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For if these things exist and abound1 you will not be ineffective nor unfruitful2 in your elevated acquaintance with our Master,3 Jesus Christ.
| 1 | Exist and abound: Or, ALF: in you and multiplying; MOF: increase; GDS: if you have these qualities in their fullness; TCN: when these virtues are yours, in increasing measure. |
| 2 | You will not be ineffective nor unfruitful: Or, KJV: barren nor unfruitful; ASV: not idle; NEB: useless or barren; GDS: unproductive; NOR: inactive; BAR: never collapse on the march. Read John 15:1-8 and meditate on what kind of fruitage this might be. See Biblical Articles on these verses. |
| 3 | Elevated acquaintance with our Master: Or, WEY: full knowledge; GDS: understanding; KNX: closer knowledge. See notes elsewhere on EPIGNO [over, upon + know; experience, relationship]. |
Dear Friends of the Nazarene,
Today we begin to examine Peter’s second epistle which may be titled, “How to Make Your Calling Sure.” We choose 2 Peter 1:8 as the theme verse of chapter one – Fruitful Hope. Peter writes to the faithful. [1] He writes of God’s “precious and greatest promises” leading to becoming “sharers of divine nature” since they have “escaped worldly corruption.” Peter then writes about things that prevent spiritual inactivity. [5-8] He lists faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection and love. He assures that if these overflow in the Christian’s life it will result in an effective and productive life.
Peter urges Christians to “make the calling sure.” [9-11] If a Christian does not overflow with those characteristics mentioned above he or she is “blind and myopic” forgetting about the past cleansing from sins. Instead a Christian should remain steadfast and make their calling sure. Only by doing those things mentioned above will a Christian attain to “entrance into the everlasting Kingdom.”
Peter arouses them with reminders. [12-15] Realizing that he is soon to die Peter wishes to arouse these Christians with these reminders. He hopes that “after my exodus” – or departure in death – Christians will have the means in his letter to continue to mention these things. The story of Christ is not some myth but a truth with eyewitness accounts. [16-18] Peter relates his experience at the transfiguration of Christ. They heard God’s voice from the heavens. It is wise to pay attention to prophecy. [19-21] Because of the transfiguration experience the “prophet word is more sure.” It is good to pay attention to such prophecy as though it were a lamp shining in darkness. Prophecy is not the result of human inspiration, for such men “spoke from God.”
Abba our Father bless the fruitful.
[4 September 2002]
If these qualities abound they will be fruitful, showing that they have knowledge of Christ in reality.
