July 6th 2025
2 PETER CH 1
V 1. Simon (Symeon) Peter, a servant (slave) and an apostle of Jesus Christ.
This epistle clearly sets out its authorship by the Apostle Peter. The title, slave and apostle, well illustrates Christ's rule: "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Mt 23 v 11).
To them that have obtained like precious faith with us. The expression like precious reminds us at once of the use in I Peter of the related words meaning "precious," "in honour," "preciousness or honour" - just one indication of the continuity between the two epistles. The apostle here gives great value to faith, and why not?
It is the "coin of the realm" in God's kingdom. The writer finds the basis for faith, and its attainment by men in, the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
This, of course, is the foundation of the entire moral universe. It is a warm, loving, providential righteousness embracing God's entire redemptive plan. It is only "in the righteousness of God" that faith is possible.
And again, it is through this faith, increasingly used, that God's righteousness is revealed
V 2. Grace and peace be multiplied. The same greeting as used in I Peter; a typically Christian greeting.
Through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.
This epistle contains strong warnings against false teachers.
Some believe these to have been Gnostics, during the second century, when the Gnostic controversy was at its height.
Certainly Gnosticism was a real issue in apostolic times and in Asia Minor as is witnessed by Paul's Colossian letter, spoken largely to this emerging heresy.
The Gnostics held to a highly complicated and extra-Scriptural system of doctrine, giving a great deal of attention to angels and to frugal practices, tending to detract from the godhead of Christ, and withal assuming superior wisdom for their newcomers.
The Colossian letter from its beginning exalts Christ, the centre of "all wisdom and knowledge," fully identified with God.
V 3. As his divine power hath given unto us all things. Just as Peter opens his first letter, the aim of which was to encourage the Christians in their sufferings, by reminding them of their great spiritual wealth, their reward in remaining true, so he also opens the present epistle, aimed to brace them against probable false doctrine. Those who are spiritually wealthy have much to lose by rebellion and defection.
Through the knowledge of him. To know Christ is life itself to a Christian (cf. Jn 17 v 3).
That hath called us. Again, as in I Peter the apostle reminds his readers that they are a chosen people.
To glory and virtue (generally signifying excellence). A beautiful life in Him
It is by Christ's glory and excellence that we are drawn, and again these are the end product of the Christian life.
V 4. Whereby The glory and excellence of Christ, displayed in the characters of the saints, and so purified as an offering to him whose they are. This starts the all-inclusive goal of Christian living.
Ours is a goal of character: "We shall be like him" (I Jn 3 v 2). And in this goal are included all worthwhile things (Mt 6 v 33)
Are given. Not the usual word for "give," but a more rich and bountiful word, "to endow," "to furnish with an estate."
Exceeding great and precious. Literally, the precious and greatest.
Promises. Not the usual term indicating a quiet private agreement, but a word implying a definite and public announcement a very comfortable word for those concerned.
Partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
On the basis of these publicly declared divine commitments, the believer becomes a sharer of that richest of all treasures, the nature and life of God.
"If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Rom 8 v 9). This new life of the Spirit is none other than "Christ in you."
It requires a yielding, an obedience, a walk of life (Gal 5 v 25) . This new life removes us from the living death of bondage to carnal desire (Rom 8 v 11-13).
5-7. And beside this . . . add. Peter urges these young believers to move on from step to step in divine grace. He tells them to bring to bear on their walk in grace all eagerness.
Add to your faith virtue. "In your faith provide an ample supply of basic (Christian) excellence."
This excellence is the quality of one who diligently practices the basic rudiments and implications of his calling.
To virtue, the Christians are urged to add knowledge.
Here is growth in awareness through study and experience. Next comes temperance (self-control).
This is the Spirit aided discipline of the Christian soldier.,
Then patience, the quality of a veteran’s ability to see beyond current pressures in view of known resources.
In patience the Christian adds godliness, a spirit of reverence and admiration to God in all matters,
In reverence he adds brotherly kindness Admiration to God and enduement with his love is the only basis for genuinely unselfish kindness to fellow men,
In brotherly kindness charity (agape, divine love, as in 1Cor 13) is the Christian's quest: It would be amiss to picture these beautiful graces as classified and attainable only in their order.
No, their presentation here seems to observe an order from the more basic to the more advanced, but they are all of them sides to the Spirit's work in the life of a believer, aspects of the glory of the indwelling Christ, his character shown in the Christian's character.
News from the Church New dates
16th July…. Knit and natter is a time to finish old projects or learn new skills
if you just want to talk well that’s OK too
6th August..…..Friendship Group, (this covers all ages and the lonely people)
ANSWERS TO 29th June QUESTIONS
1) Judas 2) Malchus 3) Bartholomew 4) Lazarus 5) James and John 6) Peter 7) Jairus 8) Matthew 9) Thomas 10) Peter 11) John the Baptist 12) Herod 13) Nicodemus 14) John the Baptist
15) Barabbas 16) Zebedee
Bible Quiz this week’s Quiz is MEN in the NEW TESTAMENT
1 Who asked for the body of Jesus from the cross?
2 Who sent out a decree that everyone should be taxed at the time of the birth of Jrsus?
3 Who helped to carry the cross of Jesus through the streets?
4 Who did Phillip bring to Jesus?
5 Who did Jesus ask to look after His mother, when He was on the cross?
6 Who refused to give up all he had and follow Jesus?
7 Who were the first to visit baby Jesus?
8 Who was the Governor who tried Jesus?
9 Which 3 Disciples went to pray with Jesus in the garden?
10 Who was promised that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah?
11 Who was the blind man that called Jesus the Son of David?
12 Who was the father of John the Baptist?
13 Who was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot?
14 Who was Priscilla’s husband?
15 Who was sent into the desert place to meet a man in a chariot?
16 Who escaped over the walls of Damascus in a basket?
God Bless