2 Peter 1:5-11, Righteous “Increase”

It is our plan to return for awhile to studies and devotional thoughts on some Bible words.  We want to start with “pleonazō.”  In our previous word studies we included “pleonektès” which is the word for one who is greedy or covetous.  This latter word combines the Greek “pleiōn” (greater) with “exō” (to have).  The greedy person wants to have more stuff.  This term and it’s related terms are always sin.  In 2 Peter 2:3,14 it is characteristic of false teachers.  Our word today is the verb form of the adjective “pleiōn.”  In other words, it means “to increase” or “become abundant.”  It is not a sin, and is, as we will see, opposed to sin. Consider:

·       2 Cor. 4:15(13-15): God, who raised Christ, will also raise us up.  This is all part of God’s grace to believers so that in the end greater thanksgiving will abound to the glory of God.  Increased afflictions provide opportunity for God to raise us up so that He is more and more glorified.

·       2 Cor. 8:15: In terms of worldly matters, the sharing of material things with those in need resulted in the one who gives not having increase while the one receiving had no lack.  This describes the opposite of covetousness.  In Christ we learn a contentment so that we can give our “increase” away to those in need.

·       Phil. 4:17: Paul wanted the Philippian church to have an increase in their spiritual account in heaven (Mt. 6:19-21).  This would happen as they generously gave to the Lord’s work through Paul.

·       1 Thess. 3:12: Paul prays their love will increase and overflow for each other.

·       2 Thess. 1:3: Later, Paul gives thanks that their faith is growing and their love is increasing.  Answered prayer!

·       2 Peter 1:8: Finally, Peter describes the 8 ascending qualities of the holy life, and says that these qualities should be increasing so that they will bear fruit.

As you see, this term concerns “having more” (in a sense) of what demonstrates the glory of God and the life of Christ.  With that foundation, here are two other passages with this term.  The first sets up the question asked in the second.

·       Rom. 5:20ab: The law was given so that sin might increase.  Yes, sin becomes much more obvious when the law is in place.  But where sin increased grace “super-increased” (having an abundance beyond imagination; used here and in 2 Cor. 7:4 of Paul’s super-abundant joy in affliction as he sees God’s work in the Corinthians).

·       Rom. 6:1: Thus the question, shall we sin so grace will increase.  No!  That is silly.   It is not up to us to push the limits of grace.  We just need to know that whatever the situation, God’s grace is abundantly sufficient for us. AMEN!