Gene Hill
In order to have a confident expectation of the heavenly reward (Col 1:5), we must understand that salvation is not based upon one thing and one thing only, just so we must understand that maturing into a faithful Christian is similarly not based upon just one thing and one thing only. In his introductory remarks beginning in verse one, Peter informs us of the source for salvation and spiritual growth as being in the righteousness of God.
Paul in Romans 1:16-17 gives us details as to what the righteousness of God is:
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Peter also addresses this in 1 Peter 1:22-23:
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
The Gospel plan of salvation is laid out by the Lord Jesus very plainly. We are to hear His gospel (John 6:44-45), believe what the gospel teaches about Jesus (John 8:32), repent of our sins (Luke 13:3), confess Jesus (Matt 10:32-33), be immersed in order to obtain the remission of sin (Mark 16:16), and then live the faithful Christian life (Rev 2:10). Paul refers to this as the Corinthians standing in the gospel which he preached and them keeping what he preached in mind going forward (1 Cor 15:1-4). This begins the process of spiritual maturity which leads to the quality of godliness. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2).
Peter provides the source of the crucial information that fits us for the Christian life. “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” (2 Pet. 1:3). Paul calls this the grace of God in Titus 2:11-12, telling us to actively avoid certain traits, all the while pursuing others. He directs Timothy to study or give diligence in seeking God’s approval as he rightly divides God’s Word (2 Tim. 2:15). John tells us that we can know whether or not we are pursuing the proper path (1 John 2:3-4), which perfectly harmonizes with Peter’s statement in 2 Peter 1:3.
By way of review, we could call this list found in our text the Christian Graces. Faith is that strong confidence, reliance, and trust in someone or something (Rom 10:17; Heb 11:1,6). Virtue is moral excellence (1 Pet 1:13-17; Phil 4:8). Knowledge is to understand clearly. Peter uses this word 7 times in this epistle: 1:2, 3, 5, 6, 8; 2:20; 3:18. Temperance or self-control is the ability to control impulses and desires (Gal 5:22-24; Rev 12:11; Rom 5:9; 8:24; 1 John 5:4-5). Patience is the ability to endure and withstand (Rom 5:1-4). This now brings us to the next character trait, that of godliness.
Godliness is God-like-ness. Thayer says of godliness that it is reverence, respect; in the Bible everywhere piety towards God, godliness (p. 262). Vine’s has this regarding godliness: “to be devout, denotes that piety which, characterized by a Godward attitude, does that which is well-pleasing to Him” (p. 272). In his Gospel Advocate comments on this passage, Woods says this: “The desire to be godlike is the motive from which all our actions should originate, and without which there can be no acceptable service rendered to God” (p. 151). The ISBE has godliness, “as denoting character and conduct determined by the principle of love or fear of God in the heart, is the summing up of genuine religion” (Orr, p. 1270). The challenge for us then becomes how does one become more godlike in outlook and behavior?
In this study, we must not forget the characteristics that have gone before as they are the spiritual building blocks underlying godliness. Faith that is Biblically based acknowledges and accepts the Bible as the true Word of God and then acts upon that knowledge (2 Tim 3:16,17). Material existence supplies ample evidence to draw the conclusion that a sufficient prior cause must exist that brought all of creation into being (Gen 1:1; Rom 1:18-21; Psalm 19:1; Acts 14:17). John particularly tells us why he wrote: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:30-31). The proper conclusion, then, is that the Bible is its own greatest witness and that such testimony is more than sufficient for the honest heart to develop trust and then act accordingly, in faith.
Peter begins in verse five admonishing us to add, by definition to supply, furnish, present; to show or afford by deeds (Thayer, p. 246). It is imperative that these qualities be demonstrated in a definitive manner. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (Jas 2:18). One can claim piety all he wants, but it is the do, the demonstration, that is crucial (Matt 25:31-46; Rev 20:11-15).
Virtue, moral excellence, is a crucial second step in our journey to godliness. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). It is obvious that a human will never attain the same level as does God (Hab 1:13), but it is the case that we can reach an acceptable manner. Consider that we are members of the royal priesthood of Christ (2 Pet 2:9), that we are to maintain a level of sanctification in which we are able to offer sacrifices of praises with our lips at all times. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Heb 13:15). We have gone through the process of sanctification which enables us to do so (John 17;17; Tit 3:5; Heb 10:29; 13:12; 1 Pet 1:22). John characterizes this manner of life as walking in the light (1 John 1:6-10).
Our next step in order to obtain godliness is the addition of knowledge or a clear understanding of who and what we are and how we are to be. Peter has clearly stated in verse three that God has supplied us with all that we need to reach the goal of godliness. Jude tells us that the source has been delivered. “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). If it is the case that we still need ongoing revelation or some miraculous intervention to understand what has been given us, then the Holy Spirit is uninformed in the least or, at the most, simply a liar. “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph 3:3-4).
A godly man also possesses the quality of temperance or self-control. An elder is to be of good behavior, which is opposite of one who is a striker, impatient, and a brawler (all characteristics of an impatient, out of control ungodlike person). “For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed” (Mal 3:6).
Patience or perseverance is an important quality for one seeking to be godly. Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22). Note the company longsuffering is found in: “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” (Rom 2:4).
James tells us where patience leads us: “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (Jas 1:3-4). We will be complete in every part and perfectly sound.
All of these provide a spiritual environment in which brotherly kindness and charity can reside and grow. With these additional traits, we will be spiritually successful. “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” (2 Pet. 1:8). This spiritual increase is crucial for the ultimate benefit to be obtained.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 2:10-11).
May God bless us all in our study of His Word.
Works Cited
Thayer, Joseph Henry, D.D; 1977; Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, MI, second printing, August 1978.
Vine, W. E., MA; An Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words; Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Camden, New York; 1985.
Woods, Guy N.; A Commentary on the New Testament Epistles of Peter, John and Jude; Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville, TN, 1974
Orr, James, M.A., D.D., General Editor; International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Volume II, Clement-Heresh, 1939,1956, Reprinted, May 1984; Wm. B. Erdmans publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI
