Interpretive Study of 2Peter

Epistle theme: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

God's Way to Study His Word:

In 2Timothy 2:15 we read: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. The true definition of the word dividing is: 'a Mathematical function whereby we separate pre-defined units according to a precise procedure which produces a precise result'. However, while most people understand that 'there is one interpretation but many applications of The word of God', they fail to separate the procedures of each. And, as a result, they fail to separate the 'one interpretation of The word of God' from the 'many applications of The word of God'. This leads to many errors which people blame on the perfect word of God instead of their using the wrong procedure.

The result, of men using the wrong way, is that men claim that there are errors and conflicts in God's word. In Isaiah 28; God tells us how to understand His word. In addition, God preserved the message of His word; He preserves every word of His sentences; and God preserves every punctuation mark (jot and title) of His sentences. Therefore, God preserved what He wanted us to understand and God told us how to understand His word so that we have no errors and no conflicts. Unfortunately, for at least one hundred and fifty (150) yeare, men have been taught to use the wrong way to interpret God's word instead of using God's way.

In Isaiah 55:9 we are told For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Thus, God warns us that our ways are wrong and that using God's way produces better results, which have no errors and no conflicts.

In addition, 1Corinthians 2:14 tells us: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Therefore, we can not properly understand the spiritual word of God using man's way. We must use God's way to understand God's preserved word of God. And, the basics of God's way is to understand His preserved word of God using the sentence format and true Biblical definitions for Bible words.

This Study follows the Biblical Way to understand God's Word. It applies precepts ('truths that never change for any circumstance'). It then goes through the epistle sentence-upon-sentence (line upon line [Isaiah 28 ]). This is different from the ways of men which use verse-upon-verse or some other method which generates errors. God's sentence-upon-sentence method also pays attention to what 'The word of God' tells us that God preserved, which are the true Biblical meanings of words and the Biblical usage of punctuation. (These two are the components of sentences and do not give us verses.) the 'The word of God' tells us that God preserved punctuation (one jot or one tittle) in Matthew 5:18 and Luke 16:17. And 'The word of God' tells us that God preserved every word when he wrote: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4).

The summary of the epistle comes from the summary of each chapter and each chapter summary within that book. Every chapter summary comes from the summary of each sentence within that chapter. And, the sentence summaries come from analysis using the punctuation and true word definitions, as already explained. As a result, we have what God literally had written and see that there are no conflicts even when we consider the smallest part of a sentence compared to the entire Bible book. God is consistent from the start of a Bible book to the end and is consistent in His doctrines and word definitions across the entire Bible. What we have is an integrated whole (single) message, with no errors and no conflicts. This particular book Study is part of a detailed analysis of the entire New Testament which shows this truth.

Other than cults, all claims of errors and conflicts are based upon the New Testament. This Study is part of a series which interprets the preserved word of God using God's way and proving that there are no errors, nor any conflicts, if we obey God and use His way to interpret His word. And, this series concentrates on the New Testament, since that is the basis of these lies about the perfect word of God.

I have read, or at least skimmed, every book which has been written in the last hundred and fifty (150) years and which claims to teach people how to study and understand The word of God. In every case, they use a method which comes from man and do not use God's way (Isaiah 55:8) to study and understand The word of God. And, while there are variations from one man-written method to another man-written method, every one of them ends up with problems. The end result of those problems is that people blame God's perfect word for their own problems and either turn to a man-written 'bible' or skip verses. (By skipping the interpretation of certain verses, they can hide the conflict which their method has produced.)

Now, many people find that the Detail Studies to be overwhelming because they have everything required to prove that there are NO errors in The perfect word of God. This summary level is easier to understand for most people. At the same time, if someone has an argument with what is presented here, the matching Detail Study provides all of the proof required in order to show that what is here matches exactly what God wrote in His word. Again, this is not a matter of my opinion versus their opinion. I have over thirty (30) years' experience as a professional Systems Analyst with an international reputation for accuracy in how to prove things. And, this series of books are the result of using recognized methods of analysis to prove what God actually wrote. This series does not present a religious opinion. Therefore, a religious opinion, which was arrived at from using wrong methods, is not superior to a true analysis of what God wrote.

People have looked for over twenty (20) years and failed to find any other work that covers everything this series cover. In addition, no one has found any other work which covers the level of detail found in the Detail Studies. Further, the Detail Studies literally have several million Bible references to support the interpretation provided and to show that The perfect word of God is consistent all across it for word definitions and doctrines. Again, no one has found any other work which has this quantity of Bible references supporting what is presented. I do not write this to brag but to inform the reader the depth of study which supports what is presented in this series.

Let any who disagree show their method and the results of their method and try to explain how their method, which produces errors, is greater that God's way which produces no errors and no conflicts.

Overview of 2Peter

Epistle theme: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Click on the following links to jump to a chapter within this study: Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; God.

Many people have written all kinds of commentaries on this epistle. You can find many disagreements between these commentaries. The commentaries that teach doctrinal error ignore the context as they try to justify their doctrine. Such action is motivated by devils and the resulting doctrinal error can bring the judgment of God upon His people instead of the blessings that God wants to give. 1John 4:1 tells us Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. The commentaries which do base their comments upon what is actually written, with consideration of context and proper methods of interpretation, will agree on doctrine even while presenting different views of that doctrine.

Please also see the Doctrinal Studies called False things According to the Bible for the application of this epistle in the life of the believer. Please also see the Messages called Like Precious Faith and Father, Son and Holy Spirit as Saviour for the application of these verses in the life of the believer. Please also see the several notes in the Lord Jesus Christ Study for 2Peter as they have significant explanations of doctrine which is not repeated in this book Study. Those notes are reached by using the links in the sentence outlines of this Study.

in this epistle, Peter uses the words: Godly, ungodly, and unjust to identify three groups of people. We also read about these three groups in Revelation 3:16 where they are called the hot, the cold, and the lukewarm. These three groups are aqlso in 1Peter 4:18 where they are called the righteous, the ungodly, and the sinners. Thus, these three epistles are telling us about three groups of people that have different relationships to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Each has a different testimony and a different judgment. And, it is important for the reader to understand the differences between these groups because Peter is warning us about different judgment for each of these types of people.

Peter uses Godly in 1:3; 1:6; 1:7; 2:9 and 3:11 and also uses ungodly in 2:5; 2:6; and 3:7. He uses these words to identify two groups of people. He contrasts the obviously saved against the obviously lost. One group has a testimony to support their mouth and the other does not. Peter also talks about the unjust in 2:9-22. They are people who claim to be saved but who live for the world, the flesh and doctrines from devils. They are also called cursed children because they refuse to obey the will of God. They think they will be rewarded alongside of the Godly while they refuse to obey our Lord but Peter, says For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them (2:21). Thus, each of these groups of people have a different testimony and a different judgment from God.

in this epistle, Peter warns us about false prophets and false teachers as much as Jude did. (Please see the notes for Book Study on Jude.) those false teachers are the reason that the unjust believe the lie that they will receive the reward that God reserves for the just. They are also responsible for teaching much doctrinal error based upon ohis epistle. People believe them because (as 2Corinthians 11:12-15 warns us) Satan makes his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness. Peter himself was deceived and preached doctrinal error (Galatians 2). Therefore, the person teaching doctrinal error might be a 'good, Godly person' who has been deceived themselves. That is why we each need to verify everything that we are taught against the word of God while listening to the Spirit of God. When we find doctrinal error, we need to do as Paul did and correct the person teaching error. The truly 'good, Godly person' who has been deceived will respond like Peter did and receive the rebuke. Those who reject correction provide evidence that they are false prophets and false teachers.

Summary of Chapter 1

The chapter theme is: 'Have the true knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord'. This chapter introduces this epistle which warns us about the dangers of false prophets and false teachers. In the first sentence Peter says Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. Thus, we must have The knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord in order to get this grace and peace. Then, the last two sentences tell us about the reliability of scripture, which is where this true knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord comes from. In between, Peter warns us to live according to this knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord and of the consequences of not doing so. When Peter tells us to live this way, he gives us specific commands about changes to our character which this knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord is to cause. Those people who claim to be saved and don't have these character changes are lying to themselves and to others when they claim to be spiritually mature Christians.

The summary of each sentence within this chapter is:

C1-S1 Opening Salutation and promised blessing for doing right.
1. The phrase Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ tells us who wrote this epistle and the basis of his authority.
2. The phrase to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ tells us whom Peter is writing to.
  1. The phrase to them that have obtained like precious faith identifies the particular people that Peter is writing to. He was the senior pastor to the Jerusalem Church until God destroyed it for preaching a works salvation and for refusing three times the correction from God. In addition, Peter's first epistle was written to strangers ('Gentiles'). Now, he is no longer looking at physical attributes but at spiritual attributes. And, Peter is not writing to the lost nor to the carnal saved people but to people who have received some spiritual maturity after their initial profession.
  2. The phrase with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ means that true righteousness only belongs to (of) God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Peter is no longer supporting the doctrinal error of the Jerusalem Church, which was the claim that righteousness came from keeping religious tradition.
3. The phrase Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord identifies the blessings that are available.
  1. The phrase Grace and peace identifies the specific blessings.
  2. The phrase be multiplied unto you identifies how much and to whom these blessings re offered.
  3. The phrase through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord identifies the requirement to receive these blessings. Spiritual knowledge only comes as a result of spiritual maturity.
  4. The phrase Jesus our Lord means that we must follow the example of Jesus for how to live in this physical reality and we must keep in mind that our Lord will judge us for our level of obedience or disobedience. Please see the Doctrinal Study called: What Did Jesus Do?
4. The phrase According as his divine power means the level of power that no other being can match. All fulfilled prophecy proves that all devils and all men combined can not match his divine power.
5. The phrase hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness is speaking about the spiritual things which God gives to the saved. This phrase is not dealing with physical life because it will not last.
6. The phrase through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue tells us the result that God expects to be seen in our life as a result of this knowledge. And, an earlier phrase in this sentence told us that this knowledge only comes from God, and of Jesus our Lord.
7. The word Whereby means that the promise, which follows this word, requires our fulfillment of the requirement which preceded this word. That is: our life must be changed to display glory and virtue before we receive the promises.
8. The phrase exceeding great and precious promises describes the promises.
9. The phrase that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature tells us what God wants 'each and every one of us personally' (ye) to receive. God wants our personal life to display God's character (The divine nature).
10. The phrase having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust is in the past tense (having escaped). This must happen before the rest of this sentence can happen.
C1-S2 Several steps to add to our like precious faith.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And which means that it is added to the prior sentence.
2. The phrase beside this means: 'Over and above; distinct from' what was said in the prior sentence. Then Peter continues with the phrase giving all diligence ('constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken'). Thus, these two phrases, alltogether, mean: 'Make a constant effort to accomplish what follows these phrases in addition receiving the changes caused by God, as explained in the prior sentence'. Where the prior sentence told us about what God does, this sentence tells us what we are to do in addition to the God-caused changes.
3. The phrases: and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity tell us what we are to do. The words in these phrases are in the order in which we are to add these things. The detail note for this sentence provides the definitions for all of these words.
C1-S3 Why we need to add all of the character traits of the prior sentence.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The word if means what follows it is a conditional statement which must be fulfilled before we receive the result specified.
3. The phrase these things be in you, and abound is refering to the things identified in the prior sentence. When Peter adds and abound, he is letting us know that the more these things be in you, the more of the results we will receive.
4. The phrase they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful means we will have spiritual results which produce everlasting rewards in Heaven.
5. The phrase in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ means that the more we have knowledge which belongs to (of) our Lord Jesus Christ, and use that knowledge in our life, the more spiritual results (neither be barren nor unfruitful) we will have. The two things are kept in proportion by God.
C1-S4 Consequence of disobedience.
1. The word But means that this sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while changing direction.
2. The phrase he that lacketh these things is speaking about a saved person who does not have the things that God wants them to have. (See 1:5-7 for the things that Peter is referring in this sentence.) this person also does not have The knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ that all saved people are supposed to gain as they mature spiritually. Such a saved person is spiritually barren and unfruitful.
3. The phrase blind, and cannot see afar off is to be understood spiritually. This person can not see (is blind) the spiritual results of their current lifestyle nor can they see the spiritual rewards that they are giving up. They can not also see the everlasting consequences (cannot see afar off) of their chosen lifestyle .
4. The phrase and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins lets us know that Peter is writing about saved and carnal people because the lost have not been purged from his old sin. The saved were purged from his old sin so that we can serve God and learn to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. God does not purge us from our old sin so that we can devote our life into doing new sin. God only does this when we accept Jesus as our personal Lord. And, a saved person who is living like what this sentence describes has forgotten the vow that they made in order to be saved and purged from his old sin.
C1-S5 Why to be diligent in obedience.
1. The word Wherefore tells us a result that can be seen anywhere you look. This result comes from what was said before the word Wherefore. In this particular sentence, Peter is telling us what to do so that people see the results specified anywhere in our life that they look at.
2. The phrase The rather means: 'do what is commanded in this sentence instead of what was described in the prior sentence'.
3. The word brethren is used for saved people who are also serving God. This word excludes the lost people and the carnal people.
4. The phrase give diligence to make your calling and election sure is a commandment. Matthew 22:14 says: For many are called, but few are chosen. Those saved people who give diligence to make your calling sure end up being The chosen. Also, those saved people who give diligence to make your election sure do not doubt their salvation because they are 'coming to God in God's way'. (Please see the detail note for more on this word.)
5. The phrase for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall is a promise of God's protection for saved people who devote their life to the service of God. The phrase ye shall never fall is to be understood. The phrase if ye do these things is referring to the things listed in 1:5-7.
6. The phrase For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is promising everlasting rewards in Heaven. The phrase For so lets us know that our everlasting rewards are proportional to the spiritual work we do for God's kingdom while in this physical life.
C1-S6 Why Peter wrote this epistle.
1. The word Wherefore tells us a result that can be seen anywhere that you look. This result comes from Peter putting us always in remembrance of these things. In this particular sentence, the results are that we are established in the present truth.
2. The phrase I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things means that Peter put these things in writing so that we would always (be) in remembrance of these things. If Peter had not written them, then he would have been negligent.
3. The phrase though ye know them recognized that the people knew these things at that time but could forget them. Also, an oral record can be lost or perverted in ways that a written record can not be.
4. The phrase and be established in the present truth is a promise that is based upon our remembering and obeying the commandments which Peter wrote earlier in his epistle.
C1-S7 Peter must act before his death.
1. The phrase as long as I am in this tabernacle is a symbolic way of saying: 'while I am still physically alive'.
2. The phrase Yea, I think it meet...to stir you up by putting you in remembrance means: 'The most important thing that I can do (I think it meet) is to get you active (to stir you up) by reminding you of the commandments and promises from God (by putting you in remembrance)'.
3. The phrase Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle means that Peter knew that he would die soon. We will all die soon but most people are in denial of this fact. As a result, they are not following Peter's example and are concentrating on what is the most important thing to do in preparation of personal judgment by God.
4. The phrase even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me means that Peter received a personal revelation of his own eminent death. Other Godly men also received the same such as Jacob. This is something that God does only for some people and all of the people who receive such a revelation are devoting their life to the service to God.
C1-S8 Peter is writing what he hopes will survive his death.
1. The word Moreover means: 'In addition to what was just said and going beyond that prior saying'.
2. The phrase I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance means that Peter is putting these things into writing with the hope that his written word will survive his death and that we will have these things always in remembrance.
C1-S9 the First Reason to believe what Peter writes.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase we have not followed cunningly devised fables means: 'The true accounts found in The word of God are not made up stories'. Be very careful about using the word story, where you should use account, especially when dealing with The word of God. Please see the detail note for the definitions of these words.
3. The phrase when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is talking about Peter, and others, giving true witness of The power...of our Lord Jesus Christ (miracles) and when they gave true prophecy from God (when we made known unto you the...coming of our Lord Jesus Christ).
4. The phrase but were eyewitnesses of his majesty is often misrepresented. A true eyewitness can give testimony in court while a gossiper can not. Many gossips (people relying on what someone else told them) try to claim that they are a more reliable expert than a true eyewitness. Such are liars and should be rejected. For example, I had a pastor in America who told me that his personal pastor friends had been to the Philippines and reported that Dr. Edgar Nono had a very Godly ministry. However, he also had mission board directors, who had not been there, claiming that Dr. Edgar Nono was a lying minister of Satan. And, he chose to believe the mission board directors because of their positions. Such decisions show that someone is acting like a modern-day Pharisee and will bring the judgment of God upon themselves and all of their followers. We are to never consider second-hand gossip as more reliable than an account from a true eyewitness. And, it does not matter what human position each source person has.
5. The phrase his majesty is a reference to the miracles, the testimony of God the Father from heaven, the resurrection, and the 'Mount of transfiguration'.
C1-S10 the Second Reason to believe what Peter writes.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. This is a quote of what is reported in Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35. These accounts report the direct witness from God the Father. There is no greater witness anywhere. Please see the note in the Detailed Study for more on this sentence.
C1-S11 Additional info.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means that it is added to the prior sentence.
2. This sentence is a reference to the 'Mount of transfiguration'. Please see the note for Matthew 17:19-LJC for more details on this account.
C1-S12 the Fourth Reason to believe what Peter writes.
1. The phrase We have also a more sure word of prophecy means that prophecy is more sure than the eyewitness account of an apostle. This is because prophecy comes from God.
2. The phrase whereunto ye do well that ye take heed means that it is foolish to ignore or to pervert true Biblical prophecy.
3. The phrase as unto a light that shineth in a dark place is a symbolic phrase where the word light is used symbolically for 'understanding from God' and where the word a dark place is used symbolically for 'our natural understanding'. 1Corinthians 2:14 tells us the same thing. We have absolutely no chance of understanding what is truly happening unless God gives us true understanding.
4. The phrase until the day dawn is a symbolic phrase for being truly spiritually saved. Just as The day dawn starts a long period of light, so also does true salvation start an ongoing period of true understanding being available to us.
5. The phrase and the day star arise in your hearts is a symbolic phrase 'Jesus Christ provides our light / understanding'. Day star is one of the minor names for Jesus Christ. Please see the section called Minor Titles of the Son of God in the Significant Gospel Events for other names.
6. The phrase Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation means that not one person is the only authority for the interpretation of prophecy. God's Holy Spirit will give the true interpretation to several Godly people.
C1-S13 the Fifth Reason to believe what Peter writes.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost tells us that God's Holy Ghost used men to write prophecy just like we use a pen. Yes, the pen puts down the ink but it is not writing -- we do the writing. Likewise, it is not the men but God's Holy Ghost Who gives the true prophecy. In addition, our sentence tells us that God's Holy Ghost used holy men of God. Some self-claimed prophet who lives a life of sin is not used by God to deliver true prophecy.
3. This sentence is the conclusion of this chapter. In it, Peter is telling us to make sure that the source of what we believe is truly God's Holy Ghost and holy men of God. Reject everything that comes from any other source.

Summary of Chapter 2

The chapter theme is: Beware of false prophets and false teachers.

Please see the Doctrinal Studies called False things According to the Bible for other Bible references related to this chapter.

