2 PETER - GROWTH IN GRACE

GROWTH IN GRACE TODAY FOR GLOOM AND GLORY TOMORROW

 

 

            As in the 1st epistle of Peter the purpose of the 2nd epistle is clearly stated by the writer. In the 1st epistle Peter writes, "By Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I account him, I have written unto you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God: stand ye fast therein" (1 Pet. 5:12 RV). Clearly enough this epistle was written to encourage be­lievers to stand in the grace where they already were. The 2nd epistle is now a departure based upon this. Being in grace and established there, the believer should "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18 RV). It is apparent from this statement that Peter realized that being established in grace was not enough. A larger necessity follows immediately, namely, that of growing within the sphere in which one is established.

          Purpose without method is powerless. For the most part it is characteristic of the world to see the goal without provid­ing a way to reach the goal. However, Peter did not fail here. This was probably not because Peter was more intelligent than others, but because Peter had been made more spirit­ually sensitive to the needs of believers by the experiences through which he had passed.

          The key vs. of the book reveals the method: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18 RV). The presence of the word "knowledge" adds a new thought. It is that of method. Growing in grace is the result Peter desires to achieve. The means to the end is growing in knowledge. The contrast in the invocations of the first and second epistles clearly indicates this point. In the first it is, "Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (2 Pet. 1:2).

          In the second it is, "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Pet. 1:2). The added idea "through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord," explains what Peter means by growing in knowl­edge in the final vss.

          The method of Peter is amplified by two other passages in the epistle. First of all are the following Scriptures: “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. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath chewed me. Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.” (2 Pet. 1:12-15).

          In addition, are these vss.: “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior.” (2 Pet. 3:1-2).

          Five things appear in these vs.s indicating the method by which the apostle intends to realize his purpose in believers:

(1) To refresh the minds of believers with knowledge they already possess (2 Pet. 1:12).

(2) To repeat the message which he has already clearly stated in the first epistle (2 Pet. 3:1).

(3) To reinforce the message of the apostles and the Lord Jesus with his own (2 Pet. 3:2, 15).

(4) To revive their spiritual life that there might be a con­tinual growing in grace (2 Pet. 1:13, 3:1).

(5) To record these truths concerning growth in grace for a perpetual reminder (2 Pet. 1:15).

          The content of the epistle may be divided into three divi­sions, corresponding roughly with the chapter divisions. The first division may be described as the principles of salvation revealed and founded (Chap. 1). The second division contains the perils to salvation revealed and exposed (Chap. 2). The third division contains the precepts for salvation revealed and urged (Chap. 3). By acquainting the people with these prin­ciples, urging them to avoid the perils, and applying the pre­cepts, the Apostle Peter is carrying out the great purpose of this book: "But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet. 3:18). In this order, a survey of the entire book will be made.