Bible Study 2 Peter 1: 1-21

 

A Commentary of the Book of 2 Peter

By Dr. Barry L. Jenkins

Text Used: Legacy Standard Bible

Bible Study 2 Peter 1: 1-21

Book Introduction

The Second Epistle General of Peter

WRITER The Apostle Peter (2Pe 1:1)

DATE Probably A.D. 66

THEME Second Peter and Second Timothy have much in common. In both, the writers are aware that martyrdom is near (2Ti 4:6; 2Pe 1:14 with Joh 21:18-19); both are singularly sustained and joyful; both foresee the apostasy in which the history of the professing church will end. Paul finds that apostasy in its last stage when the so-called laity Cmt. on Re 2:6, have become infected (2Ti 3:1-5; 4:3-4); Peter traces the origin of the apostasy to false teachers (2Pe 2:1-3,15-19). In Peter the false teachers deny redemption truth (2Pe 2:1); we shall find in First John a deeper depth--denial of the truth concerning Christ's person (1Jo 4:1-5). In Jude all phases of the apostasy are seen. But in none of these Epistles is the tone one of dejection or pessimism. God and His promises are still the resource of the believer.

The Epistle is in four divisions:

I. The great Christian virtues, 1.1-14 II. The Scriptures exalted, 1.15-21 III. Warnings concerning apostate teachers, 2.1-22 IV. The second coming of Christ and the day of Jehovah, 3.1-18

Text:

Precious and Magnificent Promises

1 [a]Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received the same [b]kind of faith as ours, [c]by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the full knowledge of Him who called us [d]by His own glory and [e]excellence. 4 [f]For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral [g]excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, [h]brotherly kindness, and in your [i]brotherly kindness, [j]love. 8 For if these things are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For in whom these things are not present, that one is blind, being nearsighted, having [k]forgotten the purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure; for in doing these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been strengthened in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has indicated to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my [l]departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

Eyewitnesses of Jesus

16 For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, following cleverly devised myths, but being eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an [m]utterance as this was [n]made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 18 and we ourselves heard this [o]utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 [p]And we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20 Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes by one’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Verse by verse commentary:

Verse 1: “Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received the same kind of faith as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:”

Peter describes himself as a slave to the Lord Jesus Christ and an apostle. This is a better translation than most versions that translate the Greek as “bondservant.” A bondservant is like an employee who can have several employers. However, a slave only has one. The slave in the first century was 100% dependent on his master to take care of him. The “same kind of faith” refers to the personal experience of each individual that comes to Christ in repentance and faith in Him. The phrase “our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” makes clear that the Lord Jesus Christ is God. His Divinity is clearly established in Scripture.

Verse 2: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the full knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;”

The Greek word translated “knowledge” is a strengthened form of the word. It is a common theme in 2 Peter. I would assume that Peter was dealing with one of the mystical cults that invaded the first century church. One common cult was the Gnostics. They believed that man had a divine spark within, that the material world was evil and only the spirit world was good. This led to a number of false beliefs including that since the material world was evil, it was acceptable for the believer to continue in sin because their spirit was still good. Peter will make the point that the knowledge that saves comes from the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

Verse 3: “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the full knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.”

The “divine power” refers back to the Lord Jesus Christ. Once again, Peter establishes Christ’s Divinity. That power has been given to the Christian to enable him to live a holy and sanctified (set apart) life for the Lord. Peter references “full knowledge” which is a constant theme in this book. It is only through the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death for His elect that the Holy Spirit draws the soul under conviction to the blood stained cross of Calvary. Once the person is born again, he becomes a new creation. He lives differently. What he once was, he is no more. Peter will stress the knowledge component in this letter.

Verse 4: “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

Christians do not become “Gods”, nor do they become in any way Divine. However, they have received the Holy Spirit when they were born again and are new creations in Christ. That new creation is a child of God. As such. Christians are being conformed and transformed to the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ and the image of God in them is being renewed in true holiness daily through the sanctifying process. Sanctification is both instantaneous and progressive. In this life, we never stop being confirmed into the image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Verse 5: “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,“

Because of the blessings contained in the preceding verses, Peter exhorts his readers to use maximum effort (“diligence”) to add moral virtue (excellence) to their faith. To “supply” was to give lavishly and generously. There is to be an abundance of virtue added to the faith of the believer. Peter will over the next few verses provide an order of virtues to be added to faith. He will build one upon another until he reaches his climax. “Moral excellence” in classical Greek, , meant the God-given ability to perform heroic deeds. The second virtue is knowledge. This virtue meant understanding, correct insight, truth properly comprehended and applied. To Peter, the source of all knowledge was found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 6: “and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,”

“Self-control” was the next virtue and it means “holding oneself in.” The idea is of a highly trained athlete training for a competition. “Perseverance”  referred to patience or endurance in doing what is right, never giving in to temptation or trial. “Godliness” meant to live a life of reverence, loyalty, and obedience toward God. Peter is drawing his readers to a conclusion of how they are to add to and grow their faith to face the times of persecution.

