Explore the Bible By Jay T. Robertson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
BEING USEFUL
2 Peter 1:3–11
Stand on God’s Complete
Provision (3–4)
This brief epistle includes several central themes of the Christian faith. It emphasizes the centrality of faith in the Christian life, the saving righteousness of God, the primacy of Jesus Christ and the importance of knowing God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The call to godliness is rooted in and secured by God’s grace. His gracious power supplies what He requires. God Himself has acted in His infinite power to accomplish salvation, something only He could accomplish. Christ Himself has provided everything believers need for “life and godliness.” Only God can make people godly.
Eternal life is not merely the experience of bliss but also involves transformation so that Jesus’ followers are morally perfected and made like God. Believers, therefore, should live in a godly way even now, though perfection in godliness will not be ours until the day Christ returns.
We must not conclude that godliness comes from our own inherent abilities since the gifts given to believers are rooted in the knowledge of Christ. Everything needed for eternal life is mediated through the knowledge of Him, who calls believers to Himself. The word for “knowledge” refers to the encounter with Jesus Christ that began at conversion and continues throughout one’s life.
Christ called us “to His own glory and excellence.” We are called to live in harmony with God’s own moral character. “Glory” refers to Christ’s splendor and majesty as a divine being. “Excellence” was used by Greek writers to describe the sum of all desirable character qualities.
It is through these “precious and very great promises” believers become partakers of the divine nature. These promises include the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, being conformed to the likeness of Christ, Christ’s return, eternal life in heaven and all the promises in Scripture that relate to the gift of new life.
Cultivate Your Character (5–9)
Peter lists qualities that characterize a life partaking of the divine nature. This list is not a legalistic code but rather the desires and virtues of a transformed heart. The command to live a new life is grounded in the divine power and promises that were granted to believers when they came to know Jesus.
“Make every effort to supplement your faith” means Jesus’ followers should not merely confess faith in Christ but actually live as He taught. He is not saying works are a prerequisite for salvation but rather is arguing that saving faith produces change in the believer’s life. No one ever meets Jesus and stays the same.
The chain of virtues begins with faith. Trusting God is the root from which all other virtues spring. People who rely on God and His promises begin to live a new way. Believers are to add to their faith “virtue,” that is, moral excellence. They also are to add “knowledge,” probably referring to the knowledge of God’s will and ways that are necessary for every Christian. As we grow in Christ we grow in self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love.
A lifelong pattern of growth in Christlike character is expected of Christians and is essential for fruitful ministry. Otherwise, we do not live as forgiven sinners. We behave like unsaved people.
Live with Assurance (10–11)
Believers should never take salvation for granted. Growing in the Christlike virtues in verses 5–7 will give believers increasing confidence that God has called them to salvation. Good works are evidence of and give assurance of salvation, though they are never the basis of it.
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