2 Peter | Practical Teaching on Coming Conditions
Session 2 | 2 Peter 1:5-11
2 Peter 1:5-11 | Exhortation to Diligence
Verse 5 --
Peter had prayed that grace and peace be multiplied (v. 2). And now, beside this he asks them to be giving all diligence. The additional things added in verses 5-7 are areas in which the diligence should be seen.
They are people of faith, and now to their faith they should be diligent to include virtue.
The Greek word translated virtue is ἀρετή [arete], and is a word for which no single English equivalent exists.
It is only used five times in the New Testament, and four of these are by Peter (1 Peter 2:9, where it is translated praises and verses 3-5 of this chapter, where it is virtue). Paul uses it as virtue in Philippians 4:8.
In documents outside the Bible the word is used in the sense of manliness or valor.
Strong's Enhanced Lexicon says that it is from the root word arsen“male." In essence, Peter is asking them to add muscle to their faith.
Now to this they should add knowledge.
He uses the word γνῶσις [gnosis] (from which we draw our English word knowledge).
The Greek word is used for knowledge gained through study or experience.
“train" in verses 5-7.
He uses the word and seven times in these verses.
This is a figure of speech called polysyndeton and expresses independence of each thought rather than something that builds to a climax. Therefore“train" as successively getting better.
In fact, the word givingπαρεισφέρω [paraisphero“to carry alongside." Peter wants his followers to carry these things alongside* *the grace and peace of verse 2.
Verse 6 --
Now Peter adds temperance, It is interesting that this particular word is always only used in lists of virtues (see also Acts 24:25 and Gal. 5:23).
It is the word ἐγκράτεια [enkratia], with the root word kratos“control"or“power."
“to be in control over yourself."
Next is added patienceὑπομονή [hupomone“to endure under."
Finally, Peter asks them to be diligent to add godliness, which is holy living.
Verse 7 --
Peter adds brotherly kindness φιλαδελφία [philadelphia, from philos (love) and adelphos (brother)].
In closing the list, he adds charity, using ἀγάπη [agape], a love for love's sake.
Verse 8 --
In verses 8-9, Peter gives reasons for diligence in these matters, starting with a positive reason. The person who has these things in abundance is neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge that matters, that of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 9 --
Having given the positive, Peter now gives the negative reason to be diligent in the matters listed.
The one who fails in this regard is blind in that he cannot see afar off.
Clearly Peter speaks in metaphor. Being short sighted is perhaps the worst kind of blindness, for a short-sighted person cannot be told of the dangers ahead, for he will not hear them.
Not only is he not seeing the future, but of the past this one hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
The word purgedκαθαρισμός [katharismos], and speaks of a Jewish reality more than a Gentile reality.
For the Gentiles (that is, the Body of Christ) God is not imputing their tresspasses unto them (2 Cor. 5:19).
For the Jew, the sins are cleansed, as noted in Hebrews 1:3.
Verse 10 --
Having exhorted toward diligence in verses 5-7, Peter comes back to the same theme, give diligence again in verse 10.
Whereas earlier his theme was to diligently add several things side-by-side, in light of the blindness of not doing so Peter encourages them to be diligent in one singular matter: to make your calling and election sure.
Though he doesn't give specifics on how to fulfill the instruction, It would be hard to take these words in anything other than as a work's-based encouragement.
Israel had a chance to usher in the Kingdom, and thus bring surety to their calling and election.
Having failed with the first Kingdom offer, they must now wait for the next offer (which will be after the age of Grace).
Verse 11 --
While the context should have alerted the reader that Peter was speaking of the Gospel of the Kingdom rather than that of Grace, this verse makes it clear.
The words for so (using a Greek adverb) describe the manner of entrance into the everlasting kingdom, and refer back to the words of verse 10 if ye do these things.
It is without doubt (and a short study would prove) that kingdom entrance is based on works while Pauline salvation is based on grace. Mixing the two causes great confusion.
