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2 Peter Chapter
One
I.
Content of the Chapter
Know the True Knowledge
A. The origin and nature of the true knowledge
(v.1-4);
1. The channel and receiver of the true
knowledge ---- the apostle and believers (v.1);
2. The profits of the true knowledge ---- grace
and peace be multiplied (v.2);
3. The giving of the true knowledge and its
nature ---- (v.3-4);
B. The pursuit and increase of the true
knowledge (v.5-11);
1. The way of the increase of the true
knowledge ---- eight steps (v.5-7);
2. The necessity of the increase of the true
knowledge ---- four effects (v.8-11);
C. The connotation and basis of the true
knowledge (v.12-21);
1. The connotation of the true knowledge ----
the Lord Jesus (v.12-18);
2. The basis of the true knowledge ---- the
prophecies of the prophets (v.19-21);
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
2Pet. 1:1
“Simon Peter
a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ
To those who have
obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior
Jesus Christ:”
YLT: “Simeon Peter
a servant and
an apostle of Jesus Christ
to those who did obtain a like precious faith with
us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:”
Meaning of Words:
“bondservant”: slave
bondman; “apostle”: the one who is sent
messenger
ambassador;
“righteousness”: equity
justification; “obtain”: determine by lot
obtain by
lot
cast lots; “like precious”: of equal value or honor;
Literal Meaning:
“Simon Peter
a bondservant and apostle of Jesus
Christ”
“bondservant and apostle” show Peter’s relation between the Lord and
believers; “bondservant” is his status of serving the Lord; “apostle” is his
status of teaching believers ---- he is sent by the Lord to preach the true
knowledge
through which he serves the Lord and all the saints.
“Bondservant” in the
original means a low bondman
but it also carries a meaning of dignity and
honor because of the master the bondman serves
e.g. Moses was also called the
servant of God (Deut. 34:5; Ps. 105:26). “A bondservant of Jesus Christ”
it
contains the following meanings: 1) absolutely
we are of the Lord Jesus; 2) we
have to obey and hear the Lord’s commands completely; 3) such relationship is
not transient but everlasting
and even in the eternal world we are still the
servants (Rev. 22:9).
“Simon Peter”
it is
different from the first epistle
in which Peter calls him “Peter” only (see
1Pet. 1:1). And the spelling of the name “Simon” in the Hebrew is “Simeon”. It
is different from the common-used Greek spelling “Simon” in the New Testament
but is the same with the way of calling by James (see Acts 15:14). That is why
many Bible scholars believe that the Second Epistle of Peter was written by
Jude
the physical brother of James (see Jude 1)
at Peter’s dictation.
“By
the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”
“our God and Savior
Jesus Christ”
there is not a definite article before Savior
which shows that:
1) Savior Jesus Christ is God
and He and the Father are one (John 10:30); 2)
the righteousness of Christ is the righteousness of God (Phil. 3:9); 3) the
knowledge of the Lord Jesus is the knowledge of God (see v.2).
“The
righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”
someone Bible scholars think
the righteousness means that the Lord Jesus Christ is the righteousness of God
since the word righteousness is directly connected with “God” ---- it is
because of not only love that God sent His only begotten Son to the world to
fulfill the redemption but also the righteousness of God that He had to sent
His sinless Son of God to become the Savior Jesus Christ ---- salvation is in
none other than in Him (Acts 4:12). However
according to the grammar in the
original
“righteousness” refers to both the righteousness of God and the
righteousness of the Savior Jesus Christ
which shows that: 1) God is righteous
and rewards in justice and uprightness without partiality; 2) all the people in
the world have sinned
and no one can escape the righteous judgment of God; 3)
the Son of God who knew no sin came was incarnated to the world and bore the
righteous judgment of God on the cross for all and had thus accomplished the
righteousness of God; 4) we appropriate the righteous fulfilled by Jesus Christ
through faith in Him; 5) since God has judged Jesus Christ on the cross
He
will never condemn those who have believed Jesus Christ for their sins in the
past
or He is unrighteous; 6) the one righteous work of Jesus Christ has made
Him our Savior; 7) the Savior Jesus Christ is righteous
who is able to save to
the uttermost those who come to God through Him (Heb. 7:25); 8) both the righteousness
of God and the righteousness of the Savior Jesus Christ stand surety for us
that our faith is precious so that He has to reward us exceeding great and
precious promises (see v.4).
“To those who have
obtained like precious faith with us”
“we”: the writer of this epistle and all
the saints with him; “obtain”: it means obtaining or being rewarded by lot in
the original ---- obtain by grace
not by works; “have obtained … with us”: it
means that what the recipients of this epistle have obtained is completely the
same with what the writer has obtained; “like precious faith”: it is the faith
obtained from the Lord Jesus
for He is the leader and completer of our faith
(see Heb. 12:2). And the faith is precious because the promises given to us
according to faith are exceedingly great and precious (see v.4).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) “Bondservant” should be utterly submissive
to the lord and speak and act according to the will of the lord without acting
on his own. The worse defect of preachers today is misinterpretation of the
Holy Scriptures and emphasizing men’s will more than on God’s will.
2) “Bondservant” first and then “apostle”
man
has to firstly be submissive to the Lord and then be sent by the Lord. Man has
to previously be possessed by the Lord
and then he will be enabled to go to
gain men on behalf of the Lord.
3) “Simon Peter”
the double names represent
Peter’s status and change in life and shows that he has been from the times of
the Old Testament to the times of the New Testament. All the old things of
Christians have passed away
and all have become new.
4) The righteousness of God and the
righteousness of the Savior Jesus Christ have justified believers (see Rom.
3:26; 5:18) instead of condemning us (see Rom. 8:34).
5) Indeed we “have been justified by faith”
(Gal. 3:8)
but our faith is also given by the Lord (Heb. 12:2). Therefore
it
is also “obtaining the faith by righteousness”.
