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The Gospel Observer
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to
observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age" (Matt. 28:19,20).
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June 26, 2011
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Contents:
1) 2 Peter 1:5-9 (Tom Edwards)
2) News & Notes
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-1-
2 Peter 1:5-9
by Tom Edwards
In 2 Peter 1:5-9, Peter sets forth various qualities, or virtues, that
we are to add to our faith. As we think of each one of these, let
us ask ourselves, "What good would my faith be without this specific,
additional quality in my life?" So though we might often use
James 2:26 to prove that "faith without works is dead," this passage in
2 Peter 1 also shows that faith must be combined with other things to
be effectual and not useless.
Peter begins in this passage by saying, "Now for this very reason also,
applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral
excellence...." "Diligence" comes from the Greek word "spoude,"
which Thayer defines as "1) haste, with haste. 2) earnestness,
diligence. 2a) earnestness in accomplishing, promoting, or
striving after anything. 2b) to give all diligence, interest
one's self most earnestly." Bullinger defines it as "speed,
haste, as manifested in earnestness, diligence, zeal." We can see
this word illustrated in the case of Mary. For after she
had been informed by an angel that she would give birth to the Son of
God, and that her relative Elizabeth (who had been barren and in her
old age) was now in her sixth month of pregnancy, "...Mary arose and
went with HASTE to the hill country, to a city of Judah" to see
Elizabeth (Luke 1:39). Mary had heard great things from God that
had given her motivation, and the same should also be true of us.
Jude uses this same Greek word in Jude 1:3, where he speaks of "making
every EFFORT to write you about our common salvation...." The
dictionary defines the English word "diligence" as "constant and
earnest effort to accomplish what is undertaken" (Random House
Webster's College Dictionary). Peter shows that this diligence is
to be used in supplying our faith with certain virtues.
The first virtue he mentions to add to our faith is "moral excellence,"
which the KJV renders as "virtue" (2 Pet. 1:5). The Greek word,
"arete," Thayer defines as, "1) a virtuous course of thought, feeling
and action. 1a) virtue, moral goodness 2) any particular
moral goodness, as modesty, purity." It is the same Greek
word that Paul uses in Philippians 4:8, where he states, "Finally,
brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if
there is any EXCELLENCE and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on
these things." It is also the same word that Peter had used earlier in
verse 3, where he speaks of God's calling "by His own glory and
EXCELLENCE"; and in 1 Peter 2:9, where, because the Christians are of a
"chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own
possession" that they are to "proclaim the EXCELLENCIES of Him who has
called" them "out of darkness into His marvelous light." Many
Bible translations render this as "virtue" in 2 Peter 1:5, which the
dictionary primarily defines as "conformity of one's life and conduct
to moral and ethical principles; moral excellence; rectitude." It
is also translated in this verse, as "worthiness" (Young's Literal
Translation), "noble character" (Weymouth NT), and "goodness"
(NIV). So the Christian is to be good, noble, virtuous, and of
moral excellence.
To "moral excellence," "knowledge" is to be added (2 Pet. 1:5).
For apart from the knowledge of God's word, how could we even totally
know what moral excellence is? The Greek word for knowledge (in
this verse) is "gnosis," which is most commonly rendered as "knowledge"
in the NT; though it is also translated as "knowing" in
Philippians 3:8, where Paul states, "More than that, I count all things
to be loss in view of the surpassing value of KNOWING Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them
but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ." We have probably
all heard of others referring to things that were not worth knowing;
but Paul is showing in this passage of that which is worth knowing
above anything else -- and that is the "surpassing value of knowing
Christ Jesus...." So when we think of Christ, we should
realize that our knowledge of Him and His word is, by far, the greatest
knowledge we could ever acquire. The only other place where this
Greek word is rendered differently is in 1 Peter 3:7, where, in the
NASB, Peter exhorts the husbands to "live with your wives in an
UNDERSTANDING WAY..." (KJV: "according to knowledge"). The
idea of knowledge being added to our faith might remind us of Romans
10:17, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of
Christ." Faith comes through the knowledge of God's word, and it is
also strengthened by it, as Acts 20:32 shows: "And now I commend you to
God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to
give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."
Something else to add to our faith is "self-control" (2 Peter.
