2 Peter 2:1-3

1 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 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 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.

Commentary
The Apostle Peter having declared to us that the prophetic Word of God is the source of all that is ultimately truthful and reliable, for it has it's origins from God. Now warns us that just as there were false prophets amongst God's people, when He gave them His Word through His prophets. So there will be false teachers amongst us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word. And so in no uncertain terms the Apostle Peter warns us about them, saying that they will secretly bring in destructive heresies. Even denying the Lord who bought them; that is paid the atoning price not only for their salvation, but all people's salvation. For the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for everyone's salvation, but only those who repent and believe in Him will have it. And so in denying the Lord who bought them they will bring on themselves swift destruction. For to deny the Lord Jesus Christ as the only way to eternal salvation, is too never have it (consider Acts 4:12; 1 John 2:22-23). And so swift is there souls destruction (consider Heb 10:37-39). Now the word translated destruction here ἀπώλεια (destruction, ruin) along with θάνατος (death) and ᾅδης, (Hades, the place of the dead, in the N.T. it is the word used for hell) are the words most frequently used in the Septuagint to describe mankind's worst enemy (TDNT). That is the finial and everlasting death and separation from God in hell that comes to those don't believe, nor obey God (2 Thess 1:8). Indeed Satan himself is called the son of perdition in John 17:12 and 2 Thess 2:3 using the same word that is translated destruction here. And though ἀπώλεια has a few N.T. usages not pertaining to everlasting destruction, the force of the Apostle Peters usage of the word here and often in the N.T. means just that. That these false teachers in so doing, in denying the Lord Jesus Christ who had bought them, had doomed their own souls.

And though we who now believe were once faced with our own eternal destruction and ruin because of our sins and transgressions. Yet because of what Jesus has done to atone for our sins and make for our reconciliation and peace with God by His death on the cross. We have been forever released from them, and God's judgment against us for them. And that is why the Scripture boldly asserts of every believers victory over death through their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ Person. Who having first conquered death, (in every sense of the word), by His own death and Resurrection from the dead. Has made the way for eternal life to be given to all who believe in Him. And so the Scripture boldly asserts against our greatest enemy  "O death, where is your sting, O Hades, where is your victory." 1 Cor 15:55

Now the verb translated denying here appears some 31 times in the N.T. It is also a powerful word with some very serious implications. Making the denial of the Lord Jesus Christ a very serious matter(consider Matt 10:32-42). And though it is used of the Apostle Peters three denials of the Lord Jesus Christ the night Jesus was arrested and taken into custody. Here it is indicating something far deeper, than just a verbal denial in a moment of weakness. Rather it is indicating an utter abandonment of ones faith In Christ. And thus ones beliefs, theology, and lifestyle all will reflect this. As well the word translated denying here often has a very strong sense of no attached to it. As the Jews who refused to have Pilate release Jesus to them when He was to be crucified, and instead demanded a murderer, Barabbas be given them. In so doing they denied (i.e. rejected) the Lord Jesus Christ's Person as being the Messiah and thus His Lordship over them (Acts 3:13-14). Or in contrast to them consider that Moses though living in the highest courts in Egypt refused (same word) to be called the son of Pharaoh, and instead chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. By doing so Moses showed himself faithful to God as Supreme, and the people of God whom he loved dearly, and thus he did not deny either God or them (Heb 11:24-25). Therefore the denial here that these false teachers fall under is a denial that either openly (or in ones heart) rejects, renounces, or refuses to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person as testified too in the Scriptures and to submit themselves to Him as such (consider 2 Tim 2:12). Or it is a denial in the sense of refusing to cease from ones own works and instead receive the saving work of God from ones sins exclusively found through the Lord Jesus Christ's Person and Work at Calvary, as ones Lord and Savior. Thus a denial that either denies the exclusivity of the Lord Jesus Christ's Person and claims, or a denial that refuses to trust completely in God's saving work at Calvary through Jesus Christ His Son as being all sufficient. All which the Apostle Peter did not do. Though again he out of fear for his life denied being Jesus' disciple while Jesus was being interrogated before the Sanhedrin. Peter did not at any time deny the Lord Jesus Christ's Person as being the Christ, the Son of God. Either when questioned by Jesus about who he thought Jesus' Person was before Jesus' Crucifixion (see Matt 16:13-17). Nor afterwards when Peter having deeply repented of denying Jesus in the High Priest's courtyard, would later receive the grace of God, when Jesus having risen from the dead restored him back to Himself (John 21:1-23). And so the Apostle Peter after the Holy Spirit's outpouring and thus his own transformation by the Holy Spirit's regeneration of his person would go on for the rest of his life to boldly preach the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Savior of the world, just as he had always believed (see Matt 16:13-17; Acts 3:11-26). Therefore Peter though seriously stumbling that night (as all the Apostles did) did not fall away from his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. And that is what is here meant when the Scripture says that false teachers even deny the Lord Jesus Christ who bought them. They either deny in whole or in part the Lord Jesus Christ's Person or His saving work for them. And thus they are rightly called anti-Christ's and liars who deny either the Father or the Son (1 John 2:22-23). For in so doing they renounce their faith in Him, as well as our obligations to Him as His disciples. To keep His Word and live by His commandments, often by instituting their own. Again something the Apostle Peter did not do so. And so they by their own words and works deny that they know Him, or trust in Him (consider 1 Tim 5:8; 2 Tim 3:5; Titus 1:16).

Now along with that word. The Apostle Peter also says that false teachers will secretly bring in destructive heresies. The word translated secret here is a rarely used word in antiquity, combing two words that basically mean: "to lead before" and "bring in alongside". Strongs says it is to introduce surreptitiously. The TDNT says it was "specifically designed to express what is illegal, secret or unobserved." The Apostle Paul uses a similar word in Gal 2:4 to describe false brethren secretly brought in amongst true brethren to spy out our liberty in Christ. And thus they not only come to observe our liberty in Christ, they inevitably try to turn believers away from living by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only means of justification before God, to living back under the Law. Whether this is God's law or mans self imposed religious ideals and ordinances. False teachers and false brethren will attack us on two primary fronts. One is through the denial of all that Jesus' Person was and has done for us. The other is just what Jesus requires of us in the Gospel and what He does not, which itself is confirmed and further explained in the Biblical Apostles N.T. writings. And so even though they preach in Jesus' Name, they are in reality preaching or teaching another Jesus, and thus another gospel (see 2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15; Gal 1:8-9). And so the Apostle Peter says that by stealth these false teachers will secretly bring in destructive heresies, whether by bringing them in alongside of the truth, or placing them before it. They will in all guile (consider Eph. 4:14) seek to lead people astray from the grace of God which only comes to us through the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Or they will turn the grace of God into a license for sin. Now in contrast to that false "grace", consider Titus 2:11-12 which defines for us the real. Even going so far as to deny the Lord Jesus Christ's Person (vs. 1). Now whether this is in whole, or in part, again does not matter. "For there is no other Name under heaven given amongst men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 Therefore to deny any part of the Lord Jesus Christ's Person as being Completely God and Completely Man as testified too in the Scriptures, is only to deny Him. For Jesus Christ is the Son of Man/Son of God. Born of a virgin as witnessed by men and angels and testified too in the Scriptures, crucified onto death, as witnessed by men and testified too in the Scriptures. Buried three days in the grave, and then risen from the dead, as witnessed by men, and angels and testified too in the Scriptures. Then forty days later Jesus ascended back to God the Father in the presence of the Apostles, again being witnessed by men and testified too in the Scriptures. Therefore to deny apart of the Lord Jesus Christ's Person is only to deny Him. Same with the completeness of His salvation which He purchased by His broken body and shed blood for everyone at Calvary. For the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for all sins, of all of mankind, in every generation in which He is preached, believed on, and thus received into ones heart by faith (John 3:16; Rev 3:20). For God has made peace with us who believe in Jesus through the blood of Christ's cross (Col 1:20). Therefore there is no other means to be saved by Him, other than through the grace of God which comes to us all by repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ's Person as the only Lord and Savior, confessing Jesus Christ alone as Lord (consider John 1:17; Acts 20:21; Rom 3:19-28, 4:4-5, 10:3-4, 9, 10, 13; 11:6; Eph 2:8-9 etc.). Therefore to try to bring in alongside of, or place before the Lord Jesus Christ's Person or Gospel, anything or anyone as a way to God, or as a means to be justified by God, (and thus be washed of, and completely forgiven ones sins) must be fully refuted and completely rejected! For the Lord Jesus Christ said: "I am the Way, the Truth and Life, no one comes to God the Father but through Me" (John 14:6). Therefore no other name or person, is ever to be placed before Him, nor alongside of Him. Either as a means to God, or as a requirement for receiving the saving grace of God by faith in Christ's Person. For Jesus alone is the Son of God, and He alone was crucified for our sins, and He alone rose from the dead for our justification. Therefore Jesus having ascended back to God the Father in heaven, now exclusively serves as God's High Priest and Advocate for us all who believe in Him. Therefore we who believe in Jesus have no other priest on earth, or in heaven, other than Him (Heb 4:14-16; 5:4-11, 7:11-28, vs. 25).