6) “Have obtained like precious faith with us”
it shows that the apostle Peter puts himself on the same position with all
believers. Peter does not think of him above others nor despises all believers.
7) There is no distinction between the faith we
have obtained and the faith the apostles have obtained.
8) Our difference from men in the world before
God is our faith. Without faith
we cannot match many people in the world at
capability
dignity
wisdom and physique (see 1Cor. 1:26-27).
2Pet. 1:2 “Grace and peace be
multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord
”
YLT:
“Grace to you
and peace be multiplied in the acknowledgement of God and of
Jesus our Lord!”
Meaning
of Words: “grace”:
graciousness
favor; “knowledge”: full knowledge
discernment; “be multiplied”:
more abundant
increase;
Literal
Meaning: “grace and peace”
“grace” was a habitual
word of greeting among the Greeks; “peace” was a habitual word of greeting
among the Hebrews. Both of them are used to believers of the New Testament
which is not a meaningless formula. Seriously
only those who are in Christ
have true grace and peace ---- grace means obtaining and enjoying God Himself
and God’s works
and peace refers to the spiritual sound situation by grace.
“Be
multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord”
it indicates that the multiplication of
grace and peace is because of the knowledge of God. “Knowledge”: the true
knowledge to the full
which refers to both the objective knowledge as well as
the subjective knowledge through experiences. “Of God and of Jesus our Lord”
here it indicates again that God and the
Lord Jesus are one (see v.1). Our knowledge of the Lord and of God should be
compatible. “Be multiplied”: increase abundantly and unceasingly;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Knowledge”
is the mother of all knowledge. Only this divine knowledge will bring the grace
and peace that men desire.
2)
True
grace and peace come from true knowledge of God. The more we know God
the more
will we enjoy the grace and peace of God. The more we Christians taste God and
the Lord Jesus
the more will we experience grace and peace.
3)
All
the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwells in Christ (Col. 2:9). Therefore
the
more we know the Lord Jesus
the more will we know God.
4)
The
difference of Christianity from other religions is that it is paid attention to
of the ever-renewing relationship between God and men in Christianity and other
religions only emphasize rational knowledge.
5)
Our
knowledge about God and the Lord Jesus should be on the increase. Let us not be
satisfied with the knowledge we have obtained but pursue with diligence (see
Phil. 3:10-14).
6)
The
sufficient and deep and thorough knowledge of the Holy Trinity is the
foundation for us to press on the spiritual path as well as the precondition of
resisting the heretical doctrines.
Pet. 1:3 “as His divine power has
given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness
through the
knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue
”
YLT:
“As all things to us His divine power (the things pertaining unto life and
piety) hath given
through the acknowledgement of him who did call us through
glory and worthiness
”
Meaning
of Words: “divine power”: the
mighty power of God
mighty force; “pertain to”: concerning; “godliness”:
piety
holiness; “virtue”: excellence
praise
manliness;
Literal
Meaning: “as His divine power has given to us all
things that pertain to life and godliness”
“His divine power”: the mighty
works of God; “all things that pertain to life and godliness”
here it points
out the two spiritual realms of believers’ pursuit: 1) life refers to the
spiritual inner life
and godliness refers to spiritual daily life; 2) life is
obtained by faith (John 3:16) and godliness is received by hope (see Luke
2:25); 3) life is in relation to salvation (1Pet. 2:2)
and godliness is in
relation to victory (1Tim. 4:8); 4) the pursuit of the growth of life relates
to the desiring of the word of God (1Pet. 2:2)
and the pursuit of godliness
relates to the desiring of the Lord’s revelation (2Tim. 4:8).
“Through the knowledge of Him who called us by
glory and virtue”
“the knowledge”
here it points out again the profits of the
true knowledge of the Lord (see v.2); “glory and virtue”: the nature of God: 1)
glory responds to life
and virtue responds to godliness; 2) glory is the
manifestation of God Himself (Ex. 33:18
22)
and virtue is the manifestation
of God’s disposition (see 1Pet. 2:9); 3) glory emphasizes the mighty works of
God (Num. 14:21-22)
and virtue emphasizes the gracious works of God (Is.
63:7).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The main reason why the church is full of
confusions and we Christians are unable to bear living witness is that we have
lost the mark of pursuit and forsaken things pertaining to life and godliness
and yet sought the letter and customs.
2) All things pertaining to life and godliness
are bestowed. We can never obtain them through our own works. However
thanks
God
all these things have been given to us. And the problem lies in how to
discover and enjoy them.
3) God has called us to lead a life in
godliness on the earth (see 1Pet. 1:17; 2:9). For this sake
He has firstly
opened our eyes of heart so that we are enabled to know His glory and virtue
and will then equip us with the power of life and godliness.
4) The more we know the nature of God (glory
and virtue)
the more will be enjoy the power of life and godliness.
5) Indeed
we have to seek the growth of life
and lead a life in godliness
but the fundamental motive power is the calling
and reward of God. If He does not “draw” us
we cannot “run after” Him (see
Songs 1:4).
Pet. 1:4 “by which have been given
to us exceedingly great and precious promises
that through these you may be
partakers of the divine nature
having escaped the corruption that is in the
world through lust.”
YLT:
“through which to us the most great and precious promises have been given
that
through these ye may become partakers of a divine nature
having escaped from
the corruption in the world in desires.”
Meaning
of Words: “precious”:
honorable; “exceedingly
great”: greatest; “promise”:
self-committal by assurance of conferring some good; “escape”: flee; “nature”: natural production
native
disposition; “partaker”:
sharer;
Literal
Meaning: “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and
precious promises”
“by which”: by the glory and virtue of Christ we
have known; “have been given to …”
the past tense shows that we have obtained
the promises when we believed the Lord; “exceedingly great and precious”: it
shows that what we have been given are enormous and significant; “promises”:
the rewards that God have guaranteed to give according to His faithfulness;
“Exceedingly
great and precious promises”
some Bible
expositors think the promises refer the two great accomplishments. However
here it mentions “…that through these” the promises shall be fulfilled.
