The Epistle of 2 Peter chapter 1
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.
Today, we begin the study of 2 Peter chapter 1.
1:1, 2 Peter identifies himself using the Aramaic Sumeon rather than the more familiar Greek Simon. He describes himself as a servant (Greek doulos, lit., "slave") and as an apostle, one sent with a commission.
1:3, 4 His divine power is a title for God used by Jews who revered Him so much that they would not pronounce His name.
1:5-7 In this section Peter urges his readers to grow to spiritual maturity. Add to your faith indicates the areas of growth that follow after salvation. Virtue is moral excellence. Knowledge is spiritual truth. Temperance is self-control. Patience is endurance. Godliness is God-likeness. Brotherly kindness (Greek philadelphian) is brotherly love. Charity (Greek agapen) is volitional love. this process is a lifelong cycle of spiritual growth for all believers.
1:10, 11 Ye shall never fall: The author is not referring to falling from salvation but to failure in Christian living. The everlasting kingdom refers to the eternal realm of God where Jesus is the undisputed Ruler. It is synonymous with heaven. Thus, the one who acquires the virtues of verses 5-7 will have a rich inheritance in heaven.
1:14, 15 Shortly I must put off this my tabernacle refers to Peter's impending death, which the Lord had predicted in John 21:18, 19. Thus, Peter urges his readers to remember his testimony after he has died.
1:16, 18 Peter claims to have been one of the eyewitnesses of his majesty at the transfiguration of Christ, when He was revealed to Peter, James, and John in all of His glory (Matthew 17:1-8).
1:19-21 A more sure word of prophecy refers to the infallibility of Scripture as the greatest and clearest revelation of God to man. "Prophecy" may be used here as a general term for divine revelation. Private interpretation means "origination." Thus, the true revelation does not originate by the will of man. It comes from God Himself through holy men who were godly human instruments of recording God's message. Moved by the Holy Ghost describes the process of revelation and inspiration. "Moved" means to be "carried along as a sailboat in the wind.'' Thus, human beings were so moved by the Holy Spirit that what they wrote was God's inerrant Word.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
Bishop William B. Caractor