Again these evil people bring with them destructive doctrines by which people will be led astray from Christ (consider Acts 20:29-31). Therefore they are not to be given any leeway, or be trifled with when one is dealing with them (Deut. 13). Consider that four times in just three verses the Apostle Peter uses the same word to describe first their doctrine, "destructive heresies", then their punishment for doing so "swift destruction", then the fruit of their lives "destructive ways". And so in verse three the Apostle Peter says again that "their destruction does not slumber". For such teach not only rebellion against the Lord Jesus and His commandments, but inevitably a rejection of His Person. Making the way of salvation something can be had apart from Him and obedience to Him (consider Rom. 1:5, 6:16, 15:18, Heb 5:9). And thus when they are found out they must be speedily refuted and put out of whatever assemblies they themselves have crept into (consider Jude 3). For as the Apostle Peter says it is by them that the way of truth will blasphemed; that is cursed and heavily spoken against because of their destructive doctrines and lifestyles. The Gospel will not only be distorted by them, it will become a reproach to men and women. For they themselves will not only use it to exploit people for their own financial gain; but they will distort the grace of God so as to justify all manner of moral wickedness in and amongst themselves. And thus they will turn God's house of prayer where all people are to feel safe to seek the Lord and get to know Him, into places where people are exploited or prayed upon by those who are only seeking to profit from them. Now in regard to financially exploiting people, the Scripture says here that by covetousness (either through their own greed or yours) they will exploit you with deceptive words. That is through ones greed and lust for more these false teachers will make all sorts of grandiose claims and promises, literally made up promises and stories that sound "spiritual" to the uniformed but have nothing to do with the Spirit of God. And so many will follow their destructive ways because they will make the gospel appeal to lower nature of mankind, just as the world likes it.


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982


Word Studies/Additional Resources
Secretly: STR 3919; GK 4206; TDNT 5.824; LN 13.132 (1x) N.T. usage 2 Peter 2:1
Denying: STR 720; GK 766; TDNT 1.469; LN 30.52, 31.25, 33.277, 34.48, 36.43, 88.231
Destructive: STR 684, GK 724; TDNT 1.396; LN. 20.31; 65.14 (20x), N.T. usage Matt 7:13; 26:8; Mark 14:4; John 17:12; Acts 8:20, 25:16; Rom 9:22; Phil 1:28; 3:19; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim 6:9; Heb 10:39; 2 Peter 2:1 (2x), 3, 3:7, 16; Rev 17:8, 11.

TDNT: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament
* Septuagint: The ancient authorized rendering of the Hebrew Scriptures.

2 Peter 1:16-21

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. 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.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 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; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Commentary
Vs. 16 The Apostle Peter here begins to affirm that both his own and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ's Person, Coming and Power, is not in some ancient myths and legends, but in the historic reality of the Living Lord Jesus Christ. Thus Peter here emphasizes both Jesus coming as a Man to which he was privileged to walk and talk with, and be taught by Him, but also to be an eye witness of Jesus' mighty Words and Works during His three and half years of ministry. In this Peter recalls one major event that he himself and the Apostles James and John were exclusive eye witnesses too. And that is the Lord Jesus' transfiguration. That is is what Peter is referring to when he says they were eye-witnesses of His majesty (see Matt 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).

Vs. 17-19 Now it was there on that Mount while with the three apostles that Jesus revealed His Divine Person to them. Indeed it will be that two of the greatest Old Testament figures, Moses and Elijah will appear there with Him, not as equals with Him, but as clearly subservient to Him, to honor Him, so that Jesus might reveal to His Apostles that He truly is the Son of God and has been granted all Authority and Power from God the Father in heaven, to both Redeem, Rule and Judge. And so the Apostle Peter in recalling what took place before their very eyes says that when the Lord Jesus was transfigured before them, and they saw Jesus' Excellent Glory, that God spoke from heaven declaring to them: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Now in the Gospel accounts what was fully said was: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Now if you read the account there the Apostle Peter when he was overcome by fear and awe by that awesome sight made the terrible mistake of trying honor alongside the Lord Jesus Christ both Moses and Elijah, something that can never be. (Therefore all prayers made to all "saints" is clearly a man decreed error and apostasy, since we have only one High Priest Jesus, whom God has commanded that we are to exclusively pray to Him through (Heb 4:14-16). Therefore no man can lawfully take Christ's role of High Priest and Advocate before God the Father onto themselves, Heb 1, 5:4; 1 John 2:1). Nor can they bestow that honor on anyone else, as Peter quickly found out, when he in ignorance said to the other disciples, let us build three tabernacles, one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Jesus. And thus was promptly rebuked by God for it.
For God has only one Son, the Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified, raised from the dead, and now is seated at the right hand of God. Therefore God commands all people everywhere to honor Him, and Him alone. For He who does not honor the Son of God does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:23). Therefore the Apostle Peter in seeking to strengthen the disciples faith in Jesus' Person as God's Son, who came in fulfillment of the prophetic Scriptures (vs. 19), is emphasizing that very fact. That our faith must be in, and our focus on glorifying One Person, the Man of Glory the Lord Jesus Christ. For God has commanded us all to both hear and honor His Son (consider John 12:44-50). And so the Apostle Peter in recalling when Jesus, in the presence of them, was transfigured before them, says that Jesus was fully honored and glorified by His Father in heaven. And thus Peter says of Jesus that 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.” Therefore if God the Father honors His Divine Son in the presence of mortal men who much more must we! And this we do when we believe Him and obey Him. And so the Apostle Peters says not only do we have the prophetic word confirmed, but we are wise indeed if we heed (vs. 19).

Vs. 20-21 Again the Apostle Peter having testified to personally being an eyewitness to the Power and Glory of the Living Lord, and thus having seen the prophetic Word confirmed now adds this: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

And so we know that  no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for it did not come by the will of man, but through holy men who God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. For if man had then it is highly, highly, highly unlikely that they would've written about the long awaited and anticipated Messiah being crucified! Indeed not just crucified, but risen, then ascended back to God the Father waiting until all His enemies are made His footstool! And not just for the Jews (but also for the Gentiles who will believe in Him!) Indeed the Jews long holding onto Moses and the covenant God made exclusively with them would not have written about a New Covenant by which through the Lord Jesus Christ's broken body and shed blood there would be made an entrance for all to enter the Kingdom of heaven by their faith in Jesus. And so we have the prophetic Word of God confirmed. The question is what are you going to do with it? For when God sends out His Word into the world He demands a response from us. For God in the fullness of time sent His Son Jesus to fulfill His Word by His suffering Crucifixion death in our place, and for our sins, so that He might not only save us from our sins and His judgment against us for them, but also bring us to Spiritual life the moment we believe in Jesus. For that is what underlies everything God has done and is doing in the world in seeking our reconciliation to Himself, by not now imputing our sins and trespasses against us (2 Cor 5:21). He through His love for us is extending His grace to us all, so that we all might repent and believe in Him.