The chapter ends with a couple of sentences which most Bible believers try to deny. What they often miss is the if at the start of those sentences. They become more understandable when we consider them to be telling is 'If it was possible for this to happen then this is the result'. The 'impossible result' then only shows us that what people claim is actually impossible. That is: the claim that someone gets saved and then lives their entire life seeking sin and the lust of the flesh and never showing any God-caused change in their life. Basically, Peter says that all such claims are lies because any truly Biblically saved person will have a God-caused change in their life. All of these confusions are caused by God's church not throwing out these false prophets and false teachers like they are told to do.

The summary of each sentence within this chapter is:

C2-S1 the consequence of believing a lie.
1. The word But means that this sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence, and chapter, while changing direction. Where the prior sentence and chapter told us about holy men of God, this sentence and chapter warn us about false prophets and false teachers.
2. The phrase there were false prophets also among the people is a past tense statement of historical fact.
3. The phrase even as there shall be false teachers among you tells us a current truth which has equal weight (even) to the historical truth. Where the Bible reports God's judgment upon His people who followed the false prophets, so also can we expect God's judgment upon His people who followed the false teachers.
4. The phrase who privily shall bring in damnable heresies tells us what the false teachers will do.
  1. The word privily means 'secretly'. They will not openly tell their lies because then a spiritually mature person would correct their lies. In addition, they tell the deceived people that they are special and are being given a secret that most people are not allowed to receive. Thus, they feed the people's pride into thinking they are better than other people in the church.
  2. The word heresies means: ' A fundamental error in religion, or an error of opinion respecting some fundamental doctrine of religion'. These people know that their belief goes against established doctrine. However, their pride makes them believe that they know better than others, including the church leaders and the literal written word of God.
  3. The word damnable means that everyone who accepts these heresies will suffer punishment from God.
5. The phrase even denying the Lord that bought them 1Corinthians 6:20 says: For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's . These people deny that The Lord bought them so that they can deny His right to tells them what to believe and what to do.
6. The phrase and bring upon themselves swift destruction is not speaking about God bringing destruction as soon as the people embrace the heresies but is speaking about God bringing the destruction very quickly once God ends the time of offering them mercy if they truly repent bought with a price.
C2-S2 the consequence of allowing heretics to stay in the church.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means that it is added to the prior sentence.
2. The phrase many shall follow their pernicious ways tells us that many people will follow doctrinal error. In fact, many more people follow different doctrinal errors than how many follow truths. In addition, the word pernicious is defined as: 'Destructive; tending to injure or destroy. Evil examples are pernicious to morals. Intemperance is a pernicious vice'. This is why Luke 13:24 reports Jesus warning that many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
3. The phrase by reason of whom tells us that the people who follow the doctrinal error are why the next phrase will be true. These people work to lift up their lie and claim that truth is evil.
4. The phrase The way of truth shall be evil spoken of tells us that, not only do these people call the truth evil, but they also call The way of truth evil because it is The way of truth which will prove that they are believing a lie.
C2-S3 the results of false prophets and false teachers.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means that it is added to the prior sentence.
2. The phrase through covetousness tells us the basic motivation for their actions. Please see the section called Jesus and the Ten Commandments in the Significant Gospel Events about covetousness. This is still a sin in the New Testament.
3. The phrase shall they with feigned words means: 'these people will lie and deceive by making you think they say one thing while they truly say something else'.
4. The phrase make merchandise of you means that they do it to gain things in this world such as money, power, position or some similar thing.
5. The phrase whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not means that God will bring judgment upon them soon after God determines who else will reject the truth in order to believe their lies.
6. The phrase and their damnation slumbereth not speaks about their judgment after they get to Heaven. Please see the detail note for the explanation of this phrase.
C2-S4 Why we can know that God will bring judgment upon false prophets and false teachers. This is a complex sentence which still has only one subject. That is the difference between how God judges those saved people who try to follow Biblical truth and how God judges people who turn from truth to follow error.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment is something that we do not have all of the details on. Jude 1:6 also speaks about these angels but still does not give us the details which some people claim. So, be careful about believing the additions which some people make to The word of God. These devils were treated differently than other devils but we do not know why other than that they kept not their first estate. And, the exact meaning of that phrase, and how they sinned differently from other angels so that they received a different judgment than other devils, is not specified in the Bible. Therefore, for your own protection and to avoid becoming a false teacher, do not speculate on more than what The word of God says.
3. The phrase And spared not the old world is another judgment which is added to the prior report. As our next phrase makes clear, this was the flood which destroyed the world.
4. In the phrase but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, the word but continues the subject of the prior phrase while going in a different direction. Where the prior phrase told us about destruction because of sin, this phrase tells us about mercy because of righteousness. Thus, we see different results of judgment based upon if we sin or do righteousness.
5. The phrase bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly tells us that the people who were destroyed were ungodly. Please see the Summary of 2Peter about the hot / Godly, the cold / ungodly , and the lukewarm / unjust.
6. The phrase And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow tells us the judgment of God upon those cities due to that sin. Notice that everyone in those cities was killed because they taught even the children that their sin was normal.
7. The phrase making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly tells us why God reported this judgment in The word of God.
8. The phrase And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked tells us that Lot received mercy, because he was a child of God, even though he lived like the ungodly. He did receive a judgment in that most of his descendants went to Hell and he has to watch them burning there until the great white throne judgment. He is our example of what will happen to the lukewarm / unjust.
9. The phrase (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) tells us how Lot acted, and the results to his soul, even though he was saved.
10. The phrase The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptations speaks about Lot being dragged out of the city even while his wife, daughters and sons-in-law were destroyed.
11. The phrase and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished speaks about future judgment at the great white throne judgment. Hell is not the final judgment for the lost.
12. The phrase But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness adds the judgment of saved but carnal people. Yes, they have a different judgment than the lost but they are still judged. And, the context makes it clear that this phrase is speaking about the saved but carnal people.
13. The phrase and despise government adds this sin to the prior phrases for what will bring judgment from God.
C2-S5 the attitude of false prophets and false teachers. Please see the detail note about the word Presumptuous and what this sentence is saying about these people with this word. The rest of this sentence tells us the actions of these people which are a result of the attitude described By this word. Please also see the detail note about the other words in this sentence.
C2-S6 Angels aren't as foolish as some religious men are. This sentence gives us a comparison which shows how foolish the people of the prior sentence are.
C2-S7 Fools shall perish.
1. The word But means that this sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while changing direction. This sentence is giving us a comparison of these fools to angels, which were mentioned in the prior sentence.
2. The phrase these, as natural brute beasts identifies the people whom Peter called false teachers, in his first sentence. Now, Peter is saying that they do not use their brains because they show any more thinking than natural brute beasts show.
3. The phrase made to be taken and destroyed speaks about the purpose of natural brute beasts. In those phrases, Peter is describing the judgment that the false teachers earn by their refusal to think about the judgment which they earn and which history shows that God brings upon everyone who teaches doctrinal error like they teach.
4. The phrase speak evil of the things that they understand not tells us what these people do to earn destruction. This is a warning to us to not speak evil about spiritual and Biblical things which we do not truly understand.
5. The phrase and shall utterly perish in their own corruption tells us the judgment which God adds to everyone who acts like a false teacher.
6. The phrase And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness tells us why God will destroy these people.
7. The phrase as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime tells us that these false teachers will be judged as harshly as the people who live sensuous sinful lives.
C2-S8 How to identify the unjust.
1. The phrase Spots they are and blemishes is a symbolic reference for the evidence of leprosy or a similar disease. As explained in the detail note, these are signs of spreading corruption which will spoil all of the fruit. If the church does not get rid of their influence, they will destroy the entire church.
2. The phrase sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you means that they have a good time by deceiving God's children. They serve devils and laugh at God's children who believe they represent God.
3. The phrase Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin means that they deliberately make vows before God which they have no intention of keeping. However, they do this to increase their deceit with the wrong idea that God will not punish them.
4. The word beguiling is defined as: 'Deluding; deceiving by craft; eluding by artifice, amusing'. The phrase beguiling unstable souls means that they think it is funny to lead the spiritually immature into doctrinal error.
5. The phrase an heart they have exercised with covetous practices means that their basic desire and practice (an heart they have exercised) is to gain things of this physical world (covetous practices).
6. The phrase cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray means that they are saved (Children) but have turned from God's way and have gone another way for how to live their life.
7. The phrase following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness gives us a Biblical example of another saved person who acted this way.
8. The phrase But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet means that God tried to correct him but he refused correction. Likewise, these people also refuse correction today and lead other saved people into destruction.
C2-S9 Results of not producing what was vowed.
1. The phrases: These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest are two symbolic ways of saying that they make promises which are never delivered. In addition, water is the basic requirement for life. Thus, these phrases represent someone who is dying of thirst, and a farmer whose crops are dying because of lack of water. In both cases, life-saving salvation is promised but not delivered.
2. The phrase to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever is speaking about people who end up in outer darkness. (Please see the note for Matthew 8:12 about this doctrine which is often taught wrong.)
C2-S10 they lead saved people back into a life of sin.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase when they speak great swelling words of vanity describes how they lead into error. The phrase great swelling words means that they say things which sound good but which fill people with pride. The word vanity means: 'looks good on the outside but is full of death on the inside'.
3. The phrase they allure through the lusts of the flesh tells us what they use to lure people into error. These people claim that 'God will understand' about their life of sin and that God will not judge them but will reward a life of sin.
4. The word wantonness is defined as: 'Without restraint; reckless'. The phrase through much wantonness means that these false teachers claim that people do not have to control their lusts and sin nature.
5. The phrase those that were clean escaped from them who live in error means that they make these false promises to people who started to live right and are still struggling with their sin. They promise that there is no consequence from going back to a life of sin.
C2-S11 Sin is addictive.
1. The phrase While they promise them liberty introduces what these While they promise them liberty promise (liberty) but also introduces the time factor (While) which lets us know what happens at the same time and which proves that their promise is a lie.
2. The phrase they themselves are the servants of corruption gives us the evidence that they can not deliver what they promise. This is because, if they could deliver liberty, then they would have it in their own life.
3. The phrase for of whom a man is overcome tells us why we can know that they lie.
4. The phrase of the same is he brought in bondage tells us the proof that they do not have liberty and, therefore, they can deliver liberty.
C2-S12 Why saved people get into bondage to sin.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome is a conditional statement
  1. The phrase after they have escaped the pollutions of the world means that these people are saved and, at one time, had stopped doing sin.
  2. The phrase through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ tells us how they stopped doing sin.
  3. The phrase they are again entangled therein, and overcome tells us what happened to these people after they stopped their sin. This means that they returned to their sin and became addicted again (and overcome).
3. The phrase The latter end is worse with them than the beginning tells us the consequence, and end result, of returning to sin after The Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ delivers someone from sin. And, our next sentence adds to this phrase.
C2-S13 Why their end is worse. A lot of people try to deny the message of this sentence because it does not match with what they believe about Heaven. However, a lot of what they believe about Heaven will not happen until after the great white throne judgment and this sentence is speaking about the condition of saved, but carnal, people before the judgment.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness is telling us that it had been better for them to be lost and have gone to Hell. This is what people have a hard time accepting. However, this sentence and chapter are speaking about someone who was truly saved and then turned into a traitor. It is foolish to believe that God would throw one third of the angels out of Heaven, and create the lake of fire for them because they turned into traitors, and then believe that God would do less with saved people who turned into traitors.
3. The phrase than, after they have known it is clearly speaking of people who were saved and, afterward, turned from The way of righteousness.
4. The phrase to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them finished this sentence. And, The holy commandment delivered unto them is to follow The way of righteousness and never leave it.
C2-S14 Peter's conclusion. In this sentence, Peter is referring to Proverbs 26:11.
1. The word But means that this sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while changing direction.
2. The rest of the sentence is, symbolically, telling us what character such people display. This matches earlier in this chapter where Peter said that they were as natural brute beasts.

Summary of Chapter 3

The chapter theme is: the warning against doctrinal error.

Peter starts out by warning us that the false prophets and false teachers are scoffers. He then tells us that they are willingly ignorant of the truth and that they attribute human motivations to The Lord. Peter tells us the truth about The Lord and, while doing so, provides some true prophecy. As with Paul, we see that prophecy is something related to The Lord.

Peter then tells us how we are to act based upon these truths which he has revealed. He also tells us the correct attitude to have based upon them. After that, Peter gives general instructions to mature spiritually as only the spiritually mature are safe from being led into doctrinal error by the false prophets and false teachers. Peter also warns what happens to people who refuse to mature spiritually. After these warnings, he gives his final remarks and finishes his epistle.

The summary of each sentence within this chapter is:

C3-S1 Why Peter wrote this epistle.
1. The phrase This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you tells us that this is Peter's second epistle and that he is writing to saved and serving people (beloved).
2. The phrase in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance tells us that there are two (both) ways of remembrance. They are in the next two phrases. In addition, the phrase stir up includes the requirement for us to act on these things. Further, the phrase your pure minds is speaking about a mind that is 100% dedicated (pure) to the service of God.
3. The phrase That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets is the first way that Peter wants to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. This is a reference to the Old Testament.
4. The phrase and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour is the second way that Peter wants to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. This is a reference to the New Testament.
5. The phrase Knowing this first is the start of a prophecy which is the basis for the commandment that Peter will give in the end of this chapter (2Peter 3:11-18).
6. The phrase that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts tells us what will happen and the motivation (their own lusts) of these people acting in this way. They are scoffers because they are denying their own future judgment and want us to agree with them. When God's people disagree, they become uncomfortable in their own lies.
7. The phrase And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? is a question which was asked because they demand that God operate on their timetable. However, God does not have to do what we demand nor does He have to act when we demand nor does He have to act like we demand. If He did have to do these things, then we would be God and not Him.
C3-S2 Why their claim seems to be true. They willingly ignore or deny evidence which goes against their desired belief.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase for since the fathers fell asleep is the basis of their argument but it ignores what happened before the Jews became a nation (When The fathers lived).
3. The phrase all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation is the lie which they claim. This lie denies the change due to the flood, as Peter points out in the next sentence. It also denies the curse upon creation due to sin and it denies many other changes that happened since The beginning of the creation.
C3-S3 the flood proves that the claim of the scoffers is a lie.
1. Our sentence starts with the word For, which means that it is giving us the reason why the prior sentence is true.
2. The phrase This they willingly are ignorant of means that these false teachers deliberately choose to ignore all of the evidence that God provided which proves that The word of God is true.
3. The phrase that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water speaks of creation. 'Big Bang' and 'Evolution' have been proven to be tenants of a lying religion. They must be accepted by faith, which makes them part of a religion. Neither follows the Scientific Method and both have been proven to be scientifically and mathematically impossible. Therefore, the claims that they are science are proven to be lies. In addition, the Bible account of creation has been proven to match true evidence when the Scientific Method is honestly applied to the evidence which is still available. Therefore, The word of God is proven true while their chosen beliefs are proven to be lies.
4. The phrase Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished speaks of the flood. Again, the evidence that is available proves that The word of God is proven true while their chosen beliefs are proven to be lies.
5. The phrase But the heavens and the earth, which are now speaks about how what we live on, in this physical reality, is not what God originally created but has been corrupted by sin. Things like thorns, animals killing and eating other animals and the corrupted cell reproduction called aging all point to the current physical reality not matching the obvious initial design.
6. The phrase by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men tells us that The word of God provides prophecy of future judgment and why God will judge this world. The main evidence of prophecy is that God is the most powerful Being that exists anywhere and that He always keeps His prophecies and promises. Therefore, this prophecy is also reliable enough to be considered as a fact. Please see the sections called Prophecies and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Significant Gospel Events Study and in in the Significant Events - New Testament Study for links to the relevant Bible accounts.
C3-S4 the saved are not to act like the ungodly.
1. The word But means that this sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while changing direction.
2. The word beloved identifies people who are saved and serving God. This does not include lost people, nor saved but carnal people, because such reject the truth of The word of God and, as the prior sentence reported, they are willingly are ignorant of truth. This sentence tells a truth to those people who are willing to accept the truth.
3. The phrase be not ignorant of this one thing means: 'Do not lack this knowledge'.
4. The phrase that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day tells us the difference between how God views time and how we view time. Time is the fourth dimension of this physical reality and our entire experience in this physical life is bound and controlled by time. However, God is all throughout this physical reality and also outside of the physical reality. Therefore, God is not bound and controlled by time. As a result, God's perspective of time is totally different from our perspective of time. While many preach based upon this truth, they often do not consider the context. The context is explaining prophecy and how false teachers call God a liar based upon God not being limited by their perspective of time. However, the truth, from the context, is that we can never apply our perspective of time to prophecy.
C3-S5 the truth about the delay of judgment.
1. The phrase The Lord identifies the role of God which deals with prophecy, because that is what Peter is writing about within the context. The same role of God is used to make laws and this assures us that prophecy is as reliable as the laws of creation such as the Law of Gravity. This same role of God is used to judge men and our sentence explains why The Lord is delaying judgment.
2. The phrase is not slack concerning his promise tells us that the claims, that God will not keep His promises, are lies. The fact that God does not submit to the demands of ungodly men does not prove that God is a liar but does prove that ungodly men do not have the power, nor the authority, to command God.
3. The phrase as some men count slackness speaks about the lies from false teachers.
4. The phrase but is longsuffering to us-ward tells us why God is delaying judgment.
5. The phrase not willing that any should perish tells us what God is avoiding as much as is possible.
6. The phrase but that all should come to repentance tells us what God is seeking with His delay.
C3-S6 the truth about The day of the Lord.
1. The word But means that this sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while changing direction.
2. The phrase The day of the Lord is: 'The Great Tribulation and when God destroys this heaven and Earth to create new ones'.
3. The phrase will come as a thief in the night means that it will come when no one expects it.
4. The phrase in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up is speaking about the end of The day of the Lord when 'God destroys this heaven and Earth to create new ones'.
C3-S7 How our life is to be affected by The day of the Lord.
1. The phrase Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved refers to the prior sentence and on what will happen when The day of the Lord occurs.
2. The phrase what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness is the thing that we need to seriously consider. This question is ignored by most people because they only consider this present physical life.
3. The phrase Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God is 'The Day of Armageddon'. This is when our Lord Jesus Christ returns to this world to rule and He casts into hell every living person who rejected God as their personal Lord. This speaks of the start of the 1,000-years reign of Christ.
4. The phrase wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? speaks of the end of the 1,000-years reign of Christ. Remember that Peter just wrote one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day in 2Peter 3:8. Thus, the prior sentence and this sentence are treating the 1,000-years reign of Christ as if it were a single day. And, this is not something that I made up but is part of the context of our current sentence.
5. in this sentence, Peter is asking us to consider eternity and what we will personally have for eternity. And, in consideration of that absence of time, how important really are the time-bound things of this present physical life?
C3-S8 the promise of new heavens and a new earth.
1. Our sentence starts with the word Nevertheless, which means: 'Not the less; notwithstanding; that is, in opposition to anything, or without regarding it'. That is: because of God's promise, we should not regard anything of this present life as having any real importance.
2. The phrase according to his promise means that the true basis for how to judge things of this life is the promise from God that eternity will be different and what we have in eternity depends on how we serve God in this life.
3. The phrase we...look for new heavens and a new earth tells us what to keep our eyes on as motivation to serve God.
4. The phrase wherein dwelleth righteousness tells us that there will be no more evil, no more sin, no more sorrow nor any of the other things which we do not like about our current life.
C3-S9 Peter's conclusion.
1. The word Wherefore tells us a result that can be seen anywhere that you look. This result comes from what was said before the word Wherefore. In this particular sentence, Peter is telling us what to do so that people see the results specified anywhere in our life that they look at.
2. The word beloved identifies people who are saved and are serving God. This does not include lost people, nor saved but carnal people, because such reject the truth of The word of God. Those people refuse to accept the attitudes and actions which Peter tells us to have.
3. The phrase seeing that ye look for such things tells us the basis for the commands in the remainder of this sentence.
4. The phrase be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace tells us the attitude to maintain and how (be diligent) to personally (ye) maintain this attitude.
5. The phrase without spot, and blameless tells us the actions to maintain and how (be diligent) to personally (ye) maintain these actions.
C3-S10 Steps to take in order to grow spiritually.
1. Our sentence starts with the word And, which means that it is added to the prior sentence.
2. The phrase account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation tells us that our Lord is longsuffering because He does not destroy us for the sins which we do after we become a child of God.
3. The phrase even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you. Please see the detailed note for some references to Paul's epistles. However, all of the Pauline Epistles display this Godly wisdom and any of them can be used as an example of what Peter writes here.
4. The phrase As also in all his epistles lets us know that Peter saw Godly wisdom in all his epistles.
5. The phrase speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood. Even as an apostle, Peter found some things hard to be understood. Only God's Holy Spirit can give us this understanding and He gives it to whom He decides to give it to. However, God's Holy Spirit does not give this understanding to the spiritually immature nor does He give it to those people who refuse to obey what He shows them. And, that is why Peter adds the next phrase.
6. The phrase which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest tells us that saved people who are unlearned and unstable ('spiritually immature') find it very difficult (wrest) to understand manythings found in The word of God.
7. The phrase as they do also the other scriptures references other parts of The word of God besides the Pauline epistles.
8. The phrase unto their own destruction tells us the consequence of rejecting true interpretation of scriptures and accepting the teachings of false teachers.
C3-S11 Final Warning.
1. The phrase Ye therefore, beloved is a personal command to the saved who are also serving God. This command is a result (therefore) of the doctrine written earlier in this epistle.
2. The phrase seeing ye know these things before tells us that we have been given a warning and we are to not ignore it nor forget the warning.
3. The phrase beware lest ye also lets us know that, even though we are saved and serving, we can still be led into doctrinal error. Peter is writing this based upon his own personal experience.
4. The phrase being led away with the error of the wicked identifies how we can be led into error if we do not realize that people are supporting error which goes against the message of The word of God.
5. The phrase fall from your own stedfastness tells us what we can do if we are not careful.
C3-S12 Final Blessing.
1. The word But means that this sentence is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while changing direction.
2. The phrase grow in grace lets us know that grace is something that is supposed to increase in our life but we need to do what is required in order to make it grow.
3. The phrase and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is added to the prior phrase. This knowledge is also something that is supposed to increase in our life but that we need to do what is required in order to make it grow.
C3-S13 Final Worship. We are to always (both now and for ever) worship and give glory to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
C3-S14 Amen. This doubles the prior sentence and makes it part of God's law which will be used to judge us.

