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John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:5

Verse 5 5And besides this. As it is a work arduous and of immense labor, to put off the corruption which is in us, he bids us to strive and make every effort for this purpose. He intimates that no place is to be given in this case to sloth, and that we ought to obey God calling us, not slowly or carelessly, but that there is need of alacrity; as though he had said, “Put forth every effort, and make your exertions manifest to all.” — For this is what the participle he uses imports. Add to your... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:8

Verse 8 8.For if these things be in you. Then, he says, you will at length prove that Christ is really known by you, if ye be endued with virtue, temperance, and the other endowments. For the knowledge of Christ is an efficacious thing and a living root, which brings forth fruit. For by saying that these things would make them neither barren nor unfruitful, he shews that all those glory, in vain and falsely, that they have the knowledge of Christ, who boast of it without love, patience, and the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:9

Verse 9 9.But he that lacketh these things. He now expresses more clearly that they who profess a naked faith are wholly without any true knowledge. He then says that they go astray like the blind in darkness, because they do not see the right way which is shewn to us by the light of the gospel. (151) This he also confirms by adding this reason, because such have forgotten that through the benefit of Christ they had been cleansed from sin, and yet this is the beginning of our Christianity. It... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:10

Verse 10 10.Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence. He draws this conclusion, that it is one proof that we have been really elected, and not in vain called by the Lord, if a good conscience and integrity of life correspond with our profession of faith. And he infers, that there ought to be more labor and diligence, because he had said before, that faith ought not to be barren. Some copies have, “by good works;” but these words make no change in the sense, for they are to be understood... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 1:11

Verse 11 He explains the way or means of persevering, when he says, an entrance shall be ministered to you. The import of the words is this: “God, by ever supplying you abundantly with new graces, will lead you to his own kingdom.” And this was added, that we may know, that though we have already passed from death into life, yet it is a passage of hope; and as to the fruition of life, there remains for us yet a long journey. In the meantime we are not destitute of necessary helps. Hence Peter... 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

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