Therefore
the two things are not promises. In the broader sense
promises
refer to all the promises in the Scriptures (e.g. Matt. 28:20; John 6:57;
7:38-39; 14:19-20
23; 15:5; 16:13-15; etc.). In narrow sense
promises here
relate to “all things that pertain to life and godliness” in verse three. Life
corresponds to the divine nature
and godliness corresponds to the escape of
the corruption in the world through lust.
“Having
escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”
“that …”
it suggests that what is
mentioned below is fulfilled by the previous promises; “escape”: remove or
decrease; “the
corruption that is in the world through lust”: corruption in the world because of the flesh
(see Gen. 6:3
12; James 3:15-16).
“That through these you may be partakers of the divine nature
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust”
“the divine nature of God”: the origin of
all virtues in the life of God; the Scriptures especially emphasize His
holiness (see Heb. 12:10
14; 1Pet. 1:15-16; 2:9); “partaker”: he who partakes
of (obtain and increase) …;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
God’s
promises are exceedingly great and precious. However
it is a pity many
believers do not understand to cherish God’s promises but seek many things
outside of promises.
2)
We
have obtained the promises of God. The present problem is not to ask promises but to appropriate the precious promises of
God.
3)
All
promises will be fulfilled (Heb. 10:23). However
if we are unwilling to follow
Him
we cannot experience His promises personally (see Num. 32:11).
4)
Loving
Him is the secret of inheriting His promises (see James 2:5). If we love Him
we will not bear to sin against Him
especially against His holiness.
5)
If
we cherish and love God’s promises
we will be enabled to escape the corruption
in the world through lust and be partakers of the divine nature.
6)
Positively
the pursuit of the growth of life makes us partake more of the divine nature.
Passively
the godliness in daily life delivers us from the corruption through
lust.
7)
The
present social tide has gone against the nature of God. Therefore
if we escape
the corruption in the world through lust
we must be partaker of the divine
nature. Contrarily
the more we partake of the divine nature
the easier will
we escape corruption.
Pet. 1:5 “But also for this very
reason
giving all diligence
add to your faith virtue
to virtue knowledge
”
YLT:
“And this same also -- all diligence having brought in besides
superadd in
your faith the worthiness
and in the worthiness the knowledge
”
Meaning
of Words: “add to”: furnish
supply; “virtue”:
praise
manliness; “knowledge”:
awareness
knowing;
Literal
Meaning: “for this very reason”
for the reason of
escaping corruption and being partakers of the divine nature; “giving all
diligence”: it means paying extra efforts and cooperating with full power.
“Add to
your faith virtue”
“faith”: it means that faith is the precondition of
all spiritual things. One may have faith first and then the following things
pertaining to life and godliness. “Add to”: all the character listed below are
the natural manifestation of true faith
not external acts; “virtue”: it means
that the excellent and superior character will produce good testimonies.
“To virtue knowledge”
“to … to”
it does not mean each point is added
to one by one
but that the seven aspects of effects (see v.5-7) producing out
of faith should be produced perfectly in balance. “Knowledge” is the knowledge
that makes men know God truly (see v.2-3)
through which men are enabled to
judge of and approve things.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Everything
that we need in a holy life has been granted by God early (see v.4). However
if we do not cooperate with God in diligence
He will never force us.
2)
In
the life of Christians
the grace of God and man’s diligence always make man’s
life attain to perfection. Lazy men can never perfect the will of God.
3)
Faith
is the foundation of spiritual growth. No faith
no spiritual growth. It is
important that whether there is faith
not
whether it has been cultivated.
4)
Faith
is dead without works (James 2:17). The faith is living faith (James 2:18) when
it is working together with virtue
or else the name of Christian is
humiliated.
5)
Virtue
manifests our internal faith and testifies the power of true faith
and increases our faith in practical experiences.
6)
The
virtue of Christians in life should be on the increase without cease.
7)
Knowledge
is obtained by practicing virtue in daily life. And the practice of virtue
makes us know Christ deeper (see v.8; John 7:17).
8)
Knowledge
makes both of our faith and virtue in the right path and makes us know how to
properly and soberly use it.
9)
The
order in the Scriptures is faith
and works and
knowledge ---- “believe and walk” and “seem to be difficult but
walk with ease”.
Such order is just opposite to the general doctrines ---- “know and believe”
and “seem to be easy but walk with difficulty”.
Pet. 1:6 “to knowledge
self-control
to self-control perseverance
to perseverance godliness
”
YLT:
“and in the knowledge the temperance
and in the temperance the endurance
and
in the endurance the piety
”
Meaning
of Words: “self-control”: temperance; “perseverance”: patient continuance
hopeful endurance; “godliness”: piety
reverence;
Literal
Meaning: “to knowledge self-control”
“self-control”:
the power of temperance; Paul’s word ---- “I buffet my body and lead it
captive” (1Cor. 9:27) is the best footnote of self-control. He can control
himself not only in food but also in all aspects of life. Such self-control is
not simply out of man’s willpower but the power that man is purposed to choose
and regard and obey the Spirit (see Rom. 8:4-11).
“To self-control perseverance”
“perseverance”: the patient endurance in
difficult situation and persistence to the end; such perseverance is not
passively receiving everything
but actively enduring. It is higher than
self-control
for it is an expression of love (see 1Cor. 13:4) and will be
strengthened after tribulations (see Rom. 5:3).
“To perseverance godliness”
“godliness”: the pious attitude and life
produced by the fear of God ---- dare not to walk presumptuously to sin against
God;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Knowledge
easily puffs up (see 1Cor. 8:1). If one has knowledge without self-control
he
will go to another extremity and be rejected by God and men.
