The Beauty Of Second Peter- A Bible Study, Part 1

 In this series of study, you will need to have your bible open and read the related texts.  This is strongly encouraged because I am not always right, but God is.  So open your bible to 2 Peter, chapter 1 and read the first chapter.

In verse 1 you see the words “having obtained like precious faith”, this means, in other words that you have received a precious gift, like Peter, who is called to be an apostle.  You have received the promises (v.4).  What, exactly is “like faith” and the “promise”?  The answer is, quite simply, the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:8-9).

But that is not all, as we will see over and over again.  There is a recurring theme in the first few verses about getting something.  Read them through, you will see what I mean.  What we see being given is knowledge (v2), things that pertain to life and holiness (v3), glory and virtue (v3), great and precious promises (v4), and the Divine Nature (v4).  But we also see the word knowledge a bunch.  This knowledge that is coming from the knowledge of Christ.  Just as we tend to get excited about all the spiritual blessings being bestowed upon us, we are told to add something.  In fact, we are told to add a few things to these gifts (vv5-7).

Read verses 5-7 again and listen to God.  You can find the definition to “virtue” in Philippians 4:8 and you will find that all the things listed in the text of 2 Peter are virtues.  Think on them.  There is a definite progression here which causes us to ask the question, is it possible to obtain one of these without the other?  In other words, God put these in the order He did for a reason, and why not?  He is the God of order.

Temperance/moderation.  In other words, not given to excess.  When moderation is attained then comes patience.  You moderate your appetites therefore breeding patience in your life as you become content with what you have.

Ahhh, patience.  This is something I have quit praying for because God will always throw something my way to see how much patience I lack.  To suffer pain, calamity, afflictions, toil, provocation or other evil with a calm unruffled temper.  A tall order, isn't it?  But, can you see the connection between temperance and patience?  If we learn to moderate ourselves, our appetites, or, self control, then we can have patience when it comes to suffering because you are used to lean moderation, not excess.  This is biblical, folks!  This is a comforting thing when considering deep economic trouble on the horizon.  A nation of excess will not have the patience to suffer well when lean times come!

After patience we see we are to add godliness.  This means we are to have a careful observance to the laws of God and perform our religious duties (see 1 Timothy 2:10; 6:3).  Often coupled with this is Truth.  Truth and godliness are often hand in hand (see 1 Timothy 2:2; 4:7; 6:3; Titus 1:1).

Oh and then there is brotherly kindness.  For this one I will list some scriptures for you and let God do the talking.  Read the following: John 13:34,35; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonian 3:12; 1 John 3:14,16.

And, finally, when we have achieved all of these, the pinnacle of it all is charity (v7).  You really need to do a word study on charity.  Modern bible translations do nothing for the real depth of the word when it is translated as love.  Love it is, true, but there is so much more than our human understanding of love allows.  Perhaps that will be a future hub?

I will let that soak in for a while and follow up soon with the rest of the first chapter of 2 Peter.  Hang on, there is a bunch of great stuff in this book that I know you will enjoy.