II Peter was written by the Apostle Peter around A.D. 64-66 just before his martyrdom in A.D. 67 and most likely from Rome. In his first epistle, Peter wrote to encourage believers to respond properly to external opposition. In this grand epistle II Peter, Peter focuses on internal opposition caused by false teachers whose destructive heresies can seduce believers into error and immorality. These false teachers perverted the doctrine of Justification and promoted a rebellious and immoral way of life.
The key word in II Peter is “knowledge.” The only weapon to combat false teaching and the devil’s lies is the word of God, for this is the reason why Peter emphasized the word “knowledge.” Peter’s use of the word “knowledge” in II Peter involves not only intellectual comprehension, but experiential realization as well. Peter exhorts the believers to keep a close watch on their Christian conduct. Their conduct should be a reflection of their calling; their practice should be a manifestation of their profession. Peter writes to inform that Jesus Christ is the source of full knowledge and power for the attainment of spiritual maturity (II Peter 1:2-3, 8; 3:18).
II Peter 1:1-11 may be outlined as follows: I. A Declaration of the Abundant Provisions for the Believers – II Peter 1:1-4; II. A Description of Spiritually Growing Believers – II Peter 1:5-11.
I. A Declaration of the Abundant Provisions for the Believers – II Peter 1:1-4
Peter introduces himself as an humble servant of Jesus Christ before mentioning the fact of being an apostle. Peter is writing to believers who have obtained precious faith as the apostles because of God’s abundant blessings (v. 1). In a marvelous way, God has saved us by grace because of our faith in Him. Once we experience God’s grace, we can experience the peace of God. Grace and peace are multiplied “through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ” (v. 2).
In verses 3-4, Peter reminds the believers of the “Divine power and precious promises” they have that accompanied their faith. All that believers need for spiritual vitality (life) and godly living is attainable through our knowledge of Him.
Believers also are “partakers of the Divine nature,” meaning that we are given the nature of God. We receive the nature of God through new birth. In view of these tremendous blessings from God, we have been called away from the corruption of the world to conformity with Christ.
Having discussed – I. A Declaration of the Abundant Provisions for the Believers – II Peter 1:1-4, let us now discuss II. A Description of Spiritually Growing Believers – II Peter 1:5-11.
II. A Description of Spiritually Growing Believers – II Peter 1:5-11
Because of God’s abundant spiritual provisions, and due to their faith, believers have received all they need to live godly lives. However, believers must be diligent in their pursuance to add to their faith other qualities. Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all other qualities in the Christian life. Believers must add to their faith virtue or moral excellence and to virtue or moral excellence knowledge. True spiritual knowledge is found by belief in God through faith in Christ, not by depending on one’s own intellect (v. 5).
Along with virtue and knowledge, believers must have temperance or self-control. This means to have one’s passions under control. Believers living among false teachers need to employ patience or perseverance. Perseverance is steadfast endurance under adversity, without giving in or giving up (Romans 5:3-4; II Corinthians 1:6). Along with patience, believers are to manifest godliness. Godliness refers to piety, one’s reverence toward God (v. 6). Lastly, believers should add to their faith brotherly kindness (concern for others’ needs) and love (desiring the highest good for others) (v. 7).
In verses 8-9, believers who are not progressing in the seven qualities mention in verses 5-7 are ineffective and unproductive in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and they are blind and nearsighted. They have forgotten that they have been cleansed from their pre-conversion sins. Believers with spiritual myopia are not developing spiritually.
In verse 10, believers evidence through their godly living that they have been called and elected by God. Believers who are maturing spiritually will not stumble or “trip up” so easily as immature believers. Finally, in verse 11, believers who have exhibited Christ-honoring lives will be richly rewarded with a welcome by the Saviour into His Kingdom.
Because of the perilous times of uncertainties, and the prevalence of false teachers who mock the Second Coming of Christ, people need an anchor in that conditions are not getting better. Faith in Jesus Christ is a sure anchor for the soul. The hymn writer expressed it this way has he wrote “In Times Like These.”
In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus, Yes He’s the One,
This Rock is Jesus, the only One;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
May God Bless!
Dr. Johnny Calvin Smith
