2 Peter 1:1-4

“It’s Not What You Know” 2 Peter 1:1-4 Christians have peace with God because Call it what you will: “transformation” if they are justified; in other words, because viewed in terms of development, “disciple- they are declared righteous by faith like ship” if viewed in terms of training, or I am free from anxiety Abraham. Paul tells believers in Rome, “sanctification” if viewed in terms of holi- because things are right “Therefore, since we have been justified ness. These three terms all refer to one and between God, others, through faith, we have peace with God the same process that all believers go and myself. through our Lord Jesus Christ, through through to become like Jesus. And accord- whom we have gained access by faith into ing the Apostle Peter, “His divine power “Do not be anxious about this grace in which we now stand” (Ro 5:1; has given us everything we need for a god- anything, but in every situation, by prayer and cf., 4:3; Ge 15:6). The peace Paul is talking ly life [i.e., sanctification] through our petition, with thanksgiv- about here is not inner tranquility, but ra- knowledge of him who called us by his own ing, present your requests ther the cessation of hostilities entailed by glory and goodness” (2Pe 1:3). In other to God. And the peace of reconciliation. God and those who were words, believers, “those who through the God, which transcends all once his enemies have been reconciled righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus understanding, will through the death of his Son (Ro 5:10a). But Christ have received a faith as precious as guard your hearts and more than that, the peace Paul is taking ours” (v. 1), have everything they need to your minds in Christ Jesus.” about, which results from justification, in- live godly lives. You see, as we grow in our volves more than just the cessation of hos- “knowledge of him,” Jesus Christ, we will tilities. One commentator writes: “Paul inevitably be transformed in every aspect of probably also has in mind the Jewish con- our lives. cept of shalom, which comprehensively Dallas Willard (The Spirit of the Disci- represents the blessings of salvation, which plines, 1-10) might add that while we can’t brings wholeness as well as holiness (see Isa. know Christ by trying hard to know him, 48.18; cf. 2 Thess. 3.16)” (Ben Witherington what we can’t do by trying hard, we can do III, Paul’s Letter to the Romans, 134, italics by training wisely. Experiencing life with added), and another adds, “The word Christ as his obedient disciples, engaged in ‘peace’ moves beyond the largely negative the spiritual disciplines the Holy Spirit uses signification of the word in secular Greek— to transform us, will result in godly lives ‘peace’ as the cessation or absence of hostil- marked by shalom, that is, well-being and ities—to a more positive nuance—the well- wholeness. These disciplines include but being, prosperity, or salvation of the godly aren’t limited to the following ten Core person” (Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Practices: Bible Study, Biblical Community, Romans, NICNT, 299, italics added). Theo- Compassion, Disciple-Making, Evangelism, logically speaking, the two aspects of peace Generosity, Prayer, Single-mindedness, reflect two aspects of salvation: justification, Spiritual Gifts, and Worship. To these add namely, the cessation of hostilities, and solitude and silence, contemplation, jour- sanctification, namely, the wholeness of naling, scripture meditation and memoriza- godliness. tion, and the list is still incomplete. There God’s intention for every believer is are more. “conformity to the image of his Son” (Ro 8:29), which is the outcome of a process. 2 Peter 1:1-4 After reading the text, practice your Observation skills by noting the following: 1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, • Circle “Simon Peter” in v. 1. To those who through the righteousness of our God • Underline “servant” and “apostle” in v. 1. and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as • Box “through” indicating means in vv. 1, 2. ours: • Bracket “our God and Savior Jesus Christ” in v. 1. 2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the • Circle “received” in v. 1. knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. • Circle “faith” in v. 1. 3 His divine power has given us everything we need • Circle “precious” in v. 1. • for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called Underline “grace and peace” in v. 2. • Circle “divine power” in v. 3. us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has • Circle “these” in v. 4. given us his very great and precious promises, so that • Box “so that” indicating purpose in v. 4. through them you may participate in the divine na- • Circle “divine nature” in v. 4. ture, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by What one word would you use to describe the TONE evil desires. of this passage? (i.e., stern, joyful, cautious, etc.) 1 From Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteousness of our What word or idea stands out to you in this passage? God and Savior, Jesus Christ, have been granted a faith just as precious as ours. 2 May grace and peace be lavished on you as you grow in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord! 3 I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed What is one thing you do not understand in this passage? on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. 4 Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, Try to summarize the THEME of this passage in one so that by means of what was promised you may become word. If you were going to describe these verses, you partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly might say, “This text is about ________________.” corruption that is produced by evil desire. (NET) 1. The apostle uses two names, “Simon” (Simeon, NET) and “Peter,” in his second epistle (cf., 1Pe 1:1). Any thoughts on why he used both? 2. The apostle uses two titles, “servant” and “apostle.” Any thoughts on why he used both? 3. Contrast the meanings of “servant” (NIV) and “slave” (NET). Then explain why neither captures the sense of the Greek term doulos. (See note v. 1 servant and apostle.) 4. What have Peter’s readers received, and by what means have they received it? 5. What do you infer about Jesus Christ from verse 1? 6. By what means is a lavish amount of “grace and peace” obtained? Explain. 7. What have believers received and by whose divine power? 8. To whom does “he” refer in verse 4? 9. Does “has given us . promises” connote making promises or fulfilling promises? What do you think? 10. Discussion: Talk about the sense in which believers participate in the divine nature. Letter writing was common in the ancient world. Peter also identifies himself as a “servant” and Everyday letters were written messages sent because “apostle.” The first is a translation of the Greek term the corresponding parties were separated geograph- doulos, which can be translated either servant” (NIV) ically. They were the only way to keep a conversation or “slave” (NET). But the first misses the mark be- going while the parties were apart. Friends and rela- cause it connotes a free person, and the second be- tives wrote to stay in touch; others had more specific cause of its association with slavery in North Ameri- reasons for writing—either to seek or share infor- ca. “Bondservant” (NKJV) might be better since it mation, or to request or command something of the denotes indentured servitude without any racial con- recipients. Like these letters, New Testament letters notations. However, the term is considered archaic, have three parts: an opening, a body, and a closing. so most English translations avoid using it. Peter The opening and closing serve to maintain the per- pairs “servant” with “apostle” to affirm his and his sonal contact while the body facilitates the exchange letter’s authority over his readers’ belief and practice. of information, making requests, and giving instruc- He addresses them as recipients of saving faith that tions. As you might expect, the body of New Testa- comes with the same privileges as his own—either as ment letters is generally longer than the body of typi- a Jew or as an apostle. This has happened because cal ancient letters. Jesus Christ, who is himself God, does what is right The opening of New Testament letters, like their and fair. Then in his greeting, Peter expresses a secular counterparts, contains the salutation and prayer/wish that his readers would experience greeting. Peter’s second letter contains an expanded “grace and peace” in abundance through a growing salutation. Instead of the common “sender to recipi- knowledge of their Savior—one that moves beyond ent,” it has: “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of knowing about him intellectually to knowing him Jesus Christ, to those who through the righteous- personally. ness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have re- In verses 3 and 4, tell his readers what Christ has ceived a faith as precious as ours” (v. 1). And instead done for them and why, suggesting how they should of the common “greetings,” it has: “Grace and peace in turn respond.

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