“and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).

2 Peter 2:5 offers another illustration of the fate that awaits false teachers: God did not spare the wicked inhabitants of the ancient world, but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, along with seven others.

The Old Testament book of Genesis tells us that humanity had reached an unprecedented level of wickedness in the period leading up to Noah’s flood. For instance, Genesis 6:5 tells us, “…the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” God was so grieved by this relentless display of evil that He resolved to eliminate the entire human population by means of a catastrophic flood.

Genesis 6:17 records that decision: “I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.” The only exception was “…Noah [who] found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). So the idea is this: if God punished the ancient world with such severity, there is no reason to believe that He would spare these false teachers from a similar fate.

Much like the angelic illustration given to us in the previous verse, the account of Noah’s flood serves as a precedent. It illustrates the fate of those who distort God’s Word to suit their preferences or amass financial and material wealth. This adds to the significance of Jesus’ message from Matthew 24:38-39….

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away…”

Even though 2 Peter 2:5 identifies Noah as a “preacher of righteousness,” the people of his day were indifferent to his message. Instead, they went about the normal affairs of daily life without consideration for God or His will for their lives. As a result, they never saw His judgment coming until it was too late. Thus, we are reminded of a important cautionary message from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes…

“Remember your Creator while you are young, before the bad times come–before the years come when you say, ‘I have wasted my life'” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 ERV).

“In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed” (2 Peter 2:3 NLT).

In a world where modern technology is widely used to create artificial, human-like interactions, this reference to those who invent “fabricated stories “(NIV) may seem all too familiar. This reference is derived from the word plastos in the original language of this passage and serves as the foundation for our modern-day word “plastic.” Thus, we can say that such teachers employ “plastic words” as a tool to ensnare their followers.

In addition to the word “fabricated,” other translations of this passage incorporate the words “deceptive” (NET), “made-up” (CSB), or “feigned” (KJV) to communicate this idea. One source offers a brief, but thorough, analysis of this concept…

“The word translated ‘feigned’ is plastos, from which our word plastic is derived. It properly signifies moulded, [or] formed (as from clay, wax, or stone), From this came the idea of what was formed (in the mind) and related as if true; hence, invented, fabricated, counterfeited, delusive. Feigned words, then, are words which are manufactured by the speaker (or writer) to deceive. They are seemingly useful and profitable (to the unenlightened mind) but they are hollow and useless.” ₍₁₎

This has led several commentators to observe that such teachers may use genuine Christian vocabulary, but they don’t use the same dictionary. In other words, false teachers often redefine familiar concepts like “God” or “Christ” in ways that differ from the Biblical definitions of those words. Therefore, a simple question such as “What do you mean by that?” can help uncover such deceptions when speaking with others.

Another author makes use of a courtroom scenario to emphasize this point…

“When attorneys find themselves trying to defend something untrue, they either (1) make a claim that isn’t supported by the evidence, (2) errantly redefine key terms to conform to their argument, or (3) make claims that are logically inconsistent. Listen for these three characteristics… and be ready to point out their errors with gentleness and respect.” ₍₂₎

Finally, this verse explains the why such teachers act in this manner: “to get hold of your money.” That desire might be expressed in an effort to sell merchandise, build an audience, or commercialize their endeavors in various ways. While it is good and appropriate for ministries to make their financial needs known in a respectful, God-honoring manner, there is no place for greed, coercion, or manipulation in the pursuit of financial support.

(1) Bruce Oberst, Letters From Peter. College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Copyright 1962 pg. 162

(2) Wallace, J. W. (2017). Forensic Faith. pg. 187

The Apostle Peter concluded verse three by assuring his readers of God’s judgment upon false teachers. Now he will back that statement with several examples beginning in verse four…

“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2 Peter 2:4).

This passage implies that certain demonic entities have been confined to imprisonment until the time of their final sentence. That leads us to the following conclusion: if God intends to punish sinful angels who surpass human beings in power and ability, then false teachers will not evade such consequences, either.

This brings us to an interesting aspect of this passage. You see, most Biblical references to “hell” are derived from the word Gehenna in the original language of the New Testament. Gehenna is the Greek form of a Hebrew word that means “the valley of Hinnom.” In Israel, the Hinnom Valley once served as the place where the ancient Israelites sacrificed their infant children to a pagan deity named Molech. ₍₁₎

In the New Testament era, the Hinnom Valley was used as a designated landfill for the city of Jerusalem. All the refuse generated by the city eventually found its way to that location. It also functioned as a place of final disposal for dead animals, the bodies of executed criminals, and the human waste generated by the residents of the city. Fires burned continuously within the valley in order to consume that tremendous amount of daily refuse. Taken together, these elements made the Hinnom Valley suitable for use as an illustration of hell. All that is unfit for heaven will eventually find its way there.

However, the word translated “hell” here in 2 Peter 2:4 is unique to this passage. That word is tartarus, a word borrowed from Greek mythology. Tartarus was depicted in ancient literature as a realm that was far below Hades, the abode of those who had passed from this life. It was there within the depths of Tartarus that the most vile and wicked beings received eternal punishment for their deeds.

Tartarus was portrayed as a dark abyss, a place of torment, incarceration, and eternal darkness. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this is the word-picture that Peter associated with the ultimate fate of false teachers. Though God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), His justice (2 Thessalonians 1:5–9) requires punishment for false teaching- and 2 Peter 2:4 illustrates the severity of that penalty.

(1) See Leviticus 20:1-5, 2 Chronicles 28:1-3, and 2 Kings 23:10 for references to this practice.

“And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Peter 2:3 ESV).

The word “exploit” refers to the act of taking advantage of others in a selfish or unethical manner. The Biblical definition of this word relates to those who use a person or a thing for personal gain. ₍₁₎ As a result, this passage associates false teachers with those who victimize others instead of fulfilling their responsibility to minister to those who have been entrusted to their care.