2)
True
knowledge will not lose self-control but lead men to have better self-control.
Any doctrine that despises disciplines or goes astray from moral standard must be heresy.
3)
Christians
shall be self-controlled in various desires and earthly pursuit as well as
spiritual things
such as reading the Scriptures
prayer
service etc.
4)
Self-control
is the resisting power against the lust for pleasures. Perseverance is the
enduring power aiming at difficulties and tribulations.
5)
The
life of Christians is a challenge. Let us be perseverant in persecutions and
difficulties and suffer each difficulty in life as a step of advancement.
6)
Perseverance
is out of true faith. There is nothing more efficacious than tribulation to
trial the faith. And true faith must produce persistent perseverance (see Rom.
5:1-3; Mark 13:13).
7)
All
those who are godly before God must fear to sin against or humiliate God and
show their holiness in their practical life to please God (see Heb. 12:14
28).
8)
Godliness
is that God has been manifested in flesh (see 1Tim. 3:16). Therefore
piety is
to manifest the image of God in daily life.
Pet. 1:7 “to godliness brotherly
kindness
and to brotherly kindness love.”
YLT:
“and in the piety the brotherly kindness
and in the brotherly kindness the love;”
Meaning
of Words: “brotherly
kindness”: philadelphia;
“love”: agape;
Literal
Meaning: “to godliness brotherly kindness”
“brotherly kindness”
it refers to kinship
and friendship; true love is produced out of true faith (see Gal. 5:6).
“And to brotherly kindness love”
“love”
it is the divine love
namely
the great
selfless love (see John 3:16; 1Cor. 10; 1John 3:16).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Real
godliness can not exist without brotherly kindness (see 1John 4:20).
2)
The
particularity of Christians is spontaneous brotherly kindness (see 1John 3:14;
4:17)
through which all men shall know we are true disciples of Christ (John
13:35).
3)
True
brotherly love makes all brothers with one accord. Those who are of sects have
not lived in the divine life. And their partiality proves that they live in
their emotions.
4)
Both
friendship and divine love have to give. All those who only receive without
giving have no reality of love
and are unworthy of mentioning love.
5)
The
qualities of love are:
a) from the elder to the young: the more one has the bowel of a parent
the
more will he be enabled to love; b) from the inward to the outward: one has the
spirit of love first and then the words and deeds of love; c) from oneself to
others: love one’s neighbor as himself ---- love oneself and then love brothers
and finally love all.
Pet. 1:8 “For if these things are
yours and abound
you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of
our Lord Jesus Christ.”
YLT:
“for these things being to you and abounding
do make neither inert nor
unfruitful in regard to the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ
”
Meaning
of Words: “abound”: increase
super-abound; “barren”: idle
slow
inactive
lazy
useless;
“unfruitful”: without fruit;
Literal
Meaning: “for if these things are yours and abound”
“abound”: have the
form of godliness as well the power of godliness (see 2Tim. 3:5); besides
the
inner reality is ever increasing unto abundance and fullness; “these things”
refer to the eight spiritual qualities from verse five to seven.
“In the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”
“knowledge”: sure and full knowledge
the
same word with the knowledge in verse two and three in the original; “in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”: the source and foundation of all spiritual
blessings (see v.2
3).
“You will be neither barren nor unfruitful”
“barren”: the opposite of diligence
namely
idleness without life; “unfruitful”: bear fruit of spiritual life
including the knowledge of truth
the growth of life
the progression of the
preachment of the gospel
the fruit of service etc. Here
the fruit especially
emphasizes the more knowledge of the Lord and the fruit produced by the
knowledge of the Lord (see v.2-3
11).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
“Abound…”
it is the natural result of the increase of the above-mentioned eight spiritual
qualities (see v.5-7). Whenever they stop increasing
the fruit will not abound.
2)
We
shall not be satisfied with the present achievements
for it is the sign of
spiritual death of no spiritual growth. He who is living will grow unceasingly
first stature and then capacity.
3)
Godliness
is absolutely connected with the knowledge of the Lord. The more abundant
spiritual virtue we have
the more will we know the Lord. On the contrary
the
more we know the Lord
the more virtue will we be given.
4)
The
pursuit of all knowledge should be the pursuit of the knowledge of what the
Lord is
and what the Lord has and what the Lord does. Any knowledge should not
go against the nature and will of the Lord.
5)
He
who is lazy cannot understand the Scriptures nor bear spiritual fruit. The
devil most prefers to use lazy men
but God uses diligent men only.
Pet. 1:9 “For he who lacks these
things is shortsighted
even to blindness
and has forgotten that he was
cleansed from his old sins.”
YLT:
“for he with whom these things are not present is blind
dim-sighted
having
become forgetful of the cleansing of his old sins;”
Meaning
of Words: “shortsighted”: cannot see far off
shut the eyes; “old”:
in time past; “cleanse”: wash off
purge;
Literal
Meaning: “for he who lacks these things”
“lack”: a
shortage of…; “these things”: the above-mentioned eight spiritual qualities
(see v.5-7);
“Is shortsighted
even to blindness”
“blindness”: it is not total
blindness
but one has not seen what he is supposed to see or one does not
understand even though he has seen (see Matt. 13:13-17); “is shortsighted”
see
only what is apparent and superficial and partial and present rather than the
long-term and significant things
such as the spiritual reality or the heavenly
things or the lessons learnt in the past or the direction of the pursuit in
future etc
“And has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins”
here it
suggests that such man had already been saved clearly
but his past spiritual
experience has no effect on his present walking and pursuit. That is to say
he
no longer seeks further favor even though he has already been favored ---- he
has forsaken the key that links him to God.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
God
is light. If we have really known Him and have fellowship with Him
we will
walk in light (1John 1:5
7). However
if one lacks the fruit of light
he is
blind in darkness (see 1John 2:11).
