2 Peter 1:16-21, God’s Loved Ones

Let’s consider “agapètos,” the word translated “beloved.”

·       Matt. 3:17: The first thing about God’s loved ones is that His Son is His Beloved (cf. also 12:18; 17:5; Mk. 1:11; 9:7; 12:6; Lk. 3:22; 9:35; 20:13; 2 Pt. 1:17).  There were, of course, 3X the Father spoke from heaven of His Beloved Son.

·       Acts 15:25: Many times believers are referred to as “beloved” (in this case Paul and Barnabas were “beloved” by the church at large).  (Cf. also Rom. 16:9,12; 1 Cor. 4:14; 10:14; 15:58; 2 Cor. 7:1; 12:19; Eph. 6:21; Phil. 2:12; 4:1; Col. 4:7,9,14; Phlm. 1:1,16; Hb. 6:9; Jas. 1:16,19; 2:5; 1 Pt. 2:11; 2 Pt. 3:1,8,14,17; 1 Jn. 3:2,21; 4:1,7,11; 3 Jn. 1:2,5,11; Jude 1:3,17,20).  Don’t just glide over these.  To call someone “beloved” recognizes that they are not only loved by us but by our Father as well.  Remember: “we love because He first loved us” (1 Jn. 4:19).

·       Rom. 1:7: Paul called “saints” (i.e. believers, set apart by God) as “beloved.”

·       Rom. 11:28: The Jews are “loved” on account of the patriarchs.

·       Rom. 12:19: Paul encourages the Roman Christians as “friends” (i.e. beloved) to not take revenge on their enemies.

·       Rom. 16:8: Paul sometimes spoke by name of those he “loved” in the Lord (Ampliatus here; see also Timothy, 1 Cor. 4:17; calling Timothy beloved was an encouragement to the Corinthians to also love Timothy, sent in Paul’s place. He also called Timothy “beloved” in the personal letter written towards the end of his life, 2 Tim. 1:2: “my dear/beloved son.”  Those relationships among fellow-Christian is so strengthening.  In Col. 1:7 he spoke of Epaphras as a “dear” or “beloved” fellow servant.)

·       Eph. 5:1: Imitate God as dearly beloved children.  Highlighted because it says our likeness to Christ comes out of a recognition of God’s love for us!

·       Phil. 4:1: Paul spoke affectionately of the Philippian believers as those I “love” in the Lord and long for, my joy and crown.  Look at all the things (longing, joy, honor) that express a relationship with people who are loved.

·       1 Th. 2:8: Paul delighted to share his life with the Thessalonians he “loved.”

·       1 Tim. 6:2: If you have a boss (master) who is a fellow-believer you should strive even more in your service for him because he is “beloved.”  When we have come to Christ we see people differently, and that is the case here!

·       2 Pt. 3:15: Peter called Paul his “dear brother,” even after Paul reproved him.

From Vine’s word studies: 1) Love can only be known from actions it prompts.  2) Love had it’s perfect expression among men in Christ.  3) Christian love has God as it’s primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to his commands.  Conc: Christian love is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only on those for whom some affinity is discovered.