This portion of Scripture thus alerts us to the manipulative nature of these individuals. That warning was echoed by others within the ancient church who wrestled with such teachers as well. For example, Ignatius, the bishop of the ancient city of Antioch, is said to have delivered a message to the church of Smyrna that remains relevant to this day…

“Now note well those who hold heretical opinions about the grace of Jesus Christ which came to us; note how contrary they are to the mind of God. They have no concern for love, none for the widow, none for the orphan, none for the oppressed, none for the prisoner or the one released, none for the hungry or thirsty… Therefore, those who deny the good gift of God perish in their contentiousness…

It is proper therefore, to avoid such people and not to speak about them either privately or publicly. Do pay attention, however to the prophets and especially to the gospel, in which the Passion has been made clear to us and the resurrection has been accomplished. Flee from divisions, as the beginning of evils.” ₍₂₎

In light of these things, our text from 2 Peter 2:3 tells us that such teachers fail to acknowledge the inherent dignity of human beings who are created in the image of God. As a result, they feel free to conduct themselves in an exploitative manner. But the following excerpt from the book of the Old Testament prophet Micah reveals God’s attitude towards those who travel that path…

“What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so. When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance. But this is what the Lord says: ‘I will reward your evil with evil; you won’t be able to pull your neck out of the noose. You will no longer walk around proudly, for it will be a terrible time’” (Micah 2:1-3 NLT).

Therefore, we can be assured that those who abuse their influence or authority to exploit others under the guise of religion will answer to God for their actions.

(1) G1710 – emporeuomai – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1710/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) Holmes, M. W. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. Baker Academic. pp. 255, 257

“By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:3).

Our text from 2 Peter 2:3 references “covetousness” as a representative characteristic of false teachers. This word encompasses a wide variety of inappropriate desires and is often associated with its presence within the Ten Commandments: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17).

Many translations of this passage employ the word “greed” to convey the idea behind this term. You see, “covetousness” refers to a self-indulgent desire to obtain more of something we already possess. It may also encompass a desire to possess something (or someone) that belongs to someone else. This word is thus used to identify one who is eager to have more, especially what belongs to others. ₍₁₎

The New Testament book of Hebrews cautions us against developing an attitude of covetousness when it tells us, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Hebrews 13:5). Paul the Apostle issued a corresponding reminder to the church at Ephesus when he said, “For this you know, that no… covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5).

Jesus also provided us with a warning regarding covetousness, one that revealed the misguided ambitions of those who are driven to accumulate financial wealth and/or material possessions: “…He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses'” (Luke 12:15).

The Biblical letter of 2 Corinthians echoes a similar message from Paul regarding those who pursue financial gain under the guise of religion…

“You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us” (2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT).

So, these false teachers took advantage of their followers in order to enrich themselves. ₍₂₎ The same is true among their modern-day counterparts. A genuine Biblical leader will always point others towards Christ. If a leader’s primary focus is on money or something else, then we must exercise caution to ensure we do not fall prey to various forms of exploitation.

(1) G4123 – pleonektes – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4123/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) See Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 1696.

“And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Peter 2:2).

As fallible human beings, it is often difficult to see things as they are, and not as we wish them to be. For instance, spiritual leaders who are popular, eloquent, or personable may naturally garner our respect and admiration. As a result, we may be inclined to overlook doctrinal heresies in their messages because we want to believe they are well-intentioned individuals who are simply mistaken in certain areas. However, such teachings are inherently destructive, no matter how much we’d like to believe otherwise.

Consider Jesus’ cautionary message regarding the narrow gate that leads to eternal life and the warning that immediately follows…

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:13-15).

The Apostle Peter tells us that many will elect to follow the destructive ways of such “ravenous wolves.” Unfortunately, a decision to follow that path impacts others as well. 2 Peter 2:2 highlights one such effect when it tells us that false teachers and their followers will “… bring discredit on the way of truth” (Phillips).

While the world has changed since Peter first wrote this epistle, one thing remains the same: people judge Christ by those who claim to represent Him. False teachers give genuine Christianity a bad name, for they not only spread destructive heresies among naïve or uniformed Christians, but may lead those outside the Christian community to dishonor (GW), slander (CEB), or blaspheme (ESV) the way of truth.

You see, those outside the church may look upon the conduct of such teachers and find an excuse to malign the God they claim to represent. Paul the Apostle addressed a similar issue in his epistle to the Romans when he said, “You are so proud of knowing God’s laws, but you dishonor him by breaking them. No wonder the Scriptures say that the world speaks evil of God because of you” (Romans 2:23-24 TLB).

Non-Christians are often highly skilled in identifying religious leaders who are not what they appear to be. With this in mind, we would do well to take an outsider’s perspective in evaluating spiritual teachers (as well as ourselves) for areas where others might legitimately find fault.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).

2 Peter 2:1 identifies another characteristic of false teachers: they deny the sovereign Lord who bought them. In a general sense, this tells us that such teachers do not teach the truth about Christ. This leads us to a simple and effective method to help identify false teachers. One of the fastest ways to uncover what someone truly believes about Christianity is to simply ask, “Who is Jesus?”

For instance, there are self-proclaimed Christian organizations that believe Jesus was “a” God. While that belief may seem unobjectionable at first glance, it does not correspond with what we read in the Scriptures. You see, Jesus isn’t simply a god, He is the God (John 1:1, Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13). This reiterates an important point from an earlier study: a key characteristic of many heretical teachings is the denial of Jesus’ divinity.

The heretical teachers of 2 Peter 2:1 professed to be Christians in word but denied the Lord who bought them in deed. While this portion of Scripture does not specify the doctrines these teachers denied, it clearly involved one or more aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry. In other words, their doctrine and conduct revealed their profession of faith in Christ to be fraudulent. Perhaps we might say that He bought them, but they never bought Him.