2Peter Chapter 1 Sentence-by-Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:

C1-S1 (Verse 1-4), C1-S2 (Verse 5-7), C1-S3 (Verse 8), C1-S4 (Verse 9), C1-S5 (Verse 10-11), C1-S6 (Verse 12), C1-S7 (Verse 13-14), C1-S8 (Verse 15), C1-S9 (Verse 16), C1-S10 (Verse 17), C1-S11 (Verse 18), C1-S12 (Verse 19-20), C1-S13 (Verse 21)'.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

1-4	Confirming them in hope of the increase of God's graces,
5-11	he exhorts them, by faith, and good works, to make their calling sure;
12-15	whereof he is careful to remind them, knowing that his death is at hand;
16-21	and warns them to be constant in the faith of Christ, who is the true Son of God, by the eyewitness of the apostles beholding his majesty, and by the testimony of the Father, and the prophets.

C1-S1 (Verse 1-4) Opening Salutation and promised blessing for doing right.

Equivalent Section: Who the epistle is fRomans to.

Simon Peter,
a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ,
to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ :.

Equivalent Section: How to get the promises of this sentence.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,
and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,
through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:.

Equivalent Section: Peter says how these gifts are given.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:.

Equivalent Section: Peter says how these gifts are to be used.

that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2Peter 1:1 through 1:4 is a single sentence divided into four equivalent parts by three colons. Please also see the associated notes for this sentence which are accessed by the links provided above in the sentence outline. Each of those notes are significant and, in general, give us details on:

The note on the word apostle tells us that Peter is a true representative of Jesus Christ with the power and authority of that office which false prophets and false teachers don't have. Later in this epistle Peter warns us against these people. There is more about this position of Peter in the note about Jesus Christ. That note tells us about the character of Jesus Christ and how a true servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ must display the same character.
The note on the name of Jesus Christ tells us who Peter represents and explains that while this epistle mainly tells us about proper authority and concentrates on the Son of God's role as Lord, the Son of God still deals with us in a personal way through His role as Jesus Christ.
The note on the name of Saviour Jesus Christ tells us the different parts of our salvation provided by God the Father, God The Son and God the Holy Spirit. The Bible tells us that each of them is our Saviour. It also points out the five times that this epistle uses the word Saviour and how each of those sentences give us critical information about this role of God.
The note on the name of Jesus our Lord tells us about how the literal physical man is our Lord. As such, He gives us the knowledge that we need to have in order to obey Him as Lord and to avoid doctrinal error. This significant note shows how all throughout this epistle we are told about the knowledge which comes from Jesus our Lord.

It may not be obvious at first glance, but every part of this sentence is talking about spiritual gifts from God and how they change the believer. Each part of this sentence is talking about these spiritual gifts from a different point of view. Thus, we again see the use of the colon to present equivalent thoughts (same subject from different views).

In the first part of this sentence (verse 1), Peter tells us that he is writing to those that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. In the last part (verse 4) we see that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. By summarizing these parts very much (skipping most of the detail), we get that like precious faith:

is something obtained,
comes from God's righteousness
causes us to be partakers of the divine nature
causes us to act
results in us having a different nature (eliminates corruption and lust) Godly perspective.

Now we add in the other parts of this sentence which tells us that this new nature is part of exceeding great and precious promises and that all things that pertain unto life and godliness come from Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power. It should be obvious that these gifts:

are of the divine nature and are given
to change our life (escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust)
and so that we will have a visible God given testimony ( that pertain unto life and godliness).

in this opening sentence, Peter is telling us that we should have a changed life due to interacting in a personal relationship with God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Those people that claim to be saved and haven't been changed by it are the people that Peter calls the unjust in 2:9 and goes on to describe them in 2:19-22. In fact, it is so hard to tell the difference between these people (The unjust) and the people who aren't Biblically saved (The ungodly) that many people believe that they are a single condemned group and others believe all are saved regardless of their life's testimony. There is justice to this comparison because Peter tells us that those who really know our Saviour Jesus Christ...have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. If a person does not have like precious faith or does not have The righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, then they are not part of the group that Peter calls Godly and must be part of the ungodly or the unjust. Thus, Peter opens his epistle describing the Godly because he pl and on separating them from the ungodly and the unjust in this epistle.

Simply put, this sentence tells us that Peter says he is a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, which means he represents Jesus Christ (apostle) and is serving Him. Please see the note for Jesus Christ in the Lord Jesus Christ Study for more details. Please also see the This verse in the Word Study on Apostle for the use of this word within the Bible. Basically, Peter uses apostle in this sentence to say that he has the office and authority to speak for Jesus Christ. Further, Peter uses Jesus Christ to not only mean that we get out of Hell and into heaven but to emphasize that there is a change in our life while we are here that others can see. This change is the result of having a Saviour. Those that don't have a change Peter calls scoffers or ungodly or unjust. Peter warns that they will be judged.

With all of this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

Simon Peter: the name of Simon occurs only in the New Testament but there it occurs 76 times in 71 verses and identifies at least eight different men. They are:
- Simon Peter, as named here and elsewhere within the Bible. He is the most famous and the man that people think of any time that either of these names are mentioned. All references not listed below deal with Simon Peter.
- Simon the Canaanite is mentioned in Matthew 10:4 and Mark 3:8 as one of the apostles. He is also believed to be the man named Simon Zelotes in and 6:15 and Acts 1:13.
- Simon is one of the half-brothers of Jesus according to Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3.
- Simon the leper was a religious man who judged others who failed to have his level of religion, even though he was lost. We read about him in Matthew 26:6-13 and Mark 14:3 and Luke 7:36-50.
- we have a man of Cyrene, Simon who was compelled to carry the cross of Jesus in Matthew 27:32 and Mark 15:21 and Luke 23:26.
- Simon the father of Judas Iscariot found in John 12:4 and John 13:2 and John 13:26.
- Simon the sourcer in Acts 8:9.
- Simon the tanner in Acts 9:43.
In almost every reference to Simon we find a religious man who is either lost or is acting like he is lost. Simon Peter has a lot of personal experience in being lost, being saved but acting like he is lost and in being saved and acting like the saved are supposed to act. Peter can claim to be an 'expert' on these conditions and the differences between these conditions. That is why these things are included within both of Peter's epistles.

a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ,: this phrase is well covered in the notes already mentioned and earlier within this note. This phrase tells us the basis of Peter's authority to write this epistle.

to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:: this phrase is also covered, to some extent, in the notes already mentioned and earlier within this note. However, there are some critical doctrinal items within this phrase which must be part of our life if we are to obtain the promises which are found within the Equivalent Sections of this sentence. These doctrinal considerations are:
- obtained: means ' Gained; procured; acquired'. The promises of this sentence are not given out for free. We must do our part or we will not receive them.
- precious: means 'Of great price; costly; Of great value or worth; very valuable'. Peter tells us that God values our faith very highly and is willing to reward our efforts to grow our faith with things which are 'Of great price; costly; Of great value or worth; very valuable'. The false prophets and false teachers try to tell us that God is a liar and it is not worth the effort to grow our faith because we will obtain the rewards even without meeting God's requirements.
- faith: the New Testament definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'. The false prophets and false teachers try to tell us that belief is faith but belief does not have substance nor can it be evidence, Which Hebrews 11:1 tells us that true Biblical faith has. True Biblical belief produces true Biblical faith, but the two are different.
- The righteousness: the New Testament definition is: 'doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time and for the right reason'. We can not do righteousness if we are arguing about God's Word and what commandments we are to obey or can ignore like the false prophets and false teachers try to tell us that we should do.
- and: this word comes between God and Jesus our Lord. This lets us know that they are two different sets of knowledge. It also lets us know that the most important knowledge to have is about the character of God, and of Jesus our Lord. The false prophets and false teachers try to emphasize the religious things which they teach. However, Peter ends this epistle with But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Tohim be glory both now and for ever. Amen. By starting and ending his epistle with this same thought Peter lets us know that this is the main message of this epistle.
- All of these things are through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. The word through tells us 'here is a barrier that you must enter on one side and come out on the other side in order to obtain what is behind the barrier'. We most enter The righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ and pass through it, thereby allowing it to change us, or we will not get these promises. As already mentioned, if we refuse to meet God's requirements then He refuses to be our Saviour.

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God,: this is the first phrase of our Second Equivalent Section which tells us 'How to get the promises of this sentence'. The words grace, peace, and knowledge all have doctrinal significance and are covered in the word definitions below. However, the significant sub-phrase that we need to consider here is: through the knowledge of God. In our sentence we see the word through used four times. Twice we are told that we receive the blessings of this sentence through the knowledge. Once we are told that it is through the righteousness, which is the result of this knowledge. Once we are told that we can escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. Thus, our sentence is telling us that if we go through lust we will get corruption. But, if we go through the knowledge then we will reap righteousness and glory and virtue.

With that in mind, we can now look at the other significant word of our phrase. The New Testament definition of it is: 'To increase in number with multiple additions'. We are not just adding Grace and peace every time that we increase our knowledge of God but we are obtaining ever increasing amounts of grace and peace. This is because the more Grace and peace that we have, the more we are motivated to increase our knowledge of God. As we increase the rate that we obtain the knowledge of God, we receive grace and peace at a proportional rate. Thus, we end up receiving multiplied...grace and peace.

and of Jesus our Lord,: this and adds of Jesus our Lord to the phrase Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge. This addition means that all which was said in the prior section about the knowledge of God also applies to the knowledge of Jesus our Lord. Most of the considerations for this phrase are covered in The note for this name within the Lord Jesus Christ Study. With this phrase, Peter says that it takes his divine power in order for us to receive all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Peter uses Jesus our Lord to emphasize that we aren't dealing with 'The man upstairs' or anything else that religion tells us is OK when considering our God. Jesus is our Lord and our God.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,: the word according has a New Testament definitionof: 'Agreeing; harmonizing when two notes are in a music chord, they move together, up or down, to the next note; suitable'. This means that God hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness in proportion to his divine power that is applied within our life. However, his divine power is applied within our life in proportion to The knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord that we have and use to control our life. Thus, it is not just knowledge but applied knowledge which obtains for us these gifts. This matches what we see throughout the Bible where Bible authors assume that their reader will understand and apply the commands from God which they write down.

With that being understood, we still need to consider a couple of things. First, we receive these gifts according as his divine power. No religion or religious activity can force God to use his divine power when and how some man wants. If that were so then it would not be divine power. In addition, it would not be his (God's ) but the power would belong to a man and no man has divine power.

With that being understood, we can now consider the last thing which is important within this phrase. What God gives to us is all things that pertain unto life and godliness. Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 tell us: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. the first three chapters of 1Corinthians explain how The wisdom of God and The wisdom of man / this world go in opposite directions. Therefore, all things that pertain unto life and godliness go in the opposite direction from what is taught by false prophets and false teachers. In particular, they teach excuses for avoiding godliness. Our phrase tells us that if someone claims that something pertains unto life, but it does not also have godliness, then it is not from God and is The wisdom of man / this world, which ends in death.

through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:: We have already discussed the phrase through the knowledge. The phrase him that hath called us to glory and virtue is obviously talking about God and we have already seen several times and several ways that our sentence says that our blessings are dependent upon our knowledge of God. Thus, this phrase is saying what we have already seen only it putts the emphasis on God's requirement that we have glory and virtue. The word virtue in the word definitions below. But, we have constantly seen that we are to give God glory, in this life, if we are to receive glory in eternity. Thus, our phrase of that hath called us to glory and virtue is not just saying that we should obtain these attributes but that we should give them to God within this life. We give virtue to God by living a life which displays it and testifying that it came from God.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: this is the our third Equivalent Section which tells us 'how these gifts are given'. This is the simplest Equivalent Section and it is designed to deliver a clear message. The word whereby is defined as: 'where and by'. Thus, we will get these exceeding great and precious promises when we get to the place (where) specified by the rest of the sentence but only if we go by the path specified in our sentence. Basically, the word whereby tells us the same thing that the equivalency tells us. We must meet God's requirements (whereby) in order to get these exceeding great and precious promises.

that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, this is the first phrase of our Fourth Equivalent Section which tells us 'how these gifts are to be used'. The phrase that by these means: 'This is the results of receiving these promises'. The word ye means 'each and every one of you personally', which makes this result personal in nature. The phrase might be partakers of the divine nature means that it is possible, but not guaranteed, that we will get part (be partakers) of God's (divine) nature. That is: God is giving us these promises so that we can become like Him. This is the promise of John 1:12-LJC (John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:).

having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust: this is our last phrase and it is added to the prior phrase in the last Equivalent Section. Please notice that the phrase having escaped is in the past tense. We must escape the corruption that is in the world through lust before we can be partakers of the divine nature. God always cle and out our filthy sin nature before adding in His blessings. This, of course, is telling us the same as the other Equivalent Sections only saying it a different way. God wants to bless us buy we must 'Stop our Sinning!' first. This means that we must become the Godly and can not remain ungodly nor remain unjust if we wish to receive these blessings.

The name of Simon was dealt with earlier within this note. Please see the note for Galatians C2-S6 about the name Peter. The New Testament definition is: 'The name given to him by Jesus which is used to identify him when he is acting spiritual'. By his opening his letter with Simon Peter, he is acknowledging his dual nature which gives him the experience to speak with authority about there three groups of people.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. The note for Ephesians has links to the main verses within the New Testament, along with a small note for each verse, which give us a good understanding of how the Bible uses this word. The New Testament definition is: ' to keep or hold; properly one that waits, that is, stops, holds, attends, or one that is bound'. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service.

Please see the note for 11:30-31 for links to where the Bible deals with forms of the word obtain. The New Testament definition is: ' Gained; procured; acquired'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 about the words like and likeness. The New Testament definition, for the word like, is: 'similar, not exactly the same'. The New Testament definition, for the word likeness, is: 'Resemblance in form; similitude'. Please also see the note for Matthew 7:24-25 about the word liken. Please also see the note for Romans 15:5-6 about the word likeminded. Please also see the note for Mark 4:16-17 about the word likewise.

Please see the note for 1Peter 1:7 about the word precious. The New Testament definition is: 'Of great price; costly; Of great value or worth; very valuable'.

Please see the Word Study on Faith about the word faith. The New Testament definition is: 'an action word that is based upon a belief in a promise found within the Bible with the action dictated by the Bible and the understanding that our action does not force God to act nor determines when or how God acts but proves that of our own free will we are giving God permission to act in and through our life to do what He promised within His Word'. Please also see the notes for Colossians 1:1 and Titus 1:1 about the word faithful. The New Testament definition is: 'Firm in adherence to the truth and to the duties of religion. Full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy. being true to oneself, to one's nature, to any promise given, and to any trust committed'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 3:1-LJC about Christ Jesus is faithful. Please also see the notes for Romans 4 and James 2:21-LJC about Abraham's faith. Please also see the note for 2Timothy C1S2 about the phrase faith: unfeigned. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:3 about the word feign. Please also see the note for Romans C10S12 about the phrase faith makes us not ashamed. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S25 about Law and faith. Please also see the note for Romans C9S28 about live / walk by faith.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S10 and Galatians C2-S16 about the word righteous / righteousness. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines righteous as: 'Just; accordant to the divine law. Applied to persons, it denotes one who is holy in heart, and observant of the divine commands in practice; as a righteous man. Applied to things, it denotes consonant to the divine will or to justice; as a righteous act. It is used chiefly in theology, and applied to God, to his testimonies and to his saints. The righteous, in Scripture, denote the servants of God, the saints. 2. Just; equitable; merited. And I thy righteous doom will bless'. The New Testament definition is: 'doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time and for the right reason'. We find forms of the word righteousness occurring in 2Peter in: 1:1; 2:4-10; 2:13-15; 2:21 and 3:13. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 about the phrase fruit of righteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C4S7 about the phrase imputeth righteousness. Please also see the notes for Romans C3S7 and Romans C1S16 about the word unrighteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C2S5 about the phrase obeying unrighteousness.

