2 Peter 1 Verses 8 to 11 God’s Calling

2 Peter 1 Verses 8 to 11 God’s Calling April 26, 2026 Find Us Faithful Series Lesson 3 Class Presentation Notes AAAAA

Background Scriptures:

· Ephesians 1:3–5 (NASB95)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly placesin Christ,

          4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,

          that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love

          5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,

          according to the kind intention of His will,

· Romans 8:15–16 (NASB95)

          15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

          16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,

· 1 John 3:9–14 (NASB95)

          9 No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

          10 By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.

          11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another;

          12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.

          13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.

          14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.

Main Idea:

· God calls Christians to be useful and effective in His kingdom work.

Study Aim:

· Christians are called to actively grow in their faith to ensure they are effective and fruitful representatives of Christ in the world.

· The teaching of this lesson emphasizes the necessity of spiritual growth and moral excellence as evidence of genuine faith. It highlights that being effective in God’s work is not just for church leaders, but for every believer, thereby inspiring the congregation to take personal responsibility for their spiritual health.

How this passage points to Christ:

· The passage points to Christ as the ultimate source of our ability to grow and be fruitful. It shows that our efforts to cultivate these qualities are rooted in our relationship with Jesus, who empowers us to live in a way that reflects His character and furthers His kingdom work.

Create Interest:

· In this passage, Peter emphasizes the importance of growing in faith and exhibiting qualities that make one effective and fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. He warns against neglecting these qualities, as they are essential for confirming one’s calling and election.

· Christians are encouraged to actively cultivate virtuous qualities in their lives to become more effective in serving God's purposes, regardless of their circumstances. It offers guidance on how to align daily living with their faith, reducing feelings of inadequacy or barrenness in their spiritual lives.

Lesson in Historical Context:   

· In these words, the apostle comes to the chief thing intended in this epistle—to excite and engage them to advance in grace and holiness, they having already obtained precious faith, and been made partakers of the divine nature. This is a very good beginning, but it is not to be rested in, as if we were already perfect. The apostle had prayed that grace and peace might be multiplied to them, and now he exhorts them to press forward for the obtaining of more grace. We should, as we have opportunity, exhort those we pray for, and excite them to the use of all proper means to obtain what we desire God to bestow upon them; and those who will make any progress in religion must be very diligent and industrious in their endeavors. Without giving all diligence, there is no gaining any ground in the work of holiness; those who are slothful in the business of religion will make nothing of it; we must strive if we will enter in at the strait gate, Lu. 13:24.[1]

Bible Study:

2 Peter 1:5–8 (NASB95)  Cultivate Christlike Qualities

   5     Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,

   6     and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,

   7     and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.

   8     For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

· Peter strongly urges his people to keep climbing up this ladder of virtues which he has set before them. The more we know of any subject the more we are fit to know. It is always true that “to him that hath it shall be given.” Progress is the way to more progress. Moffatt says of ourselves and Jesus Christ: “We learn him as we live with him and for him.” As the hymn has it:

May every heart confess thy name,

And ever thee adore,

And, seeking thee, itself inflame

To seek thee more and more.

o This stanza is the fourth verse of the 12th-century Latin hymn "Jesu, dulcis memoria" (Jesus, the very thought of thee), translated by Edward Caswall in 1848. It is a popular hymn focused on adoration and personal devotion to Jesus, often sung to the tune "St. Agnes", and commonly found in Catholic and Protestant hymnals.

· To keep climbing up the ladder of the virtues is to come ever nearer to knowing Jesus Christ as he wants us to know Him; and the further we climb, the further we are able to climb.

· On the other hand, if we refuse to make the effort of the upward climb, certain things happen. (a) We grow blind; we are left without the guiding light that the knowledge of Jesus Christ brings. As Peter sees it, to walk without Christ is to walk in the dark and not to be able to see the way.[2]

What virtues does Peter tell us to add to our faith?