2)
Short-sightedness
is a sort of blindness ---- regard earthly profit only and disregard heavenly
reward; regard the present gain and disregard the loss in future; regard partly
benefit and disregard the whole harvest.
3)
There are three common mistakes that
Christians often make ---- blindness
short-sightedness and be easy to forget.
Not only men in the world but also Christians are easy to forget. No wonder
that the Lord Jesus Himself set the Lord’s table and let us often remember His
sacrificial love for us (see 1Cor. 11:23-25).
4)
If
a Christian has not grown up with
diligence
he has willfully forgotten that his sins were remitted when he had
believed the Lord. If one does not live in godliness
he has purposefully
forgotten he is a man sanctified unto God.
Pet. 1:10 “Therefore
brethren
be
even more diligent to make your call and election sure
for if you do these
things you will never stumble;”
YLT:
“wherefore
the rather
brethren
be diligent to make stedfast your calling and
choice
for these things doing
ye may never stumble
”
Meaning
of Words: “even more”: rather
better; “sure”: steady
firm; “stumble”: fall
offend;
Literal
Meaning: “therefore
brethren
be even more
diligent”
“therefore
brethren”
the brotherhood is manifested here
and the
writer cares for them much; “be even more”: it is in an imperative tone in the original
which shows that “diligence” is of our necessity. “Diligent” is opposite to
“barren” (see v.8). If one desires to bear fruit
he has to be diligent.
“To make your call and election sure”
“call and election sure”
according to the order of time
election is before call (see Rom. 8:30).
However
according to experiences
we may first know the call of God and then
understand the election of God; “call and election” are both out of the grace
of God
not man’s works. However
the works after one has been saved have
proved the good will of God’s call and election (see Eph. 2:9-10). “Sure”
objectively
God’s call and election will not be changed. However
subjectively
the call and election seem to be moved in our personal feelings.
Therefore
“to make … sure”
it means making something firm and established in
one’s feeling ---- those who are growing in grace will have no doubt about the
grace they have been granted.
“For if you do these things you will never stumble”
“do”: do something
continually; “these things”: the above-mentioned eight spiritual virtues (see
v.5-7); “never stumble”: it does not mean never sinning (see 1John 1:8)
but
never losing directions or erring from the right path (see Is. 35:8; Heb.
12:13) so as not to be unable to recover after a setback in the way of path.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
It
is useless for the one who has not been saved to pay much efforts with diligence. No matter how many “dead works” there
are
man can in no wise obtain salvation by works. What they really need is to
cease their own efforts or works
but believe the salvation the Lord has
fulfilled only. However
those who have been saved need the working of God in
their hearts to work out their own salvation (see Phil. 2:12-13).
2)
Though
the call and election are of God (see v.3)
believers are responsible to prove
the verity of God’s call through good works and spiritual growth. Therefore
believers will never stumble
but abundantly partake of the everlasting kingdom
of the Lord Jesus (see Luke 12:47-48; 1Cor. 3:10-15).
3)
He who walks on the path to the kingdom of
heavens shall not stop
but
always press on.
Once one stops
he will drop back. However
the strengthening power of the Spirit will make
the walkers not faint or weary
(see Is. 40:28-31).
Pet. 1:11 “for so an entrance will
be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.”
YLT:
“for so
richly shall be superadded to you the entrance into the age-during
reign of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
Meaning
of Words: “abundantly”: richly
copiously; “entrance”: access; “kingdom”: royalty
realm;
Literal
Meaning: “for so an entrance will be supplied to you
abundantly”
“be supplied to”
it is the same with the phrase in verse five
“add to”
which means furnishing and ministering and rewarding; “abundantly”
has two aspects of meaning: 1) be furnished and supplied abundantly in the
process; 2) be rewarded fully in the end; according to the original
this
phrase was used to describe the situation that when Olympic winners returned to
their hometown in glory
they were warmly welcomed by the throng of people on
the both sides of the street. Here
it describes the glory of the overcomers
into the heavenly kingdom.
“An entrance will be supplied to…”
we have obtained the privilege of
“entering” the kingdom so that we are enabled to go with boldness.
“Into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
“our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
it is a complete form of address to the Lord
Jesus
appearing three times in the whole New Testament
in the Second Epistle
of Peter (see 1:11; 2:20; 3:18); “the Lord” refers to His authority; “Savior”
refers to His works; “Jesus”: His humanity; “Christ”: His being anointed of
glory;
“The everlasting kingdom”: the eternal kingdom
which is opposite to the
present short and transient “kingdom of the world” (see Rev. 11:15).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) In the process of Christians’ entering the
kingdom of God
if we equip ourselves in life and disposition abundantly with
diligence
God will also reward us abundantly.
2) Any great achievement
glory and reward we
have obtained on the earth can not be compared with the “abundant” rewards in the heaven granted to
overcomers on that day.
3) There are at least tow sorts of Christians:
one is those who enter into the everlasting kingdom “abundantly”; and the other
is those who are “scarcely” saved (1Pet. 4:18).
4) The fullness that will be given on that day
starts from the cost paid today (see v.10). The more we give up today
the more
will we be rewarded on that day.
Pet. 1:12 “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.”
YLT:
“Wherefore
I will not be careless always to remind you concerning these
things
though
having known them
and having been established in the present
truth
”
Meaning
of Words: “know”: see
perceive; “truth”: reality; “establish”: build up
be firm
strengthen; “remind”: cause to remember
bring to remembrance;
Literal
Meaning: “for this reason always of these things
though you know…”
“know”: it emphasizes the objective
knowledge; “these things”: all things pertaining to life and godliness (see
v.3);
“And are established in the present
truth”
“present”: what believers
have now received and kept; “truth”: the truth of Christians’ faith; “are
established”: be steadfast and firm;
“I will
not be negligent to remind you”
“remind”
it
shows that it is easy for men to forget. Therefore
we need to often mention and
be “reminded” of these things.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) No matter physical parents or teachers
or
spiritual shepherds
the effect of encouragement is always better than rebukes.