This portion of Scripture also refers to the fact that these teachers will “bring swift destruction on themselves.” The word rendered “swift” in this passage is tachinos in the original language of this verse. Other forms of this word are translated “soon” in Revelation 1:1 and “speedily” in Luke 18:8. This word also forms the basis for our modern-day word “tachometer.”

A tachometer is a gauge that monitors the revolutions per minute (or “RPM”) in an internal combustion engine. This suggests that the destruction of these heretical teachers may not take place immediately. But once that judgment begins, it will gather momentum rapidly, just like a tachometer measures the escalating speed of an engine. Thus, in the words of one source, “Man brings upon himself the vengeance which God brings upon him.” ₍₁₎

Finally, we should remember that Peter once denied Jesus three times at an earlier point in his life. Therefore, he speaks with the voice of experience in counseling his readers to beware of such individuals.

(1) Jamieson, F. a. B. (2000, February 19). Commentary on 2 Peter 2. Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/2Pe/2Pe_002.cfm

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1 ESV).

This passage and its reference to those who “secretly bring in destructive heresies” helps unveil a strategy employed by heretical teachers. But unlike their first-century counterparts, modern-day false teachers can easily reach countless numbers of individuals through the use of 21st century technology.

Social media, broadcast media, and streaming media represent some of the more prominent transmission paths for such teachings. Other, traditional forms of communication include books, magazines, and face-to-face interaction. Then, as now, these methods permit false teachers to “subtly introduce dangerous heresies” (Phillips). The difference is that such teachers now have the ability to exploit modern technology to market and deliver such messages with greater effectiveness.

Thus, it is important to read the Scriptures regularly in order to fulfill the principle given to us in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (MEV). If we neglect to engage regularly with God’s Word, the risk of being ensnared by such teachers becomes even greater.

That brings us to a lengthy excerpt from the following source that merits close attention. While the author’s definition of “false teaching” occasionally strays into the realm of subjective opinion in secondary areas where others may hold different (but valid) doctrinal beliefs, the following observations are on point…

“One of the most common contributors to the spread of false teaching in the church is a general lack of Bible knowledge and discernment among the people. It might seem counterintuitive to say that students should be able to correct teachers when they bring falsehood into the church, but that is exactly what the Bible teaches us. When Paul was in Berea, his teaching was not merely accepted on his own authority, but his listeners examined it daily by the Scriptures to see whether it was true (Acts 17:11). For this, they were praised by Luke as being ‘more noble.’

All believers must read the Scriptures for themselves and compare what is being taught to the Scriptures. This does not require a radical skepticism, but it does mean that believers are not to unhesitatingly trust every word of mere men. They are to trust only the Scriptures in such a way. A problem arises when believers do not have the willingness or the ability to search the Scriptures for themselves. This leads to a dependence on human authority and allows false teaching to take root and spread. The educational goal of the church should be not just to transmit knowledge of the Bible but also to transmit a love for the Bible and an eagerness to study it.” ₍₁₎

(1) The Origin and Presence of False Teaching | Tabletalk. (2022, March 5). Tabletalk. https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2018/04/origin-presence-false-teaching/

“But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves. (2 Peter 2:1 NET).

Our text from 2 Peter 2:1 speaks of false teachers “…who will subtly introduce dangerous heresies” (Phillips). A “heresy” is a belief or teaching that does not correspond with Biblical doctrine. For example, God may not be depicted as an eternal, all-powerful Being. Instead, He may be portrayed as an entity who has achieved a higher state of consciousness. Other aberrant teachings characterize God as a life-force or a spirit that encompasses everything and everyone.

In addition, heretical teachings often give greater (or equal authority) to a revelation or a book other than the Bible. This is reflective of groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Scientists, or the various branches of Mormonism. Each of these groups self-identify as “Christian” but base many of their teachings on other religious texts.

Finally, heresies often represent Jesus as someone other than who He is. For instance, He may be seen as a created being or someone who has attained the so-called “Christ consciousness.” Or perhaps He is simply viewed as another messianic figure among many. A key characteristic of many heretical teachings is a denial of Jesus’ divinity.

Much like a stealth fighter jet, those who promote such teachings deploy them secretly. It’s not that these aberrant teachings remain hidden; on the contrary, those who hold such beliefs often do so openly. The issue is that their destructive nature is frequently disguised by a religious façade. Such heresies misrepresent the truth about God and circumvent our ability to establish a relationship with Him in Christ.

The Scriptures consistently warn us regarding such things. In addition to what we read here in the book of 2 Peter, a portion of the Biblical book of Romans offers another example…

“Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away from the Christian faith by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them. People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people” (Romans 16:17-18 GW).

As another commentary observes…

“Even a broken clock is correct twice a day, or so the saying goes. False teaching is particularly dangerous because rarely will false teachers speak no truth at all. That truth is spoken on occasion, however, does not make one approved by God, for even the vilest of sinners have the capability to know and teach true things because they bear the image of the One who is Truth. Remember to take into account the motivations of your teachers as well as the words they speak.”₍₁₎

(1) “Gain From Wrongdoing.” Tabletalk, August 4, 2005. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/gain-wrongdoing.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

God’s Word offers a great deal of insight into many of the spiritual dangers we may encounter. Our text from 2 Peter 2:1 serves as a case in point, for It highlights the deceptive nature of those who present themselves as spiritual leaders, but are not what they seem.

You see, a dynamic or charismatic speaker may sound convincing, but convincing speakers aren’t always sincere or Biblically accurate. Because of this, it’s important to measure such teachings against the Scriptures.

2 Peter chapter two offers a wealth of information that can help us in that effort. The first bit of information is straightforward: “there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you.” Just as false prophets emerged in the Old Testament era, false teachers also arose in the New Testament era and persist to this day.

