge of Jesus Christ and does not precede love for others. Again, we have two links that work together. There is no love for Christ that does not include love for others. Note what Peter says in the following verse:
“For if these {qualities} are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [verse 8]
In Ephesians 3:17, the literal meaning says that when Christ is “at home” in our hearts[comfortable, not grieved, see kenneth Wuest expanded New Testament translation], that we are rooted and grounded in love which leads to:
“may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” [Ephesians 3:17,18].
I doubt there are any assurance issues if this is your experience. Would you agree with that?
“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble [fall into doubt and wavering, my empasis];” [2 peter 1:10]
Listen, The christian walk is a many fauseted approach with many provisions that all work together. Beware of the newest models that do not fit scripture. It is no accident that Peter emmediatly launches into the sufficiency of God’s word and false teachers after presenting this sanctification model that leads to assurance.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
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