The question then is have you done that? Have you in faith acknowledged your sins to God and asked the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart and life, to be your Lord and Savior? If you have not, but do indeed believe then lets settle the matter once and for all. By simply praying something like this Christ will begin a new life with you and within you: Dear Lord Jesus I believe that you were crucified for my sins so that I can have remission of them and new and everlasting life the moment I believe in you. Therefore I now invite you into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in your Name alone Lord Jesus Christ, I call and trust, amen.

Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982





 

2 Peter 1:12-15

 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. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

Commentary
Vs. 12 The Apostle Peter here encourages us to remain in the truth which is found in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so Peter says he will not be negligent to remind us of what is required of us as disciples of Christ. That is keeping those truths and character pursuits that he previously listed. For the Scripture promises that if we do those things that make for true discipleship and fruitfulness by pursuing and living lives of faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Not only will we never stumble, and thus fall back into ones old sins and lifestyle, but an abundant entrance will be supplied to us into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:10-11). Therefore the Apostle Peter states that he will not be negligent to always remind us of these things, though we who are believe are established in the present and eternal truth of God. And so Peter before his death made provision to have this epistle that is before us, both delivered to his early readers, but also preserved for us all by them.

Vs. 13-14 The Apostle Peters metaphor here of his mortal body being a "tent" is not unique to him, since the Apostle Paul likewise used the same metaphor in describing his own mortal body and life (see 2 Cor 5:1, 4). For truly all that now is, is only temporary, until we reach our finial destiny which is with Jesus Christ and God the Father in heaven. Where we will each receive our heavenly bodies of which we do not now know what they will be like, but we do know that they will be perfect in regards to both our person, and our bearing the glorious image of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:35-58). For it is only once we are there in heaven that we will truly experience God's promise of life everlasting eternally separated from death and the corruption that is inherent to this mortal life and body, because of sin. Therefore Peter says that while he is in this mortal body (i.e. tent) that he will be diligent to leave a written record of his Spirit inspired words, as well continue to stir up the faith of his readers through his own ongoing ministering to them, so that they, and we all can live lives here and now that prepare us for our eternal home (vs 13). And so Peter knowing that his own departure from this life was imminent (vs 14); that he was going to die just as the Lord Jesus Christ had shown him (see John 21:18-19); began making provisions for the disciples (and our) ongoing Spiritual instruction and encouragement after his decease, through the preserving of his Holy Spirit given words (vs. 15). For truly a shepherd of God has in his heart, the heart of God, for God's people. And so even when facing an imminent death, the Apostle Peter, like the Lord Jesus before him, did not waver in his faith, nor did he have his own welfare or well being in his heart and mind, only ours. And that is what God has for you. For in sending His Son Jesus to suffer crucifixion death for all our sins He wants you to believe in Him, so that you might be saved from them, and have life everlasting with Him (John 3:16). For God does not want any of us to try to earn His forgiveness or His salvation from our sins (Rom 4:4-5; Eph 2:8-9). He only wants and commands that we first and foremost believe in His Son Jesus Christ crucified for our sins remission and raised from the dead for our justification, so that we might have remission of all our sins and everlasting life the moment we believe in Him. For that is what God requires of each and everyone of us, so that He might save us from our sins and the wrath to come on every unrepentant and unbelieving soul. For the law having been fulfilled in Christ; that is in and through His life, death and Resurrection, Jesus has not only made atonement for all our sins, He has ushered in the New Covenant through which we who believe in Him are now to be in relationship with God. Therefore neither ones obedience towards the law or failure to keep it before salvation amounts to anything. Since the Scripture confines all under sin so that the righteousness of God might be imputed to all who believe (see Rom 3:19-28). Therefore only ones faith in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead for our sins remission will decide ones eternal fate. For that is how one becomes a Christian, not by water baptism, not by church membership, not by sacrificial service, but by repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. For when that takes place in ones heart and life by believing unreservedly in Jesus as testified too in the Scriptures; one is born-again by the Spirit of God and thus enters the Kingdom of heaven, and thus has remission of all their sins and everlasting life.
I don't know where you are at today. But I hope, I truly pray, that in some way something here has a touched you and will stay with you, so that (if have not already) might see your need for God's grace and truth and repent of your sins and believe in Jesus. Believe that God loves you and wants to be in a relationship with you, and has made the way for you to have a relationship with Him, by which His everlasting mercy might be extended to you. For that is what God wants for you, not judgment, not misery, but freedom from sin and death, and thus life new and everlasting. That is why Jesus became a Man, to save you and me! Therefore if you believe in Jesus, invite Him into your heart heart and life, to be both your Lord and Savior, by simply praying something like this: Dear Lord Jesus I know that I am a sinner and I believe You were crucified for my sins remission, therefore I now invite You into my heart and life to be my Lord and Savior, in Your Name Lord Jesus I pray this, amen.

Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

2 Peter 1:5-11

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Commentary
Vs 5-7 The Apostle Peter having commended both the true knowledge and promises of God to us; declaring to us that it is through these very things that we are partakers of the divine nature (faith being the activating ingredient of our salvation). Now exhorts to us that it is "for this very reason" that we are to in all diligence add to our faith in Jesus, several Christian virtues by which effective and maturing Christ like growth will take place in our lives. Now this is not merely a command to be fulfilled by self effort, yes it will require a steady and ongoing application by us, but ultimately it will be the Holy Spirit both empowering us and transforming us that will be the difference maker. For just as God is working in us, He still requires our active participation in this by our pursuing His righteousness. And so the Apostle Peter first states that we are to add to our faith virtue. Websters unabridged dictionary defines virtue as this: moral excellence, goodness, righteousness. Now the word used here always carries with it the connotation of pursing, doing, and or achieving excellence; even meditating on something "praiseworthy" (as in 1 Peter 2:9). And so in the N.T. this is always excellence of character that we as believers are to pursue. The ancient Greeks at the time of Homer also used this word in commending the pursuit of manliness or martial valour, and thus honor. So too then should the man of God likewise pursue those things that are excellent in the sight of the Lord, as His true calling as a man of God, whose life and person is both called by, and being led into God's glory and virtue. For it is moral excellence that makes a man honorable in the eyes of the Lord.
Therefore let it be that each and every man who calls on the name of the Lord not only takes a public stand for the Lord Jesus Christ, but also let him also live and strive to be living a life in all virtue.