Much like the New Testament letter of 2 Peter,  the Old Testament book of the prophet Jeremiah highlights the characteristics and methods employed by spiritual hucksters. According to Jeremiah 23:16-40, those qualities included…

• Messages that devalued their listeners (Jeremiah 23:16).
• “Prophetic messages” that were conceived in the prophet’s own mind (Jeremiah 23:16).
• Messages that falsely proclaimed peace and safety to those in spiritual danger (Jeremiah 23:17).
• “Prophecies” from those who had not been called by God (Jeremiah 23:21).
• Lying in God’s name (Jeremiah 23:25).
• Deceitfulness (Jeremiah 23:26).
• False teachings that were accepted and propagated by others (Jeremiah 23:27).
• Speaking falsely in God’s name (Jeremiah 23:31).
• Recklessness (Jeremiah 23:32).
• Pronouncements offered no spiritual value and led others into error (Jeremiah 23:32).
• Perversions of God’s Word (Jeremiah 23:36 [see also Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Deuteronomy 18:20-22, and Micah 3:5-11]).

Another indictment is found in the book of the prophet Isaiah…

“But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filth; No place is clean” (Isaiah 28:7-8).

Therefore, we should not be content to simply accept those who sound “religious” and quote verses from the Bible. In the words of one commentator, “History, the apostle says, is going to repeat itself. Just as the Mosaic dispensation had its false prophets, you will have your false teachers – those who inculcate false doctrines.” ₍₁₎

(1) Bruce Oberst, Letters From Peter. College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Copyright 1962 pg. 159

Earlier in chapter one of this epistle, the Apostle Peter shared one of his objectives in writing this letter: “I know that I shall soon put off this mortal body, as our Lord Jesus Christ plainly told me. I will do my best, then, to provide a way for you to remember these matters at all times after my death” (2 Peter 1:12-15 GNT). One of “these matters” involves the subject of 2 Peter chapter two: false teachers.

Having assured his readers that his testimony regarding Christ was no myth or fable (2 Peter 1:16), Peter next moved to affirm the reliability of God’s Word (2 Peter 1:20-21). Now, he will turn his attention to the characteristics and methods associated with false teachers, thus equipping his readers (both ancient and modern) with the tools to identify them.

As we move through this chapter and its portrait of false teachers, we will find several broad applications. For instance, this portion of Scripture tells us that false teachers…

• Will always exist.
• Secretly introduce destructive heresies.
• Deny the one true God in some way.
• Will draw many followers.
• Misrepresent the God of the Scriptures, thus providing an opportunity for others to blaspheme and reject Him.
• Seek to exploit others.
• Act deceptively.
• Are sensual, rather than spiritual.
• Exhibit greed.
• Despise authority.
• Act presumptuously.
• Are self-willed.
• Speak evil of things they don’t understand.
• Are driven by their lower natures.
• Prioritize the pursuit of pleasure in a brazen manner.
• Subvert the gatherings of God’s people.
• Prey upon unstable individuals.
• Are sexually immoral.
• Are eloquent and well-spoken.
• Promise much, but deliver little.

Therefore, it is vital to recognize that these individuals are not simply misguided members of God’s church. Unlike the Biblical example of Apollos, an accurate and eloquent preacher whose knowledge of God’s work was simply incomplete, the teachers mentioned here in 2 Peter chapter two are heretics. In light of this, it is important to make a critical distinction…

“While there is some doctrinal diversity among all Christian churches and denominations, true Christianity will always be unified on the essential doctrines of the Christian faith – particularly on the message of salvation by grace through faith and the fundamental nature, attributes, and identity of God. A cult of Christianity, however, will usually look Christian to the casual observer. They will self-identify as Christian and may be composed of good people doing good works and using Christian vocabulary. Nevertheless, a theological cult of Christianity will depart from one or more of the essential doctrines of the faith.” ₍₁₎

(1) Walker, James K. “Patterns in the Cults.” Watchman Fellowship Profile. Accessed June 21, 2024. https://www.watchman.org/ProfilePatterns.pdf.

“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” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

If God wished to convey a message to His creation through the written word, how could He authenticate that message to prove His authorship? One way He could do so involves an act that transcends the limits of human capability: foretelling future events with 100% accuracy before they occur. By examining the fulfillment of predictive prophecy, we can establish the Bible’s credibility as the Word of God.

The Apostle Peter thus affirmed the fact that these prophetic statements were not of human origin. These Biblical declarations were not the product of human thinking or imagination, nor did they emerge from the prophet’s own volition. Instead, these Scriptural prophecies found their origin in a message from God to each Biblical author, and He assumes responsibility for every word that appears in their original writings. This serves to explain the cautionary message given to us in Proverbs 30:6: “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

Next, we have a reference to “holy men of God.” This does not mean that the Biblical prophets were superior to other men and women of God. In fact, the New Testament book of James reveals that the great prophet Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (James 5:17). As such, he was susceptible to the same vulnerabilities and weaknesses as anyone else. In this context, the word “holy” conveys the idea of someone who is set apart for a specific office (like the role of a Biblical prophet).

The Biblical book of 2 Timothy offers further insight into this concept when it tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV). The idea is that God “breathed-out” the Scriptures using the Biblical writers as His agents. God is responsible for that content, and each Biblical author wrote what he received from Him.

Finally, one source concludes our look at 2 Peter chapter one with a recap of what we’ve discussed so far, as well as a look at the path that lies ahead…

“In these verses then Peter has made it possible… for his readers to recognize a false prophet when they see one. Now in chapter two he will become more blunt.” ₍₁₎

(1) Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2622.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV).

2 Peter 1:20-21 offers a glimpse into the mechanics of Biblical inspiration and how that process took place. To gain a better understanding of this concept, let’s consider the example of a sailboat as it moves across a lake. Just as the wind fills the sails of a sailboat to move it over the surface of the water, so God also moved the Biblical authors in communicating His message.