When the learner feels the deep expectation of the teachers
he may often
receive their instructions more earnestly.
2) Christians may also abandon the old for the
new and feel bothered about the old knowledge we have heard before and like to
hear new things. Such attitude may make us easy to be deceived by false
teachers.
3) It is a good and progressive method of
“reviewing what we have learned and learning a new” in our learning
experiences. Therefore
we need to “be reminded” usually.
Pet. 1:13 “Yes
I think it is right
as long as I am in this tent
to stir you up by reminding you
”
YLT:
“and I think right
so long as I am in this tabernacle
to stir you up in
reminding
”
Meaning
of Words: “think”: regard
believe; “as
long as”: as … as possible;
“stir up”: arouse
awake;
Literal
Meaning: “I think it is right
as long as I am in this tent”
“this tent”: it is
the corruptible physical body that sojourns on the earth (see 2Cor. 5:1); “as
long as”
it suggests the author of this epistle has known he will have only a
few days on the earth (see v.14).
“To stir you up by reminding you”
“remind”: help those who have “forgotten”; “stir
up”: stimulate those who are “idle”;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Every day of Christian is a chance given by
God. We have to seize each opportunity to build up ourselves and serve others.
2) To everything there is a season (see Eccl.
3:1
17). If we have not caught the season
we will miss it. It is better to
regret than to set one’s heart earlier to do what he has to do.
Pet. 1:14 “knowing that shortly I
must put off my tent
just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”
YLT:
“having known that soon is the laying aside of my tabernacle
even as also our
Lord Jesus Christ did shew to me
”
Meaning
of Words: “know”: see
perceive
understand
wish; “put off”: put away
lay aside; “shortly”: soon
swiftly: “show”: indicate
make plain by words;
Literal
Meaning: “knowing that shortly I must put off my tent”
“put off my tent”:
put off the physical body
namely
die and depart from the world (see 2Cor.
5:4); “shortly”
he foresaw that he would be martyred for the Lord like the
apostle Paul (see 2Tim. 4:6).
“Just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me”
it refers to the prophecy of the Lord
concerning Peter’s death (see John 21:18-19).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) “Tent” is merely our temporary dwelling
place (see Heb. 11:9)
not the permanent one. Let Christians not pay much
attention to the corporeal needs and pleasures
but take forethought for the
coming everlasting enjoyment (see Matt .16:25).
2) In the last days
it is appointed by the
Lord whether we depart from the world to see the Lord (see 1Thess. 4:17) or
meet the Lord when we are alive (see Phil. 1:23). Let us accept by faith all
that He has measured for us.
Pet. 1:15 “Moreover I will be
careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my
decease.”
YLT:
“and I will be diligent that also at every time ye have
after my outgoing
power to make to yourselves the remembrance of these things.”
Meaning
of Words: “be
careful to”: be diligent
make
effort
be prompt; “decease”: departure
death;
“always”: every time; “reminder”: put … in mind
have … in
remembrance;
Literal
Meaning: “moreover I will be careful to ensure”
it
indicates that Peter endeavors to complete all the works the Lord has entrusted
to Him as long as he is still alive on the earth.
“That you always have a reminder of these things after my decease”
the
majority of the Bible expositors think Peter will be prompt in finishing the
Gospel of Mark (many Bible expositors believe this gospel book was written by
Mark at Peter’s dictation and all the other three gospel books had not come out
at that time) so as to hand down real word materials for posterity to remember
the Savior (see v.16-18) and get the first-hand experience of Him.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Be always abounding in the work of the Lord
knowing that your labor in the Lord in not in vain (1Cor. 15:58).
2) Paperwork sometimes is more efficacious than
verbal preachment
for it profits more people and spreads for a longer time.
Pet. 1:16 “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.”
YLT:
“For
skilfully devised fables not having followed out
we did make known to
you the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ
but eye-witnesses having
become of his majesty --”
Meaning
of Words: “coming”: presence;
“follow”: imitate
yield to; “cunningly
devised”: cleverly devised;
“fables”: fiction
tale; “eyewitnesses”: lookers-on; “majesty”: mighty power
magnificence;
Literal
Meaning: “when we made known to you the power of our
Lord Jesus Christ”
“when we made known to you…”
in a broad sense
it was from
Peter’s preachment at Pentecost (Acts 2) to the period of his writing the
Second Epistle of Peter. Narrowly speaking
it referred to the period when he
wrote the First Epistle of Peter
in which many things of Christ on the earth
and prophecies concerning the Lord’s coming are mentioned. And Peter has
mentioned the Lord’s coming again in the First Epistle of Peter many times (see
1Pet. 1:7
13; 4:13; 5:1
4). “The power of our Lord Jesus Christ”
it relates
to the risen power of the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus in His incarnation was
humble and weak and powerless (see Heb. 2:9
18; 4:15)
but He will come again
with great power (see Mark 13:26).
“Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”
“coming”
it indicates the things of
the Lord Jesus who will come and appear again (see 1Thess. 4:16; 5:23; 2Thess.
1:7; 2:8; Acts 1:11);
“We did not follow cunningly devised fables”
“did not follow”: it is
not according to the human tales; “cunningly devised fables”: tales that are
cleverly devised;
“But were eyewitnesses of His majesty”
“eyewitnesses”: the fact that he
had witnessed on the mountain where the Lord was transfigured (see Matt.
17:1-2; Luke 9:32); “His majesty”
it means that when the express image of
God’s person appears to men
the brilliancy of glory is truly much luminous and
marvelous (see Heb. 1:3; Rev. 1:16).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The glory of the transfiguration
of Jesus on the mountain is sufficiently enough to prove his holy nature and
the necessity of His glory second coming and the authenticity of the apostles’
preachment (see v.2-11).