Please see the note for Luke 6:47-48 about the word flood. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines this word as: 'In the King James Version not less than 13 words are rendered "flood," though in the Revised Version (British and American) we find in some passages "river," "stream," "tempest," etc. the word is used for: the deluge of Noah, mabbul (Ge 6:17 ff); kataklusmos (Mt 24:38-39; Lu 17:27); the waters of the Red Sea, nazal (Ex 15:8); the Euphrates, nahar, "Your fathers dwelt of old time on the other side of the flood". (The Revised Version (British and American) "beyond the River" Jos 24:2): the Nile, ye'or, "The flood (The Revised Version (British and American) "River") of Egypt" (Am 8:8); the Jordan, nahar, "They went through the flood (The Revised Version (British and American) "river") on foot" (Ps 66:6); torrent, zerem, "as a flood (The Revised Version (British and American) "tempest") of mighty waters" (Isa 28:2); potamos, "The rain descended and the floods came" (Mt 7:25); plemmura, "When a flood arose, the stream brake against that house" (Lu 6:48). Figurative: nachal, "The floods of ungodly men (The Revised Version (British and American) "ungodliness," the Revised Version, margin "Hebrew Belial") made me afraid" (2Sa 22:5; Ps 18:4); also 'or (Am 8:8 (The King James Version)); shibboleth (Ps 69:2); sheTeph (Da 11:22 (The King James Version)); sheTeph (Ps 32:6 (The King James Version)); potamophoretos (Re 12:15 (The King James Version)). Alfred Ely Day'.

Please see the note for Romans C4S5 about the word grace. The word grace is usually presented as 'God's riches at Christ Expense'. However, that obviously does not fit in James 1:11. So while that is the main application within the Bible, the true definition is: 'that which makes the source look good'. We are given God's grace for the expressed purpose of making God look good. If we don't make God look Good then He wasted His grace on us. In addition, the New Testament definition of the word gracious is: 'Favorable; kind; friendly; as,the envoy met with a gracious reception'. Please see the note for Galatians 1:1-3 for an outline on how grace is used in that epistle. Please see the note for Galatians C5S4 about the phrase fallen from grace. Please see the note for Galatians C6S18 about the phrase grace through Christ. Please see the note for Romans 11:5 about the phrase election of grace. We find forms of the word grace in 2Peter 3:18.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S16 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word peace. Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel. Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel. The New Testament definition is: 'In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind'. Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:22). Please see the notes for Romans 10:15 and Hebrews 12:14-LJC about peace with God.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 9:8-11 about the word multiply. The New Testament definition of it is: 'To increase in number with multiple additions'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge. Please also see the note note for know in 1John about the word know. The New Testament definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'. The th, in the word knoweth, makes it a 'life-style knowing'. Please see the note for Matthew 1:25 about the word knew. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'Past tense form of know. Also used for intimate knowledge as Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived'. The New Testament definition, for the word knewest is: 'A life-style past tense form of know'. Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow. Please see the note for Romans C6S5 about the phrase Know ye not. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge. True Biblical knowledge includes the most intimate and personal type of knowedge which comes from personal experience. We also also find forms, of the word know, in 2Peter in: 1:14; 1:16; 1:20; 2:9; 2:21; 3:3 and 3:17.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S1 about the word account. The New Testament definition is: 'an entry in a book or on paper of things bought or sold, of payments, services etc., including the names of the parties to the transaction, date, and price or value of the thing'.

Please see the note for Romans C13S2 about the word power. The New Testament definition is: 'The primary sense of the verb is to strain, to exert force. 1. In a philosophical sense, the faculty of doing or performing anything; the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something; ability or strength. Power might be physical, spiritual, emotional, moral, religious or of some other nature'.

Please see the note for Romans C5S9 about the following words. The New Testament definition of the word give is: 'Bestowed; granted; conferred; imparted; admitted or supposed'. The New Testament definition for the words gave and given are: 'the past-tense form of the word give'. The New Testament definition of these words is:'the past-tense form of the word give'. The New Testament definition of giving is: 'the ongoing form of the word give'. The New Testament definition of giveth is: 'a life-style of giving'. The New Testament definition of the word giver is: 'the person who gives'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S19 about the phrase giving of thanks. We also find this word, within this book, in: 2Peter 1:5; 2Peter 1:10; 2Peter 3:15.

Please see the note for Romans 4:1 about the word pertain. The New Testament definition is: 'To belong; to be the property, right or duty of'.

Please see the Doctrine of Life about the words life, live, alive and lively. The New Testament definition, for the word the word life, is: 'The cause of all movement, both physically and spiritually. Physical life ends (is mortal). Spiritual life is immortal'. The New Testament definition, for the word the word live, is: 'the verb form of life'. The New Testament definition, for the word the word alive, is: 'Having life'. The New Testament definition, for the word the word lively, is: 'Living and energetic'. In addition, the New Testament definition, for the phrase everlasting life. is: 'Spiritual life which has a beginning but no end'. Please also see the Message called Labor for Everlasting Life. Please see the note for 3:25 about the word live that note has links to several other places where the doctrine of this word is discussed. Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16. Please also see the note for about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please also see the note for Revelation 13:8-LJC about the phrase book of life. Please see the note for Romans C9S28 about live / walk by faith. Please see the note for Romans C11S6 about The just shall live by his faith. Please see the note for Colossians C3S4 about Christ lives through us. Please use This link to see other, less important, 'Minor Titles of the Son of God' found within the Bible along with links to where the Bible uses those titles. This title is eternal life. Please also see the following notes about this word: 2Peter 2:6; 2Peter 2:18.

Please see the note for 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the word Godly. The New Testament definition is: 'People who have a personal relationship with God and a testimony that shows that relationship'. Please also see that note about the word ungodly. The New Testament definition of the word ungodly is: 'A lost person whose lifestyle shows that they are lost and have nothing to do with obeying and trusting God'. That note also covers the words just and unjust. That note also has links to where these words are used in 1Peter.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call. That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word. The New Testament definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'. This word is used, in this book, in: 2Peter 1:3 and 2Peter 1:10. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13 about the phrase call upon the Lord. The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call and Lord used together, along with a small note on each reference.

Please see the note for Romans C15S14 about the word glory. There is a lot of information about this word in that note. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Brightness, splendor, luster'. The New Testament for the word glorified is: 'past-tense form of the word glory'. The New Testament for the word glorifying is: 'applying the word glory in an ongoing manner'. The New Testament for the word Glorious is: 'Illustrious; of exalted excellence and splendor; resplendent in majesty and divine attributes; applied to God'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ return in glory. Please also see the Minor Titles of the Son of God to see the title of: hope of glory. All true Biblical hope is based in Him. Think about what was revealed in the 'Mount of transfiguration'. We also find this word within in: 2Peter 1:17 and 2Peter 3:18.

Please see the note for Philippians 4:8 for links to every place in the Bible where the word virtue is used along with the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law'.

Please see the note for Ephesians C2S2 about the word exceed. The New Testament definition is: 'Going beyond; surpassing; excelling; outdoing'.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S15; Galatians C3-S15; 1Timothy 4:8 and Titus 1:2 about the word promise. The note in 1Timothy has the full definition from Webster's 1828 along with links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'In a general sense, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made, a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act'. Please see the section called Promises in the Doctrinal Study called Significant New Testament Events. We find forms of this word, in 2Peter in: 1:1; 2:19;3:4; 3:9 and 3:13.

Please see the note for Ephesians C5S5 about the word partakers. The New Testament definition is: 'One who has or takes a part, share or portion in common with others; a sharer; a participator'. Please also see the note for Romans 15:27 for the links to every place in the Bible where forms of partake are used along with the definition from Webster's 1828 .

Please see the note for Hebrews 9:1 about the word divine. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Pertaining to the true God; as the divine nature; divine perfections'. Please also see the note for Acts 16:16 about the word divination.

Please see the note for Galatians 4:8 for links to every place in the Bible where the word nature is used along with the definition from the Morrish Bible Dictionary and links to notes in other Studies with similar words.

Please see the note for Matthew 23:33 about the word escape. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To flee fRomans avoid; to get out of the way; to shun; to obtain security from; to pass without harm; as, to escape danger'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 9:25 about the word corrupt. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'To change from a sound to a putrid or putrescent state; to separate the component parts of a body, as by a natural process, which accompanied by a fetid smell'. In addition, to this word, we also need to consider the opposite words. (Please see the note for 1Corinthians 9:25 about these words.) The word uncorruptible is defines as: 'that cannot be corrupted. But incorruptible is the word now used'. The word incorruptible is defined as: 'that which cannot be corrupted nor decayed'. Please also see the note for John 19:39 about the phrase no corruption.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1Corinthians C1S19; 2Timothy C1S5 and World in 1John about the word world. The New Testament definition is: 'The world is not the earth but is all of the people in the earth and often is used for the majority opinion / thought process. That opinion / thought process is the result of lost people thinking that they know better than God does and believe Satan's lie'.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S17; Galatians C5-S18 about the word lust. The New Testament definition is: 'Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy'. While this word is normally used for a sin, as it is in our current sentence, it is not always a sin, especially when it is done by the Spirit of God.

Please be sure to follow the links that are within the sentence outline above to find notes related to those words and to find links to other places where that word is used. Where those links lead to another Study, please also go to the top of the Study (or section within the Lord Jesus Christ Study) to get the definition, the particular application of this verse, and links to other verses with the same application.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'A.M. 4070. A.D. 66. Simon. or, Symeon. Ac 15:14 exp: Mt 10:2; Mr 3:16; Lu 6:14. Peter. Mt 4:18; 10:2; Lu 22:31-34; Joh 1:42; 21:15-17; 1Pe 1:1 a servant. Joh 12:26; Ro 1:1 exp: Col 4:12; Jas 1:1. an apostle. Lu 11:49; Joh 20:21; 1Co 9:1; 15:9; Ga 2:8; Eph 3:5; 4:11; 1Pe 5:1 have. 2Pe 1:4; Ac 15:8-9; Ro 1:12; 2Co 4:13; Eph 4:5; Php 1:29; 2Ti 1:5; Tit 1:1,4; 1Pe 1:7; 2:7 through. Jer 33:16; Ro 1:17; 3:21-26; 1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21; Php 3:9 exp: Ro 5:21. of God and our Saviour. Gr. of our God and Saviour. Isa 12:2; Lu 1:47; Tit 2:13 General references. exp: Php 1:5.
Grace. Nu 6:24-26; Da 4:1; 6:25; Ro 1:7; 1Pe 1:2; Jude 1:2; Re 1:4 exp: Col 1:2. The knowledge. 2Pe 3:18; Isa 53:11; Lu 10:22; Joh 17:3; 2Co 4:6; 1Jo 5:20-21 exp: Eph 4:13. General references. exp: Nu 6:23; Jude 1:2.
his. Ps 110:3; Mt 28:18; Joh 17:2; 2Co 12:9; Eph 1:19-21; Col 1:16; Heb 1:3 all. Ps 84:11; Ro 8:32; 1Co 3:21-23; 1Ti 4:8 through. 2Pe 1:2; Joh 17:3 called. Ro 8:28-30; 9:24; 1Co 1:9; Eph 4:1,4; 1Th 2:12; 4:7; 2Th 2:14; 2Ti 1:9; 1Pe 1:15; 2:9,21; 3:9; 5:10 exp: Ro 1:7. To. or, by. virtue. 2Pe 1:5; Ru 3:11; Pr 12:4; 31:10,29; Php 4:8 General references. exp: Nu 6:23; De 32:47.are given. 2Pe 1:1; Eze 36:25-27; Ro 9:4; 2Co 1:20; 6:17-18; 7:1; Ga 3:16; Heb 8:6-12; 9:15; 1Jo 2:25 ye might. Joh 1:12-13; 2Co 3:18; Eph 4:23-24; Col 3:10; Heb 12:10; 1Jo 3:2 having. 2Pe 2:18-20; Ga 6:8; Jas 4:1-3; 1Pe 4:2-3; 1Jo 2:15-16 exp: 1Ti 4:8. General references. exp: Ps 56:10; Lu 1:75'.

Home Start of Chapter

C1-S2 (Verse 5-7) Several steps to add to our like precious faith.

First Step: Add virtue.

How to do it.

And beside this,
giving all diligence,
add to your faith virtue;.

Second Step: Add knowledge.

and to virtue knowledge;.

Third Step: Add temperance.

and to knowledge temperance;.

Fourth Step: Add patience.

and to temperance patience;.

Fifth Step: Add godliness.

and to patience godliness;.

Sixth Step: Add brotherly kindness.

and to godliness brotherly kindness;.

Seventh Step: Add charity.

and to brotherly kindness charity.

Peter starts this sentence with And to tell us that these things are to be added after we have obtained like precious faith. Peter says beside this because having like precious faith is not sufficient. Having told us that our faith is not sufficient, Peter tells us that we must be diligent in adding these new character traits because we can loose them. Some things are permanent once obtained but these require all diligence in order to keep them.

That said, we see that our sentence is in seven Steps. Forthose people into Numerology, seven is the number of completion. I don't put a lot of weight into that but what is important is that both our punctuation and the use of the word and tell us that we are adding one characteristic on top of another. That means that we can not get to the next item until after we have added the prior.

Most of this sentence is handled by the word definitions below. However, we need to realize that Peter's phrases of And beside this, giving all diligence apply to every one of these Steps. Thus, the And beside this means that all of the prior sentence must be reality in our life before any of this sentence gets added. In addition, giving all diligence basically means 'keep on keeping on no matter what problem or circumstance you run into'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:13 about the word beside. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'be and side, by the side'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:7 about the word diligence. The New Testament definition is: 'Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity'.

The New Testament definition forthe word add is: 'The mathematical function. Ignoring either side of the word add changes what is said into doctrinal error'. Please also see the note for Luke 12:31 about the word added. The New Testament definition forthe word is: 'Past-tense of the function add'.

The first thing that Peter tells us to add to our like precious faith is virtue. We see virtue is used in Mark 5:30 and in Luke 8:46 when the woman with an issue of blood touched Him. We also see virtue is used in Luke 6:19 where it provided healing again. Further, we see virtue is used in Philippians 4:8 as something that we are to think on. The common factor (which is also found in dictionaries) is that virtue is the 'power to remove corruption' since sickness is a 'corruption'. This 'power' can only come from God. It is something that we should think on and add to our faith so that the 'corruption' from sin is removed from our life. Removing 'corruption from sin' is part of Peter's message in this epistle. Please see the note for Philippians 4:8 for links to every place in the Bible where the word virtue is used along with the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'Moral goodness; the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law'.

After virtue Peter tells us the add knowledge. In the Bible, knowledge is the application of God's life in us that results in a birth (visible evidence that can be seen by the world). We already saw an extensive note about Biblical knowledge in the 1:2 in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. We see Peter use forms of know in verses 1:2-3; 5-6; 8; 12; 14; 16; 20; 2:9; 20; 21; 3:3; 17; 18. That is just within this epistle and there are many other places where the Bible uses this word. In the Bible, knowledge is one of the spiritual gifts that act like our spiritual senses and it shows us how God's life is applied to our personal life. This is added to virtue because we must remove the 'corruption from sin' from our life before we can replace it with the purity of God's life through Biblical knowledge.

Please see the note note for know in 1John about the word know. The New Testament definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'. The th, in the word knowethg, makes it a 'life-style knowing'. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 about the word knowledge. Please see the note for Matthew 1:25 about the word knew. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'Past tense form of know. Also used for intimate knowledge as Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived'. The New Testament definition, for the word knewest is: 'A life-style past tense form of know'. Please see the note for Galatians 1:22 about the word unknown. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'not known'. Please see the note for Romans C6S5 about the phrase Know ye not. The New Testament definition, for this phrase, is asking the question: 'How could you not know something that is so obvious?'. Please see the note for Romans C11S4 about the word foreknow. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C16S17 about the word acknowledge. True Biblical knowledge includes the most intimate and personal type of knowledge which comes from personal experience.

Peter tells us to add temperance to our knowledge. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as 'Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess'.Basically, once we have God's life working in our life (knowledge), we are to use it to avoid excesses in things that are not sin but which become sin when taken to excess. Food is necessary for life but excess of eating (gluttony) is sin. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 9:25 for links to every verse in the Bible that uses any form of temperate / temperance along with links from other commentators.

Lord give me patience and give it to me NOW!!!' is a ridiculous prayer and yet that is how many people act. True patience requires already having the other attributes already listed here, which is why Peter lists these attributes in the order that he does. Further, it is also why this sentence uses semicolons to make adding each of these attributes successive steps. Yes, people can have these character attributes without the power of God, but they will fail under certain tests if the power supporting them is less than the power of God. That's why the first thing added to our faith was virtue, which gives us God's 'power'. As explained several places on this site (in various words), faith is 'our action which proves that God has permission to use His power in our life'. Since the 'power' of Biblical faith is God's 'power', it can come before virtue. Since it gives God permission to act, it must come before virtue. Likewise, each of these steps must come in the order that Peter lists them in. In order to have patience we must have true Biblical knowledge that comes from experiencing God working in our life because that experience is what truly teaches us that God's sense of time is different from ours. However, even while we wait we must know that God keeps his promises (mentioned in the first sentence of this epistle) in order to obtain true Biblical patience. Likewise, we need temperance to not 'help God out' while He is developing this gift of patience. Please also see the notes for Romans C5S2 and Colossians C1S3 for links to every verse in the New Testament that uses any form of patience along with a small note on each verse and links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'The suffering of afflictions, pain, toil, calamity, provocation or other evil, with a calm, unruffled temper; endurance without murmuring or fretfulness'.

Godliness gives our life attributes of God such as holiness and righteousness. Peter uses this word in 1:3; 2:9 and 3:11 (as well as in this sentence). Godliness is one of the attributes that Peter opens his epistle with, and one of the things that his conclusion says we should have and is the attribute that protects us from temptation. Simply put, when we act like God long enough, people and devils stop bringing certain temptations into our life because they know that they will fail and people (also devils) don't like to fail. The epistle Overview provides links to every place in this epistle where we find forms of the words Godly and Godly along with a discussion of the doctrine involved within this epistle. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 11:2 about the word Godly. The New Testament definition is: ' Living in obedience to God's commands, from a principle of love to him and reverence of his character and precepts; religious; ighteous'.