· Where there is life, there must be growth. The new birth is not the end; it is the beginning. God gives His children all that they need to live godly lives, but His children must apply themselves and be diligent to use the “means of grace” He has provided. Spiritual growth is not automatic. It requires cooperation with God and the application of spiritual diligence and discipline. “Work out your own salvation …

· For it is God which worketh in you” (Phil. 2:12–13).[3] Thus 2 Peter envisions eight virtues, progressing from faith to love, each virtue producing, or furnishing (epichorēgō), the next. The eight virtues are as follows (in order): faith (pistis), excellence (aretē), knowledge (gnōsis), self-control (enkrateia), steadfastness (hypmonē), piety (eusebeia), brotherly/sisterly affection (philadelphia), love (agapē). By framing the list with faith and love, the fundamental importance of two of the three Christian virtues of faith, hope and love are accented(see Neyrey, 155), who finds steadfastness as an equivalent to hope. These familiar virtues, shaped into an ethical progression from faith to love, are an antidote to blind stumbling (2 Pet 1:8–10) and a surefooted pathway to entering “the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:11).[4]

2 Peter 1:11 (NASB95)

          11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

o Note:  Assurance of one’s having entered into the eternal kingdom is the experience of the Christian who practices what Peter has listed. That was great encouragement to the apostle’s weary readers. No believer needs to live with doubt regarding salvation, but he may have assurance abundantly supplied in the present. A rich heavenly reward in the future may also be implied (cf. 2 Tim. 4:8; Heb. 4:9; 12:28; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev. 2:10; 22:12).

ü The Lord will reward His children based on their faithful pursuit of righteousness (see again 1 Cor. 3:11–14; 2 Cor. 5:10). Assurance in this life and riches in heaven are the benefits of spiritual diligence and fruitfulness.[5]

· These virtues form a chain presented through a literary device called a sorites—a series of statements that builds step by step toward a climactic conclusion, with each virtue producing the next.[1] Faith serves as the foundation undergirding all subsequent characteristics.[2] The progression moves from inner spiritual transformation outward: moral excellencerepresents spiritual power developed through Christian duty, while knowledgeencompasses the seasoned moral wisdom that emerges from living by faith.[3] Self-controlbrings inward and outward discipline, and perseverance denotes steadfastness during trial and suffering.[3]

· Godliness reflects a state of soul in which believers seek to conform to God’s mind through the Holy Spirit’s power.[3] Brotherly kindness expresses love within the Christian community,[3] while love (agape) completes the progression, manifesting itself toward God, all humanity, and creation itself.[3]

· Peter exhorts readers to add these virtues so that their knowledge of Christ will bear fruit.[4] All the virtues flow from faith,[5] meaning this isn’t a works-based system but rather the natural outworking of genuine belief. These virtues, shaped into an ethical progression from faith to love, provide a surefooted pathway to spiritual growing in maturity in the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ.[1]

[1] Daniel G. Reid, “Virtues and Vices,” in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, ed. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997), 1192. [2] Grant Richison, Verse by Verse through the Books of 1 & 2 Peter (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, 2006). [See here, here.] [3] Eldon R. Fuhrman, “The Second Epistle of Peter,” in Beacon Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation, Beacon Bible Commentary (Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1967). [See here, here, here, here, here, here.] [4] Douglas Mangum, ed., Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, Lexham Context Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020). [See here.] [5] Thomas R. Schreiner, Magnifying God in Christ: A Summary of New Testament Theology (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A division of Baker Publishing Group, 2010), 197.

What does 2 Peter 1:8 say about spiritual growth?