Having commended us to first of all add to our faith virtue, the Apostle Peter now says that we are to add knowledge. This is the word he used in his introduction when he said: "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" 2 Peter 1:2 For it is only by adding too ourselves true knowledge of God our Father that we grow in God's grace and peace as His children. Indeed in closing his epistle Peter will again commend to us to grow in this, stating: "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18
For knowledge of God and thus ones place and position with God because one belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ is absolutely critical to ones spiritual survival. For in this world where there is either an active hostility towards or absolute abandonment of true knowledge of God, one must for themselves actively seek and feed on the Word of God that they may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). For just as with virtue, so to nobody can effectively cause you grow in your faith if you wilfully neglect it. You yourself must actively be in the Word of God looking for the Holy Spirit to both teach you and instruct you out of it (1 John 2:27). For it is only by the Word of God that you can defeat the lies of the enemy and overcome and or refute, all the false messages and messengers that are in this world. For how else can you grow in your faith and knowledge of God and His promises unless you make a concerted effort to read, study and memorize them. For you how else will you renew your mind (Rom 12:2) unless you yourself are inculcating God' Word into your whole being by your active study of it. Otherwise you'll just be a Sunday morning Christian that nods in approval with all of the preachers words, yet retains almost none of them come Monday morning. And thus God's Word will have little lasting impact on your own life, or the lives of those in your family, or in your sphere of influence. Therefore if you have come to believe in the Lord Jesus don't starve yourself by always looking for someone else to feed you. Take the initiative, let God teach you as you read and study His Word and thus learn and grow in your knowledge of God and His grace for you. For when you do maturity, spiritual fruitfulness, and peace will be products of your efforts and faith.
Now alongside of knowledge the Apostle Peter exhorts us all to add self-control. The word used here appears only two other times in the N.T. (though the exhortation for believers to have self control is by no means limited to these occurrences, consider 1 Cor 9:27; 1 Thess 4:3-7; Titus 2:11-12 etc.).
It appears first in Acts 24:25 where the Apostle Paul being brought before the ruling Governor Felix (a man known for his immorality) to testify about faith in Jesus, will reason with him about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, to which Felix becoming afraid defers a decision on Paul's imprisonment and asks that he be taken away. The other occurrence is in Gal 5:23 where it is listed as one of the nine fruits of Spirit given to every believer. And so we as believers are to people of "self control"; that is people who by the Spirit of God strive to control (i.e. reign in) all fleshly impulses and desires that are contrary to sound Christian living. Whether this is our sin natures fleshly lusts or managing ones temper or tongue, especially during times of temptation or provocation. Same with our bodily impulses to overindulge in foods, drink or whatever else one may be drawn too or into. Each believer must learn to master both their emotions as well as their fleshes impulses so as not to be governed by them, but rather, be governed by the Lord and His Spirit. Consider Proverbs 25:28 which states: Whoever has no rule over his own spirit, Is like a city broken down, without walls. And thus is susceptible to all manner of evils, vices and pitfalls that afflict unbelieving mankind. Therefore self control is a fruit of God's Spirit given to us to not only help us escape all the snares and pitfalls in this life. But also we are given it so as to be empowered to live righteous lives that are both fruitful and peaceful. For truly Biblical wisdom always has within in it self control.
And with that the Apostle Peter now moves from self-control to perseverance. Which seems the perfect follow up. For self control cannot be divorced from perseverance, that is the ability to bear up a long time (and not fold) while under ongoing pressure. Which maybe why God allows those difficult circumstances, and even people, into our lives. So that we might learn perseverance. For though we truly hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and believe God's promises towards us because of Him. Often it's not until our faith has been forged in the furnace of ongoing affliction do we get any stronger in keeping it.
And so from perseverance the Apostle Peter moves to godliness. Exhorting us, just as the Apostle Paul does to it's virtue and pursuit (see 1 Tim 4:7). The question then is what is it? Obviously godliness regards ones disposition, conduct, and or responsibilities towards God. And in regards to this, godliness always implies piety. That is we are to have a reverent, humble, and or submissive spirit before God, fearing both His Person and His Word (consider Isaiah 57:16; 66:2; Phil 2:12-13). Now because of this deep regard for God's Person and His Word, godliness also carries with it some very clear moral and ethical obligations (consider Micah 6:8). For one cannot be said to be living a godly life by merely by being pious in church. For true godliness always is an extension of ones reverence for God; and thus invokes the fear of the Lord, as ones guiding principal in spheres outside of the house of faith (Psalm 110:10). And so born out of ones reverence for God, there must also to be a due respect/regard for all those God has placed in authority over us (1 Tim 2:1-2). For true godliness is just that, behavior towards God and mankind that is in accord with the Gospel of God. For in contrast to false teachers that reject authority, and or deny these things. Sound doctrine makes it clear that true faith In Jesus Christ is always in accord with godliness (1 Tim 6:3-5; Titus 1:1). Which itself is a by product of Christ's Divine power and life at work in us and through us (2 Peter 1:3). And so like all the fruits of the Spirit which are given to us as an essential part of our new nature; so we must seek to live in harmony with them, rather than living by the worlds godless works, words, and ways (consider Gal 5:16-24). Therefore godliness is just that, living in harmony with, and letting the life of Jesus Christ within us be manifested through us, towards both God and mankind. Whether in prayer or in service. Godliness is both reverence and fear, righteousness, justice and love. For these are not mutually exclusive ideas. But find their consummation in godliness.

Next up is brotherly kindness. The word used here also means brotherly love (1 Thess 4:9). What is unique about it; as compared to other Greek words that have a similar thrust in meaning; is that it is restricted to those who share a common bond, in a common fellowship. And thus for believers this is the common bond and fellowship that we all share in Christ. Thus brotherly kindness is something that we are to give great emphasis in practicing towards all those who are in the house of faith (Rom 12:10; Heb 13:1). Whether this in ones own church assembly, or elsewhere, for brotherly kindness is commanded of us to live out towards all who in truth call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 John 4:20-21).

And so there is love. The greatest gift God has given us, and that we can give to others. For is that not why Jesus became a Man, so that by His death on the cross and His Resurrection from the dead, He could not only atone for all our sins (and thus fulfill God's love for us all, Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:10), but He could by His Holy Spirit bring God's everlasting love into us all who believe in Him. And so when Jesus atoned for all our sins, and dealt with our sin nature, by His crusifixion death, He opened the door by which we could become partakers of the Divine Nature. Therefore Jesus commands that we love one another, so that all might know that we are His disciples (John 13:35) and thus believe in the love that God has for them. Love then is foundational to everything that not only we are as Christians, but also what we do as Christians. For no one can say they know God, nor abide in God, unless they truly love God and other believers (consider 1 John 4:16, 20-21). Therefore: 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 1 John 4:7–8 

Vs. 8 The Apostle Peter having commended us to the diligent pursuit of seven Christian virtues: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Now reminds us that it is through these that we become both effective and fruitful for the Lord Jesus Christ's Person, Kingdom, and Purposes here on earth. "For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." vs. 8

Vs. 9 "For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins." The Apostle Peter by saying such here is commending us who believe in Jesus to live lives that reflect all the qualities previously listed. For as believers we must always strive to go forward in the grace of God, and not fall into lethargy, or our old sinful lifestyles. For we are cleansed from our old sins, and have been given a new nature, therefore let us live according to it.    

Vs. 10-11 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And so we are in all diligence to make our calling and election from God sure, for if we do those things, that is by live out those virtues that the Apostle Peter commended to us, we will never stumble as believers. As well we will affirm to ourselves (and others) our own true standing with the Lord Jesus Christ and God. For again the Lord Jesus says nothing about the grace of God going out to all sinners so that they might continue on in sin (consider Matt 7:13-14, ). On the contrary, when anyone sees their own sinfulness, and receives what the Lord Jesus Christ has done through His crucifixion death and resurrection from the dead, to both atone for our sins, as well as liberate us from them, everything changes. Therefore when one is brought from spiritual death and darkness and into Spiritual life and light, by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Christ's life with new godly appetites are implanted with us. That is what happens when the Holy Spirit indwells us with the Divine Nature. And so we are to pursue these godly desires with all diligence. "for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" vs. 11


Additional Resources Consulted

Websters Unabridged Dictionary
(from Logos)

Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. electronic ed. of the 2nd edition. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). electronic ed. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Kittel, Gerhard, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans, 1985.

Liddell, H.G. A Lexicon: Abridged from Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996.