Next Peter adds brotherly kindness which is kindness given the way that a brother gives it. I'm one of seven (natural / blood) brothers. When a brothers helps another brothers he also makes sure that the one helped learns how to provide for themselves so that they don't have to go on providing the help. A sister often (not always) helps without requiring that the other person learn to help them selves and a stranger doesn't have to because they probably won't be around to help again. This is (usually) difference between the kindness provided by sisters and that provided by brothers can be understood easiest if we acknowledge that helpless babies are usually cared for by females while training of adults more often is done by males. Too often people do religious 'good works' with no requirement put upon the recipient of those 'good works'. That's why the lazy and cons target churches. However, Peter tells us to limit our kindness to that which is brotherly, which means it includes providing what the other person needs to make then not dependent. 'Give a man a fish to feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish to feed him for his life'.and For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2Thessalonians 3:10). Please see the note for Romans 12:10-13 for links to all of the verses in the Bible which use the word brotherly. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother. Please see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren. The New Testament definition is: 'Pertaining to brothers; such as is natural for brothers; becoming brothers; kind; affectionate; as brotherly love'.

Please see the note for Colossians C3S8 about the word kindness. The New Testament definition is: 'Good will; benevolence; that temper or disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses; benignity of nature'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word kindly.

Finally, Peter adds charity to all other attributes. Charity has been defined as 'Love in action' and is understood as given with no expectation of receiving anything in return. One of the doctrinal errors often taught is that we have to treat all people the same way. We are actually told to be like God and God very definitely treats the Godly different from the ungodly and the unjust as Peter points out in this epistle. Likewise, this sentence puts brotherly kindness and all of the other personal attributes before charity. If we do not provide for our necessary things, and for the necessary things of our family before we give away things to strangers with no expectation of returned help, then we will not survive to continue. The demand to raise charity above the Biblical position is part of a 'hyper-spiritual' doctrinal error. (it is pride in how 'I'm more spiritual than you are'.)

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:1 for links to every sentence in the word of God which use any form of the word charityThe New Testament definition of charity is: 'Showing God's love to others regardless of who they are. Charity differs from love in that love is shown to people we know'. Please also see the note for Romans 14:15 about the word charitably.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'beside. Lu 16:26; 24:21 giving. 2Pe 1:10; 3:14,18; Ps 119:4; Pr 4:23; Isa 55:2; Zec 6:15; Joh 6:27; Php 2:12; Heb 6:11; 11:6; 12:15 virtue. 2Pe 1:3; Php 4:8 knowledge. 2Pe 1:2; 3:18; 1Co 14:20; Eph 1:17-18; 5:17; Php 1:9; Col 1:9; 1Pe 3:7 exp: 1Co 14:6. General references. exp: De 6:17; Ec 10:18; Lu 1:75.
temperance. Ac 24:25; 1Co 9:25; Ga 5:23; Tit 1:8; 2:2 patience. Ps 37:7; Lu 8:15; 21:19; Ro 2:7; 5:3-4; 8:25; 15:4; 2Co 6:4; Col 1:11; 1Th 1:3; 2Th 1:4; 3:5; Heb 6:12,15; 10:36; 12:1; Jas 1:3-4; 5:7-10; Re 1:9; 2:2; 13:10; 14:12 godliness. 2Pe 1:3; 3:11; Ge 5:24; Isa 57:1; 1Ti 2:2,10; 3:16; 4:7-8; 6:3,6,11; 2Ti 3:5; Tit 1:1 General references. exp: De 6:17; Ec 10:18; Lu 1:75.
brotherly. Joh 13:34-35; Ro 12:10; 1Th 3:12; 4:9-10; Heb 13:1; 1Pe 1:22; 2:17; 1Jo 3:14,16 charity. 1Co 13:1-8; Ga 6:10; Col 3:14; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:8; 1Jo 4:21 exp: 1Co 14:1; 1Ti 1:5; Re 2:19. General references. exp: De 6:17; Ec 10:18; Lu 1:75; 1Co 16:14; Heb 13:1'.

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C1-S3 (Verse 8) Why we need to add all of the character traits of the prior sentence.

For if these things be in you,
and abound,
they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This sentence has a good explanation in the This verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. This sentence starts with For, which means it tells us why we should do what is required to obtain the attributes that Peter listed in the prior sentence. The reason that Peter gives in this sentence is ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful. Of course, the ye means that these results are given on the personal level.

Spiritual fruit and spiritual children come from God acting through our life and not from 'religious good works'. The eternal rewards given at the Judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10 and 2Corinthians 5:10-11) are for spiritual fruit while 'religious good works' will be burned up.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

For if these things be in you: this phrase tells us why (for) we want to obey the command of the prior sentences (these things). However, the word if gives us a conditional which lets us know that we will not get the promised result unless we meet God's condition that these things be in you, and abound.

and abound: the and adds the requirement of abound to the conditional requirements for receiving the promise. There is no 'barely skating by' allowed.

they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ: the word they references the theses things in the conditional phrase. That makes fulfilling the requirement mandatory. It also is a reference to all of the commands of the prior sentences. The word make means that it will require some time for the results to show up because it always takes time to make something. The word ye lets us know that the results are obtained personally and are not dependent upon others. The word shall means 'these results absolutely positively will happen provided that we fulfill God's requirements'. The phrase neither be barren means that we will produce spiritual children. Someone who never wins any souls is not fulfilling these requirements from God regardless of what they claim. The phrase nor unfruitful means that people who fulfill God's requirements will have spiritual fruit to show for their life. The phrase in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that thus knowledge is what will keep us from being barren and from being unfruitful. Thus, if someone is barren or unfruitful, they may have knowledge of religion, but they do not have The knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please see the note for Romans 5:20 for links to every place in the Bible where any forms of the word abound is used. The New Testament definition is: 'great or overflowing supply'.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S24 about the word barren. The New Testament definition is: 'Not producing young, or offspring'.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S5; 1Corinthians C9S10 about the word fruit. The New Testament definition is: 'a word as used in Scripture denoting produce in general, whether vegetable or animal'. Please also see the notes for James 3:18 about the fruit of righteousness. Please also see the note for Romans C8S21 about the word firstfruits. In Matthew 12:34-37 and Luke 6:44-45; Jesus tells us how our fruit will be used to judge us.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'in you. Joh 5:42; 2Co 9:14; 13:5; Php 2:5; Col 3:16; Phm 1:6 and abound. 1Co 15:58; 2Co 8:2,7; Php 1:9; Col 2:7; 3:16; 1Th 3:12; 4:1; 2Th 1:3 they. Joh 15:7-8; 2Co 5:13-17 barren. or, idle. Pr 19:15; Mt 20:3,6; 25:26; Ro 12:11; 1Ti 5:13; Heb 6:12 unfruitful. Mt 13:22; Joh 15:2,6; Tit 3:14 exp: Mr 4:19. In . 2Pe 1:2 General references. exp: De 6:17; Ec 10:18; Lu 1:75'.

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C1-S4 (Verse 9) Consequence of disobedience.

But he that lacketh these things is blind,
and cannot see afar off,
and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

This sentence starts with But, which means it is continuing the same subject as the immediately prior sentence while going in a different direction. The prior sentence can not be applied to lost people. The lost do not have The knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, this sentence is directed at people who claims to be saved but lives like they are lost. These are the people whom Peter identifies as unjust later in this epistle. In this sentence Peter gives us three equal consequences of not adding the character traits that the prior sentences told us to add. In this sentence we see the consequence of refusing to obey and remaining unjust. The three consequences which Peter warns us about are:

he that lacketh these things is blind: In John 9:39 Jesus said ...For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind and in Matthew 13:13 He said something similar about God's people. These verses have the same principal as we read in Deuteronomy 29:4 and in Ezekiel 12:2 where God brought severe judgment (40 years in wilderness and the Babylonian Captivity) upon His people because they closed their mind to God's truth and blinded their minds. In this epistle, Peter warns of judgment upon saved people doing the same thing (The unjust).
cannot see afar off: Many places in the Bible (Psalms, Proverbs, 1John, etc) tell us that God's Word is a light for us to see spiritual things (afar off). In this reason Peter is talking about people who refuse to let God's Word guide them in spiritual things that are part of our everyday life.
forgotten that he was purged from his old sins: When the Bible uses purged it means 'completely removed'. When God saved us our sins were 'completely removed' so that they no longer controlled us. God intended that we 'stop our sinning' and these people made God's efforts completely useless when they went back to the addictions of sin.

Unfortunately, these people don't understand that Peter's opening sentence (C1S1) told us that the exceeding great and precious promises were through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. We can not receive these promises except through Him. These people not only give up all of these promises but, as Peter says later, they earn punishment.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:13-15 about the words lack. The New Testament definition, for the wordlack, is: 'To want; to be destitute of; not to have or possess. To be deficient'. The est, of the word lackest means: 'this is a life-style lacking'. It is one thing to not have what God provides when you first get saved and don't even know what is available to you. It is something else to 'keep on keeping on not having these things' because that means that you keep refusing them when God offers them to you. This shows an attitude problem, not an ability problem and God judges the heart where we keep out attitudes.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word blind. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Without the ability to see. This word is also used, symbolically, for people who lack spiritual understanding'. With this definition we see that blindness was often an result of enemy action after someone was on the losing side of a war. We can not win this spiritual war without the help of God. These people were blinded spiritually because they refused the things which God gave them with the intention of their winning the spiritual way. In stead they choose physical comfort even when it came with spiritual defeat.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S9; 2Corinthians 2:17 and Colossians C1S6 about the word see / sight. The New Testament definition is: 'The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view. This word is often used symbolically for spiritual understanding'. Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 5:7 about the word purge. The New Testament definition is: 'To cleanse or purify by separating and carrying off whatever is impure, heterogeneous, foreign or superfluous; as, to purge the body by evacuation. to clear from guilt or moral defilement; as, to purge one of guilt or crime; to purge away sin'.

Please see the note for Romans C7S26 about the word sin. The New Testament definition is: 'a violation of God's law' (1John 3:4). Please note that religious people call certain groups of people sinners. because they fit a religious definition which may have nothing to do with God's law. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' One that has voluntarily violated the divine law; a moral agent who has voluntarily disobeyed any divine precept, or neglected any known duty'. The New Testament definition of the word sinner is: 'someone who does sin'. Please also see the notes for Sin in 1John; Romans C2S4; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26 about the phrase sin unto death. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'lacketh. 2Pe 1:5-7; Mr 10:21; Lu 18:22; Ga 5:6,13; Jas 2:14-26 blind. Joh 9:40-41; 2Co 4:3-4; 1Jo 2:9-11; Re 3:17 that he. 2Pe 1:4; 2:18-20; Ro 6:1-4,11; Eph 5:26; Heb 9:14; 1Pe 3:21; 1Jo 1:7 General references. exp: De 6:17; Ec 10:18; Lu 11:35'.

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C1-S5 (Verse 10-11) Why to be diligent in obedience.

Equivalent Section: what to do.

Wherefore the rather,
brethren,
give diligence to make your calling and election sure:.

Equivalent Section: the reason in this world.

for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall:.

Equivalent Section: the reason in eternity.

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This sentence is divided into three Equivalent Sections by two colons. The first Equivalent Section tells us the be diligent and the other two Equivalent Sections tell us the reward for such diligence. People who obey the command of this sentence are what Peter calls the just. Here we see a totally different result from the people described in the prior sentence who were the unjust. Both types of people claim to be saved but Peter says that they get different results here in this life and in eternity and this difference is dependent upon our being diligent to make your calling and election sure. Not only do we have different results in this life but our judgment and reward or punishment when we enter The everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is dependent upon how diligent we were in doing these commands.

There are two notes for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study which have significant doctrine. The note under Saviour speaks to the roles of Lord and Saviour. As explained there, the emphasis within this sentence is that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour. That means that the things we receive from God the Son's roles as Lord and Saviour are based upon the fact that we agreed to have an ongoing personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The unjust, which Peter spoke about in the prior sentence, deny their responsibility within this ongoing personal relationship. That's why they get the results spoken of in the prior sentence. That is also why Peter tells the brethren: Wherefore the rather...give diligence to make your calling and election sure. The unjust refuse to give diligence to these things and receive the results of the prior sentence. The Godly need to prove that they are different by acting different and that different (Wherefore the rather) attitude and action produces different results.

In the second note; within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, we are reminded how Jesus is our Saviour, and how Christ is our Saviour, and how each of these roles provide different aspects of our salvation. We are also reminded that we will face judgment by our Lord for how well we obey Jesus and Christ. The unjust, who were dealt with in the prior sentence, will receive bad and The terror of the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. However, the obedient Godly people will receive blessings and eternal glory. That is why Peter starts this sentence with Wherefore the rather.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

Wherefore the rather: the word wherefore gives us a conclusion based upon the prior sentences within this epistle. The phrase The rather tells us how this conclusion is preferable to the result achieved in the prior sentence by the unjust. Then Peter says brethren to let us know that the rest of this sentence is directed at the Godly.

brethren: Peter uses this word to distinguish the people he is now speaking to from the unjust whom he spoke about in the prior sentence. This sentence is directed at the Godly because they are like Peter (brethren) and act like they are part of God's spiritual family, which is the church.

give diligence to make your calling and election sure: there are several notes in this Study which explain calling and election and they explain that these words do not mean all saved but means those building their personal relationship with God. That is why The prior phrase called these people brethren. With that distinction in mind, we see that in order to make our calling and election sure we must be diligent in avoiding the things mentioned in the prior sentence. That is, we must:
1. Not be blind means to see things from the spiritual perspective.
2. See far off means to keep our eyes on heaven and our eternal reward.
3. forgotten that he was purged from his old sins means to remember what God paid to completely remove (purged) your sins.
Here we see that it is not enough to do the right things but that we must also avoid doing the wrong things.

for if ye do these things: the word for tells us that this phrase is telling us why we need to obey the prior phrase. The word ye means 'each and every one of you personally'. Thus, the conditional if) statement of this phrase and the result found in the next phrase are applied in a personal way. It does not matter what others do, we will have personal judgment and personal reward or punishment. With that in mind, we must pay attention to the word do. Please see the note for Romans 8:1-LJC about the phrase judged by work. The unjust make excuses for refusing to do and yet expect to receive the same rewards as the Godly. The Godly understand that they must do the works which produce the rewards at The judgment seat of Christ.

ye shall never fall: Once more we see the word ye used to make this result personal. In addition, as pointed our in the prior phrase, we must personally fulfill the conditional statement of the prior phrase in order to receive these results. Now, with that in mind, this promise, of ye shall never fall, seems impossible especially when we think about what the word never means. However, we need to consider the next phrase in order to properly understand this phrase. And, that is proper since the two phrases are in the same sentence. In our next phrase we see the sub-phrase of; shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom. This means that we will not see the results of what we do, and if we fail, until we are in The everlasting kingdom. Satan and this world wants us to believe that we fail by making us look at the physical perspective. However, a loss in the physical perspective, such as when we are suffering, often results in a gain within the spiritual eternal perspective. Therefore, this promise is true but must be understood from the spiritual eternal perspective in order to understand how it is true.

For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: in this phrase, Peter tells us an eternal (everlasting kingdom ) reason (For) to be diligent to personally (ye) do these things. He says so to let us know that in the same manner. That is, our eternal reward will be proportional to how diligent we are in doing these things now. Peter continues with shall be ministered unto you abundantly. Abundantly means that while it is proportional, it will also be increased. The effort that we put into diligently doing these things will be multiplied in our eternal reward (everlasting kingdom ). Finally, Peter tells us that this everlasting kingdom is the one belonging to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Peter deliberately uses this combination of names three times in this epistle (here and 2:20 and 3:18). The only other places that this combination is used is in Philippians 3:20 and 1Timothy 1:1. Please see the notes for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study for more details on this phrase and doctrine.

Please see the note in the Romans intro about the word wherefore. The New Testament definition is: 'what follows the wherefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the wherefore and seen wherever you look'.

Please see the note for Luke 12:31 about the word rather. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The use is taken from pushing or moving forward. L. ante, before. But he said, yea rather, happy are they that hear the word of God and keep it. Luke 11. 1. More readily or willingly; with better liking; with preference or choice. My soul chooseth strangling and death rather than life. Job. 7. Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3. Ps. 84. 2. In preference; preferably; with better reason. Good is rather to be chosen than evil. See acts 5. 3. In a greater degree than otherwise. He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, and no where finding, rather fear'd her slain. 4. More properly; more correctly speaking. This is an art which does mend nature, change it rather; but the art itself is nature. 5. Noting some degree of contrariety in fact. She was nothing better, but rather grew worse. Mark 5. Matt. 27. The rather, especially; for better reason; for particular cause. You are come to me in a happy time, the rather for I have some sport in hand. Had rather, is supposed to be a corruption of would rather. I had rather speak five words with my understanding - 1Cor. 14. This phrase may have been originally, "I'd rather," for I would rather, and the contraction afterwards mistaken for had. Correct speakers and writers generally use would in all such phrases; I would rather, I prefer; I desire in preference'.

Please see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren. The New Testament definition is: 'Spiritually used for God's people: the Jews and the people are saved, baptized and active members of the church'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S3 about the word call. That note has links to notes in every New Testament book where there are links to every place where the particular book uses this word. The New Testament definition is: 'To command another to help or to cry for help, hence to pray (Ge 4:26)'. Please also see the note for Romans 10:13 about the phrase call upon the Lord. The note for Romans 10:13 has links to every place in the Bible where we find the words call and Lord used together, along with a small note on each reference.

Please see the Word Study called Election. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'saved and living a life that is a testimony of the changes which the ministries Jesus Christ cause. In the Bible, this word is not used in the Bible to separate the lost from the saved, as is erroneously taught, but to separate saved people who are in God's way of obedience from saved people who are not in God's way of obedience'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 4:10-LJC about the word predestine. God does not predestine anyone to Hell but predestines everyone to Heaven (1Timothy 2:4). However, since God gave everyone a free will, men can reject God's predestination and go to Hell. Those people who truly go to God must go God's way. God does not elect people but elects a way. Those people who go God's way, to God, are God's elect.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To drop from a higher place. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse. Apostasy: unexpectedly moving from a high spiritual position to a low spiritual position. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10'. We also find the word fall, in this Bible book, in: 2Peter 3:17. We also find this word, in this Bible book in: 2Peter 3:17. The word fell. is the past-tense form of the word fall. We also find this word, in this Bible book in: 2Peter 3:4.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S6; 1Corinthians C3S5 and 2Corinthians 3:3 about the word minister. The New Testament definition is: ' a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another; in which sense, it is a word of very extensive application'. Please also see the notes for Proverbs Study; Ephesians C4S7 about the word minister. Jesus Christ is the chief minister of the kingdom. He is the one Who will make sure that our rewards shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word abundant. The New Testament definition is: 'scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with'.

Please see the note for Luke 16:9 about the word everlasting. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'Ever and lasting'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 1:8-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. Please also see the note for Revelation 1:10 about the word last. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'That which comes after all the others. Our Lord Jesus Christ is Last because He will end this creation'.

Please see the note for Romans 7:8 about the word commandment. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge'. Please note that a commandment is not always written down and often comes through the human person that God has placed in authority over us. Please see the note for Psalms 119:4 for the use of the word commandment within this Psalm and considerations from several other places within the Bible. Please see the note for Romans C7S11 about the word commandment. Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God. Please use This link to see the 'Ten (10) Commandments' and references to them in the New Testament. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments.