The Apostle Peter used a nautical term that means “to move” or “be conveyed” ₍₁₎ to illustrate that process. In other words, God propelled these Biblical authors so they went precisely where He wanted them to go, much like the wind propels a sailboat across the water. And just as a sailor remains active on a ship that is steered by the wind, these human authors were involved in communicating the Biblical Scriptures under the guidance and direction of God’s Spirit.

So, even though human beings played a role in recording God’s Word, their writings were “carried along” by the Holy Spirit. One author offers a useful summary that helps define that process…

“The Holy Spirit moved men to write. He allowed them to use their own styles, cultures, gifts, and character. He allowed them to use the results of their own study and research, write of their own experiences, and express what was in their minds. At the same time, the Holy Spirit did not allow error to influence their writings. He overruled in the expression of thought and in the choice of words. Thus, they recorded accurately all God wanted them to say and exactly how He wanted them to say it in their own character, styles, and languages.” ₍₂₎

For this reason, the Bible can rightfully claim to be authoritative (Exodus 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 2:13), eternal (Psalm 119:89, Matthew 24:35) and true (Psalm 119:142, John 17:17). We can also rely on Jesus’ testimony regarding this subject. According to Jesus, the Scriptures…

• Are the command of God (Matthew 15:3-4).
• Contain no mistakes (Luke 16:17).
• Are reliable (Matthew 26:54).
• Cannot be broken (John 10:35).

Jesus also promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth and remind them of the things He said and did (John 14:26, 15:26-27). This explains why Paul the Apostle (1 Corinthians 14:37) and Peter (speaking of Paul in 2 Peter 3:15-16) each referred to the God-inspired nature of these Biblical letters.

(1) G5342 – phero, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0001864 [A-6]

(2) Brian H. Edwards. Why Should We Believe in the Inerrancy of Scripture? Answers in Genesis. Retrieved 24 June, 2024 https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/why-should-we-believe-in-the-inerrancy-of-scripture/

“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” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

One distinguishing characteristic of a genuine “prophet” is the ability to offer God’s unerring direction, as prompted by the Holy Spirit. We might also define a legitimate prophet as someone who communicates divinely inspired information concerning a specific situation or future event. One commentary builds upon these definitions with the following insight: “The ability to prophesy may involve predicting future events, but its main purpose is to communicate God’s message to people, providing insight, warning, correction, and encouragement.” ₍₁₎

These realities led the Apostle Peter to communicate an important message in our passage from 2 Peter 1:20-21: “…no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation” (ESV). We can approach this portion of Scripture in two ways. First, we can view these verses from an external perspective in regard to the Biblical Scriptures. However, we can also view this passage from an internal perspective in regard to ourselves.

To start, it is important to recognize that the central theme of this passage revolves around the origin of God’s Word…

“The Gr. word for ‘interpretation’ has the idea of a ‘loosing,’ as if to say no Scripture is the result of any human being privately, ‘untying’ and ‘loosing’ the truth. Peter’s point is not so much about how to interpret Scripture, but rather how Scripture originated, and what its source was. The false prophets untied and loosed their own ideas. But no part of God’s revelation was unveiled or revealed from a human source or out of the prophet’s unaided understanding (see v. 21).” ₍₂₎

This brings us to this reference to “private interpretations.” In Peter’s era, there were those who filtered God’s Word through the lens of their individual preferences or opinions. The same is true today. Because of this, we must be careful to avoid the subtle inclination to manipulate, twist, add, or subtract from the Scriptures to suit our biases.

One source links these two ideas together…

“it is not to other Scriptures nor to other people that Peter would refer us, but to the Holy Spirit. Just as the biblical authors in the first place could not have written what they did but for the Holy Spirit’s activity in and through them, so no reader can properly interpret the OT prophecies without the Holy Spirit’s guidance.” ₍₃₎

(1) Life Application Study Bible [1 Corinthians 14:1] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.

(2) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:20.

(3) New International Bible Commentary general editor G. C. D. Howley, consulting editors F. F. Bruce, H. L. Ellison. Copyright© 1979 by Pickering & Inglis Ltd [pp. 1566].

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 NIV).

The Apostle Peter’s counsel to “pay attention” to the Biblical prophets is just as applicable today as it was when he first penned those words. However, this cautionary message held special significance for Peter’s original audience in light of the dangers posed by the false teachers of his era. Peter thus lays the foundation for the message he will deliver in the second chapter of this epistle. That foundation is twofold:

1. Familiarity with God’s Word is critically important.
2. We must pay attention to what the inspired prophets (and other Biblical authors) wrote.

Peter used an intriguing word picture to emphasize this idea by comparing these prophetic writings to a shining light in a place filled with darkness. For instance, it is unwise to descend upon the steps that lead to a darkened basement without some form of illumination. In a similar manner, the Word of God serves to illuminate our lives, as well as the world around us.

Jesus made use of a similar, self-descriptive analogy on several occasions…

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life'” (John 8:12).

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35).

“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46).

Nevertheless, this passage also reminds us that we have little need of illumination after the dawn breaks, for the light of day overcomes the darkness of night. That dawn is heralded by the morning star, a title that is fittingly applied to Jesus Himself (see Revelation 22:16). So, just as the emergence of the day dispels the darkness, the presence of Christ serves as a “…a light shining in a dark place.” Thus, we would do well to remember the message of John 1:4-5…

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

“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” (2 Peter 1:19).

Our text from 2 Peter 1:19 builds upon Peter’s earlier reference to Jesus’ transfiguration. A comparative look at some other translations of this passage can help us grasp the full meaning of this reference to “the prophetic word confirmed.” For instance, consider the following translations of 2 Peter 1:19…

“Moreover, we hold the prophetic word to be reliable…” (Mounce).

“Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets…” (NLT).

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable…” (NIV).

“So we regard the words of the prophets as confirmed beyond all doubt…” (GW).

This verse offers several additional aspects to consider when viewed in conjunction with the verses that precede it…

• First, we have Peter’s eyewitness testimony regarding Jesus’ transfiguration.
• We also have the presence of James and John, two other eyewitnesses.
• Finally we have the voice of God who said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17 ESV).

Thus, we are presented with the corroborative testimony of multiple witnesses to Jesus’ majesty. Nevertheless, Peter upholds the authority of Scripture over that experience here in 2 Peter 1:19. Two sources lend their insight to this critical distinction…

“As sure as Peter was of what he had seen and heard, this was only his own experience and could only be given as a personal testimony to others. Thus, he stressed that God’s written Word, available to all in the Holy Scriptures, was more sure than any personal experience that he or others might have. It is not in Peter or Paul as men, no matter how sincere or holy they may be, that we must trust, but in Christ as revealed in God’s written Word.” ₍₁₎

“This translation could indicate that the eyewitness account of Christ’s majesty at the Transfiguration confirmed the Scriptures. However, the Gr. word order is crucial in that it does not say that. It says, ‘And we have more sure the prophetic word.’ That original arrangement of the sentence supports the interpretation that Peter is ranking Scripture over experience. The prophetic word (Scripture) is more complete, more permanent, and more authoritative than the experience of anyone. More specifically, the Word of God is a more reliable verification of the teachings about the person, atonement, and second coming of Christ than even the genuine first hand experiences of the apostles themselves.” ₍₂₎

(1) Institute for Creation Research, New Defender’s Study Bible Notes [2 Peter 1:19] https://www.icr.org/bible/2Pet/1/19/ Accessed 17 June 2024

(2) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:19.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16 ESV).

For those who were inclined to dismiss the report of Jesus’ transfiguration as a myth or legend, the Apostle Peter made certain to emphasize the historical nature of that event when he said, “…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” (NKJV).

Peter then reiterated his testimony in the following verse: “For example, we were eyewitnesses when he received honor and glory from God the Father and when the voice of our majestic God spoke these words to him: ‘This is my Son, whom I love and in whom I delight.’ We heard that voice speak to him from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:17 GW).

It was that kind of testimony that prompted a contemporary law enforcement officer (now retired) to make the following observation…

“Growing up as a skeptic, I never thought of the biblical narrative as an eyewitness account. Instead, I saw it as something more akin to religious mythology -a series of stories designed to make a point. But when I read through the Gospels (and then the letters that followed them), it appeared clear that the writers of Scripture identified themselves as eyewitnesses and viewed their writings as testimony. Peter identified himself as a ‘witness of the sufferings of Christ’ (1Pet.5:1) and as one of many ‘eyewitnesses of His majesty’ (2 Pet. 1:16-17).” ₍₁₎

So this event was something that was clearly etched in Peter’s memory. You see, this vivid account of what took place on the mount of transfiguration reveals the profound impact of that experience upon Peter. He thus assured his readers that Jesus’ transfiguration was no story, myth, or legend. Peter was absolutely certain about what he saw and heard, and that led him to say in effect, “My statements regarding what happened are based on my personal experience, and I can attest to their accuracy.”

Much like Peter, James, and John on the mount of transfiguration, we may also discover that Jesus is greater than we expected. The miracle that Peter speaks of was not so much related to Jesus’ transfiguration. The real miracle lay in the fact that His power, glory, and majestic perfection had previously remained hidden from view.

(1) J Warner Wallace. Cold-Case Christianity : A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. Colorado Springs, Co, David C Cook, 2013. [pg. 80] https://coldcasechristianity.com/

“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” (2 Peter 1:17-18).

The Gospel of Mark records the event mentioned here in 2 Peter 1:17-18…

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transfigured in front of them, and his clothes became dazzling—extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’— because he did not know what to say, since they were terrified.

A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him!’ Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead” (Mark 9:2-9 CSB).

This experience revealed a dimension of Jesus’ nature that Peter and his fellow disciples had never encountered before, for it was then that “…His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them” (NIV).

In ancient times, people sometimes brought their clothes to a professional launderer known as a “fuller.” These fullers blended lye, an alkaline mineral, with oil to form a type of detergent. After a thorough cleaning with this solution, the fuller would treat the clothing with vinegar to neutralize the alkalinic properties of the lye. The freshly laundered clothes then received a final rinse and were ready to be worn again.

While this method was effective, it was also very harsh. For example, we commonly use lye to clear blockages in modern-day plumbing systems. The point is that Jesus’ clothes were whiter than even that process could make them.

In addition, the word that describes what took place in this passage is a form of the word “metamorphosis.” This word conveys the idea of a transformation and not a simple change in appearance. Unlike a spotlight that illuminated Jesus from afar, this overwhelming brilliance proceeded from Him. Thus, Peter, James, and John were eyewitnesses to the glorious countenance that Jesus ordinarily kept hidden from view during His earthly ministry.

“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” (2 Peter 1:16).

Myths and legends are interesting things, for there is a seemingly boundless array of mythological events that transcend virtually every culture and society. Of course, the problem with myths and legends (whether they be ancient myths or contemporary urban legends) is that the events they describe never took place. That’s why they’re called mythologies and not histories.

In the context of this passage, a “cunningly devised fable” refers to a legendary account or a fabricated religious story. This must have been a recurring issue in the early church, for Paul the Apostle addressed this topic on several occasions…

“When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God” (1 Timothy 1:3-4 NLT).

“A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 GW).

“…you must be severe when you rebuke those who have followed this false teaching, so that they will come to be sound in their trust and no longer pay attention to Judaistic myths or to the commands of people who reject the truth” (Titus 1:13-14 CJB).

