2. Add to Your Faith Goodness (2 Peter 1:5-11)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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"Saint Peter" (1605-1615), studio of Peter Paul Rubens, oil on panel, 92 x 67.5
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In last week's lesson we considered the first part of Peter's plan for
Christian maturity.
- Faith (1:1)
- The knowledge of God ("knowing God") to which faith opens the door (1:2),
and
- The promises of God that stimulate and energize that faith (1:4).
The next steps in Christian growth are additive, but vitally important in
order to keep us growing and progressing.
Building Character One Quality at a Time (1:5-7)
"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." (1:5-7)
"For this very reason…." What reason? So that we might escape the world's
corruption and share in the divine nature (1:4). For this very good reason we
are to take this spiritual growth regimen with all seriousness. "Make every
effort," Peter urges us. "Effort" (NIV, NRSV) or "diligence" (KJV) is the Greek
noun spoudē, which has the basic meaning, "swiftness of movement or
action, haste, speed." Here it means "earnest commitment in discharge of an
obligation or experience of a relationship, eagerness, earnestness, diligence,
willingness, zeal."[1]
We think of the word "add" in mathematical terms. But the Greek word goes a
slightly different direction. "Add" (NIV, KJV) or "support" (NRSV) is the Greek
verb epichorēgeō, "to provide (at one's own expense), supply,
furnish."[2] Robertson translates it, "adding on your part."[3]
It sounds very spiritual to say, "Just let God do it" -- and there is truth
in that. But here Peter is enumerating some things that we ourselves must
add to what God has already done. God does his part, we do ours. These virtues
we "provide at our own expense" -- that is the thrust of the Greek word. Of
course, we are aided by the Holy Spirit, but we, too, must "make every effort."
These qualities of Christian character and maturity are like seven rungs of a
ladder -- except that we don't achieve them sequentially, but work on them all
at the same time. However, I'll stick with the ladder analogy as we look at the
virtues that we must add to the basic faith that God himself has given us (1:1).
Rung 1. Goodness (1:5)
The first virtue is "goodness" (NIV, NRSV) or "virtue" (KJV) which translate
the Greek noun aretē, which we saw in 1:3 -- "uncommon character worthy
of praise, excellence of character, exceptional civic virtue," a term denoting
consummate "excellence" or "merit" within a social context.[4] God wants us to
be exemplary citizens, both of the Kingdom of God and of the society in which we
live. We are called to be of the highest moral character.
What will that take for you? What character flaws have you been excusing all
these years? God calls you to move higher and take on his own excellence of
character. Lying, cheating on income tax, petty theft, inappropriate flirting,
you name it. God calls you to his own excellence of character. Yes, you and I
will fall short. But if you're serious about growing into spiritual maturity,
moral goodness is the first rung of the ladder.
Rung 2. Knowledge (1:5)
The second rung is "knowledge," the Greek noun gnōsis. I don't think
Peter is talking so much about "knowing God" here. That's part of the basis that
comes with faith (1:2). Here he's talking about knowledge of scripture,
knowledge about how to live the Christian life. We can bungle around in
spiritual ignorance only so long. Now it's time to learn spiritual lessons and
begin to grow.
You might begin be taking a few minutes to review some of the lessons God has
taught you through the tough times in your life. What did he teach you? Write it
down. Make it part of your knowledge base on which you can learn more. Begin to
ask more mature Christians about how they handle various kinds of struggles.
They'll share with you. No one is immune from these lessons. Seek after
knowledge of God's ways and his word. This is the second rung of the ladder.
Rung 3. Self-Control (1:6)
The third rung is "self-control" (NIV, NRSV) or "temperance" (KJV). The Greek
noun here is egkrateia, "restraint of one's emotions, impulses, or
desires, self-control,"[5] "the virtue of one who masters his desires and
passions, especially his sensual appetites."[6] This was an ancient Greek virtue
-- and no wonder. It is the basis of any achievement in any field of endeavor --
self discipline. If we're good parents, we try to instill self-discipline and
self-control into our children. But do we discipline ourselves? Do we burst out
in anger or fear or quick judgment upon another? Do we allow ourselves to be
spiritually soft, to skip the gatherings of God's people, to skip reading God's
word and prayer? The same character quality, self-control, self-discipline also
relates to how we use or abuse alcohol, prescription drugs, illicit drugs -- and
food, for that matter. We must learn to control ourselves. No one else can do it
for us. Dear friends, we must be our own task master and discipline ourselves if
we would grow in maturity. It is a must. It isn't all up to Jesus. This
discipline part is up to us. It's what we "provide at our own expense."