2)
The
belief of Christians is by no means the product of human wisdom
but is
according to the testimony of the first-hand experience borne by those have
personally seen the Son of God (see 1John 1:1-2).
3)
There
are three aspects of the apostle’s knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ: a) the
Son of man Jesus in the past history; b) the risen Lord living in believers
now; c) the mighty Christ who is coming again.
4)
Christians
through the eyes of faith
have also seen: a) the redemptive death of Christ on
the cross; b) the risen Lord is living in us; c) the mighty Lord will come again.
5)
When
we preach the gospel to the world
we do not rely on clever and beautiful
words
but bear witness of the Christ we have personally experienced.
Pet. 1:17 “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."”
YLT:
“for having received from God the Father honour and glory
such a voice being
borne to him by the excellent glory: `This is My Son -- the beloved
in whom I
was well pleased;'”
Meaning
of Words: “Excellent”: magnificent; “Glory”: dignity
honor; “pleased”: take pleasure
be well;
Literal Meaning: “for
He received from God the Father honor and glory”
“honor” emphasizes the manifestation of God’s
nature; “glory” emphasizes the manifestation of the divine power; “receive from
… honor and glory”
when He was transfigured on the mountain
His divine
brilliancy showed that He had the glorious divine power
and the voice of God
the Father also proved His honor of divinity ---- “He is My beloved Son” (see
Matt. 17:2
5; Luke 9:32
35).
“When such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory”
“the Excellent Glory” refers to the
bright cloud (see Matt. 17:5)
which is also called “Shekinah”
signifying the
coming and presence of God.
“This is My beloved Son
in whom I am well pleased”
“My beloved Son” emphasizes His honorable nature; “in whom I am well pleased”
it refers to His mission and ministry of
glory ---- all His works are for the will of God that He pleases.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) How “honorable and glorious” the Lord we
believe is. However
it is a pity that the majority of Christians have merely
objective knowledge of Him but no personal experience.
2) If we have the personal knowledge of the
Lord
we will often see the Lord’s appearance and hear God’s voice.
3) Though we Christians are “the children of
God” (see 1John 3:1)
whether we have “pleased” God is decided by the situation
of our pursuit after we are saved (see 1Thess. 4:1; Heb. 12:28).
Pet. 1:18 “And we heard this voice which
came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”
YLT:
“and this voice we -- we did hear
out of heaven borne
being with him in the
holy mount.”
Meaning
of Words: “with”: beside; “holy”: sanctified;
Literal
Meaning: “we heard this voice which came from heaven”
“heard”
Peter mentions in verse sixteen
he had witnessed His majesty and in this verse he heard the voice.
“When
we were with Him on the holy mountain”
“we” referred to Peter and James and John (see Matt. 17:1; Luke 9:28); “the
holy mountain” referred to the mountain on which the Lord was transfigured. The
place God comes to is called “the holy land” (Ex. 3:5)
and the mountain God
comes upon is called “the holy mountain”.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
If
a Christian often experiences the revelation and presence of the Lord
wherever
he is
even though in a common and filthy place
it will become “holy” because
of the Lord’s presence.
2)
There
are three important elements for Christians’ bearing witness: a) be an eyewitness (see v.16); b)
the testimony one has heard personally; c) the
testimony one has experienced personally (“we were with Him”).
3)
The
effect of one individual’s (“I”) testimony is limited. But the corporate
testimony of all (“we”) is authentic and efficacious.
Pet. 1:19 “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;”
YLT:
“And we have more firm the prophetic word
to which we do well giving heed
as
to a lamp shining in a dark place
till day may dawn
and a morning star may
arise -- in your hearts;”
Meaning
of Words: “confirmed”: firmer
more sure
more steadfast; “word”:
(logos); “light”:
lamp; “shine”:
appear
seem; “heed”:
give attention
have regard; “draw”:
glimmer; “rise”:
be up;
Literal
Meaning: “and so we have the prophetic word confirmed
… as a light that shines in a dark place”
“the prophetic word confirmed”: the
prophecies concerning the second coming of Christ in the Old Testament have
provided us firmer proofs; “as a light”: it indicates that the word of God is a
shining light
through which we obtain light (see Ps. 119:105; Pro. 6:23);
“shines in the dark place”
it means that the light shines in our inner eyes
that were once blind (see 2Cor. 4:3-4).
“Which you do well to heed”
fathom and meditate upon the lines of the
Scriptures and look upon the divine revelation of the Spirit;
“Until the day dawns”
“until”: be diligent in the word of God without
idleness and be persistent to the end; “the day dawns”
it refers to the first
glimmer of dawn
which contains two meanings: a) when the word of God is opened
(see Ps. 119:130); 2) when our spirit is awakened (see Rom. 13:11-12).
“And the morning star rises in your hearts”
“the morning star” has two
aspects of meaning: a) the Lord Himself (Rev. 22:16); b) the prophecies are
fulfilled (see Num. 24:17); “rises in your hearts”: know (see Luke 1:4) and see
(see 2Cor. 4:6) truly in hearts;
This verse has two aspects of meaning in both narrow and broad sense: a)
in the narrow sense
it refers to the knowledge of the prophecies concerning
the second coming of Christ; b) in the broad sense
it contains the perfect
revelation of the truth of the Scriptures including the second coming of
Christ.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The prophecies are firmer than the apparent
phenomenon we see. That is to say
God’s word is more steadfast than man’s
experience. Believers shall not believe “spiritual experience” blindly
but
take the word of God as the proof.
2) Our attitude towards the Lord’s word
absolutely decides the amount of the light we will receive. The more careful
one searches the word and the more he cherishes the divine word in heart
the
more light will he obtain. Let not the man who is careless and negligent of the
Lord’s word obtain some light from the Scriptures.
