October 18 – 2 Peter 1:1-11
Main Focus: Participating in God’s transforming work every day
Peter, as an apostle of Jesus Christ, is writing to those who have a faith of equal standing, showing that all believers share equal privileges before God. This standing was accomplished by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. “Righteousness” refers here to God’s saving righteousness, showing that faith is a gift from Jesus. Jesus is called “God and Savior,” making this one of the clearest NT declarations of the divinity of Christ. In his initial blessing of those to whom he writes, Peter mentions a recurring idea in the letter: true knowledge of God and of Jesus. In this first main section of his letter (vv.3-11), Peter emphasizes that God’s grace results in godliness. God himself has acted in his infinite power to accomplish salvation, something only he could accomplish and what human ability could not accomplish. He has called us to his own glory and excellence. Believers are called to live in harmony with God’s own moral character. The word “excellence” (v.3) was used by Greek writers to describe the sum of all desirable character qualities.
God has granted believers his precious and great promises. It is through these promises that they become partakers of the divine nature. They never become part of God, but amazingly they share in his nature as they become increasingly like him. The “great promises” include the promises Peter identifies in his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:14-41, especially the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in new power. But they also include other promises such as likeness to God (2 Pet. 1:4; cf. 1 John 3:2), Christ’s return (2 Pet. 3:4), eternal life in heaven (1 Pet. 1:4), and more broadly, all the promises of Scripture that relate to the gift of new life.
Vv. 5-7 calls followers of Jesus to make every effort to live a godly life. Peter lists “qualities” (v.8) that characterize a life partaking of the divine nature. These verses contain a straightforward catalog of biblical virtues (cf. Gal. 5:22–23; Heb. 12:10–11). This list does not reflect a legalistic code but rather the desires and features of a transformed heart. The exhortations to live a new life are grounded in the divine power and promises that were granted to believers when they came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
Peter exhorts Christians not merely to confess faith in Christ but actually to live as he taught. He is not saying that works are a prerequisite for salvation but rather is arguing that faith must take concrete form in life. All the virtues listed in vv.5-7 are results of faith, so faith is listed first, while love is listed last. A lifelong pattern of growth in Christlike character is expected of Christians and is the key to fruitful ministry. Verse 9 says the one who lacks these qualities is spiritually blind and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his sins. This lack of fruit could exist because a person’s “cleansing” was merely an external reformation that did not come from a truly changed heart. But it could also describe a genuine Christian who has fallen into serious error regarding the Christian life. Only God knows the person’s true status.
Christians should be diligent to confirm their calling and election. God calls believers to faith through the gospel, but he has also chosen (elected) them “before the foundation of the world” (Eph. 1:4). But God’s grace in salvation should not be taken for granted. Growing in the Christlike virtues mentioned in 2 Pet. 1:5–7 will give believers increasing confidence that God really did call them and really did elect them to salvation before the foundation of the world. Thus their election becomes “sure,” as a sure foundation. Those who practice these qualities will never fall, probably meaning apostasy (falling away from the faith). Good works are evidence of and give assurance of salvation, though they are never the basis for it. Peter’s wording does not imply that true followers of Christ can ever apostatize; those who do so were never really “called,” “elected,” or born again. This way of life is the path into the eternal kingdom of Christ. Those who practice these qualities will be richly provided with the reward of eternal life. Some interpreters think “richly” indicates degrees of blessing and reward both in this life and in heaven. Others think that eternal life is itself the reward in view, in contrast to the prospect facing the false teachers.
Discussion questions
– Peter says followers of Jesus have received a faith “of equal standing” (or “as precious as”) his own. Why is it significant for an apostle to tell everyday believers that their faith is of equal value?
– What does it mean practically to be a “partaker of the divine nature” (v. 4), and how does remembering God’s “precious and very great promises” liberate you from guilt or anxiety?
– Why does Peter tell us to make every effort to add these virtues if grace already gives us everything we need? How do human responsibility and divine empowerment work together here?
– Which specific link in Peter’s chain (vv.5-7) feels the most neglected or difficult in your current season of life? Why? Where do you need encouragement?
– Verse 9 warns that anyone lacking these qualities is “near-sighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.” How does forgetting the reality of your past cleansing lead either to pride or to spiritual stagnation/despair? How does remembering the gospel re-energize your daily growth?
– What does it mean to “make your calling and election sure” (v. 10)? Remember, good works and character growth don’t earn your salvation, but they confirm it.
– How does an assurance of God’s grace change your daily motivation to pursue holiness compared to trying to prove yourself to God?
– How can we pray for each other in light of the text?