Rung 4. Perseverance (1:6)
The fourth rung on the ladder to maturity is "perseverance" (NIV), "patience"
(KJV), and "endurance" (NRSV). The Greek noun hupomonē denotes "the
capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty; patience, endurance,
fortitude, steadfastness, perseverance."[7]
Mature Christians have a long view of the Christian life. A short view causes
us to start and stop a lot, looking at short-term results. But in the long run,
steadfastness will win the day. This means, of course, that we need to be
careful about the directions we take. When you know you have taken a wrong turn,
of course, you don't stay on that path out of stubbornness. But God can help us
to take fewer wrong turns. I've learned that opposition from others doesn't mean
that you're doing something wrong. It may mean you're doing something right.
When Peter and the apostles were arrested and flogged for preaching Jesus (Acts
5:40), they didn't stop. They prayed for boldness and continued on. Perseverance
requires courage and faith -- and is an essential step towards Christian
maturity.
Rung 5. Godliness (1:6)
The fifth rung is "godliness." "Godliness" is the Greek noun eusebeia,
which we saw in 1:3 -- profound or "awesome respect accorded to God; devoutness,
piety, godliness."[8] This word encompasses a lot. But I want to highlight two
aspects of godliness:
(1) A healthy fear of God. Sometimes I hear a kind of flippancy about
God, a light attitude that doesn't fear to joke about him. Perhaps I'm old
fashioned, but I don't think that's appropriate. In my experience, it's the
people who don't know God very well at all who speak about him in jest. Those
who do know him, love and respect him too much to do so. I have a rule about
driving: Don't mess with buses and large trucks. For me, the same goes for God.
(2) A devotional life. Christians who grow in their faith always
have (or are in the process of developing and refining) some kind of disciplined
way in which they approach God -- reading the word, fasting, times of prayer,
meditation, etc. I find myself failing in these at times, but I pick up and
continue because I know that this kind of devotional discipline is necessary for
me to have a consistency in my seeking God. Left to my own devices, I would seek
God only when I'm in trouble. With a structured pattern of devotions, I learn to
seek God for his own sake -- a much better motive.
Rung 6. Brotherly Kindness (1:7)
The sixth rung is "brotherly kindness" (NIV, KJV) or "mutual affection"
(NRSV). The Greek noun philadelphia means, "love of brother or sister,"
the affection one has for family members. In the New Testament it refers to a
sense of affection for a fellow-Christian.[9]
I think "brotherly kindness" gets the short end of the stick as far as our
value of it. We are often taught that agapē love (the seventh rung of
Peter's ladder of virtue) is more important. And thus we value "brotherly
kindness" less. Why does Peter mention both rather than lump them together under
agapē love? I believe he is talking specifically about the love that
Christians have for one another in the Body of Christ.
"If it weren't for people, ministry would be great," I sometimes joke after
some less-than-ideal encounter with a church member. The reason the quip is
funny at all is because it is impossible. God has placed us among people --
imperfect people who, at their best moments, strive to follow the Lord more
fully. And he expects us to treat them as brothers and sisters. Not brothers and
sisters at the height of sibling rivalry and spats, but brothers and sisters who
would do anything for each other.
In the Middle East and many others parts of the world, family is everything.
You will die to protect a family member. If a family member is out of work or
homeless, you take them in to help them through this time.
We have a saying, "Blood is thicker than water," which means that family
relations are more important than all other relationships. It is this attitude
that Peter tells us is a sign of Christian maturity. Rather than retreat from
our brothers and sisters, we must embrace them and love them -- warts and all.
This is what Jesus meant when he said, "By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love (agapē) one another" (John 13:35).
Rung 7. Agape Love (1:7)
Last, but not least is "love" (NIV, NRSV) or "charity" (KJV), Greek agapē
-- "the quality of warm regard for and interest in another; esteem, affection,
regard, love (without limitation to very intimate relationships, but very seldom
in general Greek of sexual attraction)."[10] To tell the truth, this word just
wasn't used much in Greek culture; it was pretty rare. However, it became an
extremely common word in the early Christian community. Christian writers
appropriated an uncommon word for love and used to convey a very special kind of
love -- love which gives without thought of what it will get back.
It's highest expression is found in God our Father and Jesus his Son:
"We love because he first loved us." (1 John 4:19)
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting
life." (John 3:16)
These verses could be multiplied many fold. But this kind of love isn't
supposed to be just a "God thing." Jesus teaches us to love in the same
way:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to
rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are
not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers,
what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48)
To love this way just isn't human nature, you object. If sinfulness and
fallenness are the essential definition of humanity, you may be right. But God
made us humans to be more than we are. He created us in his image so that we can
transcend our selfish, animal selves -- even for a short time -- and become like
him. To think like him, to love like him, to dream like him. We are called to
something higher than that which benefits us. We are called to love. Paul put it
most eloquently:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres. Love never fails…. And now these three remain: faith,
hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7,
13)
And so Peter outlines the ladder of virtues. But why are they so important?