1:6). The Greek word is "egkrateia," which has been defined as
"the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his
sensual appetites" (Thayer). The KJV renders it as
"temperance." It is seen as being a "fruit of the Spirit" in
Galatians 5:23, and is the "opposite of self-indulgence"
(Bullinger). And can we not infer the importance of it from the
message to Felix, in which Paul discussed "righteousness, self-control,
and the judgment to come" (Acts 24:25). We realize how important
obtaining righteousness is, since we have all fallen short of it, and
the seriousness of the judgment to come, which every accountable person
will undergo; and right there in the middle of those two teachings,
Paul points out the need for self-control that can help one to be
righteous and prepared for the judgment. It is easy to see,
therefore, how important it is for our faith to be govern by
self-control. For we need it not only to help us abstain from that
which we must, but also to do the things we should.
Peter then shows that faith needs to also be combined with
"perseverance" (2 Pet. 1:6). The KJV, and some other
translations, render this as "patience." Strong defines the Greek
word ("hupomone") as "cheerful (or hopeful) endurance,
constancy...." Thayer also defines it as "endurance" and
"constancy," but also as "steadfastness" and points out that in
the NT it is "characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his
deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the
greatest trials and sufferings...." Especially in view of the
early persecutions for simply being a Christian, how important this
virtue of perseverance would have been for them, to maintain their
commitment to God regardless of the opposition. It would help
them to keep the faith -- rather than to deny it. Some
translations render "hupomone" as "endurance" in 2 Peter 1:6.
The need for this type of perseverance can also be seen in the
words of Jesus in Luke 21:19, "By your ENDURANCE you will gain your
lives." And, going along with that, consider Hebrews 10:36: "For
you have need of ENDURANCE, so that when you have done the will of God,
you may receive what was promised." Though the NASB renders this
Greek word several times as "endurance," its most common rendering is
simply "perseverance." The need for it is also seen in Luke 8:15:
"And the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the
word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with
PERSEVERANCE." Compare also Romans 2:7, "to those who by
PERSEVERANCE in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality,
eternal life." Since perseverance is a needful virtue, how can we
increase that in our lives? One way is to keep faithful during
trying times. For Romans 5:3,4 shows that we can "exult" even in
tribulation, for "tribulation brings about PERSEVERANCE; and
PERSEVERANCE, proven character; and proven character, hope."
In addition to perseverance, Peter next shows that we need to add
"godliness" to our faith (2 Pet. 1:6). We saw in last week's
lesson that this term comes from the Greek word "eusebeia," which
Thayer defines as "1) reverence, respect 2) piety towards God,
godliness." Bullinger shows that the Greek word "relates to [a]
real, true, vital, and spiritual relation with God." And the
dictionary defines the English word "godly" to mean primarily, "obeying
and revering God; devout; pious."
Peter then shows the need to add "brotherly kindness" to one's faith (2
Pet. 1:7). It is from the Greek word "philadelphia," which Thayer
defines as "1) love of brothers or sisters, brotherly love. 2) in
the NT the love which Christians cherish for each other as
brethren." Peter had made reference to this back in 1 Peter 1:22,
where he uses the Greek word "philadelphia" that is translated as "LOVE
OF THE BRETHREN." Paul also uses the same Greek word in Romans
12:10, where he exhorts the brethren to "Be devoted to one another in
BROTHERLY LOVE; give preference to one another in honor." And the
Hebrew writer begins his last chapter by saying, "Let LOVE OF THE
BRETHREN continue" (Heb. 13:1).
Lastly, Peter exhorts the brethren to add to their faith the highest
form of love -- and that being the agape love (2 Pet. 1:7). This
is the same love that caused God to send His only begotten Son to
our world, according to John 3:16, that sinners could be saved through
Him. It's the love we are also to have for even our enemies
(Matt. 5:44).