Please see the note for Ephesians 5:5 about the phrase kingdom of Christ. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'the kingdom which belongs to Christ'. This kingdom is referring to the 1,000-years reign of Christ, which is different from other kingdoms which are in the Bible. Many people are liars and deceived into believing that they belong to this kingdom while refusing to receive the character of Christ. Please see the Lord Jesus Christ Verses and the Lord Jesus Christ Summary about the word Christ.

A kingdom must have a king. Please see the Lord Jesus Christ Verses and the Lord Jesus Christ Summary about the word king. . Please see the note for Revelation 10:11-LJC about the phrase kings of the earth. Please see the note for Revelation 14:14 about the phrase King of kings. Please see the note for John 18:33-LJC about the phrase King of the Jews. Pleasesee the note for Galatians C5S20 and the Doctrinal Study called kingdom of God about the phrase kingdom of God. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C6S16 about the phrase kingdom of God rejected by lifestyle sins. Please see the note for Ephesians 5:5 about the phrase kingdom of Christ. Please see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of Heaven. These other kingdoms are different from The everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, but are related.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'give. 2Pe 1:5; 3:17 to make. 2Ti 2:19; Heb 6:11,19; 1Jo 3:19-21 election. Ro 8:28-31; 1Th 1:3-4; 2Th 2:13-14; 1Pe 1:2 if. Ps 15:5; Isa 56:2; Mt 7:24-25; Lu 6:47-49; 1Jo 3:19; Re 22:14 exp: Jer 17:24. never. 2Pe 3:17; Ps 37:24; 62:2,6; 112:6; 121:3; Mic 7:8; Ac 20:24-25; 1Pe 1:5; Re 3:10-11 exp: Pr 10:30. General references. exp: De 6:17; Ec 10:18.
an entrance. Mt 25:34; 2Co 5:1; 2Ti 4:8; Re 3:21 abundantly. Ps 36:8; Song 5:1; Isa 35:2; Joh 10:10; Eph 3:20; Heb 6:17 everlasting. Isa 9:7; Da 7:14,27; Re 5:10 our. 2Pe 1:1 exp: 2Ti 1:10; Tit 1:4'.

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C1-S6 (Verse 12) Why Peter wrote this epistle.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things,
though ye know them,
and be established in the present truth.

Peter starts this sentence with Wherefore which means that what follows the Wherefore is a direct consequence of what proceeded it. In the verses prior to this Peter made it clear that he was writing to people who had a personal testimony of being Godly. Peter said that they had knowledge which only comes from experiencing God's life working through their life in a way that caused a 'birth', which is an outward expression of God's life which even lost people could see and acknowledge. Now Peter says that these people personally (ye) know the things that Peter has spoken of. Further, Peter says that they are personally (ye) established in the present truth. (Please see the note for this verse in the Truth.) Unfortunately, many people do not have this testimony in their personal life today. Peter said that he will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things. Even though these people personally knew and were established in these things, they needed to be reminded so that they would personally stay diligent and so that they would be reminded to take these things to other people. This needs to be done more today because most people do not personally know this present truth and are not personally established in it.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things,: Peter wrote this epistle to put you always in remembrance of these things. The word you is used in the Bible to indicate a group such as a church or the saved. Thus, the saved today are included in Peter's you and he put (us) always in remembrance of these things by writing down what God wanted wrote and getting his epistle added to the Bible. This is Peter's conclusion (Wherefore) of what was required because, as he expressed in earlier sentences, he was seeing so many people who claimed to be saved but did not have a life and testimony to support their mouth. They were the unjust. Peter also saw saved people who claimed to be saved and did have a life and testimony to support their mouth. These people are the Godly. Peter also saw the confusion caused by them both being in the same church and the temptation for the Godly to become unjust. Therefore, as an apostle, he would be negligent if he failed to help the Godly people. In addition, God showed him that this would be persistent problem which needed a persistent solution. That is why Peter wrote this epistle. It was to put (The Godly people) always in remembrance of these things.

though ye know them,: With this phrase we see that Peter is addressing the Godly people. Peter knew that they knew (these things) because they had a life and testimony of obeying them.

and be established in the present truth.: As explained in the word definitions below, they could not be moved away from the present truth, regardless of circumstances, because they were established. In addition, The present truth is that our personal life is to display a testimony that will allow the lost to see the same thing in our live. These people were Godly and knew that they had to stay that way (they were established) but they still needed constant reminders to check their life and testimony and make sure that they had no drift in either of them.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will. The New Testament definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S12 about the word neglect. The New Testament definition is: 'To omit by carelessness or design; to forbear to do, use, employ, promote or attend to'.

Please see the note for Matthew 28:19 about the words alway / always. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Perpetually; throughout all time; as, God is always the same. 2. Continually; without variation. the word "always" (plural) is used for several never ending continuances'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S28 about the word remembrance. The New Testament definition is: 'The retaining or having in mind an idea which had been present before, or an idea which had been previously received from an object when present, and which recurs to the mind afterwards without the presence of its object'.

Please see the note for Matthew 18:16 about the word establish. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to set and fix firmly or unalterably; to settle permanently. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant. Gen.17. 2. to found permanently; to erect and fix or settle; as, to establish a colony or an empire. 3. to enact or decree by authority and for permanence; to ordain; to appoint; as, to establish laws, regulations, institutions, rules, ordinances, etc. 4. to settle or fix; to confirm; as, to establish a person, society or corporation, in possessions or privileges. 5. to make firm; to confirm; to ratify what has been previously set or made. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid; yea, we establish the law. Rom.3. 6. to settle or fix what is wavering, doubtful or weak; to confirm. So were the churches established in the faith. Acts.16. To theend he may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness. l thess.3. 7. to confirm; to fulfill; to make good. Establish thy word to thy servant. Ps.119. 8. to set up in the place of another and confirm. Who go about to establish their own righteousness. Rom.10'. Please also see the note for Romans 16:25-27 which gives links to every place in the New Testament that uses any form of the word stablish and provides the definition from Webster's 1828 . Please also see the notes for 1Thessalonians 3:13; 2Thessalonians 2:17; 3:3 and James 5:8-LJC about this word. The New Testament definition is: 'To fix; to settle in a state for permanence; to make firm. In lieu of this, establish is now always used'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 4:13-14 about the word present. The New Testament definition is: 'Being in a certain place; opposed to absent'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: I will not. 2Pe 1:13,15; 3:1; Ro 15:14-15; Php 3:1; 1Ti 4:6; 2Ti 1:6; Heb 10:32; Jude 1:3,17 though. 1Jo 2:21; Jude 1:5 and be. 2Pe 3:17; Ac 16:5; Col 2:7; Heb 13:9; 1Pe 5:10,12.

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C1-S7 (Verse 13-14) Peter must act before his death.

First Step: What Peter needs to do.

Yea,
I think it meet,
as long as I am in this tabernacle,
to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;.

Second Step: Accept the limited time to do.

Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle,
even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

With the Yea that starts this sentence, Peter is adding onto his statement in the prior sentence. In addition, the next sentence starts with Moreover, which means 'in addition to what this sentence says while going beyond the message of this sentence'. In fact, if the reader looks at the first word of every sentence in this chapter that will see that each sentence is started with a connecting word except the first sentence in the chapter and C1-S12. The context of that sentence makes it clear that Peter is still dealing with the same subject but the sentence is worded so that it can be used as an independent precept. Thus, this entire chapter needs to be considered together for the context.

As explained in The note for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, Peter is telling us that he knows that he will soon die and face judgment. Here he is giving us an example of how to prepare for death. While the world tells us to go experience some great physical thing, Peter shows us that we need to prepare for judgment and that one of the best ways to do that is to try to extend your ministry for The Lord Jesus Christ beyond your own death. Peter did this by sending this epistle which ended up in the Bible. We should also make our best effort for God when preparing to meet Him.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

Yea: this tells us that our current sentence is in agreement with the prior sentence. The prior sentence told us that Peter was going to remind us of certain things. This sentence tells us that he knows that he will die soon. Therefore, this epistle is the 'Last Testament' of Peter.

I think it meet: Here we are told that Peter wants his last message to be so tightly bound to our souls that only death will separate it because he wants all of to be declared to be just by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible uses meet to mean 'touching in every way possible'. In Genesis 2:18 we see God describe the woman as an help meet for Adam and in Genesis 2:24 we are told that they will be one flesh. God planned for a married couple to become so tightly joined that only death would separate them. In order to understand the meaning of this word, take two 5 gallon plastic buckets and cleaning them completely and having the surfaces smooth (no mars). put a little water (Holy Spirit) in one bucket and then put the other bucket inside of the one with the water and press together. Now put through a series of applying extreme heat and cold and varying amounts of pressure (life). They will become welded together so tightly that you have to break one (death) in order to separate them.

as long as I am in this tabernacle: this is Peter's way of saying 'So long as I am still alive'. Besides writing this epistle, I imagine that Peter was going around to churches that he knew of and giving the same message. Peter uses tabernacle as a reference to his body to remind us that none of us are taking our current corrupted physical body with us when we leave this physical reality to go to heaven. We are to not get attached to our body since we only occupy it temporarily.

to stir you up by putting you in remembrance: Here Peter is telling us that he is preaching. One of the main consequences of stirring up, found in the New Testament, was a riot or a near riot. This is a far stronger reaction than most preaching gets today. Teaching passes on knowledge and, sometimes, understanding. However, preaching is designed to stir up God's people by reminding them what the Bible says about reward and punishment that is attached to what we do. Preaching is designed to motivate God's people to do, which is what our phrase is telling us that Peter was doing.

Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle: Simply put, Peter is saying that he knows that he will die soon. This is the first phrase of our Second Step, which lets us know that Peter is doing the First Step until he has to take the Second Step. Peter is doing what he can while he is still alive with the perspective that he will die soon. We are all to follow his example as none of us know when our own death will come but we also know, from the Bible, that it will be soon.

even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me: Here Peter is telling us the source of his information. Please use the links already provided to see the note for this phrase in the Lord Jesus Christ Study.

Please see the note for Philippians 3:4-6 about the word think. The New Testament definition is: 'To have the mind occupied on some subject; to have ideas, or to revolve ideas in the mind'.

Please see the note for Romans C1S15 about the word meet. The New Testament definition is: 'come together and match in every area'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word tabernacle. The New Testament definition is: 'A tent. Num.24. Matt.17. 2. A temporary habitation'.

We find forms of the word stir occurring 53 times in 51 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Luke 23:5; Acts 6:12; Acts 12:18; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:2; Acts 17:13; Acts 17:16; Acts 19:23; Acts 21:27; 2Timothy 1:6; 2Peter 1:13; 2Peter 3:1. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to move; to change place in any manner. My foot I had never yet in five days been able to stir. 2. to agitate; to bring into debate. Stir on the questions of jurisdiction. 3. to incite to action; to instigate; to prompt. An Ate stirring him to blood and strife. 4. to excite; to raise; to put into motion. And for her sake some mutiny will stir.
To stir up, 1. to incite; to animate; to instigate by inflaming passions; as, to stir up a nation to rebellion. The words of Judas were good and able to stir them up to valor. 2 Maccabees. 2. to excite; to put into action; to begin; as, to stir up a mutiny or insurrection; to stir up strife. 3. to quicken; to enliven; to make more lively or vigorous; as, to stir up the mind. 4. to disturb; as, to stir up the sediment of liquor'. As already mentioned, One of the main consequences of stirring up, found in the New Testament, was a riot or a near riot. This is a far stronger reaction than most preaching gets today.

Please see the notes for Ephesians 4:22 and Colossians C3S7 about the phrase Put off. The New Testament definition is: 'remove from ourselves as we remove clothing'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S8 about the word shew. The New Testament definition is: 'This is the Old-English spelling of the word show, which means to exhibit or present to the view of others'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'as long. 2Pe 1:14; 2Co 5:1-4,8; Heb 13:3 to stir. 2Pe 3:1; Hag 1:14; 2Ti 1:6 by. 2Pe 1:12 General references. exp: De 4:22; Mt 24:46.
shortly. De 4:21-22; 31:14; Jos 23:14; 1Ki 2:2-3; Ac 20:25; 2Ti 4:6 even. Joh 21:18-19 General references. exp: De 4:22; Ps 37:37; Mt 24:46'.

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C1-S8 (Verse 15) Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

Peter is saying 'Even beyond all that I've already said' (Moreover) I will 'do everything in my power' (endeavor) 'that each and every one of you personally' (that ye) may (not guaranteed) be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance ('for as long as the Lord is willing to preserve this epistle').

Based upon what Peter already said (Moreover) and how he said it, we know that he was worried that if people who knew these truths had to be reminded of them on a regular basis, then future generations would need them even more. God's people should know that God uses the physical to teach about the spiritual. God's people are constantly quoting 2Chronicles 7:14 (If my people, which are called by my name..) and yet refuse to see the spiritual application of what is happening in their country. They see the Supreme Court twisting the Constitution to claim that it means the opposite of what is plainly written and yet embrace people who do the same to God's Word. They see the Representatives selling the entire country into destruction for personal gain and yet see no problem when they personally do the same to God's Church. They decry a President who cancels the Christian National Day of Prayer while attending the National Day of Prayer for another belief and yet refuse to see the parallel when they skip church. Then, they wonder why God lets them reap what they have sown.

Reread what Peter already said and answer how many professing Christians are doing what Peter said and answer as if your children's' souls depended upon your honesty. (They DO!!!) Search your church history and see when the last message was that equated antichrists with and false teachers instead of with a political figure or someone in Revelation. (You will NOT find antichrist in Revelation.) Peter wrote this epistle to tell us the difference between the just, the unjust and the ungodly. All three groups claim to be the just. Only those people who meet Peter's definition are the just and only they will reap the rewards and promises that God reserves for the (truly) just.

Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 2:17 about the word endeavour / endeavor. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', n. endev'or. An effort; an essay; an attempt; an exertion of physical strength, or the intellectual powers, towards the attainment of an object. The bold and sufficient pursue their game with more passion, endeavor and application, and therefore often succeed. Imitation is the endeavor of a later poet to write like one who has written before him on the same subject. Labor is a continued endeavor, or a succession of endeavors.
ENDEAV'OR, v.i. endev'or. to exert physical strength or intellectual power, for the accomplishment of an object; to try; to essay; to attempt. In a race, each man endeavors to outstrip his antagonist. A poet may endeavor to rival Homer, but without success. It is followed by after before a noun; as, the christian endeavors after more strict conformity to the example of Christ. 1. v.t. to attempt to gain; to try to effect. It is our duty to endeavor the recovery of these beneficial subjects'.

We find forms of the word decease in: Luke 9:30 and 2Peter 1:15. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to depart or to withdraw. Literally, departure; hence, departure from this life; death; applied to human beings only'. Please see the note for Romans C6S4 about the words dead / death / die the New Testament definition is: 'an ongoing process of corruption which starts at conception and continues until the body is completely destroyed. Physical death is used for the one-time point when the soul and spirit are forced to leave the corrupted body. Spiritual death is also used for the one-time point when the soul and spirit are forced to leave the presence of God. When the Bible uses death for these events, it assumes that the reader understands that the one-time-event is the pinnacle of an ongoing process. Within the Bible, death is to be understood to be an ongoing process, even while highlighting the ultimate point of victory for the process'. Please also see the notes for Sin in 1John; Romans C2S4; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC and Galatians C3-S26 about the phrase sin unto death. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C11S34 about the phrase sleep is physically dead but spiritually alive.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'I will. De 31:19-29; Jos 24:24-29; 1Ch 29:1-20; Ps 71:18; 2Ti 2:2; Heb 11:4 these. 2Pe 1:4-7,12 General references. exp: De 4:22; Mt 24:46; Lu 1:4'.

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C1-S9 (Verse 16) the First Reason to believe what Peter writes.

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables,
when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

It has been said that 'If man could write the Bible he would not and if he would write the Bible he could not'.(I am not sure of the source.) Search the internet with parts of this quote and you will get a lot of proud men claiming that they could write a bible and you will also find several sites giving a lot of facts and references that are ignored (because they can not be answered) by the proud men. 1Corinthians 2:14 tells us But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. that epistle also explains why lost religious leaders would not have crucified the Lord of glory if they really were as wise as they claim to be. That epistle (and 1John 4:1) also explains that we need the Spirit of God in order to ...try the spirits whether they are of God.. Those people who truly have the Spirit of God can tell the difference between cunningly devised fables and the word of God. Further, they can tell the difference between the spirit of men that say to trust what God wrote as He literally wrote it and the spirit of men who think they can correct God. Yes, the god of proud men is a liar because they have believed the lie that Satan is the true God. Please also see the note for this verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study which not only explains the use of these names in this sentence but shows the relationship of these roles to this subject all through this epistle.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables: the word For means that this is a reason why we should believe the truth of the prior sentence. There Peter spoke a truth that we see repeated several times in the Bible with the book of Judges begin a primary example. Without a written set of instructions, God's people quickly forget the lessons of a Godly leader after his death. One reason for that is devil motivated people trying to destroy the authority of Godly men, like we read happened to Paul, so that they can take the leadership and get God's people to fulfil their lusts of the flesh. One of the ways that these ungodly people do this is to claim that accounts of God working through His people are just cunningly devised fables. So the first thing that Peter is telling us is that the fathers of the church have not followed cunningly devised fables but had the power of God in their lives because they obeyed God. This is important because the Bible tells us to not follow people who have credentials from man but to follow those who have evidence of the power of God in their life.

when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: there is a good-sized note explaining this phrase in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. That note explains how Peter directly connects the word of God to the ministry of Jesus, the ministry of Christ and the ministry of the Lord and in each case Peter is separating that ministry from cunningly devised fables. In addition, here we read that Peter says that he, and other church leaders, had made known unto you the power...of our Lord Jesus Christ. As already said for the prior phrase, we are to look for people whose lives display The power...of our Lord Jesus Christ and follow them instead of people who claim that such power is only cunningly devised fables. In addition, Peter says that he, and other church leaders, had made known unto you the...coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. That means they warned of judgment. Since we already saw that Peter is preaching, we see here that he is talking about 'Hell fire and damnation preaching'. This is opposed to 'Feel good, health and welfare preaching'. Also notice that Peter din not lift up himself nor his group nor anything but the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

but were eyewitnesses of his majesty: this leads into the next couple of sentences and they lead into the conclusion of our chapter which tells us We have also a more sure word of prophecy, which is the written Bible. Please notice that our phrase starts with the word but. This means that Peter is continuing the subject of the basis for our belief while going in a different direction. This puts the testimony of a Godly man (eyewitnesses), supported by the word of God in opposition to cunningly devised fables. In addition, with the plural form of the word eyewitnesses, Peter is also including the testimony of John and James. Thus, we see multiple eyewitnesses, supported by the word of God, which is in opposition to the claim of cunningly devised fables which come from devil motivated men who can always be found to be liars.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S16 about the word follow. The New Testament definition is: 'To go after or behind; to walk, ride or move behind, but in the same direction. Biblical following requires having have the same attitudes and producing the same results as the person followed'. Please also see the note for Romans C14S25 about the phrase follow after. Please also see the note for Mark 2:14 about the phrase follow me. We also find this word, in this Bible book in: 2Peter 2:2 and 2Peter 2:15.

