2 Peter 1:1-11 (May 6)

2 Peter 1:1-11
Building onto Faith
(May 6, 2007)

Facts about 2 Peter -

1. Author- the Apostle Peter

2. Timeframe- 64-65 A.D. (within a year or two of the timeframe for 1 Peter;
   about a year before Peter was martyred)

3. Audience- 1^st-Century believers in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey);
   same group to whom 1 Peter is written

4. Theme- rebuke false teachings
   (particularly a teaching refuting the Second Coming of Christ
   and a teaching misrepresenting grace as a license to sin)

Ref: 2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV)
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;
and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness;
and to godliness, brotherly kindness;
and to brotherly kindness, love. ”

The church in Asia Minor was evidently struggling with false teaching within their congregation.

Peter writes this follow-up to his first letter to address these apostasies.
In the process of speaking against these false teachings,
he presents the “true” teaching about the Gospel.

“Ladder of Virtues”

1. Faith-

pistis (pis'-tis) = persuasion, credence, belief;
moral conviction, reliance upon Christ for salvation (context in which Peter's using the word)

Faith is the necessary seed of a relationship with Christ.
You must have a “seed” to grow anything.

This is where many believers stop (“fire insurance”).

As Peter exhorts in the first part of v.5, “every effort” must be made to add to faith
(KJV states it as “giving all diligence).

2. Goodness-

KJV/ESV = “virtue”; NASB = “moral excellence”

arete (ar-et'-ay) = valor, excellence (has a bit of a masculine “bravery/honor” tint to it)

Ref: Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
“Finally, brethren, whatever is true,
whatever is honorable,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is of good repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.”

The next rung in the “ladder” turns the inward change that marks faith outward
(so that faith is reproduced in others).

Notice that “goodness” or “virtue” follows “faith” (not the other way around),
we must not “stiff-arm” God until we feel we're good enough or clean enough to talk to Him

3. Knowledge-

gnosis (gno'-sis) = knowledge; science

Ref: Luke 1:77 (ESV)
“to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins...”
[Luke quoting Zechariah's prophecy of Jesus' making us aware of His plan for forgiveness]

Ref: 1 Corinthians 12:8 (AMP)
“To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding
according to the same [Holy] Spirit...”
[Paul listing “knowledge” as a spiritual gift]

The next rung in the “ladder” adds security, as we begin to learn and gain certainty about our relationship with Christ. With this growing security, we become ready to face the ordinary challenges of life and the extraordinary attacks of our enemy.



4. Self-Control-

egkrateia (eng-krat'-i-ah) = self-control (continence); temperance

Ref: Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things!”
[Paul listing “self-control” as one of the “fruits of the Spirit”]

This next rung in the “ladder” helps us guard against the sin of pride.
As we gain more “knowledge”,
our sin nature will begin to corrupt the purpose of this knowledge
(seeking to glorify ourselves, rather than to glorify God).

5. Perseverance-

hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay') = cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy; enduring patience

Ref: Luke 8:15 (NIV)
“But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart,
who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”
[Jesus describing the true and faithful believer in the Parable of the Sower]

Ref: Romans 5:3-4 (NASB)
“And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations,
knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope...”

The next rung in the “ladder” represents our successful navigation through life's storms.
This doesn't come naturally, and it's not easy
(but it is much more simple than we generally recognize).

6. Godliness-

eusebeia (yoo-seb'-i-ah) = piety, holiness

Ref: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)
“Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths.
Rather train yourself for godliness;
for while bodily training is of some value,
godliness is of value in every way,
as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”

Ref: 1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV)
“But you, man of God, flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
[Paul reiterates the theme of “godliness” in his exhortation to Timothy]

The next rung in the “ladder” is what we should be persevering toward.
It is our hope (without the goal of “godliness”, perseverance becomes almost impossible).





7. Brotherly Kindness-

philadelphia = fraternal affection, kindness toward a brother

Ref: 1 Thessalonians 4:9 (NKJV)
“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you,
for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another...”
[Paul referring to the Great Commandment from Jesus]

The next rung in the “ladder” ensures that we don't introspectively shelter our “godliness”. We're not called to be wise sages who sit under a tree somewhere.
We're called to act on our faith by extending God's love in our hearts to others.

8. Love-

agape = God's perfect love (a feast of love or charity), indescribable dearness

This word is used 116 times in the New Testament.

Ref: John 13:35 (CEV)
“If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”

Ref: John 15:9-10 (NIV)
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.
Now remain in my love.
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love,
just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”
[Jesus exhorting His disciples, as He tells them “I am the vine; you are the branches”]

Ref: Romans 5:8 (ESV)
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

The ultimate rung in the “ladder” is what God allows us to sample or taste here on earth.
It's easy to lose touch with His love because of our own sin
and because of the discouragement caused by the fallen world around us.
He continually calls us to enjoy this feast with Him, however.

Conclusion-

God has built a plan of discipleship for us in this passage.
It isn't easy to follow, but it is simple.

Ref: 2 Peter 1:8-11 (ESV)
“For if these qualities are yours and are increasing,
they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind,
having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure,
for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.
For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance
into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”