2 Peter 1

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:4

Partakers of a Divine nature. Readers of classic literature are aware that, the cultivated pagans of antiquity broke down the distinction between the human and the Divine, by representing their emperors and other great men as taken after death into the rank of the gods. But this apotheosis was rather an exaltation in rank than an assimilation to, an incorporation in, a higher moral nature. The religion of Christ, on the other hand, evinces its immeasurable superiority to these human... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:4

The sanctifying power of the promises. The text is a continuation of the two previous verses; indeed, from the second verse to the eleventh is one paragraph. God has given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, whereby grace and peace may be multiplied to us, and we may be made partakers of the Divine nature, and have an abundant entrance ministered unto us into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I. THE GREATNESS AND PRECIOUSNESS OF THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5

And beside this, giving all diligence; rather, but for this very cause also. αὐτὸ τοῦτο is frequently used in this sense in classical Greek, but in the New Testament only here. It refers back to the last verse. God's precious gifts and promises should stimulate us to earnest effort. The verb rendered "giving" means literally "bringing in by the side;" it is one of those graphic and picturesque expressions which are characteristic of St. Peter's style. God worketh within us both to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-7

True Christian character. This notable passage, growing very evidently out of what precedes and into what follows, has a wealth of instruction. I. True Christian character CONSISTS OF MANIFOLD ELEMENTS . Here is a chain no link of which may be omitted, a structure no stone in which may be lacking, a body no member of which may be wanting. 1 . Whether the general order is to be insisted on or not, it is certain that faith is the primary essential of the whole character. It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-11

Exhortation to earnest effort. I. OUR DUTY . 1 . To use all diligence. God's Divine power is with us; he has granted us all necessary helps. But this, says the apostle, is the very reason why we should work all the more strenuously. It would be heartless work, if we had not the great power of God to help us; but he hath endued his Church with power from on high. This gift of power is the very ground on which the apostle bases his exhortations; the great argument, not for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-11

Personal diligence needed for sanctification. The former verses say that God gives the knowledge of himself in the Word of promise, as the means by which grace and peace are to be multiplied; these verses say, to that must be added by you "all diligence." I. WE HAVE HERE AN ENUMERATION OF CERTAIN GRACES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE . It begins with "faith" and ends with "love," and between these are two or three words which need attention. Next to "faith," "virtue" is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:6

And to knowledge temperance; rather, self-control ( ἐγκράτεια ). The words ἐκράτεια ψυχῆς are the heading of a section in the Greek of Ecclus. 18:30, and are followed immediately by the maxim, "Go not after thy lusts, but refrain thyself from thine appetites." This self-control extends over the whole of life, and consists in the government of all the appetites; it must be learned in the exercise of that practical knowledge which discerns between good and evil. True knowledge... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:7

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. The word for "brotherly kindness" ( φιλαδελφία ) is another link between the two Epistles (see 1 Peter 1:22 ; 1 Peter 3:8 ). "In your godliness," St. Peter says, "ye must develop brotherly kindness, the unfeigned love of the brethren;" for "every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him" ( 1 John 5:1 ). And as God is loving unto every man, and "maketh his sun to rise on the evil... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:8

For if these things be in you, and abound; literally, for these things belonging to you and abounding make, etc. The word used here ( ὑπάρχοντα ) implies actual possession; these graces must be made our own; they must be wrought into our characters: then they will increase and multiply, for the grace of God cannot lie still, it must ever he advancing from glory to glory. They make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:8-11

The goal of Christian character. If such a character as the preceding verses described is attained, three glorious results will follow. I. SPIRITUAL VISION . Such a character leads "unto the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ." They that do the will shall know the doctrine. For what is promised here is: 1 . "Full knowledge." That is the key-word of the apostle. 2 . And full knowledge of the Supreme Object, the Lord Jesus Christ. Often we think if we knew more we should do... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:5-11

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:6

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:7

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:8

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 1:8-11

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