Word Studies
faith (Str 4102; GK 4411; LN 31.43, 31.85, 31.88, 31.102, 31.104, 33.289; TDNT 6.174)
virtue (Str 703; GK 746; LN 88.11, 76.14; TDNT 1.457)
knowledge (Str 1108; GK 1194; LN LN 28.1, 28.17, 28.19, 32.16; TDNT 1.689)
self-control (Str 1466; GK 1602; LN 88.83; TDNT 2.339)
perseverance (Str 5281; GK 5705; LN 25.174; TDNT 4.581)
godliness (Str 2150; GK 2354; LN 53.1, 53.5; TDNT 7.175)
brotherly kindness (Str 5360; GK 5789; LN 25.34; TDNT 1.144)
love (Str 26; GK 27; LN 25.43; 23.28; TDNT 1.21)

Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Note: this is a draft version, completed to verse nine

2 Peter 1:1-4

2 Peter 1:1–4
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: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 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, 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.

Commentary
Vs. 1 The Apostle Peter in his last written work to the churches (possibly AD 66-67) introduces himself here as both a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. In his first epistle Peter simply introduced himself as an apostle to the churches of the Dispersion. But here in his last letter there seems a deliberate effort on his part to emphasize his being Christ's servant, and that a bondservant; that is one bound to the Lord Jesus Christ's earthly service. Louw-Nida states of this word that it is: "pertaining to a state of being completely controlled by someone or something—‘subservient to, controlled by." Now we now that the Lord Jesus binds no one to His service. But rather bids all to come to Him, and believe in Him, and willfully follow Him in discipleship. And that is what the Apostle Peter is indicating when he says that he is Jesus Christ's bondservant. His person and life is now inseparably wrap up in Jesus Christ's Person and Life. For apostleship speaks of ones Christ given authority, but bondservice speaks of ones heart. That is, because he believes, he has willfully submitted himself to the Lord's purposes for his life. And so Peter goes on to say: "To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ".
Now the Apostle Peter's emphasis here again is not on himself, as if in being chosen by Christ to be His apostle that his faith was, or somehow is, superior to anyone else's. Nor does Peter emphasize his own pedigree, righteousness, or anything else that may be attributed to him, that through those things he attained to what God has given Him in Christ (consider Phil 3:7-9). Rather the Apostle Peter's emphasis here is on the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ who was first crucified for his and our sins remission. And thus only by repentance towards God and faith in the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ did Peter receive remission of all his sins and everlasting life. And thus he can boldly assert that he, like all who likewise believe in Jesus (regardless of the generation in which we believe) have all attained to the same like precious faith! For that is what brings us into a personal relationship with God, and thus remission of all our sins and everlasting life. Jesus Christ crucified in our place so that His righteousness might be imputed to us as well, the moment we believe in Him (consider 2 Cor 5:21).  

Vs. 2 And so having acknowledged our God and Saviors Righteousness, the Apostle Peter extends grace to us all through it, who likewise have believed and received the love of the truth In Christ. "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" And so Peter pronounces not only a blessing of peace and grace on us all. But also gives us a "formula" if you will on how God's grace and peace will be multiplied to us, and that is as we grow in our knowledge of God our Father and of Jesus our Lord, God will not only transform our minds about Himself, ourselves and others. But also as we live out those truths, our whole persons will be transformed by them. And that is one sure way we as believers can grow in grace and peace amongst ourselves and with others. Both believe the truths and promises in God's Word and seek to live them out.

Vs. 3-4 Having pronounced a gracious blessing of grace and peace upon us all who believe, the Apostle Peter now moves into the practical realm and reality of our faith. That is just how we are to live it all out? And that is by God's Divine Power. For as Peter states here it is through His divine power that he has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through knowledge of Him (vs. 3). And though the Holy Spirit is not implicitly mentioned here, God's Divine Power comes to us by the Spirit of God. Who not only initially transforms our persons from spiritual death to Spiritual life. But it is He who is progressively transforming our inner persons. And so He is also empowering us to live out lives that reflect the fullness of Jesus Christ's life within us. For it is the Holy Spirit who is the Divine Power Source if you will, who empowers us to live lives of Godliness. For we have been called by both glory and virtue, and so our lives should now be lived to bring both glory to God, but also we should live lives that are filled with virtue. For God's Divine Power is not given to us so that we simply might try to manifest spiritual gifts or giftedness (that was one of the errors at Corinth, see 1 Cor 12-14). Rather it is given to us so that we all might live life as Jesus Christ's' disciples abundantly, richly, and free. For in being freed from the tyranny of sin and servitude to the law, we are all now to be vessels of God that are sanctified for Jesus Christ's glory and service. And thus be a people who not only give thanks to God in all things but also through which Jesus Christ's life and power can work mightily for the manifestation and glorification of His Person to all, so that all might believe. For it is through God's Person and knowledge of Him in His Word that we have been given exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these we may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (vs. 4). Now God's promises did not come to us because we, or those in the preceding centuries before us, pleaded with God for them. God's Promises came to us because of God's love for us. Who loving us, irrespective of anything about us, and seeing and fully understanding the plight of humanity, indeed all of creation, when sin entered the world and Satan became the ruler of it. And so God understanding all our end if left permanently separated from Him, with an eye on the future of His redeeming us and creation from eternal destruction and ruin, began to make them. First to Adam and Eve our biological forefathers (whom God promised would bring forth a Seed that would both crush Satan, as well as be the agent of their offspring's redemption), than to Noah (the one man in his wicked generation who found favor in the eyes of the Lord, and thus through him God spared us all annihilation, so that His promise would remain sure); than to Abraham (our Spiritual forefather, who because he believed God's promise, God accounted that to him as righteousness); than to the Patriarchs (Isaac, Jacob and Joseph) who though often tried and tested embraced God's promises and look expectantly for them; than Moses, the man of God whom God raised up to lead His people out of bondage and into the land promised to their forefathers. So that He could establish a nation for Himself there where He would bring forth the promised Seed. And finally as the time of God's fulfilling His promise drew near, the prophets who not only testified against all of the wickedness of God's people who had forsaken His covenant with Him, but also all of the wickedness in the earth, and thus God's wrath and finial judgment against it all. But also while in the midst of those dark days they foresaw and testified of the Day of Redemption when God through His Chosen and Anointed One, His Son Jesus Christ would make the everlasting atonement for both theirs and all our sins (Psalm 22:16; Isaiah 53; Zechariah 12:10). And thus usher in God's Everlasting Covenant by His broken body and shed blood on the cross; so that the Holy Spirit's regeneration and renewing could come first to those who believe in Jesus, and then all of creation with the Lord Jesus Christ's second coming and earthly reign. And so there will be a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, which will begin with the Lord Jesus Christ's return and His judgment on the unrepentant and unbelieving world (Rev 19-20). Then the Lord Jesus Christ shall reign over both a redeemed and renewed creation (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14) and there He will have and magnify a reign of Perpetual Peace and Prosperity with and for all who believed and followed Him in faith (Rev 21-22). And so the exceedingly great and precious promises of God are given to us with a goal of our sanctification in the mind, so that through them that we all who believe might become partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. For it's unregenerate humanities insatiable appetites for violence, ungodliness and immorality that is the ruin of this world, and thus leaves it enslaved to the "god of this age." But we who believe in Jesus have escaped both Satan, and the ever increasing corruption that is in this world through lust. And so we who believe in Jesus have life rich and free and abundant now, because the life and Person of Jesus Christ is in us now, but also we have a eternal future and a glorious hope because of God's exceedingly great and precious promises given to us in Christ Jesus.  

Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Word Studies
Bondservant: Louw-Nida 37.3; Str 1400, 1401; GK 1528, 1529; TDNT 2.261

1 Peter 5:12-14

12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Commentary
The Apostle Peter with this salutation closes his brief address to the churches of the Dispersion. He begins this by acknowledging Silvanus as writing this epistle. That is this epistle was composed by the Apostle Peter, but was penned by, as Peter calls him, our faithful brother Silvanus. Now Silvanus was also a co-worker (i.e. missionary) of the Gospel with the Apostle Paul (2 Cor 1:19; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1). And so Silvanus was an associate to both the Apostle's Paul and Peter, being intimately known to both men because he was apart of the church at Jerusalem. Indeed he is referred to as one of the leading men there, along with Judas Barsabbas. Now it will be during the turbulent period when the Churches were transitioning from law to grace (Acts 15:1-6). That both men will be assigned to go with the Apostle's Paul and Barnabas to deliver the Jerusalem decree to all the Gentile churches (Acts 15:22, 27), that critical decree from the Spirit of God that forever liberates all Gentile believers from any servitude towards Christ through the Law (Acts 15:6-29).
And so it is while there at Antioch that Silas (same as Silvanus) and Barnabas (both men being prophets) will not only strengthen all the brethren in the grace of God, but Silas will remain with them, while the Apostle's Paul and Barnabas continue on in their missionary endeavours (Acts 15:32-34). Now when the Apostles Paul and Barnabas have a falling out over John Mark, Silas will replace Barnabas and become one of the Apostle Paul's close compatriots in the Gospel's work (Acts 15:36-41); Timothy later joining them (Acts 16:1-4). And so along with Luke (the writer of the Gospel that bears his name, as well as the Book of Acts), they will endure some incredible trials and overcome seemingly insurmountable odds (consider Paul's own testimony in 2 Cor 6:3-10; 11:22-23), not to mention all that happened to him, and those with him, that is recorded in the Book of Acts. And so with the Apostle Paul leading them, they they will have the great privlidge to take the Gospel to the ends of the world with him. Travelling throughout the Roman Empire, by foot, by ship, by whatever means possible. Founding churches along the way at Corinth, Ephesus, Thessalonica etc. and or ministering to the same, in environments where their persons were often hard pressed and their lives often in peril of death (1 Cor 15:29-34, vs. 30). And as we know the Apostle Paul when his course was finished, according to the will of God, suffered martyrdom at Rome. And so Silvanus (or Silas) who is mentioned here by the Apostle Peter as being a faithful brother, will serve alongside the Apostle Paul until Paul's second missionary journey; where having ministered the gospel to the Jews in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9), the brethren there, because of intense and increasing opposition will send them onto Berea where they will begin to minister the Gospel there. Yet Jews coming from Thessalonica will again raise up fierce opposition to them and the Gospel there. And so Paul being sent the brethren there by sea to Athens, will again escape the Jews. Now it is while there that the Apostle Paul will preach one of the greatest sermons ever to the Gentiles, (at the infamous Mars hill), while waiting for Silas and Timothy to come to him from Macedonia. Now with there arrival they will return to Corinth where the Paul will find a Jew named Aquila who was of the same trade and who received the Gospel. And so Paul will stay with him while working there and continue to minister the Gospel to the Jews in the synagogues. Now while so doing, he will again encounter exceedingly strong opposition. And so the Apostle Paul from that point on will turn away from his countrymen the Jews, and finally see his true calling as being a preacher to the Gentiles (Acts 18:5-11). And with that Paul will begin to become one of the most effective preachers to the Gentiles ever. Now at this point Silas must have returned to Jerusalem to minister there to Jewish believers along with the Apostle Peter. And thus ends Silas' missionary service with Paul (at least as far as we know) but he continues to minister with the Apostle Peter the Gospel to the Jews; as Peter was a preacher, by the Lord's will to the Jews, just as Paul was to the Gentiles. The lesson for us is that sometimes opposition and or persecution to our ministering the Gospel to a certain people, or in a certain region, is God's means of redirecting our efforts into spheres where we will be more fruitful.

Now that was a major digression, but I hope someone else will find it as enriching as I did in recalling some of Silas' service for the Lord. Now the Apostle Peter states and exhorts that "this is the true grace of God in which you stand". That is what the Biblical Gospel is and brings, the true grace of God, a grace that brings salvation unmerited and undeserved (Eph 2:8-9), yet as the Apostle Paul also declares "teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14
And thus the Apostle Peters exhortations here in his epistle are given to us as a means by which we ourselves, both individually and collectively, might live in the grace of God, as well as have the grace of God manifested through our lives. For God's saving work through Jesus Christ's death on the cross and Resurrection from the dead is the means by which we receive remission of our all sins and new and everlasting life, and so that new life, Christ's life must be manifested through us in grace and truth (John 1:12) and not according to the old sinful nature (or old man), but according to our new nature (or new man) which is in accord with true holiness and righteousness. That is essentially what the Apostle Peter is stating when he says this is the true grace in which you stand. For there is a false grace that lives according to its own ways and desires, and thus is always popular with unregenerate people who instead of having the Gospel transform them, want the Gospel conformed to their lives. Vs. 13-14 Without getting into the debates about whom the women in Babylon is, and or if the Babylon mentioned here is literal, which I believe it is. Let us simply focus on the essence of the passage and that is simply, have a heart of warmth and spirit of hospitality towards one another. Whether you do this with smiles, handshakes and welcoming words, or if your so inclined as in some cultures to kiss each other on the cheek as a means of greeting, as the Apostle Peter states here, so be it. Just remember the essence is not the means of greeting, it is that you greet one another in love.

"Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen."

Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982


Note: this is a draft version

1 Peter 5:5-11

5 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.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Commentary
Vs. 5 The Apostle Peter having commanded the elders amongst the brethren to basically submit themselves to the Lord Jesus Christ and serve Him (with clear consciences and holy motives) as overseers of the flock, and as not "lords" of God's people (consider Mark 10:45). Now turns his focus to those who are "younger." That is those believers who by reason of their age (and or their newness in the faith) are younger. And so the Apostle Peter commands that we all submit ourselves to our elders in our church congregations. Which is basically an out growth of our submitting to our elders (i.e. parents and such) in the home and the greater community. Now just in case some misunderstand what this entails, this is not serving some sort of hierarchical regime where people seek to ascend "the ladder" to attain too greater and higher privileges. For that's the way of the unregenerate and self-serving world, not the Body of Christ (consider James 3:13-18). Indeed the Apostle Peter says that we are all to be submissive to one another (whether old or young), and that we all be be clothed with humility. Which is a basic premise of living Godly (consider Isaiah 57:15; Micah 6:8). For as the Apostle Peter quotes here from Proverbs 3:34: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (also consider Psalm 138:6). Therefore just as the Lord Jesus Christ is meek and humble and gentle with all, so should we all seek to live and be. Whether in leadership or not (Psalm 149:4). For that is how the community of faith is to function towards each other, and towards all (consider Matt 11:29; Eph 4:1-5; Phil 2:1-4; Col 3:12-14; 2 Tim 2:25; Titus 3:2). For as the Apostle Peter commands we are all to be clothed with humility (vs. 5). And thus we are to be both reachable and teachable (Psalm 119:66; 143:10; Prov 9:9). Not proud, not haughty, not arrogant, and thus not independent of, nor indifferent towards each other (Rom 12:16). For humility is foundational to attaining to God's wisdom, and being a partner with Him in fulfilling His purposes in the earth (consider Psalm 25:9; Prov 11:2; 22:4). Therefore as God's elect people we are to be humble before God and our fellow person, being submissive towards each other, and caring for each other, sharing and bearing each others burdens in love, and so looking out for each others well being and not just ones own interests, aspirations, goals and desires (consider Gal 6:1-2; Phil 2:3-4). Therefore not treating each other as the worlds treats their own: honoring the proud, rich and mighty, while despising or forsaking the meek, lowly, weak and poor (consider Psalm 10:2-4). Therefore we are neither to respect the proud, nor follow their ways (Job 40:9-14; 1 Sam 2:3; Psalm 12:3; 31:18; 40:4; 119:21; 123:3-4; 131:1). For the Lord's judgment is on the proud (Job 9:13; 40:11; Psalm 18:27; 31:23; 101:5), and He will visit them for punishment in the Day of His wrath (Psalm 59:12; 94:2; Isaiah 2:11-12; 5:15-17; 29:19-21; antithesis Zephaniah 2:3; Isaiah 57:15).

