2 Peter 1:5-11, Godliness Recognized

2 Pt. 1:5 begins: But also for this very reason.  Given the fact that we have great and precious promises by which we may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the world’s corruption, Peter now encourages us to do that very thing: to grow and grow and grow in our likeness to Christ.  This is, to borrow a term, the normal Christian life.  Remember how God came to Abraham in Genesis.  First He said, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward (15:1).  Then He came to him saying, I am Almighty God (El Shaddai); walk before Me and be blameless (17:1).  So Peter has said: we have all we need for godliness; now let us grow in these things.

First, let us consider these eight traits that describe the life of the believer.

·        Faith: trusting God, believing His word, relying on His promises and provision. This characterizes all believers, describing not only our starting place but our walk.

·        Virtue: moral goodness, those things that are worthy of praise.  In other words faith is not merely a mental state; it involves lifestyle.

·        Knowledge: our minds are in gear, learning God’s word and its principles.

·        Self-control: mastering the sensual appetites, walking in the Spirit.  By knowledge we learn God’s truth; by self-control we live out that truth.

·        Perseverance: patience in trials.  The previous qualities are to be repeated over and over.  This faithfulness is in indication of genuine faith.

·        Godliness: a proper heart toward God resulting in a God-like lifestyle.  Peter used the same term in 1:3, referring to our Christian life as a whole. 

·        Brotherly kindness: friendliness, the love of equals.

·        Love: commitment to others, the love of sacrifice.  This is the summation and the enclosing bond of the life of godliness.

These qualities are in relationship.  Clearly there is progress from faith to love.  Our trust in Christ is where it must start and, as we noted, our entire life is a walk in faith (2 Cor. 5:7).  The two love terms at the end makes sense as well in that love is the bond of perfection (Col. 3:14).  We noted the progress of knowledge to self-control.  And when you continue to live that way (perseverance) the result is godliness.


At the same time it is clear that growth in each individual quality is also implied in the phrase, if these things are yours and abound (1:8).  Not only are we to have these things (remember that we have all things that pertain to life and godliness); they are to effect more and more area of our lives.  The translation add in 1:5 might be better supply.  It is not that we must have one in fullness before we can then move on to the next step.  It is a continual process of supplying these things day after day, trial after trial.


Let us seek the Lord in supplying these truths today.  And let us be diligent (v5)!