Verse 7: “and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”

We come to the last two virtues to be added. “Brotherly kindness” refers to brotherly affection, and mutual sacrifice for one another. The word translated “love” is the Greek word agape. This is the God type of love and means in the New Testament the active love of God for his Son the Lord Jesus Christ and His people, and the active love His people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies. Peter ends his list of virtues with the most important one, that is love. Love is the identifier of true Christians.

Verse 8: “For if these things are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

If the virtues described in the preceding three verses are increasing, the Christian will be very useful to kingdom work. They will be noticeably different from nonbelievers. However, if these virtues are decreasing or nonexistent, the Christian will be indistinguishable from the world. Peter stresses true knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ because the church was facing apostasy due to false teachers distorting the message of salvation.  Peter brought them back to Christ, which is true knowledge.

Verse 9: “For in whom these things are not present, that one is blind, being nearsighted, having forgotten the purification from his former sins.”

Peter’s use of “blind, being nearsighted” is confusing because the terms “blind” and “nearsighted” are mutually exclusive. How can you both blind and able to see anything up close? I believe the best interpretation is that Peter is using the two terms to emphasize that a person in this condition ( “in whom these things are not present”) has forgotten he has been saved (“being nearsighted”) and blind to his assurance of salvation. It would be a most miserable state. 

Verse 10: “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and choosing sure; for in doing these things, you will never stumble;”

While God’s election is certain and forever, the assurance of God’s call may be missing from the individual believer. We can experience that assurance through seeing the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives as well as through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.

Verse 11: “for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

Peter’s message is that a Christian who pursues the listed virtues listed in verses 5-7 will not only have assurance of salvation in the present, but a full, rich reward in the “eternal kingdom” of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 12: “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been strengthened in the truth which is present with you.”

The Truth always needs repetition because people forget so quickly. We don’t need new messages with new ideas. We need the plain gospel truth to be preached the old fashioned way. Christ crucified. Christ buried. Christ resurrected. Christ ascended to heaven. Christ coming again. That is the truth that needs to be repeated.

Verse 13: “I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,”

“In this earthly dwelling” refers to the transitory nature of human life on this side of Christ’s return. Peter will continue to preach the gospel until his earthly life ends.

Verse 14: “ knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has indicated to me.”

Christ had prophesied the death Peter would die almost 40 years earlier. Here Peter is referring to what Jesus had told him that morning when He had prepared breakfast for them on the shore of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection (John 21: 18-19). Peter knew his time on earth was short and he wanted to leave a lasting testimony of instruction. When people know they are about to die, they tell you the truth. In law, deathbed statements are admissible even though they are hearsay. The assumption is that when people are about to die, they won’t lie. 

Verse 15: “And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.”

Again, Peter’s purpose in writing this epistle is to establish his readers firmly in the truth of the gospel before his departure. “Departure” means his death. Peter is doing all he can to make sure the ones he leaves behind are firmly established in the truth of the Gospel. 

Verse 16: “For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, following cleverly devised myths, but being eyewitnesses of His majesty.”

“We” is used because Peter is linking himself with the other Apostles in that all preach the same message. In the New Testament “myth” was always in opposition to the true Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter had first hand experience seeing the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was present at the transfiguration and had seen the risen Christ with his own eyes. He was a true eyewitness and it is from that perspective that he wrote this epistle.

Verse 17: “For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, ‘This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased’—”

“Majestic Glory” is a reference to the glory cloud on the Mount of Transfiguration from which God spoke to the disciples.  “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased” means  “This One is in essence with Me.” The Father affirms the Deity of Christ.

Verse 18: “and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”

Peter was a first hand witness. In law, we would say he had direct testimony. There was nothing circumstantial or vague about what Peter saw and heard. In the same way, we testify to what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. We don’t need to argue theology. Just testify to the truth. 

Verse 19: “And we have as more sure the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”

The prophetic word of Scripture is a more solid proof than even the experience of witnessing the Transfiguration in person. “Do well to pay attention” is advice to stay away from false teachers that will lead you into darkness and to listen to what Peter and the other Apostles are teaching. The “morning star” most likely refers to the symbol Christ in His Second Coming. “Arises in your hearts” references the excitement a Christian will have at the second coming. The believer will go from faith to sight when Christ returns.  

Verse 20: “Know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes by one’s own interpretation.”

Peter is teaching that the prophetic testimony in Scripture comes completely from God. This includes not only visions but also words used to describe and interpret them. Notwithstanding the claim of the misguided charismatics, God does not give private words of prophecy to individuals. He speaks through the Scriptures and enlightens us of its meanings. 

Verse 21: “For no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Peter is giving the only true source of prophecy. The Holy Spirit moved on the hearts and minds of the Biblical writers to record not in a verbatim manner such as in dictation, but rather, the Holy Spirit enabled the prophets to speak and write as God’s representatives.