· According to 2 Peter 1:8, when spiritual qualities are present and increasing in a believer’s life, they prevent one from being “useless” or “unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

· This verse emphasizes that spiritual growth produces tangible, practical outcomes. Christian character serves both as an end in itself and as a means to an end—the more believers become like Christ, the more the Spirit can use them in witness and service.[1] The existence and growth of godly qualities make one abundantly productive with respect to knowledge of Christ, which serves as the root and basis for the proliferation of these virtues.[2]

· The knowledge of Christ must be evident through growing spiritual maturity.[3] It is not merely profession of faith that guarantees salvation, but progression in faith that provides assurance.[1] Peter’s point is that genuine spiritual growth demonstrates authentic faith—it’s the evidence that distinguishes those truly committed to Christ from those merely claiming allegiance without transformation.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 2:439–440. [2] Curtis P. Giese, 2 Peter and Jude, ed. Dean O. Wenthe and Curtis P. Giese, Concordia Commentary (Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2012), 56–57. [3] Hal Lane, Explore the Bible: Adult Commentary: 1 & 2 Peter, Jude (Fall 2012): Living Through Tough Times (LifeWay Christian Resources, 2012), 6:1:114.

Thoughts to Soak On:

· Possessing qualities (virtues) like goodness, knowledge, and self-control ensures that believers are neither ineffective nor unproductive in their knowledge of Jesus.

· By nurturing these virtues, Christians align themselves closer to Christ's example, which enhances their contribution to God’s kingdom.

· The application here is a daily commitment to grow spiritually to counter feelings of spiritual barrennessand to find deeper purpose in their walk with God.

2 Peter 1:9 (NASB95) Consider Christ’s Cleansing

   9     For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.

· Nutritionists tell us that diet can certainly affect vision, and this is especially true in the spiritual realm. The unsaved person is in the dark because Satan has blinded his mind (2 Cor. 4:3–4). A person must be born again before his eyes are opened and he can see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). But after our eyes are opened, it is important that we increase our vision and see all that God wants us to see.

· The phrase cannot see afar off is the translation of a word that means “shortsighted.” It is the picture of somebody closing or squinting his eyes, unable to see at a distance.

· There are some Christians who see only their own church, or their own denomination, but who fail to see the greatness of God’s family around the world.

o Some believers see the need at home but have no vision for a lost world. Someone asked Phillips Brooks what he would do to revive a dead church, and he replied, “I would preach a missionary sermon and take up a collection!”

o Jesus admonished His disciples, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35).

· Some congregations today are like the church at Laodicea: they are proud that they are “rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,” and do not realize that they are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17). It is a tragedy to be “spiritually nearsighted,” but it is even a greater tragedy to be blind!

· If we forget what God has done for us, we will not be excited to share Christ with others. Through the blood of Jesus Christ we have been purged and forgiven! God has opened our eyes! Let’s not forget what He has done! Rather, let’s cultivate gratitude in our hearts and sharpen our spiritual vision. Life is too brief and the needs of the world too great for God’s people to be walking around with their eyes closed![6]

What does 2 Peter 1:9 warn against?

· 2 Peter 1:9 warns against becoming spiritually blind or shortsighted through failing to develop Christian virtues, having forgotten one’s deliverance from sin.

· The passage addresses two interconnected dangers.

o First, believers who neglect spiritual growth lose perspective on both their spiritual condition and the reality of their conversion, becoming unable to perceive distant spiritual realities.[1] This spiritual myopia causes believers to focus exclusively on earthly concerns and temporal pursuits, rendering eternal perspectives so blurred that they cannot perceive them at all.[2]

o Second, the warning targets spiritual amnesia—a failure to pursue virtue produces forgetfulness that dims one’s vision of their spiritual condition.[2] Those who forget their cleansing from sin tend to regress into former sinful patterns, as worldly attractions reassert their power and seem more real than spiritual joy.[3]

· They have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins.’ Now forgetfulness makes things that are past as nothing; and if so, then it can lay no obligations upon the mind, to engage it to the delight of them, and to the enjoying of them, no not in the thoughts of them, as if they were remembered by us. Forgetfulness is a very dangerous thing: it makes preaching vain, profession vain, faith vain, and all to no purpose. (1 Cor. 15:1, 2)[7].[4]

· The core issue Peter identifies is a disconnect between profession and practice. Believers who remain barren and unfruitful in their knowledge of Christ, failing to grasp the magnitude of their Savior and salvation, have evidently lost sight of their former sins and the price paid for their forgiveness.[1]

o The warning ultimately concerns spiritual stagnation—remaining perpetually immature rather than growing into the fullness of redemption.