Note what Peter then says about those who have and have not these
virtues: "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. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or
short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins"
(2 Pet. 1:8,9). Not only do we need to have these qualities, but
we also need to be increasing in them, as Peter mentions in this verse,
as well as in the last verse of this epistle: "But grow in grace, and
in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory
both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Pet. 3:18). We are mindful of the
time the apostles asked the Lord to "increase" their faith in Luke
17:5; and Paul's desire for the Thessalonians was that the Lord would
cause them to "increase and abound in love for one another, and for all
men..." (1 Thess. 3:12). In other words, no matter how good
a person is, who would not be better by increasing in these virtues
Peter speaks of in 2 Peter 1:5-7? Would it not be to our
advantage to increase in diligence, in moral excellence, in knowledge,
in self-control, in perseverance, in godliness, in brotherly kindness,
and in love? Peter shows that we need these virtues so that we
will not become "useless nor unfruitful." So how important
they are! For Jesus makes it very clear of what will happen to
those who do not bear fruit in John 15:1-8; and these verses also
refute the misconception that many believe today about fruitfulness (or
obedience) being nothing more than an option for "special rewards" in
heaven, but not as necessities for salvation. But if that be true
then what did Jesus mean by the unfruitful branch being "thrown away"
and "cast... into the fire" (v. 6)? And what did the Hebrew
writer mean in Hebrews 5:9 by saying that Jesus "...became to all those
who obey Him the source of eternal salvation"? Clearly, meeting
God's conditions (through obedience) is necessary. For Jesus
says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the
kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in
heaven" (Matt. 7:21). Since this is so, notice Paul's prayer for the
Colossians: "For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we
have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with
the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all
respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His
glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience;
joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in
the inheritance of the saints in light" (Col. 1:9-12). To not
strive to be fruitful would put one in the same category as the
non-Christians; and, as Peter shows in 2 Peter 1:6, that would make one
"useless." The only other place where this particular Greek word
for "useless" in 2 Peter 1:6 is used is over in James 2:20, which
states, "But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that
faith without works is useless?" So just as faith without works
is useless, even so a Christian becomes useless when his life is
unfruitful. This truth is also shown in Titus 1:16, where Paul
speaks of those who "...profess to know God, but by their deeds they
deny Him, being detestable and disobedient, and worthless for any good
deed." So we must always strive to be active and productive in
the kingdom of God, as Paul urges, as well, in Titus 3:14: "Our people
must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that
they will not be unfruitful."
The condition of those who would be running short on these virtues in 2
Peter 1:5-7 isn't a good one. Peter says, "For he who lacks these
qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification
from his former sins." We can infer from this passage that to
truly see spiritually, we must be developing these virtues of 2 Peter
1:5-7 in our lives. For to not do so, will cause us to be
spiritually blind or have our spiritual vision impaired. And not
only that, but it can also make us forgetful -- and a forgetfulness of
the worst kind -- to have actually forgotten the time when our sins
were blotted out by the blood of Christ. Similarly, we think of
the time in which Israel of old is referred to as having forgotten
about God -- even after He had done so much for them. But by
their going into transgression, it was as if they had forgotten all
about Him. May that not be the case with us. Rather, let us
always strive to live for the Lord, developing the virtues of 2 Peter
1:5-7, that we might be of good use for our Master in heaven -- and be
ever mindful of Him.
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News & Notes
For those of us who are Christians, let us continue praying for the
following people:
Danny Holton, who has
pancreatic cancer in the 4th stage. After seeking a second
opinion from another doctor, Danny was told the same as the first. They
do not recommend chemotherapy.
Anthony Branton, Ken
Robertson's
nephew, who recently had surgery in New Orleans for
Crohn's disease. Though initially the surgeon's intention
was to remove just several inches of the large intestine, during the
procedure, the surgeon soon found that Anthony's condition had been
much worse than originally thought. So it turned out that all of
his large intestine had to be removed. Anthony is only 28 years
old.
R.J. Evans, who is now on his
third type of antibiotic to try to lower his PSA level (which can be
indicative toward prostate cancer). Though the doctor
thinks it is probably just an infection, rather than anything more
serious, it is always good to be precautious with prayer.
Cheryl Crews, who has had to
miss many services over the last couple months, due to an intestinal
infection and other physical problems.
Shirley Young, who often
suffers with fibromyalgia. This had acted up again recently
giving her much pain.
Peggy Lefort, who has recently
become ill with an infection.
Jean Calloway, who has physical
ailments. She continues to be on oxygen -- and uses the portable
type when she can be with us at church.
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The Steps That Lead to Eternal Salvation
1) Hear the gospel,
for that is how faith comes (Rom. 10:17; John 20:30,31).
2) Believe in the
deity of Christ (John 8:24; John 3:18).
3) Repent of sins
(Luke 13:5; Acts 17:30).
4) Confess faith in Christ
(Rom. 10:9,10; Acts 8:36-38).
5) Be baptized in water
for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3,4;
Gal. 3:26,27; 1 Pet. 3:21).
6) Continue in the faith;
for,
if
not,
salvation
can
be
lost
(Heb.
10:36-39;
Rev.
2:10;
2
Pet.
2:20-22).
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Park Forest
CHURCH OF CHRIST
9923 Sunny Cline Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70817
Sunday services: 9:00 AM (Bible class); 10 AM & 6 PM (worship)
Tuesday: 7 PM (Bible class)
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
Tom@ThomasTEdwards.com
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/go (Gospel Observer website)
http://ThomasTEdwards.com/audioser.html (audio sermons)