Lesson 6

Second Peter

Warning against dangers facing the Church

 

This next section vs:5-11 is a challenge to the believer to utilize the epignosis, the wisdom they have to deal with the pressures and tests of life that they will routinely face.

 

1:5 The Mechanics of escaping the Kosmos and its influence

Now for this very reason also,  could be translated because of this;  Peter says I’m going to draw some conclusions based on the truth just covered in 1:3-4; 

 

 

What Peter is trying to get across to us here is that look at the awesomeness of what God has provided us in grace now add to that your positive volition, your zeal to know the Word and to apply it so that the characteristics of the next few verses will be realized in our lives.

 

This exhortation is very pertinent to the historical timeframe in which we live today as we come closer and closer to the end of the age.

It’s a time for believers to cinch up our mental attitudes for the home stretch, that is “all the more as you see the day approaching.”

Rem: 1 Peter 1:13

 

An essential ingredient:  in your faith 

 

As always we need to ask what is the faith in view here?

 

 

Before he gives us the 8 characteristics or qualities or virtues that we are to demonstrate in our lives he hits us with an imperative to remind us if we haven’t figured it out yet that we’re going to have to make some decisions if these qualities are to be reflected in our lives.

 

Supply  aorist act imperative 2nd plural MV (evpicorhge,w)  you all supply

- furnish or provide (at one’s own expense)

 

1st Quality – moral excellence  (h` avreth,)  the virtue

 

- Here Peter uses it of the believer and it refers to the ethical qualities he or she is to possess.

- What is the standard here of this virtue?  Its indicated by the phrase “in the sphere of your faith”

 

 

2nd Quality - and in your moral excellence, knowledge,  (gnw/sij)  knowledge, understanding, insight

 

- The stress here is on seeking knowledge of spiritual truth; truth that is linked to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life;  

 

Rem: for the believer, ignorance of the Word of God is no virtue in fact it is a great hindrance to living the Christian life.

 

1:5  Now for this very reason applying all diligence in the sphere of your faith generously supply the virtue and the virtue, the knowledge.

 

Continues the list of qualities in vs:6

and in your knowledge, self-control,  (evgkra,teia)  speaks of inner power and strength

 

-  Having spiritual wisdom and knowledge should lead to self control and self discipline.

 

- Peter’s advice here stands in stark contrast to what we’ll see coming up with the false teachers who operated in the sphere of anarchy and lack of control as we will see in chapter 2.

 

and in your self-control, perseverance,  a logical progression;  (u`pomonh,)  patient endurance; capacity to stay under while enduring pressure and tests without giving up or giving in. 

 

Rabbit Trail related to patient endurance.

Rom 5:3-4  We not only exult in our future hope but we also exult in the present assurance that we have in the midst of present tribulations.       

 

The blessing in view here is having the capacity to exalt in the midst of pressure, tests.

 

Every day we must make many decisions to ensure that we’re walking by the Spirit in the will of God.

 

 

But what he's going to say, which is consistent with other Scripture, is that as you work through the tribulations, the pressures of life, the CHP's, YOU KNOW that there is definite fruit being produced;  in that is the joy, the exultation.

 

The how that we acquire this capacity to rejoice in the midst of pressure!

- KNOWING  is actually another blessing that is ours; a sure knowledge from the Word. 

 

- What's the fruit of this knowing?? 

1. perseverance;   2. proven character;    3. hope  

 

- Point Paul is making here is that even the pressures of life, and they can be enormous at times, they do not overthrow the reality of the blessings, the peace, the introduction/access, the standing, the hope, but are themselves, that is, the pressures/tests of life, an occasion or basis for joy as we realize the fruit from properly orienting to them.

 

 

Now lets examine verse 3 itself:

 5:3 "and not only this"   [we are to rejoice, exult not only in our  future hope ]

"but we also" [to rejoice, exult] "in our tribulations"

 

- These tests/pressures may come from your relationship with Christ;   taking a stand for Christ, for  truth;  1 Th. 1:6; 

The greatest  example of this is Paul himself;  2 Cor 4:8-9; 6:4-10;    2 Cor 11:23-29

 

- More general in nature are the external pressures that could  arise and afflict any believer in this life; Rom. 8:35 gives us a glimpse of what Paul might have on his mind in this regard;  also 1 Cor 4:11-13

 

- There is a sense then that these kinds of things are there because of the conflict between the realm of Satan, the ruler of this age, and the realm in which the believer in Christ now lives, the kingdom of Christ.   This needs to be kept in mind. 

 

 

- These pressures/afflictions/tribulations/sufferings however you want to categorize them are there in our lives in order to produce  something;  there is a definite purpose involved!

 

Our joy or rejoicing comes not from the pressures, experiencing them but with what they produce the fruit that comes from properly adjusting to them.

 

The next blessing is "knowing that our tribulation brings about;  or produces"; 

 - pres. tense of  katerga,zomai  = achieve,  accomplish, generates;

 

*** What we have here is a major indicator of what a mature Christian is!

The extent of maturity is demonstrated by how we deal with pressure.

Prosperity is not good soil for growing, advancing believers; but pressure is!