He mentions two reasons: (1) productivity and (2) integrity.
Christian Productivity and Effectiveness (1:8)
First, we need these virtues to be productive in the Christian life.
"For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will
keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our
Lord Jesus Christ." (1:8)
Notice the phrase "increasing measure" (NIV, cf. NRSV) or "abound" (KJV).
This is the Greek verb pleonazō, "to become more and more, so as to be in
abundance, "be/become more or be/become great, be present in abundance, grow,
increase."[11] Growth in the fruit of the Spirit, in establishing Christian
character in our lives, is a continuing and expanding process.
There's an old saying, "Jesus catches his fish before he cleans them." You've
been rescued. You've been caught. Now Jesus is working on your character,
producing his character in you.
Christ's character prevents two related problems for Christians:
ineffectiveness and low productivity.
"Ineffective" (NIV, NRSV) or "barren" (KJV) is the Greek adjective argos,
and denotes "unemployed, idle, lazy." Here it is "pertaining to being
unproductive, useless, worthless."[12] I've known many church-goers whose lives
have little positive, Christian impact on either their families or their
workplaces. They are spiritually barren because they have resisted letting Jesus
transform their lives with his character.
"Unproductive" (NIV) or "unfruitful" (KJV, NRSV) is the Greek adjective
akarpos, literally, "without fruit." Here it is used figuratively,
"pertaining to being useless, unproductive."[13] No fruit, no fruitfulness. This
kind of person is a taker, not a giver, for he has little to give.
How sad to have "knowledge" of Christ, but keep it so in ourselves that no
one knows it! How very sad, to be spiritually barren.
Cleansed from Old Sins (1:9)
Some brands of Christianity in America try to survive without virtue, without
righteousness. But this is a weak, impotent Christianity that is rightly the
laughing stock of those around. The false teachers that Peter is combating in
this letter were proclaiming Christian freedom but offering licentiousness:
"They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity"
(2:19). In 1:9, Peter warns us:
"But if anyone does not have [these virtues], he is nearsighted and
blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."
(1:9)
I understand about "nearsightedness" (from the Greek root that gives us our
word "myopic").[14] Since I was in Junior High, I've use corrective lenses to
see clearly at a distance. My mother is blind from macular degeneration. She can
see through small parts of her retina to get general shapes, but for all intents
and purposes she is blind. She can't see well enough to take care of herself.
Peter says we are blind if we don't think we need to build Christian virtues
into our lives. If we make excuses for ourselves and don't leave our old sins
behind, we are in danger of spiritual blindness, spiritual amnesia. Jesus
cleansed us[15] to bless us -- and that blessing includes growing up in Christ
and leaving our old sins behind.
Be Eager to Confirm God's Call on Your Life (1:10)
Peter concludes this section with an exhortation to grow into Christian
maturity.
"Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling
and election sure." (1:10)
If this verse seems to grate on you theologically, my suggestion is to set
aside preconceived theologies and just listen to what Peter is saying. After
all, theology is built on the Scripture, not the other way around. Let's examine
these two sentences carefully.
"Be all the more eager" (NIV, NRSV) and "give diligence" (KJV) is the Greek
verb spoudazō, which is related to the noun spoudē, "speed" (which
we saw above in 1:5) and means "hurry, hasten, expedite" -- and here by
extension means, "to be especially conscientious in discharging an obligation,
be zealous, be eager, take pains, make every effort, be conscientious."[16]
Peter is urging us with all seriousness to add to our faith a whole list of
Christian virtues. This is not a matter of personal whim, but an apostolic
command.
Growing in maturity and in Christian virtues is what is meant by "making your
calling and election sure." He's not talking about perfection, but growth --
"possess these qualities in increasing measure" (1:8). Calling (klēsis)
and election (eklogē) both refer to God's actions to summon and select
us. Paul indicated that God's selection is not just temporal, but made before we
were even born (Ephesians 1:4; 2:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; also Revelation
17:8). This is difficult for us to fathom, but don't drown in philosophical
concepts. Peter is calling on us to do something concrete.
Peter commands us: "make your calling and election sure." The words "Sure"
(NIV, KJV) or "confirm" (NRSV) translate the Greek adjective bebaios, a
general term relating to stability, "firm, permanent, reliable, abiding." Here
it means "pertaining to having validity over a period of time, in force, valid,"
here "'keep the call in force,' that is, confirm it so that it does not
lapse."[17] Peter is saying: Your growing character in Christ is a vital
indicator that you have been truly called and chosen by God.