[1] John Phillips, Exploring the Epistles of Peter: An Expository Commentary, The John Phillips Commentary Series (Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp., 2009). [See here, here.] [2] John MacArthur Jr., Saved without a Doubt, MacArthur Study Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 126. [3] J. D. Jones, Paul’s Certainties and Other Sermons (New York; Chicago; Toronto; London; Edinburgh: Fleming H. Revell Company, n.d.), 124–125. [4] John Bunyan, A Holy Life, or: The Beauty of Christianity (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2006), 2:522.

Thoughts to Soak on:

· Lacking these qualities results in spiritual shortsightedness, forgetting the cleansing from past sins. Note the significance of remembering Christ's redemptive act as a motivation to pursue growth and maturity in faith.

· This remembrance fuels a continuous renewal of purpose and identity in Christ, prompting believers to resist complacency and stagnation in their spiritual journey.

2 Peter 1:10–11 (NASB95) Confirm Your Calling

10     Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;

11     for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

How does 2 Peter 1:10 relate to assurance?

· This phrase hits the theological bull’s-eye Peter was aiming at in 1:5–9. Though God is “sure” who His elect are and has given them an eternally secure salvation (Rom. 8:31–39; 1 Pet. 1:1–5), the Christian might not always have inward assurance of salvation.

o Security is the fact revealed by the Holy Spirit that salvation is forever.

o Assurance is one’s confidence that he or she possesses that eternal salvation. In other words, the believers who pursue the spiritual qualities mentioned in the context of this phrase will guarantee to themselves by spiritual fruit that they were called (Rom. 8:30; 1 Pet. 2:21) and chosen (1 Pet. 1:2) by God to salvation.[8].[1] 2 Peter 1:10addresses this distinction by calling believers to “be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you,” establishing that assurance isn’t automatic but requires active engagement.

· The passage promises that practicing specific character qualities—virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love—will prevent believers from falling and confirm their calling and election.[2] This creates a practical pathway to assurance: spiritual certainty grows as you deliberately cultivate godly virtues in your current walk.[3] Your confidence in salvation can deepen progressively; each year you develop these traits, your assurance strengthens.[2]

· Importantly, remaining in sin undermines assurance of salvation,[3] while assurance develops both through resting in Christ’s finished work and through the Spirit’s witness to your spiritual progress.[3]

· Here, without ambiguity, the apostolic mandate is for us to inquire into the certainty of our election, and not in a cavalier, casual way. Rather, we are to make our calling and our election sure through a diligent pursuit[9].[4]

o Through such growth, Christians confirm their salvation experience. The calling to salvation that God extended becomes a reality in our lives. Our election as children of God cannot be doubted.

§ The teaching of 1 John 2:3 operates in our lives: “We knowthat we have come to know him if we obey his commands.”

· 2 Peter joins the rest of Scripture in affirming that people can know they are saved. Our continuing growth in faith and in daily actions mirrors for us and the world the faith we have in our heart and proclaim with our lips.

o Thomas Schreiner describes the reality:[10],[5] transforming what might otherwise be mere intellectual belief into lived confidence.

· However, self-evaluation becomes unhealthy when it devolves into morbid introspection that dominates your spiritual life.[3] The goal is balanced: examining your spiritual fruit to gain confidence, not obsessing over your inner state.

[1] John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Handbook (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), 492. [2] Wayne Grudem, Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith, ed. Alexander Grudem (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2022), 422. [3] Paul Tautges, Remade: Embracing Your Complete Identity in Christ (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 2023), 232–233. [4] R. C. Sproul, Can I Be Sure I’m Saved?, The Crucial Questions Series (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2010), 7:44–45. [5] David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 11:118.