Vs. 6-7 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

The Scriptures are filled with exhortations and promises that when anyone humbles themselves under the mighty hand of God, God will exalt them in due time (consider 2 Chron 7:14; Isaiah 57:15; Psalm 18:27; Luke 18:9-14; Heb 12:3-11; James 4:7-10). Therefore regardless of our circumstances in life we are to cast all our cares and concerns upon Him (Phil 4:6-7), trusting Him completely (Job 5:16; Psalm 37:34-40; Hosea 6:1). For God cares for us all, in good times and bad (consider Isaiah 54:7-8).

Now one of the most important examples of this, and that during a time of seemingly unexplainable suffering, is that of the Biblical saint Job. A man who though blameless in the sight of God will have to endure, not only some horrific tribulations brought on by Satan; but also during such a horrible and unexplainable time, have to endure an utter abandonment of his person from his family, friends, and community. And so, though God will allow Satan to afflict Job for a season. He will not forsake Job to him. Rather God will use Jobs sufferings to expose Job's own sinfulness to him (and thus show him that he, like all peoples, has a need for repentance before God). While also exposing his friends deeply held, and wrongly applied "theologies", through which their words and behavior towards their afflicted friend Job can only be described as abhorrent and utterly unjustifiable.
Now as we know Job's later end has God blessing Job mightily, as well as rebuking Job's friends for their not speaking what was right about Him. And so God will restore Job and all his loses, indeed giving him far more then ever had, and put Job back into his rightful place in the community, and with Himself. Therefore we are never to let our current circumstances cause us to despair, whether these are brought on by others or by God chastening us, for we know that God's chastisement is meant to produce righteousness and humility in us (Prov 20:30; Zeph. 3:11-12; Heb 12:13).
Purging out of us (and hopefully others as well) all those non-Christ like ways and wrongly held beliefs by which we unwittingly misrepresent the Kingdom of God and or miss-use His Word. Therefore if you think you can tell an obedient and faithful Christian by their ease of life, or their prosperity, at any point in their life, think again. For neither prosperity, nor poverty, indicates anything about a person and their standing with God. Same with suffering and afflictions. For not one of the Biblical Apostles ever had an easy time in being faithful towards the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed the Apostle Paul who was arguably the most ardent for the Lord Jesus Christ suffered unimaginable evils at the hands of both his own countrymen the Jews, as well as those Gentiles who opposed the gospel, and then later the false apostles who would infiltrate the church (2 Cor 11:12-15; 22-33).
Nonetheless Paul remained secure in his faith, joy and love in Christ, even when he was abandoned by some of those he brought into the faith (2 Tim 3:10-12; 4:18). Because his life's focus and purpose was not on himself and his personal circumstances. But rather on knowing Jesus Christ better so that he might more fully declare the Gospel of God that leads to salvation, to both Jews and Gentiles, a Gospel that saves everyone who repents and believes. Therefore when believers suffer persecution, afflictions, tragedies, diseases etc. one should not be too quick to judge them, or dismiss them and their testimony and faith in Jesus Christ. For just as God upheld Job through his darkest hours, so God upholds all who keep their trust in Jesus through their darkest hours as well.

Vs. 8-9 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

 Having commended us all to humility before the Lord. The Apostle Peter now exhorts us all to be both sober and vigilant, for as the Apostle Peter says "the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." For the devil is a real being, with real power and real spiritual forces behind him seeking to do his will in this world (consider Luke 22:53; 2 Cor 11:12-15; Eph 6:12). Indeed if one looks at the Scriptures as a whole he is mentioned far more times in the New Testament than in the Old.
Indeed outside of his mention in Genesis 3:1, 4, 5, 15, 15:1, 1 Chronicles 21:1; Job (chapters 1-2), Isaiah 14:12-21; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Zechariah 3:1-2 (approx 19x) he is found most extensively in the N.T. (approx 71x) with the Gospel and the Book of Revelations carrying most of his appearances, and or his being mentioned. Now the devil operates in two primary spheres. The first mentioned is that of mind (i.e. "be sober"). Therefore two primary defenses are given us to thwart him. The first is for us is to be sober. Now one may immediately assume this simply means don't be intoxicated, whether by alcohol or marijuana or any other drug, illicit or legal. For it is fairly obvious that mood altering substances if consumed for those effects are an open door for demonic activity in ones life. And so, yes that is good counsel to steer clear of all such things, and those who justify indulging in them. Yet the jest of the word used here translated "sober" is far more encompassing. And entails being sober-minded, which begins by taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (consider 2 Cor 10:3-5). And thus measure everything by what God's Word says, rather than what someone has "passed along" to you. For if the devil can get you to believe a lie, as was the case with Job's friend Eliphaz. Who was visited by a spirit in the night that he believed was sent from God, yet who convinced him that his own friend Job, whom God had called blameless, was now under the judgment of God (see Job 4:12-21; 5:1-7). Than the devil can get you to do great harm. For in this world where there are many "voices" that expound many things, none of which will help you or others, strive to live soundly in every aspect of your life (compare 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7). Especially as this pertains to your faith in Christ. For there are many strange teachings that are expounded as Christian theology, yet have nothing to do with Christ, nor the Spirit of God (consider Heb 13:7-9). And as Job's friends proved, zeal without true knowledge of God, is a very dangerous and perilous thing. Therefore first and foremost as a disciple of Jesus Christ steer clear of excesses and extremes in speech and behavior, by which people unwittingly sin and error (consider Proverbs 10:19; 17:27; 25:28; 29:20; Acts 24:25; Gal 5:23; Titus 1:8; 2:8; 2 Peter 1:6). Same with the doctrines and commandments of men who turn from the truth, and are turned aside after fables (Acts 20:28-30; 1 Tim 1:4; 4:1-4, 4:7; 2 Tim 4:1-5; Titus 1:14-16). Therefore first and foremost as a disciple of Jesus Christ strive to live peaceably with all, and stay true to the Scriptures in your faith and life. For as the Apostle Paul warned "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine" (2 Tim 4:3-5). Therefore we are to be both sober and vigilant (which is our second means of defense. Now the word translated vigilant often means "be watchful" (consider Matt 26:41; Acts 20:28:31; 1 Cor 16:13-14; Col 4:2; 1 Thess 5:6-8; Rev 3:2-3; 16:15). Therefore be vigilant in your life; (which is the antithesis to being idle) and be watchful in all things; guarding your heart, mind, and body. For it's out of the heart that the issues of life spring (consider Prov 4:23; Mark 7:21) and it's through the body, in which sin dwells, that the devil seeks opportunity. Therefore put on the whole armor of God (Eph 6:10-18). Having your waist "girded with the belt of truth", stand for the truth which will defeat all of the lies of the devil and man, heeding neither (consider Psalm 40:4; 125:5; Ezek 13:22-23). Put on "the breastplate of righteousness", which means both trusting Jesus Christ's own Righteousness for ones salvation and living Righteously because of it, which will keep the devil far from you (1 John 5:18). Have your "Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace", so that you might be an agent of Christ's peace wherever you go (Matt 5:9). As well hold up and hold onto the "shield of faith" which will protect your whole person from all of the fiery darts of the devil, for we walk by faith not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Therefore live each day as one justified fully by faith In Jesus, and give grace to others as well. And so wear the "helmet of salvation" which is ones eternally secure place with Christ (John 10:27-30). Finally take up the "Sword of Spirit which is the word of God", and so rebuke all the devils lies, temptations and assaults (consider Matt 4:1-11). For the Word of God is not only our greatest weapon for defeating the devil's lies, but also in having God free lives and opening hearts of those still enslaved to him (Heb 4:12-13). For there is no other means to defeat the devils schemes then to be proactive against them. Therefore we are to resist Satan steadfastly in the faith (consider James 4:7) knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by our brethren around the world (vs. 9). And thus whatever things we now suffer at either mans or the devils hands is not unique to ourselves.