We find forms of the word cunning occurring 34 times in 31 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Ephesians 4:14; 2Peter 1:16. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. G. See Can. 1. Knowing; skillful; experienced; well-instructed. It is applied to all kinds of knowledge, but generally and appropriately, to the skill and dexterity of artificers, or the knowledge acquired by experience. Esau was a cunning hunter. Genesis 23. I will take away the cunning artificer. Isaiah 3. A cunning workman. Exodus 38. 2. Wrought with skill; curious; ingenious. With cherubs of cunning work shalt thou make them. Exodus 26. The foregoing senses occur frequently in our version of the scriptures, but are nearly or quite obsolete. 3. Artful; shrewd; sly; crafty; astute; designing; as a cunning fellow. They are resolved to be cunning; let others run the hazard of being sincere. In this sense, the purpose or final end of the person may not be illaudalbe; but cunning implies the use of artifice to accomplish the purpose, rather than open, candid, or direct means. Hence, 4. Deceitful; trickish; employing stratagems for a bad purpose. 5. Assumed with subtilty; artful. Accounting his integrity to be but a cunning face of falsehood.
CUNNING, n. 1. Knowledge; art; skill; dexterity. Let my right hand forget her cunning. Psalm 137. 2. Art; artifice; artfulness; craft; shrewdness; the faculty or act of using stratagem to accomplish a purpose. Hence in a bad sense, deceitfulness or deceit; fraudulent skill or dexterity. Discourage cunning in a child; cunning is the ape of wisdom'.

We find forms of the word devise in: Exodus 31:4; Exodus 35:32; Exodus 35:35; 2Samuel 14:14; 2Samuel 21:5; 1Kings 12:33; Esther 8:3; Esther 8:5; Esther 9:24; Esther 9:25; Psalms 31:13; Psalms 35:4; Psalms 35:20; Psalms 36:4; Psalms 41:7; Psalms 52:2; Proverbs 3:29; Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 6:18; Proverbs 14:22; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 16:30; Proverbs 24:8; Isaiah 32:7; Isaiah 32:8; Jeremiah 11:19; Jeremiah 18:11; Jeremiah 18:18; Jeremiah 48:2; Jeremiah 51:12; Lamentations 2:17; Ezekiel 11:2; Micah 2:1; Micah 2:3; 2Peter 1:16. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. s as z. L. 1. to invent; to contrive; to form in the mind by new combinations of ideas, new applications of principles, or new arrangement of parts; to excogitate; to strike out by thought; to plan; to scheme; to project; as, to devise an engine or machine; to devise a new mode of writing; to devise a plan of defense; to devise arguments. Todevise curious works in gold and silver. Exodus 35. In a bad sense: Devise not evil against thy neighbor. Proverbs 3.
2. to give or bequeath by will, as land or other real estate. DEVISE, v.i. to consider; to contrive; to lay a plan; to form a scheme. Devise how you will use him, when he comes. Formerly followed by of; as, let us devise of ease.
DEVISE, n. 1. Primarily, a dividing or division; hence, the act of bequeathing by will; the act of giving or distributing real estate by a testator. 2. A will or testament. 3. A share of estate bequeathed.
DEVISE, n. Contrivance; scheme invented'.

We find forms of the word fable in: 1Timothy 1:4; 1Timothy 4:7; 2Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2Peter 1:16. Smith's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'A fable is a narrative in which being irrational, and sometimes inanimate, are, for the purpose of moral instruction, feigned to act and speak with human interests and passions. --Encyc. Brit. the fable differs from the parable in that -- 1. the parable always relates what actually takes place, and is true to fact, which the fable is not; and 2. the parable teaches the higher heavenly and spiritual truths, but the fable only earthly moralities. of the fable, as distinguished from the parable [PARABLE], we have but two examples in the Bible: 1. that of the trees choosing their king, addressed by Jotham to the men of Shechem, (Jg 9:8-15). 2. that of the cedar of Lebanon and the thistle, as the answer of Jehoash to the challenge of Amaziah. (2Ki 14:9). The fables of false teachers claiming to belong to the Christian Church, alluded to by writers of the New Testament, (1Ti 1:4; 4:7; Tit 1:14; 2Pe 1:16) do not appear to have had the character of fables, properly so called'. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', n. L., Gr. the radical sense is that which is spoken or told. 1. A feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept. Jothams fable of the trees is the oldest extant, and as beautiful as any made since. 2. Fiction in general; as, the story is all a fable. 3. An idle story; vicious or vulgar fictions. But refuse profane and old wives fables. 1 Timothy 4. 4. the plot, or connected series of events, in an epic or dramatic poem. The moral is the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral. 5. Falsehood; a softer term for a lie.
FABLE, v.i. 1. to feign; to write fiction. Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. 2. to tell falsehoods; as, he fables not.
FABLE, v.t. to feign; to invent; to devise and speak of, as true or real. The hell thou fablest'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S13 about the word eye. The New Testament definition is: 'Sight; view; ocular knowledge'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:4 about the word witness. The New Testament definition is: 'someone who is qualified to testify in court and is available to do so if the court requests'. Please also see the notes for 2Corinthians 13:1 and Colossians C3S13 about the phrase two or three witnesses. This is a Biblical requirement for something to be a doctrine that all saved must believe and we see Peter meeting this requirement within our chapter.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:3 about the word Majesty. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', n. L. majestas, from the root of magis, major, more, greater. 1. Greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner; the quality or state of a person or thing which inspires awe or reverence in the beholder; applied with peculiar propriety to God and his works. Jehovah reigneth; he is clothed with majesty. Ps.93. The voice of Jehovah is full of majesty. Ps.29. It is applied to the dignity, pomp and splendor of earthly princes. When he showed the riches of his glorious kingdom--The honor of his excellent majesty many days-- Esth.1. 2. Dignity; elevation of manner. The first in loftiness of thought surpass'd, the next in majesty-- 3. A title of emperors, kings and queens; as most royal majesty; may it please your majesty. in this sense, it admits of the plural; as, their majesties attended the concert'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'we have. 2Pe 3:3-4; 1Co 1:17,23; 2:1,4; 2Co 2:17; 4:2; 12:16-17; Eph 4:14; 2Th 2:9; 1Ti 1:4; 4:7; Tit 1:14 the power. Mt 28:18; Mr 9:1; Joh 17:2; Ro 1:4; 1Co 5:4; Php 3:21 coming. Mal 3:2; 4:5; Mt 16:28; 24:3,27; 1Co 1:7; Jude 1:14; Re 1:7 were. Mt 17:1-5; Mr 9:2; Lu 9:28-32; Joh 1:14; 1Jo 1:1-3; 4:14 General references. exp: De 32:47; Lu 1:4; 9:29; 1Th 2:3'.

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C1-S10 (Verse 17) the Second Reason to believe what Peter writes.

For he received from God the Father honour and glory,
when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory,
This is my beloved Son,
in whom I am well pleased.

We have more witnesses of Jesus than we have of Abraham Lincoln or George Washington. Yet, we do not have the denial of their existence like the denial of the existence of Jesus. The very intensity of the denial supports Peter's claim because that is what would be required in order to offset the glory given by God the Father. God the Father gave that glory to Jesus so that we would know that He is 'God in human flesh'. Please see the note for This sentence and the prior sentence in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. They (together) explains the use of the names of the Son of God in these sentences and shows the relationship of these roles to this subject all through this epistle.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

For he received from God the Father honour and glory: Our sentence starts with the word For, which means it is telling us why we should believe the prior sentence and it is giving us a second reason to believe the second prior sentence. In the prior sentence Peter said we...were eyewitnesses of his majesty. Peter is also using the greatest incident that he personally witnessed to help people to remember the message of this epistle. As explained in The note for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, there were actually two times when Jesus received from God the Father honour and glory. Since Peter is representing Jesus Christ, as his opening sentence tells us that he is doing, Peter is declaring that the honour and glory which He received from God the Father makes His message far more valid than the message from false prophets and false teachers who dispute the message that Peter is passing on.

when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory: Again, the details of this phrase are dealt with in The note for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study. That note also has links to the places within the Gospels where we can read about this incident along with links to other places where the Bible supports the doctrine involved. The thing to pay attention to here is the sub-phrase of from the excellent glory. This is a reference to third heaven, which is where God the Father lives. No man can claim such as great of an authority to support his doctrine.

This is my beloved Son: As explained in The note for this sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, We have a capitalized Son in our current phrase because this declares Jesus to be God. It also declares Jesus to be the perfect Son of God, who is our example because saved people are less than perfects sons of God.

in whom I am well pleased: Something that a lot of people fail to realize is that both times that God made this declaration, the next thing that happened was a testing of Jesus by devils. Most people think 'they, I've made God happy so now I should get a break for a while'. Not happening. Remember, this is the epistle that explains that our suffering is part of The will of God.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1 and Colossians 2:6-7 about the word receive. The New Testament definition is: 'To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept'. In addition, please see the note for Matthew 10:41; which explains that in order to truly receive a person, we must receive their character as our own.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'. We find forms of this word, in 2Peter in: 3:4.

Please see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word honour. The New Testament definition is: 'A testimony of esteem; any expression of respect or of high estimation by words or actions; as the honors of war; military honors; funeral honors; civil honors. Also, to revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission, and perform relative duties to'. Please also see the note for Romans C12S8 about the word dishonour. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'Reproach; disgrace; ignominy; shame; whatever constitutes a stain or blemish in the reputation'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice. The New Testament definition is: 'Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:9-11 about the word excellent. The New Testament definition is: 'Being of great virtue or worth and distinguished for superior attainments'.

Please see the note for Romans C9S23 about the word beloved. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:5 for links to every place where the phrase beloved Son is applied to Jesus. The New Testament definition is: 'be and loved, from love. Belove, as a verb, is not used. Loved; greatly loved; dear to the heart'. We find forms of the word love occurring in 2Peter in: 1:17; 2:15; 3:1; 3:8; 3:14; 3:15 and 3:17.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please also see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another. Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C10S2 about the phrase well pleased. The New Testament definition of the word well Please is: 'To excite agreeable sensations or emotions in; to gratify; as, to please the taste; to please the mind'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'God. Mt 11:25-27; 28:19; Lu 10:22; Joh 3:35; 5:21-23,26,36-37; 6:27,37,39; 10:15,36; 13:1-3; 14:6,8-9,11; 17:21; 20:17; Ro 15:6; 2Co 1:3; 11:31; 2Jo 1:3; Jude 1:1 exp: Php 2:9. There came. Mt 17:3; Mr 9:7; Lu 9:34-35; Joh 12:28-29 this. Mt 3:17; 17:5; Mr 1:11; 9:7; Lu 3:22; 9:35 in whom. Isa 42:1; 53:10; Mt 12:18 General references. exp: Lu 9:29; Joh 5:41'.

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C1-S11 (Verse 18) Additional info.

And this voice which came from heaven we heard,
when we were with him in the holy mount.

First, Peter said that he was an eyewitness. Secondly, he said that the glory that Jesus received was a witness and others saw that glory. Now Peter says we have the audible word of God. Next, Peter will tell us that we have a more sure word of prophecy in the Old Testament which Jesus fulfilled. Finally, Peter tells us that God gave prophecy in spite of men and devils fighting against it. All of these things are witnesses that Jesus is 'God in human flesh'. Please see the note for 1:17 and the 1:16 in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. They (together) explains the use of the names of the Son of God in these sentences and shows the relationship of these roles to this subject all through this epistle.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

And this voice which came from heaven we heard: this was before God had John finish the Bible with the book of Revelation. During the Gospels and the time of the Apostles God gave signs to prove that the men spoke for God. God no longer does so and has not since John finished Revelation. However, when Peter experienced this and when he wrote this epistle, the Bible was not yet complete. Thus, Peter is giving us evidence, which was valid at that time, that what he says is from God. Even with this, Peter goes on, in the next sentence, and says We have also a more sure word of prophecy. This lets us know that even while he lived Peter knew that God's use of signs was going away.

when we were with him in the holy mount: this tells us when Peter experienced this and gives us the reference to find this account within the Gospels.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice. The New Testament definition is: 'Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. The New Testament definition is: 'According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) The firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "the eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) The starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "the third heaven" is the home of God (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2). The phrase "heaven and earth" is used to indicate the whole universe (Ge 1:1; Jer 23:24; Ac 17:24)'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 1:2-LJC about the phrase things in Heaven. Please also see the note for Matthew 3:2 about the phrase kingdom of heaven. Please also see the note for Luke 3:21-22 about the phrase voice from heaven. Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from Heaven. Please also see the note for Revelation 21:4 about 'no tears in heaven is a lie'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 12:2-LJC about the phrase treasure in Heaven. Please also see the Message called Laying up Treasure in Heaven. We also find forms of this word, in 2Peter in: 3:5-7; 3:10; 3:12 and 3:13.

Please see the note for Galatians 3:5 about the word hear. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'Perceiving by the ear. This word is often used symbolically for hearing the spiritual message of the word of God and obeying that message'. Please also see the note for Romans 2:13 about the word hearer. The New Testament definition, for the word hearer is: 'One who attends to what is orally delivered by another'. The New Testament definition, for the word heard is: 'The past-tense form of hear'. Please also see the note for James 2:5 about the word hearken. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'To listen closely'. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Please also see the note for Matthew 13:17 about the phrase have not heard. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase ears to hear. Please also see the following notes about this word: 2Peter 2:8.

Please see the note for Romans 7:12 about the word holy. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'Properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections'. Please see the note for Luke 1:67-75 about the word holiness. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'The state of being holy; purity or integrity of moral character; freedom from sin; sanctity. Applied to the Supreme Being, holiness denotes perfect purity or integrity of moral character, one of his essential attributes'. Please also see the Word Study on the Word Study on Holy Ghost. Basically, since we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, He is trying to make us holy by teaching us how to act like God acts. Please also see the note for John 7:39 about the phrase indwelling Holy Spirit. Please also see the note for 1John 2:20 about the phrase Holy One. Please also see the Minor Titles of the Son of God about this title. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city. There is a Biblical doctrinal difference between the use of the phrase Holy Ghost and God's Holy Spirit, with the Bible using Holy Ghost when He affects this physical world and the Bible using Holy Spirit when he affects spiritual things like our spirit. Both are identifiers of the third Person within the Trinity. The phrase Holy Ghost only occurs within the New Testament. We also find forms of this word, in 2Peter in: 1:21; 2:21; 3:2 and 3:11.

Please see the note for Matthew 17:19-LJC about the 'Mount of transfiguration'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'this. Mt 17:6 exp: Lu 9:35. The holy. Ge 28:16-17; Ex 3:1,5; Jos 5:15; Isa 11:9; 56:7; Zec 8:3; Mt 17:6 exp: Ps 87:1. General references. exp: Mt 17:6; Lu 9:29'.

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C1-S12 (Verse 19-20) the Fourth Reason to believe what Peter writes.

Equivalent Section: Personal application of the Bible.

First Step: depend on the Bible.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy;.

Second Step: obey it.

whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,
as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,
until the day dawn,
and the day star arise in your hearts:.

Equivalent Section: Application of the Bible to everyone.

Knowing this first,
that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Please see the note for 1:17 and the 1:16 in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. They explain a lot about the context of this sentence. While it is an important sentence which is often quoted for itself, it is also important within the context. Forfull understanding the reader should consider the order that God had Peter present this doctrine in. God does everything decently and in order (1Corinthians 4:14). Therefore, understanding the order in which God presents doctrines includes looking at context and the things which lead up to, and support, a verse within the Bible. Leaving the explanations (which are reached with the links just provided and which are attached to the sentences mentioned) where they are is better than if that explanation was moved here. That way the reader can see how the explanations come from the sentences which precede this sentence and that the explanation does no come from somewhere else. The reader can also see how those preceding sentences provide the context, and God given basis, for our current sentence. So while this sentence can be understood as a stand-alone, it is better understood within the context where God provides it. As the mentioned notes explain, the Bible is a better authority than the best preacher or eyewitness. Further, Jesus (Who is our example of how to live in the flesh) quoted scripture rather than quoting famous preachers.

What is not explained in the mentioned notes is what this sentence tells us to do on a personal level. Our current sentence gives us the application of the doctrine found in the prior sentences. The main job of a preacher is to show people how to apply the word of God within their lives and encourage them to obey. That is why this sentence is often preached by itself. The main job of a teacher is to be sure that people know the doctrine supporting a command within the Bible and to help the people to understand the context and non-obvious consequences of obedience and of disobedience. Therefore, while the rest of his note will deal with what this sentence says, which is the application of truth, the reader is urged to also understand the context which has already been mentioned so that they can understand God's reasons which go beyond 'Cause I'm the God, just do what I say!'.

After we understand the surrounding context of our sentence, we need to understand what it revealed by the structure of the sentence. Within this sentence, Peter gives us a rule for how to arrive at a proper interpretation. 2Timothy 2:15 tells us Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Part of that is to divide ('separate according to fixed rules in order to arrive at the same answer that others arrive at when they start at the same origin and follow the same rules') the 'application' of the Bible from the interpretation of the Bible. In this sentence, Peter is talking about 'application' in the First Equivalent Section of this sentence and he is talking about interpretation in the Second Equivalent Section. He makes the 'application' very person with the use of ye while he also makes the interpretation completely non-personal. Proper interpretation uses rules that are as non-personal as Math because both have the same basis. Just as '2 + 2 = 4' is true for all people in all of history and all cultures, so also is the proper interpretation of the Bible the same for all people in all of history and all cultures. Please see the various papers found on the Hermeneutics page of this site for more details into the rules of proper interpretation. Please also see The note for 1Corinthians 12:8 for links to every sentence in 1Corinthians which use any form of the word interpret along with the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators.

Our rule of interpretation, which Peter gives us, is that no (interpretation) of the scripture is of any private interpretation. We also see that the main application of true interpretation is to cause people to have a changed life. If no one, who accepts the claimed 'interpretation', ends up with a changed life which shows that their life is directed by God, then it is a false 'interpretation'. Below, in the section which explain the phrases of this sentence, we will see that the symbolic phrases of the Second Step tells us that our more sure word of prophecy is to lead 'each and every one of you personally' out of spiritual darkness into a life displaying God's light (ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn) and a life showing that we have Christ (The day star arise in your hearts) in our heart. Therefore, the equivalency of our sentence tells us that a true interpretation is to cause people to have a changed life and any other claimed 'interpretation' which does not produce this result is false.

