2 Peter 1:3-11 His Divine Power
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Summary of passage
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Text and Translation
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Original Context & Exegesis
A. Passage Boundaries (why are these verses grouped together in this chapter or pericope?)
B. Exegesis of passage as a whole (or verse-by-verse, if helpful).
1:3 He has not given us all things, but "all things that pertain to life and godliness." In the Garden of Eden God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the Earth, each other, food, the tree of Life, and even intimate fellowship with Him. The only thing that He didn't give them was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It was not good for them. We must trust that the same is true today. Hezekiah prayed that God would spare his life, but those extra fifteen years included him foolishly showing representatives from Babylon all of his treasures (which they later took) and a prophesy that his own sons would be captured and forced to serve in the courts of Babylon as eunuchs (could mean either a servant or minister of state or a literal eunuch). His response in II Kings 20:19 is appalling as he basically says "if that's what God says, OK, as long as there is peace in my life." He had pleaded for his own life to be lengthened (ironically on the grounds of his personal holiness and obedience) then with the extra time God grants him he doesn't plead for the welfare of his sons. As far as we know, he accomplished nothing more in those fifteen years, i.e. God had not been withholding any good thing from him.
1:4 Interesting to note that in I Peter 1:4 we are given an inheritance that, among other things, is incorruptible. In II Peter 1:4 we are granted His promises and nature and have escaped from the corruption of this world. The parallels are intriguing. Both speak of our inheritance from Christ and both use the same word (albeit different forms) for corrupt: one stating the inheritance won't and the other stating that the world already is.
1: 5-8 "diligence" here could be translated eagerness. "virtue" means manliness, valor, or excellence. "patience" means cheerful (or hopeful) endurance. Thus these verses could read "Be eager to add to the faith you already have valor, and to that add knowledge, and to that add self-control, and to that add cheerful endurance, and to that add godliness, and to that add phileo (brotherly/ friendship)love, and to that add agape (self-sacrificing) love. If these things characterize you, you will not be idle or unfruitful in Christ."
1:9 When we lack the characteristics mentioned in verses 5-7, we become nearsighted and forget where we came from. We may be living an externally good life, but if we aren't exhibiting self-control, cheerful endurance, phileo love, and agape love with others we're missing the point. A constant remembering of where we came from and how sinful we were (and an honest assessment of how sinful we still are) will keep us humble enough to see our need to grow in all of these areas. The worst, most pitiable sinners are those who don't even realize that they're sinning.
1:10 The word "diligent" means to use speed, be earnest, or make an effort. The words translated "calling" and "election" literally translate to invitation and choice. This would seem to fly in the face of the form of the doctrine of election that some teach, namely that our choices and decisions have nothing to do with our salvation. From what I can see in the Literal English Translation and George Ricker Berry's Interlinear New Testament, it would appear that the last part of this verse could be telling us that if we don't do this that we will fall, rather than if we do this we won't fall. The verse would then read, "Instead, brothers, make every effort to be sure that you have made the right choice regarding Christ's invitation, because not doing so will cause you to fall in time."
C. Literary Features--What genre is it? What literary devices (e.g, metaphor) does it use?
D. Connections to the rest of book—what purpose does this pericope serve in the bigger picture of the book?
E. Connections to the rest of Scripture--How is it referenced or alluded to elsewhere?
Jesus Christ: The Redemptive-Historical Context
A. Where is Christ and the Gospel present in this passage?
B. How does this passage point to Christ or depend on Christ? How does Christ fulfill this passage? How was it fulfilled already? How will it be fulfilled?
C. What does this passage tell us about God’s plan of redemption in Christ?
Current Context
A. What does this tell us about ourselves, our world, and the human condition?
B. What are some modern parallels to the original situation?
C. What is the call/command/invitation of this passage?
D. How does Christ & the Gospel in this passage enable us to see, think, and live differently?
Links/References/Bibliography
A. Representative sermons on the passage
B. Examples and Illustrations
C. Commentaries on this book
D. Articles on this book or passage
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