3) Those who spare more efforts in searching
the Scriptures will be more spiritually enlightened.
4) Christ is the light
namely
the morning
star. Believers have to find Christ from the Scriptures so that the Scripture
shall profit us (see John 5:39-40).
5) The four steps of obtaining spiritual
inspiration from the Scriptures: a) search the Scriptures ----heed the
prophecies of the prophets; b) obtain the light in the word ---- until the day
dawns; c) meet Christ ---- the morning star rises; d) it is confirmed in the
Spirit ---- in your hearts;
Pet. 1:20 “knowing this first
that
no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation
”
YLT:
“this first knowing
that no prophecy of the Writing doth come of private
exposition
”
Meaning
of Words: “first”: chiefly
the
first of all; “know”: understand
perceive
be aware; “private”: apart
alone
pertaining to self;
“interpretation”: explanation
application;
Literal
Meaning: “knowing this first”
the chief knowledge about the Old Testament
and it also refers to the chief principle of interpreting the Scriptures
(including the New Testament and the Old Testament).
“That no prophecy of Scripture”
it relates to all the prophecies in the Old
Testament
especially the prophecies concerning Christ’s second coming. And it
is also extended to all the Scriptures.
“Is of any private interpretation”
it suggests that the prophets did not utter or
declare prophecies according to their own views (see Jer. 23:16; Ezek. 13:3)
and also points that we shall in no wise explain the Scriptures “according to
our private interpretation”; “of private interpretation”
it has two meanings:
a) according to one’s own interest; 2) according to the scripture in one single
place;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Holy Bible is by no means the product of
flesh’s will
so it has the supreme authority.
2) Since those who prophesy or write the
Scriptures have not done according to their own views
we shall also not
interpret the Scriptures according to our private interpretation.
3) Preachers shall not add their own will to
the word of God to distort the Scriptures. It is the most ungodly situation of
abusing the divine word to fulfill one’s selfish will.
4) It is rather dangerous for those who like to
explain certain truth according to one scripture only
which will not only
misunderstand the truth but also be easy to produce heresy or extremity.
5) If we desire to understand one certain
scripture
we have to search many places of scripture to compare and cite as
proofs.
6) The correct interpretation of the Scriptures
is the mere weapon of resisting the heretical doctrines.
Pet. 1:21 “for prophecy never came
by the will of man
but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit.”
YLT:
“for not by will of man did ever prophecy come
but by the Holy Spirit borne on
holy men of God spake.”
Meaning
of Words: “came by”: carry
bear
move; “of
man”: of human being; “will”:
desire
pleasure
will; “more”:
the same word with “come by”;
Literal
Meaning: “for prophecy never came by the will of
man”
“for” here it is explaining verse twenty; “prophecy never came by the
will of man”
it means that the prophecy itself has never been carried by men
---- the desires and thoughts and views of men are not the origin of any
prophecy.
“But holy men of God spoke”
apparently
prophecies are uttered by men
but actually it is that man’s mouth speaks the divine word for God.
“As they were moved by the Holy Spirit”
the Holy Spirit breathes out to
move or drive men to prophesy according to the will of the Spirit just like the
wind sails the boat.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The Scriptures are fulfilled by the writers
inspired by the Spirit. We
readers of the Scriptures
also need the
inspiration of the Spirit so as to understand it right.
2) Since the Scriptures are the word of God
they are able to deal with the need of everyone in each generation with
different backgrounds. Everyone can seek help from the Scriptures at all times and
in all over the world
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Knowledge of Christ
A. The multiplied grace and peace because of
the knowledge of Christ (v.2);
B. All things pertain to life and godliness
because of the knowledge of Christ (v.3);
C. Obtain more knowledge of Christ because of
abundant spiritual growth (v.5
D. Bear fruit and get an entrance into the
everlasting kingdom of God because of the knowledge of Christ (v.8b-11);
E. From “fleshly sight” to “spiritual sight”
concerning the knowledge of Christ (v.16-19);
Basic Principles of the Spiritual Arithmetic
---- Plus
Minus
Multiply
Divide
A. Plus---- be partakers of the divine nature
plus eight kinds of moral qualities (v.4b-7);
B. Minus---- escape the corruption that is in
the world through lust
minus sins
(v
C. Multiply---- abundant moral qualities and
full fruit (v.8
11);
D. Divide ---- deny oneself and exalt Christ
(v.15-18);
Eight Steps of Spiritual Growth
A. Faith (v
B. Virtue (v.5b);
C. Knowledge (v
D. Self-control (v
E. Perseverance (v.6b);
F. Godliness (v
G. Brotherly kindness (v
H. Love (v.7b);
Diligence
A. Diligence is the necessary condition for us
to develop our spiritual qualities (v.5-9);
B. Diligence is the necessary way of making our
calling sure (v.10-11);
C. Diligence is the necessary performance of
our fulfilling the ministry of serving the saints (v.12-15);
D. Diligence in the word of God is the
necessary means of meeting Christ in spirit (v.19-21);
Five Negative Effects of the Lack of Growth
A. Not bear fruit ---- have no effective actions
(v.8);
B. Blindness ---- lose the sight of God (v.9);
C. Shortsightedness ---- see only the earthly
things and present things (v.9);
D. Be easy to forget ---- forget the experience
in the Lord (v.9);
E. Stumble ---- be mixed in sins and the world
again (v.10);
Four Effects of Growth
A. Bear much fruit (v.8);
B. Sure (v
C. Never stumble (v.10b);
D. Be supplied abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of God (v.11);
Two Great Bases of Christian’s Belief
A. Doctrines preached by the apostles ---- the
New Testament (v.16-28);
B. Prophecies preached by the prophets ---- the
Old Testament (v.19-21);
The Bible is the Word of God
A. Which is true and authentic (v
B. Which enlightens the hearts of men (v.19b);
C. Which has the power of the Spirit (v.20-21);
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou