Ed Urzi

“Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have” (2 Peter 1:12).

Vince Lombardi was an American Football coach who led his teams to seven championships over the course of his head coaching career. Lombardi’s first step in installing a new offensive play was to ensure that his players thoroughly understood the underlying concept behind it. He meticulously diagrammed each play on a chalkboard to provide his team with a visual representation of his objective. He then detailed each player’s responsibility and articulated what would happen if the player failed to execute his assignment.

Lombardi then moved his players to the practice field. Once his players mastered the fundamentals of a play in practice, they often heard the legendary coach bark out the following command: “Run it again.” Each player then lined up to run the play again. They would continue to do so until they executed the play so well, it was virtually unstoppable.

In one sense, the Apostle Peter will run “the same play again” with his readers beginning here in 2 Peter 1:12. For instance, we will encounter the following affirmations over the course of the next few verses…

• “I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things” (verse twelve).
• “Yes, I think it is right …to stir you up by reminding you” (verse thirteen).
• “…I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things…” (verse fifteen).

Peter felt a strong sense of responsibility concerning the importance of these things. In fact, Peter feared he might be guilty of negligence if he failed to remind his readers of them. This brings us to another point regarding Vince Lombardi’s coaching philosophy. You see, Coach Lombardi’s play designs held little value as long as they remained on a chalkboard. To fulfill their purpose, those plays had to be practiced on the field and executed successfully against a real opponent in game action.

In a similar manner, this portion of Scripture reminds us of the need to act upon the Biblical truths we learn. Paul the Apostle echoed a similar theme in two of his New Testament epistles…

“…I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder” (Romans 15:15 NLT).

“It’s no trouble for me to repeat the same things to you because they will help keep you on track” (Philippians 3:1 CEB).

Thus, we should seek to become well acquainted with the Biblical Scriptures and act upon them in the contest of life.

Image Credit: LearningLark, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11).

While the characteristic qualities described in 2 Peter 1:5-7 are important, we cannot gain access to heaven based on those attributes. Our only path to salvation lies in placing our faith in Christ alone (2 Corinthians 5:21). However, these qualities help reflect the authenticity of our faith and serve to assure us that we “…will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (NIV).

One commentary offers a helpful summary of this idea: “Peter refers here not to the fact of our entry but to the manner of it. The only basis of admission to the heavenly kingdom is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But some will have a more abundant entrance than others.” ₍₁₎ So those who diligently pursue these qualities receive an eternal reward, along with the temporal benefits of a good reputation and the satisfaction that accompanies a God-honoring life.

“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” (2 Peter 1:12).

Almost every student, musician, or athlete is familiar with the Apostle Peter’s methodology in this passage. You see, Peter did not furnish any new instructions to the recipients of this letter. Instead, he reminded his readers of their need to act on the things they already knew. Peter thus assumed the role of a teacher or coach who guides others in practicing the skills they’ve already learned.

Much like a musician who plays scales, a student who memorizes key facts, or an athlete who warms up before a contest, this is a necessary discipline. It is not a matter of learning how to do something, but a matter of practicing what we already know. This also underscores the importance of reading a portion of God’s Word each day. Even though we may be familiar with various Biblical passages, it’s helpful to reacquaint ourselves with those truths to ensure that we continue to apply them.

This is consistent with the directive given to us in Romans 12:2, a well-known portion of Scripture that is enhanced by the following translation…

“Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity” (Romans 12:2 Phillips).

(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad, Thomas Nelson Publishers [pg. 2288]

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin” (2 Peter 1:10 NET).

The following author lists a series of questions that can help us “make every effort to confirm [our] calling and election” (CSB)…

“…[W]hat will serve as evidence of genuine conversion? What can give real assurance to a real believer? We can list three categories of questions that a person could ask of himself or herself.

1. Do I Have a Present Trust in Christ for Salvation?

“…[A] person should ask himself or herself, ‘Do I today have trust in Christ to forgive my sins and take me without blame into heaven forever? Do I have confidence in my heart that he has saved me? If I were to die tonight and stand before God’s judgment seat, and if he were to ask me why he should let me into heaven, would I begin to think of my good deeds and depend on them, or would I without hesitation say that I am depending on the merits of Christ and am confident that he is a sufficient Savior?…”

2. Is There Current Evidence of a Regenerating Work of the Holy Spirit in My Heart?

“…[I]f the Holy Spirit is genuinely at work in our lives, he will be producing the kind of… character traits that Paul calls ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:22). He lists several attitudes and character traits that are produced by the Holy Spirit: ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control’ (Gal. 5:22-23). Of course, the question is not ‘Do I perfectly exemplify all of these characteristics in my life?’ but rather ‘Are these things a general characteristic of my life?…'”

3. Do I See a Long-Term Pattern of Growth in My Christian Life?

“…But Peter gives one more kind of test that we can use to ask whether we are genuinely believers. He tells us that there are some character traits which, if we keep on increasing in them, will guarantee that we will ‘never fall’ (2 Peter 1:10). He tells his readers to add to their faith ‘virtue . . . knowledge . . . self-control . . . steadfastness … godliness … brotherly affection … love’ (2 Peter 1 :5-7).”

“…The way that we confirm our call and election, then, is to continue to grow in ‘these qualities.’ This implies that our assurance of salvation can be something that increases over time in our lives. Every year that we add to these character traits in our lives, we gain greater and greater assurance of our salvation.” ₍₁₎

(1) Excerpted from Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, Ml: Zondervan Academic, 2020).[pp. 33-38]

“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Peter 1:10).

The word “therefore” signifies a transition from teaching or idea to a corresponding action or behavior whenever it appears within the Scriptures. In this instance, our author is about to conclude his discourse on the subject of Godly virtues with a plan of action for implementing them. This leads us to a highly contested portion of this letter: “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure.”

We can open our look at this passage by turning to the Biblical letter to the Ephesians for help in defining “election”…

“For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love. He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will” (Ephesians 1:4-5 NET).

With this in mind, a few observations from the following sources help bring clarity to this passage…

“The author is not saying that virtue and holiness produce salvation, but that virtue and holiness are the evidence of salvation.” ₍₁₎

“What ‘make certain about His calling and choosing you’ does mean, is that by pursuing Christian growth, we give evidence that He really did call and choose us. The uncalled and unchosen have no desire to become useful and fruitful by growing in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 8).” ₍₂₎

“Assurance of God’s call comes through the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s influence in our lives as it produces good works (Gal. 5:22–24; 1 John 3:10, 14), in conjunction with the internal testimony of the Spirit in our hearts (Rom. 8:16; Gal. 4:6). We grow in our assurance of our election and salvation as we see spiritual fruit in our lives.” ₍₃₎

“How can we be sure that we are called by God unto salvation, that we are His elect? By doing these things spoken of in verses 5-7; by conforming our lives to His life; by entering into that process whereby we are conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).” ₍₄₎

Thus, we can make our call and election sure in the sense given to us in the following excerpt from the New Testament book of 1 John…

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7 NIV).

(1) NET Bible notes on 2 Peter 1:10 https://classic.net.bible.org/bible.php?book=2Pet&chapter=1&mode=print

(2) Constable, Thomas. DD. “Notes on 2 Peter 2024 Edition” (1:10) Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable. https://www.planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/html/nt/2peter/2peter.htm

(3) R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 2256.

(4) See Guzik, Dave, 2 Peter 1 – The Sure Christian Life https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-peter-1/

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

Shortsightedness (or myopeia) is a common eye condition that causes distant objects to appear blurry or indistinct. Those who suffer from this condition have difficulty viewing signs, landmarks, or similar items at a distance because their eyes do not focus such images properly. Corrective lenses can often help those individuals gain better vision by refocusing faraway images at a correct point within the eye.

However, this word has an alternate definition that is unrelated to any physical ailment. You see, “shortsightedness” can also refer to “a lack of prudence and care by someone in the management of resources.” ₍₁₎ Each of these definitions are relevant to our text from 2 Peter 1:9.

We can begin by noting that this verse describes a person whose spiritual vision is limited, or compromised. Much like a person with a visual impairment, a spiritually shortsighted person fails to focus on the truths that were given to us earlier in this letter…

“By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2 Peter 1:3-4).

Our second definition prompts us to adopt a long-term perspective, for it highlights the need to prioritize our choices with eternity in mind. If we place our focus on the acquisition of temporal things (such as material wealth, social status, or financial acquisitions), we may lose sight of the vast eternity that lies in the distance. Since a spiritually shortsighted person does not “see” eternity, that individual must leave those investments behind when he or she departs from this earthly life.

In contrast, a person with good spiritual vision is someone who embraces Jesus’ message from Matthew 6:19-21…

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (NIV).

Thus, we can view the Biblical Scriptures as a set of “corrective lenses” that enable us to see the world before us and the distant future with genuine clarity.

(1) shortsightedness. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved June 3 2024 from https://www.thefreedictionary.com/shortsightedness

“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8 HCSB).

Gene Roddenberry was a prolific television screenwriter who is best known as the creator of Star Trek, the multi-media franchise that has attracted untold numbers of devotees throughout the world. As Roddenberry transitioned from a career in law enforcement to his new profession as a full-time screenwriter, he exchanged a series of letters with a friend named Erle Stanley Gardner.

Gardner had gained widespread recognition as the creator of Perry Mason, the renowned fictional attorney, and served as a mentor for the aspiring dramatist. In one of his letters to Gardner, Roddenberry accurately captured the aspirations of many in life: “He talked of the important things in life — ‘freedom to create, explore, travel, plus a comfortable income and some [professional] challenge.'” ₍₁₎

Undoubtedly, those ambitions are all that many seek to achieve in life. But any such objective that neglects to factor God into the daily equation of life may hold little or no significance beyond the confines of our earthly existence.

These considerations are important, for no reasonable person seeks to live a meaningless life. The quest for a meaningful and purposeful life is something that resonates with virtually everyone, for every rational person wants his or her life to count for something. No sensible person wants to approach the end of his or her life with the following thought: “I’ve accomplished nothing with my life- I’ve done nothing that has produced anything of lasting value.”

That sentiment was held by Phillip III, king of France, who allegedly said at the end of his life, “What an account I shall have to give to God! How I should like to live otherwise than I have lived.” This reminds us that we can choose from among many ideologies and philosophies that allow us to entertain the illusory belief that we are pursuing “the important things in life.” But apart from Christianity, those avenues never really get us anywhere. In fact, the Bible devotes an entire book to that very subject.

So how can we ensure that our lives have lasting significance? One way to achieve that goal is by working to develop the characteristic qualities outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7: knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. The more we do so, “…the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (NLT).

(1) Cushman, Marc. These Are the Voyages -TOS: Season One  ©2013 Marc Cushman, Jacobs/Brown Press [pg. 8]

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

2 Peter 1:5-7 presents us with a catalog of Godly virtues that serve to produce the results given to us here in verse eight. Those virtues consist of moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and unselfish love. A follower of Jesus who possesses these qualities and prayerfully seeks to cultivate them is someone who is sure to lead a meaningful and purposeful life.

You see, these attributes will prohibit us from living the kind of life that is useless (AMP), complacent (Phillips), ineffective (NET), or unfruitful (CEB) according to the passage quoted above. This Biblical reference to fruitfulness also illustrates a cause-and-effect relationship. When used in this context, the words “fruit” and “result” are virtually synonymous.

Just as we can identify a tree by the type of fruit it bears, we can learn much about the character of others by observing the outcomes that arise from their choices and behaviors. Those who prayerfully seek to develop these qualities will surely demonstrate these characteristics to an increasing degree. Such is the fruit that grows from a life that reflects these God-honoring traits.

One version of this passage renders this idea in a positive fashion: “If you have these qualities and they are increasing, it demonstrates that your knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ is living and productive” (GW). However, these qualities are not only good; they’re also necessary. If we do not move forward and grow in these characteristics, we will effectively fall behind.

Here’s why: Each new day offers a fresh opportunity to learn, develop, and allow ourselves to be used by God. With this in mind, let’s consider the following question: who is likely to have a greater opportunity to be productive in God’s service? Is it likely to be the person who is steadily growing in these God-honoring qualities, or someone who is lacking in these virtues? The obvious answer is the person in our first example.

If we are diligently working to add these characteristics to our faith, God may present us with greater avenues of service, thus preventing us from living wasted, unproductive lives. Jesus’ explanation regarding His use of parables as a teaching method is also relevant to this discussion: “Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him” (Matthew 13:12 NIV).

We’ll consider this concept at greater length in our next study.

“and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love” (2 Peter 1:7 ESV).

In the original language of the New Testament Scriptures, the word agape is the most commonly used term for “love.” According to one source, “It involves deep respect for a person, recognizing the value and interests of that person, and caring for him or her as a person of genuine worth.” ₍₁₎ This is the type of love referenced here in 2 Peter 1:7.

Agape love is not necessarily reflected by a feeling, emotion, or external display of affection. Instead, it is distinguished by a willingness to love and a commitment to prioritize the well-being of others, even in the absence of an emotional attachment. Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to assume that this type of love is entirely devoid of emotion.

You see, this word also incorporates the idea of affection, good will, and benevolence, ₍₂₎ as well as the qualities of generosity, kindly concern, and devotedness. ₍₃₎ This represents a selfless type of love that does not ask for anything in return. It involves a commitment to love someone and promote that person’s well-being, even if he or she declines to respond in a similar manner.

Those who demonstrate love in this fashion do so from their own volition. In contrast to a relationship where one partner is willing to “love” as long as that love is reciprocated, this type of love endures even if there is a lack of an emotional response.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember that “love” should never be mistaken for naivety or gullibility. Love does not prohibit us from being realistic about others, nor does it obligate us to tolerate any sort of behavior. Instead, genuine love accepts the truth about others (even if that truth is painful) and prayerfully seeks God’s mercy, grace, and correction for their lives.