Vs. 10-11 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

In his closing benediction the Apostle Peter expounds the grace of God. For God, our God and Father is the God of all grace. For that is His very nature which He extends and has extended to us all who believe and thus have have received His grace through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For it is God by His Sovereign grace who has called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus (consider (Rom 9:11). And so just as God patiently endured with us and our mischievous and sinful ways for a season. So we will have to endure wrongs for Jesus Christ's names sake because of His desire to reach and save others as well (consider 2 Peter 3:9). For God has called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, and that is reason enough for our carrying on with Him and following in the Lord Jesus Christ's ways. Therefore though we suffer for a season, suffering persecution and wrongs and such, after we have suffered for a while, God will perfect, establish, strengthen and settle us (see bellow). That is God's promise spoken here to us through the Apostle Peter, and is the ultimate effect of our enduring various kinds of trials and tribulations (consider Rom 5:3-5), and so that will also be apart of His good work in us. "To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen"


Word Studies (1 Peter 5:10)

Perfect (Str 2675; GK 2936; LN 75.5) Louw-Nida gives this as a definition in this context; "to make someone completely adequate or sufficient for something—‘to make adequate, to furnish completely, to cause to be fully qualified, adequacy.’ Now if you think about that for a moment that is what our suffering for our faith in Jesus Christ does, through it, God makes us more and more adequate for Christ's service. Building character in us surely, but also teaching us how to respond in accord with Christ's commandments (and thus rely on Him) when faced with disagreeable people and or very unpleasant circumstances.  For how else does ones grow in trusting God as being truly all sufficient in every aspect of life unless they have their person and faith both tested and proven. For it's easy to give lip service, and or nod in agreement with all the right things that we are to do and say. But it's another thing altogether to put them into real life practice when suddenly and unexpectedly faced with that one distressing thing (or person/personality type) that makes us become utterly unravelled! And so let us again look at Job. A blameless man in every regard until he too had to face his own overwhelming trials. Now at first Job excelled in accepting both loss of possessions and sons and daughters by Satan's direct assaults on his household. Job took it all as most nobly as anyone possibly could, refusing all self pity and instead would say: "the Lord has given and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the Lord" (see Job 1:21). Now if that were the end of his story we would say what a remarkable man that Job was, he suffered all that and never even flinched! However if your a student of the Bible, and have meditated on Job's story for any length of time, you realize that is not the end of it. For God will allow Satan more one request and that is to assault Job's person, yet without taking his life. Now Job will seemingly initially pass that trial as well (see Job 2:6-10). Yet it will be with the arrival of his friends, followed by a week long of silent contemplation with them, that Job when he breaks his silence, will give vent to his horrible physical and quite obvious emotional pain; expressing it in the most darkest ways possible (Job 3). And having done so, Job instead of receiving any sort of consolation from his companions, will only find three "friends" who are more than ready and frankly quite eager to condemn Job (even his now deceased children) as having been exceedingly sinful and wicked in the sight of the Lord, using not only Job's circumstances as evidence against him, but also his own despairing words, and thus they will continually assert that Job and his household have brought their own miseries and demise on themselves. Now initially Job will try to reason with them, pleading for mercy and understanding from them, while trying to both understand his own plight and prove his innocence to them. But when that fails, and they only become more hardened and entrenched in their condemning and mocking of him. Job will begin to turn his words not only against them, but more specifically against the Lord, whom he believes is doing all these things to him. And so in the course of time he will say some utterly unjustifiable things about the Lord and His dealings with him (consider Job 19:22; 27:2; 34:5 etc.). Now when Job's friends fail to reasonably explain Job's plight and their words fail them, and Job gives his finial and encompassing discourse on his just conduct before the Lord (Job 31). They cease responding to Job, for as the Scripture says, "Job was righteous in his own eyes" (32:1), that is he was justifying himself rather than God. Now it is at this point that a new speaker appears, a young man amongst them named Elihu, the fourth and finial speaker and silent one amongst them. Who according to custom had waited until all the elders had spoken, and so when their words had failed them; to bring about Job's repentance; he then begins to speak (32:1-9). And so Elihu speaks, because as the Scripture says, his wrath was aroused at both Job and Job's friends. At Job because Job was justifying himself rather than God, and thus was charging God with having wronged him! As well Elihu's wrath was aroused towards Job's three friends who were condemning Job, yet had found no reasonable explanation for his plight. Now this he does with a desire to justify Job's person before his friends, while seeking to make Job see that God's Sovereignty over all of creation means that He is by no means accountable to us, but that we are all accountable to Him. And so Elihu will seek to justify God's Person by declaring His Sovereign works in the world (Job 32:1-37:24). Something that Job initally had done (remember Job 1:21), but as his plight continued he turned away from, and began seeking to justify himself rather than God. Something Job's friends too had utterly distorted in their desires to prove Job guilty and deserving of his horrific plight. And so they will say some really unjustifiable and slanderous things about Job, while utterly misrepresenting God's dealings with him, largely through their entrenched beliefs in the traditions handed down to them. Now God will step onto the scene, as Elihu is finishing his course. For Job in his bitter despair had so strongly and wrongly reduced himself and his plight to that of justifying himself, that it is clear that no man was going to be able to adequately correct him. And so it will be while Elihu is justifying God and rebuking Job for his words against Him, that God will step into the scene and personally call Job to account for all his words against Him. What then unfolds by God is the greatest discourse on His Sovereignty over all of creation, in His both creating, establishing and or uprooting according to His own Perfect Knowledge Wisdom and Power. And with that, when God speaks, Job seeing himself in the light of Divine Perfection and Perfect Knowledge quickly repents of his justifying himself and justifies God! (Job 38:1-42:17). Now when that happens, God restores Job and his losses, giving Job far more than he ever lost (Job 42:10-17). For that is always the ended end of God allowing suffering in believers lives, to make us more enriched in every aspect of life, as well as more fit and able at the end of them (consider James 5:11). Now God will in another gracious act withhold His judgment from Job's three friends for their misrepresenting Him, His Words, and His dealings with Job. And so it will be the restored Job, by which God will accept a sacrifice for their sin (Job 42:7-9).
And so, that all said, I hope your still with me, again it's only when we are tested by "fire" ( 1 Peter 4:12) that we find out just how mature or not we truly are as believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. For God's allowing those unpleasant and very difficult circumstances in our life is not meant to destroy us, but to help perfect us in the faith.

Establish (Str 4741; GK 5114; LN 74.19; 85.38) the essence of the word translated establish here is that through our trials and such God will not only strengthen us in our faith, and thus we will not become easily unsettled by difficult circumstances in our lives, but more specifically he will through them establish our character in our Christian communities.

Strengthen (Str 4599; GK 4964; LN 74.14) Louw-Nida gives this as a definition "to cause someone to be or to become more able or capable, with the implication of a contrast with weakness—‘to make more able, to strengthen. Saying that the previous word translated establish, as well as the word translated strengthen here "...are very similar in meaning and serve primarily to intensify the meaning of making persons more able to engage in or to undergo certain experiences."

Settle (Str 2311; GK 2530; LN 31.94) The word used here has similair overtones with the word translated establish, that is to strenghten. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testement gives this as the purpose that this word is pointing too in our lives: "The effect or aim of strengthening is the impregnability of Christian faith in spite of the troubles which have to be endured"


Scripture Citations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

Additional Resources
Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Edited by Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley and Gerhard Friedrich. electronic ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964-.

Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. electronic ed. of the 2nd edition. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Swanson, James. Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament). electronic ed. Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.