In addition, not only is true interpretation not private (The same interpretation must be arrived at by all people using God's methods), but the equivalency of our sentence tells us that a true interpretation is what comes through those people who have an active and strong personal relationship with God. That is: the people who have a testimony which matches the Second Step of our First Equivalent Section are the only people who can give you the true interpretation because they are the only people who receive it from the Holy Spirit. Further, we also see this truth in 1Corinthians 2:14; which teaches us that an 'interpretation' by lost or carnal men is to be proven false.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy: this is the First Step of our First Equivalent Section. Here, we are told to be thoroughly convinced that the Bible is more reliable than any human being or any human experience. The more sure means that the Bible is more sure than any person's word or religious experience, even the greatest religious experience which Peter shared on the 'Mount of transfiguration'. The links from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (provided below) provide just a few of the many places where the Bible tells us this truth. In addition, in my opinion, Peter's choice of word of prophecy, to identify the Bible, is because prophecy is the least sure type of scripture that exists. It is easier to argue about unfulfilled sure than it is to argue about finished history or other types of scripture. With this choice of phrase, I believe, Peter is telling us that what men consider to be the least reliable portions of scripture are still more sure than the greatest personal religious experience.

whereunto ye do well that ye take heed: this is the first phrase of our Second Step within our First Equivalent Section. While the first step applies to all of us the same, the second step makes things very personal. Notice Peter's use of ye ('each and every one of you personally') in the phrase whereunto ye do well that ye take heed. If we each personally pay attention to and apply (take heed) what the Bible says then we will personally do well. In this Step, not only are we told to personally take heed, but Peter also tells us how to do this when he says as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. Just as we would seek a light before doing anything in a dark place, so should we seek the Bible because this world is a dark place and our own thoughts are a dark place since we were born in sin and still live in a condemned flesh. We are to not seek to use the Bible any other way, such as false prophets and false teachers do. (Peter gets to them later in this epistle but introduces the concept here.) We are not to seek to use the Bible to justify our personal beliefs, nor use it any other way, except to be our personal guide in how to seek God and obey Him. In addition, the next two phrases of our Step tells us how long to continue to do this, which is basically for the rest of our life. Therefore, our Second Step tells us to take the Bible as our personal guide to life and keep it in that position for all of our life. Do not replace it with any religious experience or with anything else or we will be led away from God's light and back into the darkness of sin.

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place: please notice the word shineth, which means that this light 'keeps on keeping on shining'. It does not matter how dark the circumstances of our life get, the light from Jesus is to 'keeps on keeping on shining' within our life. For example, in Matthew 4:12-16 we have the fulfillment of prophecy when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison. Jesus is our example of how to live in the flesh and when He was upset by an attack of Satan, He went out and did God's Will for His life. He became a light by bringing the gospel to those in darkness. After that, (in Matthew) Jesus preaches for us to also be lights. Then in Matthew 17:2 we read that his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light as part of the miracle that Peter is referring to in this section of his epistle. Peter already said that he is writing this epistle as his last great act before dying as our Lord showed him that he would die. He is acting as a light, like Jesus did when He had heard that John was cast into prison. Now, Peter is telling us to do the same in our personal life. We are to seek the truth of the Bible and act upon it in everything that we do until we have a personal revelation that will carry us through all of life's tragedies including the sure revelation of a martyr's death. What I just explained using Matthew's gospel can also be revealed using other places in the Bible because we find the same lesson taught more than one place and more than one way. Psalms 119:105 says, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. A lamp guides each step we take in a dark place. A light is set in the distance to guide us to our goal. We are to use the Bible these two ways and no other way.

until the day dawn: When the day dawns we are living completely in the light where we were living in the dark before the day dawned. When dawn comes there is a 'false dawn' before that where we can see light but it is reflected off the sky and we are not really in the true light. Likewise, many people live in the light which is reflected by others but do not have the true light in their own life. An example is people who go to a good church and appear to be spiritual because of the spiritual work done by others within the church. However, someone who is truly living in God's light will not need the works of others to provide light for them. Please see the word definitions below for more details.

and the day star arise in your hearts: this is the only place where we find day star. However, we find mourning star in Job 38:7; Revelation 2:28 and Revelation 22:16. Our last reference makes it clear that this is a symbolic reference to Jesus. Physically, this is a reference to what is supposedly a planet. Regardless of what the physical thing is, it appears during the darkest time of the night. Thus, symbolically, it is a reference to our having the light from Jesus in our heart during the darkest circumstances of life. This is talking about people whom the devil can not make despair because the darker the circumstance of their life the more they are sure that they will soon be with Jesus. This symbolic meaning, of course, matches with the message found in the rest of this epistle. Please use This link to see the 'Minor Titles of the Son of God' found within the Bible along with links to where the Bible uses those titles. This title is mourning star.

Knowing this first: this is the first phrase of our Second Equivalent Section. Peter is telling us that the next phrase is the primary (first) thing that we need to know. Peter says this because if we know this then we will avoid being led into error by false prophets and false teachers. However, if we don't know the next phrase, then what they claim will sound very attractive and lead us into doctrinal error.

that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation: All throughout history men have claimed to have a 'private interpretation'. The Roman Catholics, who claim Peter as their 'First Pope' make a doctrine about their Pope being the personal representative of God on Earth because he (supposedly) receives private interpretation of the Bible. If you know the true Biblical definition of antichrist; then you would recognize this as a claim that the Pope is an antichrist. (Please see the note for Book Study on 1John and the Book Study on 2John for the Biblical definition of antichrist.) Of course, this claim is in direct opposition to what is written here by the man whom the Roman Catholics claim as their supposed 'First Pope'.

However, the Roman Catholics are not the only religion which claims some special 'revelation' that their chosen 'holy man' has which makes them equal to God and makes their word greater than God's Word. Thus, we need to pay particular attention to the word no. We need to reject all claims from people who say otherwise.

Forms of the word dawn only occur seven times within the Bible. Those references are below. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines this word as: 'don: the word means the approach of the morning light, the breaking of the day. there are several words in the Bible that indicate this. nesheph, "twilight" of the morning (Job 7:4; Ps 119:147). the same word is used for evening twilight (1Sa 30:17; 2Ki 7:5,7); penoth ha-boqer, "The turning" of the morning, the change from darkness to light, approach of the morning (Jg 19:26); 'aph`-appe shachar, "The eyelids" of the morning (Job 3:9; 41:18 (10)); aloth ha-shachar, "The ascent" or "rise" of the morning (Jos 6:15); epi-phosko, "to grow light," the approach of the dawn (Mt 28:1; Lu 23:54 margin); diaugazo, "to grow bright, "lustrous" (2Pe 1:19), "until the day dawn"; figurative of the Second Coming of Christ (compare 2Pe 1:16). H. Porter'. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines the word dawning as: 'Growing light; first appearing luminous; opening; as the dawning day'. Thompson Chain Topics provides links for this word as: '(Coming of Christ ushers in the): Isa 21:12; 60:1; Mal 4:2; Lu 1:78; Ro 13:12; 2Pe 1:19; 1Jo 2:8'.

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. (Joshua 6:15). Here we see victory from God follows the dawn.
Then came the woman in the dawning of the day, and fell down at the door of the man's house where her lord was, till it was light. (Judges 19:26). Here we see judgment follows the dawn.
Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: (Job 3:9). Here we see that having no dawn is a curse.
When I lie down, I say, When shall I arise, and the night be gone? and I am full of tossings to and fro unto the dawning of the day. (Job 7:4). Here we see that there is no peace until the dawn.
I prevented the dawning of the mourning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. (Psalms 119:147). Here we see that before (prevented) the dawn in our life we are to hope in God's personal word.
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (Matthew 28:1). Here we see the dawn associated with resurrection and salvation.
Our current sentence tells us that the spiritual dawn is the result of God's Word.

We find forms of the word word in 2Peter in: 1:19; 2:3; 2:18; 3:2 and 3:5-7. Please see the note for Colossians 2S2 about the word word. The New Testament definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, The word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. Please also see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. When a Bible reference uses an uppercase word, it is referring to Jesus Christ. The uppercase makes this a formal name of the Son of God. However, while the exact definition is different, the properties are spiritually similar to the lowercase word. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the phrase word of the Lord. Please note that The word of the Lord is a sub-set of The word of God. The word of God contains all of God's written truth including recording the lies of Satan. The word of the Lord is that part of The word of God which will be used to judge us. The lies from Satan are not included within the word of the Lord.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S5; 1Corinthians C11S4 and 1Thessalonians 5:20 about the words prophecy / prophesy. The New Testament definition is: 'a person who tells us what God actually says, which is usually different from what religion says. In Old Testament times, a prophet of God was verified by his telling a true prediction of future events. In New Testament times, a prophet of God is verified by comparing his doctrine to what the word of God literally says'. Please note that 1Corinthians 14:3 tells us: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. This is what the word of God tells us is the true job of a true prophet of God. It is not 'foretelling the future'. Please note that 1Corinthians 14:3 tells us: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. This is what the word of God tells us is the true job of a true prophet of God. It is not 'foretelling the future'. Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5; Jude and false prophets about the word prophet.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 4:16 about the word heed. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Pay attention; watch out. Ge 31:24'.

Please see the Doctrinal Study called Light And Darkness about the words Light, dark, lightning, darkness, and the phrase light and darkness. The New Testament definition, for the word Light, is: 'According to the science of physics, this physical reality is composed of matter and energy with most things being either matter or energy. Light is unique in that it is both matter and energy. Symbolically, that means that light represents this physical reality (matter), and the spiritual reality (energy). Both are affected by God's light'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 6:4 about the word enlightened. Please see the note for Psalms 119:16 about the word delight. True delight is one of the effects of God's light. Please also see the note for John 11:9-LJC about the phrase Jesus is our light.

Please see the note for Matthew 5:16 about the word shine. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to emit rays of light; to give light; to beam with steady radiance; to exhibit lightness or splendor; as, the sun shines by day; the moon shines by night. Shining differs from sparkling, glistening, glittering, as it usually implies a steady radiation or emission of light, Whereas the latter words usually imply irregular or interrupted radiation. this distinction is not always not always observed, and we may say, the fixed stars shine, as well as they sparkle. But we never say the sun or the moon sparkles. 2. to be bright; to be lively and animated; to be brilliant. Let thine eyes shine forth in their full luster. Denham. 3. to be unclouded; as, the moon shines'.

Please see the note for Matthew 2:2 about the word star. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'From the account given of this star it is evident that it was one specially sent for the nativity, for it not only appeared to the Magi in the East, but guided them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, and 'stood over' where the young child was. Faith in the power of God dispels all difficulty as to the star. Mt 2:1-10. there were traditions that God would raise up a deliverer, and the Magi may have heard of the O.T. prophecies as to Messiah; but whether this be so or not, God, who provided the star, sent the Magi to find out the King of the Jews, and instructed them not to return to Herod'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Matthew 2. (See MAGI.) Smith's Bible Dictionary ably disproves the theory of its being a conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn which took place thrice in 7 B.C. (i.e. three years before Jesus' birth, for the B.C. dates from the fourth year after His birth), May, September, and December, answering to the seven months which would intervene between the beginning and the end of the wise men's journey. Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus in their statements as to the universal expectation then prevalent of some great One about to appear in the East refer to Vespasian long after Christ. the star was probably a meteoric body employed by the God of nature to be His instrument in the world of revelation, to guide the wise men to the divine Messiah. Curiously a star appeared in September, 1604, between Mars and Saturn, after a conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter in Pisces, but at a shorter interval than the star of the Magi after the conjunction in 7 B.C'.

Please see the note for Mark 10:1 about the word arise / arose. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To ascend, mount up or move to a higher place; as, vapors arise from humid places. to begin; to spring up; to originate'. Please also see the note for John 20:2-LJC about risen Jesus is Lord.

Please see the note for Colossians 2:1 about the word heart. The New Testament definition is: 'Our heart controls the same things as our soul only where the soul deals with the long term the heart deals with the short term and we control our heart directly while the soul is the accumulated actions of our heart. Both are the way we think (mind), the way we emotionally respond to circumstances (emotions) and the method we use to make decisions (will)'. Please also see the note for Romans C10S6 about the word heart. Each of the verses within Romans has to do with our having righteousness or unrighteousness because of our decisions, our attitudes, our thoughts and our actions are determined by our heart. Please also see The note for Galatians C6-S6 for 'The LORD looketh on the heart'. Please also see the note for Ephesians C4-S8 about a 'wicked heart'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 4:12 about an 'evil heart'. We also find this word, within this book, in: 2Peter 2:14.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; Galatians C3-S10 and 2Timothy C3S10 about the word scripture. The New Testament definition is: 'invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2Ti 3:15-16; Joh 20:9; Ga 3:22; 2Pe 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave'.

Please see the note for Mark 13:3-4 about the word private. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Properly, separate; unconnected with others; hence, peculiar to one's self; belonging to or concerning an individual only'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S8 about the word interpret. The New Testament definition, for this word, is: 'to explain the meaning or words to a person who does not understand them'. Please also see the many web pages accessed by the Hermey Main Menu link.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'a more. Ps 19:7-9; Isa 8:20; 41:21-23,26; Lu 16:29-31; Joh 5:39; Ac 17:11 ye do. Ac 15:29; Jas 2:8; 3Jo 1:6 a light. Ps 119:105; Pr 6:23; Isa 9:2; 60:1-2; Mt 4:16; Lu 1:78-79; Joh 1:7-9; 5:35; 8:12; Eph 5:7-8 the day. 2Co 4:4-6; 1Jo 5:10; Re 2:28; 22:16 exp: Song 2:17. General references. exp: Nu 8:2; Pr 4:18; 22:20; Re 2:28.
Knowing. 2Pe 3:3; Ro 6:6; 13:11; 1Ti 1:9; Jas 1:3 that. Ro 12:6 General references. exp: Pr 22:20'.

Home Start of Chapter

C1-S13 (Verse 21) the Fifth Reason to believe what Peter writes.

Equivalent Section: What is not the source of prophecy.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:.

Equivalent Section: What is the source of prophecy.

but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

This sentence is the fifth reason to believe what Peter wrote and it is also the reason why what Peter wrote in the prior sentence is true. This truth does not change and can be applied to more than one thing. Malachi 3:6 tells us For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. and that verse gives us the reason that we can depend upon God's judgment. Hebrews 13:8 tells us Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. and provides the basis of the next sentence which is Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. God does not change and His judgments and doctrine do not change. Since the Holy Spirit is God, His doctrines do not change.

This sentence is divided by a colon into two Equivalent Sections with the Second Equivalent Section starting with the word but. That makes the two Equivalent Sections polar opposites. Please notice that the First Equivalent Section tells us 'What is not the source of prophecy' while the Second Equivalent Section tells us 'What is the source of prophecy'. The First Equivalent Section tells us that The will of man had NOthing to do with The (only true) prophecy. The Second Equivalent Section tells us that it was COMPLETELY controlled by the Holy Spirit because He moved...holy men of God. However, we need to keep in mind that God gave each of us a free will that God will not take away. Since the Holy Spirit is God, He did not take away the free will of the holy men that He used to speak the prophecy which ended up being scripture. This means that the Holy Spirit did not dictate to these holy men, like someone dictates to a scribe, but He moved them like He moves us tday to do right.

Now, there are several views about the source of prophecy with the view called 'Dual Authorship' being the correct one. (I will not go into all of the wrong ones.) this view claims that both God and man had a part in writing scripture. We see this with the style of Paul's epistles being different from the style of Peter's epistles. So the question comes up: 'What if these men wrote something that was wrong?'. There is a neglected doctrine called 'The Preservation of Scripture'. In 1Corinthians 5:9 Paul writes I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators. However, this earlier epistle was not 'Preserved'. In Colossians 4:16 Paul writes And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. That also was not 'Preserved', in spite of people trying to claim that a different 'Preserved' epistle is The epistle from Laodicea. In the past I believed the error that the Holy Ghost...moved...holy men of God like we move a pen on paper. However, that view is wrong because God's Holy Spirit does not take away our free will. In stead, God's Holy Spirit simply makes sure that those documents were not 'Preserved'.

1Corinthians 14:33 tells us For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. the For of that verse means it is giving the reason why Paul said that confusion is from the spirits of the prophets (that) are subject to the prophets. It is The spirits of the prophets that are The author of confusion and not the Holy Spirit. They do this by giving a private interpretation and claiming that it came from God. Any so-called 'interpretation' that disagrees with any other part of the Bible, or that does not follow God's given rules of interpretation is not of God. We have one God Who is not the author of confusion. We have one perfect word of God (2Samuel 22:31; Psalms 18:30) that is preserved by God as incorruptible (1Peter 1:22-23) which means that God CAN not be the author of confusion. ALL confusion is because of private interpretation which does not keep God's perfect Word or does not keep God's perfect Way of interpretation.

The last two sentences, of this chapter, are the basis of what Peter will say in the next two chapters about the ungodly and the unjust. Both believe that they are God's just because they believed a lie that came from a private interpretation. I know that I have been 'shouting' at the reader but the eternal rewards (and destiny) of souls is dependency upon getting this doctrine correct. The very next sentence starts with But, which means it is connected to these sentences while going in a different direction. While Peter has been telling us about an incorruptible word of God, he is going to tell about false prophets; false teachers and damnable heresies which claim to show us the Way of God while they actually go in another direction. We can not properly understand all that Peter will say after this without first understanding this foundational doctrine that Peter gives us as his last message before going to a sure death.

Please see the note for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak / spoken. The New Testament definition is: 'To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words'. We find forms of this word, in 1Peter in: 1:8; 2:1; 2:12; 3:10; 3:16; 4:4 and 4:11. Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking.

Please see the Word Study on Holy Ghost for links to every place in the Bible where we find the phrase Holy Ghost. There is a Biblical doctrinal difference between the use of the phrase Holy Ghost and God's Holy Spirit, but I can not specify what that doctrinal difference is at this time. Both are identifiers of the third Person within the Trinity. Please see the link for God's Holy Spirit for links to the various applications where this other identifier of the third Person is used. The phrase Holy Ghost only occurs within the New Testament.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The prophecy. Lu 1:70; 2Ti 3:16; 1Pe 1:11 in old time. or, at any time holy. De 33:1; Jos 14:6; 1Ki 13:1; 17:18,24; 2Ki 4:7,9,22; 6:10,15; 1Ch 23:14; 2Ch 8:14 spake. Nu 16:28; 2Sa 23:2; Mic 3:7; Lu 1:70; 2Ti 3:15-17; 1Pe 1:11; Re 19:10 by the Holy. Mr 12:36; Ac 1:16; 3:18; 28:25; Heb 3:7; 9:8; 10:15 General references. exp: 2Sa 23:2; Pr 22:20; Jer 30:2; Eze 35:1; Heb 10:15'.

Home Start of Chapter

God in 2Peter

of God:
righteousness	1:1
knowledge	1:2
holy men	1:21
word	3:5
day	3:12
if God:	2:4
Lord Jesus Christ received from God	1:16-17

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Interpretive Study of 2Peter

Epistle theme: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

God's Way to Study His Word:

Overview of 2Peter

Epistle theme: Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Summary of Chapter 1

Summary of Chapter 2

The chapter theme is: Beware of false prophets and false teachers.

Summary of Chapter 3

The chapter theme is: the warning against doctrinal error.

2Peter Chapter 1 Sentence-by-Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

God in 2Peter

Contact: Webmaster@LJC1611KJV.com. Member of Tower Road Baptist Church, Abq., NM, U.S.A., 87121. Copyright 2009 Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV. All rights reserved. Revised: 01/04/25.

Contact: Webmaster@LJC1611KJV.com. Member of Tower Road Baptist Church, Abq., NM, U.S.A., 87121. Copyright 2009 Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV. All rights reserved. Revised: 01/04/25.