What is the promise in 2 Peter 1:11?

· The promise in 2 Peter 1:11 assures believers that they will receive abundant access to the eternal kingdom of Christ. This assurance operates as the culmination of a two-part promise that Peter extends to those who cultivate Christian virtues.

· The promise addresses Christians who demonstrate progressive growth in Christlike character, which produces confidence in their salvation.[1] The “stumbling” mentioned in verse 10 carries eschatological weight—those who consistently display godly virtues won’t fall away on their path toward God’s kingdom and thus fail to arrive.[1] Rather than describing a routine entrance, the entry into Christ’s eternal kingdom will be extraordinarily generous for those who live in a godly manner.[1]

· The language of abundance carries theological significance. God alone serves as the agent providing this entrance, emphasizing divine grace, and the adverb conveying richness indicates generosity and abundance far exceeding what anyone deserves.[2] This divine wealth functions as a reciprocal reward for the believer’s temporal effort in developing virtue—resembling an extravagant welcome or a city celebrating a returning Olympic champion, reflecting God’s generous character.[1]

· Importantly, Peter describes salvation accompanied by works rather than salvation earned through works.[1] The promise hinges on how one’s calling and election by grace are affirmed through one’s actions.[2] The last part of verse 10 and all of verse 11contain a wonderful, twofold promise to the Christians who ratify their calling and election with progressive growth in Christlikeness that leads to confidence in their salvation[11]

· The passage thus offers assurance to believers facing false teaching: steadfast growth in virtue demonstrates the reality of God’s calling and secures an abundantly generous entrance into eternal life.

[1] James Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018). [See here, here, here, here, here.] [2] Curtis P. Giese, 2 Peter and Jude, ed. Dean O. Wenthe and Curtis P. Giese, Concordia Commentary (Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2012), 45.

Thoughts to soak on:

· Focus on making your calling and election sure through diligent practice of these virtues, as this leads to a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom.

· The active engagement in faith-building assures a more profound sense of purpose and security in God’s promises.

o This call to diligence fosters confidence and clarity about one's role in spreading the Gospel and confirms a true relationship with Christ.

Questions to consider and discuss😊

What specific Christlike qualities do you feel called to cultivate in your life this week?

How can remembering Christ’s cleansing of your past sins motivate you to pursue spiritual growth?

Which virtues do you believe will help you feel more effective in your walk with God?

In what ways can you ensure that your spiritual growth is active and not stagnant?

How can affirming your calling and election impact the way you serve in your community?

What daily habits can you implement to cultivate spiritual virtues and reflect Christ's character?

How might your understanding of being effective in God's work change your approach to everyday tasks?

In what areas of your life do you feel inadequate, and how can spiritual growth address those feelings?

How can you integrate the teachings from 2 Peter 1:8-11 into your relationships with others?

What specific steps can you take to confirm your calling in Christ this week?

Grace and Peace to you this week.

[1]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 2434.

[2]William Barclay, ed., The Letters of James and Peter, The Daily Study Bible Series (Philadelphia: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976), 305–306.

[3]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 437–438.

[4]Daniel G. Reid, “Virtues and Vices,” in Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments, ed. Ralph P. Martin and Peter H. Davids (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997), 1192.

[5]John F. MacArthur Jr., 2 Peter and Jude, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2005), 45–47.

[6]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 439–440.

[7]John Bunyan, A Holy Life, or: The Beauty of Christianity, vol. 2 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2006), 522.

[8]John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Handbook(Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003), 492.

[9]R. C. Sproul, Can I Be Sure I’m Saved?, vol. 7, The Crucial Questions Series (Lake Mary, FL: Reformation Trust Publishing, 2010), 45.

[10]David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 118.

[11]James Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter, Jude(Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018), 2 Pe 1:10–11.