This passage thus clarifies the difference between truth and myth, as the Apostle Peter carefully distinguishes between falsehood and reality: “When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling clever stories someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness” (CEV). This also previews the condemnation of false teachers that will follow shortly in chapter two…

“Peter assures his audience that, in contrast to the lies of false teachers that he will discuss later in the letter, the teaching about Jesus’ return he has passed on is authentic and reliable. Peter’s preaching is not based on something he made up, but on both his firsthand experience of Jesus and the truth of Scripture. Therefore, his readers can be confident of its accuracy.” ₍₁₎

(1) John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Pe 1:16–21.

“Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease” (2 Peter 1:15).

Despite our natural reluctance to entertain the subject of death, it is important to consider what it represents. You see, “death” relates to the idea of “separation” in a physical or spiritual context. Physical death occurs when a person’s spirit separates from his or her physical body, for “…the body without the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26). The Biblical book of Revelation defines spiritual death as the “second death” that results in eternal separation from God (Revelation 21:7-8).

We can also use sleep as another analogy to help explain this idea. Consider the example of someone who falls asleep at night and later awakes to the dawn of a new day. In this instance, the act of going to sleep involves a transition from one day to another. In a similar manner, death (like sleep) is a transitional state. Just as sundown or midnight separates one day from another, death involves our transition from this temporary, physical life to our eternal destination.

Thus, we can view death as a departure from one kind of life to another. Admittedly, this is a fearsome prospect for many. The idea of an afterlife is frightening to countless individuals as they contemplate their fate beyond this life. Yet, Christians should have little fear of death, for if we know Christ, then we know someone who has experienced death and has returned to tell us about what lays ahead (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Revelation 1:18).

For instance, Jesus tells us about what we can expect when we arrive at our eternal destination…

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly” (John 14:1-3).

In Matthew 16:26, Jesus was also quoted as saying, “What profit is there if you gain the whole world– and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life?” (TLB). Thus, it is important to remember that life is short when balanced on the scales of eternity. The opportunities we have to invest our lives for Christ are limited, and this may help to explain why the Apostle Peter found it necessary to leave these instructions in advance of his departure.

“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” (2 Peter 1:13-14).

The Apostle Peter used the word “tent” in an unconventional manner here in 2 Peter 1:13. To better understand why he used that terminology, it may be helpful to consider the subject of Biblical typology. You see, “typology” refers to the study of a figure, representation, or symbol of something else. It involves the use of patterns or metaphors where one thing is used to represent another.

With this in mind, let’s consider the customary function of a tent. A tent is a kind of portable shelter that can be taken down, moved, and reestablished somewhere else. Thus, the use of a tent serves as a good illustration of a physical human body. The process of erecting our “tent” begins at the moment of conception. It then endures throughout our temporal lives and gradually deteriorates over time. Finally, we “fold up our tent” and relocate to our eternal dwelling (wherever that may be) when we depart from this earthly life.

So just as a tent shelters those who dwell within it, each physical tent (or body) serves as a type of shelter for the “you” inside. Paul the Apostle made use of a similar idea in the Biblical book of 2 Corinthians…

“While we live in this earthly tent, we groan with a feeling of oppression; it is not that we want to get rid of our earthly body, but that we want to have the heavenly one put on over us, so that what is mortal will be transformed by life” (2 Corinthians 5:4 GNT).

This has important implications for today, for our beliefs about the future influence our choices and decisions in the present. For instance, a person who believes that physical death marks the end of our existence is likely to make choices that are guided by the mantra, “you only live once.” However, those who share Peter’s conviction that life transcends our physical existence will undoubtedly make different choices as they seek to honor God with their lives.

For Peter, those choices may have been influenced (at least in part) by Jesus’ prophetic statement regarding the manner of his death (John 21:18-19). So as the shadow of Peter’s physical death drew ever closer, he urged his readers to internalize and apply these final instructions.

“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.

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

Our next entry in this list of virtuous characteristics from 2 Peter 1:5-7 is self-control. Self-control involves the ability to manage our emotions or physical appetites instead of allowing those things to dictate our behaviors. Those who possess the God-given quality of self-control are less likely to suffer the negative repercussions that often follow a loss of composure.

From an external perspective, this might relate to a prayerful and conscious refusal to act on an inappropriate desire. It might also include a commitment to honor God with grace and poise when responding to careless remarks, insensitive comments, or deliberate provocations. From an internal perspective, self-control might involve relying on God’s empowerment to exercise discipline over unhealthy emotions like worry, fear, or anxiety.

Another way to exhibit self-control is by practicing discretion in our interactions with others, particularly when expressing our opinions or viewpoints. In contrast to those who share their views in an impulsive, indiscriminate, or undisciplined manner, we should reflect on the potential impact of our words before we post or convey them in a way that we may later regret.

While self-control is a representative quality of God’s Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), the importance of this characteristic is emphasized in the Old Testament book of Proverbs as well. For instance…

“He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32).

“Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).

“A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back” (Proverbs 29:11).

One author combines these ideas in a unified manner…

“In Peter’s day, self-control was used of athletes who were to be self-restrained and self-disciplined. Thus, a Christian is to control the flesh, the passions, and the bodily desires, rather than allowing himself to be controlled by them (cf. 1Co 9:27 Gal 5:23). Moral excellence, guided by knowledge, disciplines desire and makes it the servant, not the master, of one’s life.” ₍₁₎

Finally, the Scriptures tell us that a lack of self control will be a characteristic of the end times (2 Timothy 3:2-5). Thus, we should seek to grow in our knowledge of God’s Word and follow the exhortation of Romans 12:2…

“…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

(1) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:6.

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness and to goodness, knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5 NIV).

Beginning here in verse five, the Apostle Peter discusses the addition of various elements to our faith. In fact, Peter even specifies the “construction materials” we should use for this purpose. The first building product on that list can be translated goodness (NIV), virtue (KJV), or moral excellence (NASB). The primary idea behind that phrase expresses the qualities of integrity, purity, and honorable character.

A relationship with God in Christ offers two compelling reasons to conduct ourselves in this manner. The first begins with God’s love for us, for as we are told in 1 John 4:19, “We love because he first loved us.” Thus, God’s love for us should inspire us to reciprocate His love, for “…the love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14).

The corresponding incentive to avoid doing wrong (even when it appears that we can escape the consequences), arises from the knowledge that a just and holy Creator will hold us accountable for our actions. The New Testament book of Romans addresses this idea when it says, “…each of us will give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

Therefore, our relationship with God in Christ and the reality of eternal life should influence our judgments in various areas of life. These twin motivations -love and accountability- help enable us to make wise choices and good decisions.

However, “goodness” carries a secondary meaning as well. That meaning encompasses the qualities of valor ₍₁₎, power, strength, ₍₂₎ or uprightness ₍₃₎. Another source links this word with the God-given ability to perform heroic deeds in classical Greek usage. ₍₄₎ This passage thus highlights the importance of this inner quality along with its corresponding external behaviors.

The next characteristic is knowledge, a word that relates to the information we possess on a given subject. We can also associate knowledge with an awareness or perception of the facts. Nevertheless, it is important to consider the relationship between knowledge and wisdom, for it is possible to be knowledgeable, but not very wise.

Wisdom is the quality that allows us to exercise good judgment and select an appropriate course of action. Simply put, wisdom involves knowing what to do with the knowledge we possess. A well-known passage from 2 Timothy 2:15 underlines the spiritual aspect of that knowledge-wisdom relationship: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

(1) G703 arete Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g703/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) &quot Virtue&quot Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary General Editor, Ronald F. Youngblood. Copyright © 1986, 1995 by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

(3) G703 arete Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament https://www.billmounce.com/greek-dictionary/arete

(4) See John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:5.

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5).

This passage from 2 Peter 1:5 introduces a series of seven key attributes of the Christian life that continue through verse seven. Those attributes are…

• Virtue.
• Knowledge.
• Self-control.
• Perseverance.
• Godliness.
• Brotherly kindness.
• Love.

While it is possible to view these characteristics as building blocks that measure our growth and maturity in Christ, it is probably best to see them as qualities that personify those who partake of the divine nature mentioned earlier. One source emphasizes the human element that exists within this passage…

“The divine nature is not an automatic self-propelling machine that will turn out a Christian life for the believer irrespective of what that believer does or the attitude he takes to the salvation which God has provided. The divine nature will always produce a change in the life of the sinner who receives the Lord Jesus as Saviour. But it works at its best efficiency when the believer cooperates with it in not only determining to live a life pleasing to God, but definitely stepping out in faith and living that life in dependence upon the new life which God has implanted in him.” ₍₁₎

Another commentator adds…

“Peter insists that genuine faith should express itself in decisive ways. Faith must shape what we are (character), what we know or think (knowledge), what we do (self-control), and how we do it (steadfastness, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love). A growing faith that is decisive in these ways will help Christians to live productive lives.” ₍₂₎

So even though we are partakers of this divine nature, that conviction alone is not enough. Instead, we should demonstrate that conviction in dynamic ways. Some of those expressions are given to us here in 2 Peter 1:5-7. Similar examples appear in other lists of God-honoring characteristics that we find in Galatians 5:22-23, and 1 Timothy 6:11.

Finally, it is important to maintain a Biblical perspective that strikes a proper balance when considering this passage…

“Each believer is responsible before God for his conduct and spiritual growth, yet that growth could not take place without God’s prior work and constant enabling. We must not neglect our responsibility, yet the enabling and the credit is God’s. Paul says the same thing: ‘Continue working out your salvation with humility and dependence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort…is God'” (Phi_2:12-13). ₍₃₎

(1) Kenneth S. Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament [2 Peter 1:5-7] Copyright © 1942-55 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

(2) Kendall, David W. “II. The Resources For Growth In Grace (1:3-11)” In Asbury Bible Commentary. 1200. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1992.

(3) NET Bible notes on 2 Peter 1:7 https://classic.net.bible.org/bible.php?book=2Pet&chapter=1&mode=print

“by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:4 ESV).

Another potential misinterpretation arises from this reference to “partakers of the divine nature” here in 2 Peter 1:4: partaking in the divine nature does not mean individual human identities will be absorbed into the divine.

Some eastern religions seek to achieve human oneness with an eternal “Universal Soul,” much like a raindrop becomes one with the ocean. ₍₁₎ However, those who partake of the divine nature in Christ do not forfeit their individual identities. Perhaps the clearest support for this idea comes from Peter’s own experience as he witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration…

“After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters– one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah'” (Matthew 17:1-4 NIV).

While the focus of this passage centers on the revelation of Jesus’ divine glory, there is one aspect of this encounter that relates to our discussion of 2 Peter 1:4. That aspect involves the appearance of Moses and Elijah. Notice that Moses and Elijah were visually distinguishable during their interaction with Jesus. We can see other such examples in the accounts of Abraham (Luke 16:19-31) and Samuel (1 Samuel 28:7-19) as well.

Jesus also affirmed that individuals like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob continued to retain their personal identities in the afterlife (Mark 12:26-27). Because of this, we should have confidence that those who partake of the divine nature through Christ will also maintain their individual identities when they pass from this life.

So this reference to partaking of the divine nature aptly describes those who become new creations in Christ and reflect the attributes of God’s divine nature. As the Biblical epistle of 1 John tells us, “Those who are children of God do not continue to sin, for God’s very nature is in them; and because God is their Father, they cannot continue to sin” (1 John 3:9 GNT).

(1) See Ferguson, Sinclair B, Wright, David F. New Dictionary of Theology, “Buddhism And Christianity” © Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship, Leicester, England, 1988 [pg.112]