Other New Testament writers concur. James says something similar, "Faith
without works is dead" (James 2:17, 20, 26). Paul makes the same point when he
talks about the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians
5:19-26) and self-deceived people who refuse to forsake sin (1 Corinthians
6:9-11). John says, "No one who lives in him keeps on sinning" (1 John 3:6).
Don't ever make the mistake of supposing that you can be saved by means of your
own moral improvement. Your moral improvement is a sign that you are already
saved, that the Spirit is working in you, not the other way around.
Keep from Falling (1:11)
Peter makes a two-fold promise to those who diligently open their lives to
God's working and character-building -- (1) the assurance of salvation and
protection from falling and (2) a grand welcome in heaven upon death or Christ's
coming.
"For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you
will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ." (1:10-11)
What does he mean, when he says that building Christian virtues into our
lives keeps us from falling? "Fall" (NIV, KJV) and "stumble" (NRSV) is the Greek
verb ptaiō, "to lose one's footing, stumble, trip." Figuratively it
means, "to experience disaster, be ruined, be lost."[18]
Does this mean (1) stumbling and then recovering and repenting or (2)
stumbling never to rise? Bauckham is probably right when he translates the word
"come to grief." He believes the meaning of this word is similar to how a
related word is used in Jude 24 (aptaistos), referring to "the disaster
of not reaching final salvation."[19]
A Rich Welcome into God's Presence (1:11)
My own Protestant tradition warns me not to pray for the dead -- I'm sure as
an historical reaction against excesses. But sometimes I find myself praying for
those who have just died with a prayer something like, "Give this person a great
welcome as she enters your Kingdom." In a sense, I am praying this promise:
"For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will
receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ." (1:10-11)
"Rich" (NIV, cf. NRSV), "abundantly" (KJV) is the very common Greek adverb
plousiōs, richly, abundantly."[20]
Think of this promise! Peter says that if we add to our faith Christian
character that we will receive an abundant, rich, and glorious welcome into
God's presence. God will roll out the red carpet for us. Why? Because we are so
deserving? No, but because we took his gift of faith seriously and let Christ
work in our lives.
I think of people in my church who attend services with some regularity, but
are suffering from spiritual atrophy, with small, pinched, desiccated spirits.
They may find their way to heaven through faith in Jesus, by God's grace, but
there won't be a big welcoming party at the pearly gates.
How about you? Are you letting Christ build his character in your life? Or
are you flirting with your pre-Christian sins, unwilling to let go and trust
Christ to guide you? Believe this promise:
"If you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a
rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
(1:10-11)
As for me, I need Jesus' protection to keep me from falling and that rich
welcome will feel mighty good after crossing Jordan alone. Mighty good!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray for myself and for my brothers and sisters. We are weak.
Sometimes we are just plain lazy. There's a streak of rebelliousness in some of
us, a desire to live life our own stubborn way. Forgive us, me especially, Lord.
Soften me up in the way that meat tenderizer makes tough steak more chewable.
And build your life in me, virtue by virtue, rung by rung. Make me more like
yourself. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Key Verses
"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." (2 Peter 1:5-7)
References
- BDAG 939-940. The verb here is pareispherō, "apply, bring to bear,"
here "make every effort, do your best" (BDAG 774).
- BDAG 386-387.
- Robertson, Word Pictures, loc. cit. He notes that this is an
old double compound verb, eispherō "to bring in" + para "besides."
- BDAG 130.
- BDAG 274. This is a compound word, from en, "on" + kratos,
"strength, might."
- Thayer 166-167.
- BDAG 1039-1040.
- BDAG 412-413.
- BDAG 1055.
- BDAG 6-7.
- BDAG 824.
- BDAG 128.
- BDAG 35.
- "Nearsighted" (NIV, NRSV) and "cannot see afar off" (KJV) is the Greek verb
myōpazō."
- "Cleansed" (NIV, cf. NRSV) or "purged" (KJV) is the Greek noun
katharismos, "cleansing" is used both of Jewish rites of purification as
well as figuratively of "cleansing from inward pollution, purify" (BDAG 489).
Our words "catharsis" and "cathartic" come from the same root word.
- BDAG 939.
- BDAG 172.
- BDAG 894. A number of Greek words are used in the New Testament to describe
stumbling and falling (e.g., Matthew 11:6; 13:21; 18:6-9; 26:31, 33 and
parallels, Romans 14:20; 1 Corinthians 8:9, 13; 10:12, 32; Galatians 5:14; 1
Timothy 3:6; 6:9; Hebrews 4:11; 6:6; James 2:10; 3:2 (ptaiō); 2
Peter 3:17; 1 John 2:10; Jude 24).
- Bauckham, p. 191.
- BDAG 831.
Part of Disciple Lessons
from 2 Peter and Jude
Copyright © 1985-2012, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor
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