While the circumstances may differ for each individual, the following question can help identify a loving response:: “What is in the best interest of others from God’s perspective?” Unfortunately, the answer to that question may lead to some hard decisions. Nevertheless, love is willing to set aside an emotional preference in favor of what is best for someone else.

This response is far removed from the shallow view of love that is often promoted through various memes and social media posts. A person who is prayerfully motivated by God’s love for us is someone who can fulfill the mandate given to us in this passage. These realities should guide, direct, and inform our expressions of love for others.

(1) Institute For Creation Research, Defenders Bible Notes 2 Peter 1:7 https://www.icr.org/bible/2Pet/1/7/

(2) G26 agape Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g26/kjv/tr/0-1/

(3) G26 agape Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/agape

“to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Peter 1:7).

As we approach the end of our list of Christian virtues from 2 Peter 1:5-7, we now come to ” brotherly kindness.” This phrase is expressed by the word philadelphia in the original language of this passage, “Philadelphia” is subsequently derived from the ancient Greek word phileo, a word that conveys a sense of approval and friendliness. ₍₁₎

Thus, we can understand this idea to refer to the familial love and affection that should exist among God’s people. However, this also means that our church families may sometimes resemble our biological or adoptive families in certain respects. While there may be occasions when our relationships within the family of God are not as harmonious as we desire, this underlying sense of “mutual affection” (NIV) must continue to guide those interactions.

The New Testament Scriptures offer several ways to convey these qualities. For instance…

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10).

“…there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25).

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

“…all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8-9).

“Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5).

That brings us to the final characteristic mentioned here: love. This word derives from the ancient Greek word agape and appears more than one hundred times in the New Testament Scriptures. It is also found in every New Testament book except the Gospel of Mark and the book of Acts.

In contrast to other forms of love, agape love is not based on an emotional feeling. Instead, this type of love stems from a deliberate act of the will. It is characterized by a determination to love and a commitment to act in the best interest of others, even in the absence of an emotional feeling. Because of this, agape represents the type of love that endures, even if it is not reciprocated. We’ll continue our look at this form of love (and what it represents) in our next study.

(1) G5368 phileo Thayer’s Greek Definitions https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5368/kjv/tr/0-1/

(1) G5368 phileo Thayer’s Greek Definitions https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5368/kjv/tr/0-1/

“and to knowledge, self-control and to self-control, perseverance and to perseverance, godliness” (2 Peter 1:6).

Along with the characteristic qualities of virtue, knowledge, and self-control, 2 Peter 1:6 introduces another essential attribute: perseverance. Perseverance is a word that expresses the qualities of steadfastness, constancy, and endurance. As a result, perseverance involves our determination to pursue God’s will in the face of challenging circumstances.

Perseverance (or patience) is a character trait that is listed among the God-honoring qualities that appear in the Biblical books of 1 Timothy (1 Timothy 6:11), 2 Thessalonians (2 Thessalonians 1:3-4), and 2 Corinthians (2 Corinthians 6:3-5). The following commentator offers some historical background on this word that is worthy of a lengthy except…

“To this self-control must be added steadfastness. The word is hupomone (G5281). Chrysostom called hupomone ‘The Queen of the Virtues.’ In the King James Version it is usually translated patience but patience is too passive a word. Hupomone, has always a background or courage. Cicero defines patientia, its Latin equivalent, as: ‘The voluntary and daily suffering of hard and difficult things, for the sake of honour and usefulness.’

Didymus of Alexandria writes on the temper of Job: ‘It is not that the righteous man must be without feeling, although he must patiently bear the things which afflict him but it is true virtue when a man deeply feels the things he toils against, but nevertheless despises sorrows for the sake of God.’ Hupomone does not simply accept and endure there is always a forward look in it.

It is said of Jesus, by the writer to the Hebrews, that for the joy that was set before him, he endured the Cross, despising the shame (Heb_12:2). That is hupomone, Christian steadfastness. It is the courageous acceptance of everything that life can do to us and the transmuting of even the worst event into another step on the upward way.” ₍₁₎

This passage then concludes with a reference to godliness, or God-honoring character. As such, godliness is a quality that should guide and influence the decisions of everyday life. This may include our business practices, recreational pursuits, moral choices, family relationships, financial investments, or the way we handle sensitive information, just to name a few examples.

We cannot divorce godliness from the daily pursuits of life, for it compels us to embrace the good and shun that which is wrong in God’s sight. This does not mean that we will lead lives of sinless perfection, but it does mean that we should seek to emulate God’s character in our conduct and manner of life.

(1) Barclay, William. “Commentary on 2 Peter 1” . “William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible” . https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/2-peter-1.html. 1956-1959.