6,10 Godliness

GODLINESS

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness

through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence

by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature

having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (ESV)

God’s power

has given us everything we need for life and godliness ().

Everything

“through”

-- A knowledge of God is the pathway of godliness ().

“by”, “whereby”

Because God is glorious and excellent, he has given us “precious and very great promises” ().

“so that”

God’s promises are the means of our becoming like God ().

SO THAT WE MAY BE GODLY

God’s promises make us more like God by combatting sinful desires in the world ().

Source—Divine Power

Goal—life and godliness

This will come through Knowledge

knowledge of Him—God—

who calls

ellence How—

How—.

by “which”(plural) he has granted to us precious and great promises—so we can enjoy glory and excellence of God

so that through them (promises)-we become partakers of the divine nature (godliness)

to become godly—having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

Power of God—leads to the knowledge of our calling to glory and excellence—leads to precious and great promises—leads to escape from sinful desire-(sharing in divine godliness)

SOURCE—Power of God- his divine power

Power of God leads to the knowledge of our calling to glory and excellence.

leads to precious and great promises.

leads to sharing in divine nature and escape from sinful desire.

SOURCE OF GODLINESS

—Power of God- his divine power

“divine”— having the nature of God, what is uniquely God’s and proceeds from Him.

“power”- dynamis- power, might, force, capability, ability—to be able. God’s power will destroy hostile forces and bring the world to perfection ( and 12:10.

As the power of God, preaching continues Christ’s saving work and the apostles, representing Christ, are endowed with his power. Over and over, we see in scripture the power of God manifested in the disciples:

-equipped when he sends them out

Luke 9:1 KJV 1900

1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

-This power overmatched demonic power

-This power overmatched demonic power ()

Luke 10:19 KJV 1900

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

)

-A special endowment of power at Pentecost, leading to healing-

Acts 4:7 KJV 1900

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Acts 4:7ff KJV 1900

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. 17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. 23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

As believers, we are a community of believers, depending on “divine power”:

As believers, we are a community of believers, depending on “divine power”:

Ephesians 6:10 KJV 1900

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

-enjoy the greatness of Gods power-

-enjoy the greatness of Gods power- Eph 1:191 Peter 1:5)

1 Peter 1:5)

-enjoy the greatness of Gods power-

Ephesians 1:19 KJV 1900

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

-Strengthened with all power—

“all things”

“life and godliness”—

Life—Deity provides for eternal life and daily Christlikeness (i.e. eusebeia).

“godliness” This compound word (i.e. eusebia) comes from “well” and “worship.” It has the connotation of daily living acceptable to God. Peter repeatedly emphasizes the need for godliness because of the false teachers’ neglect of personal ethics and morality.

“godliness” This compound word (i.e. eusebia) comes from “well” and “worship.” It has the connotation of daily living acceptable to God. Peter repeatedly emphasizes the need for godliness because of the false teachers’ neglect of personal ethics and morality.

In other words, there is no excuse for not living a godly life, for believers have already received everything that is necessary to do so.

POWER OF KNOWLEDGE

This power is released to believers “through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence.”

True knowledge is faith in Jesus Christ that impacts daily living.

Now it is certainly true that in the NT (including ; ) God is normally said to be the one calling us. On the other hand, in later early Christian literature there was no problem in referring calling to Jesus, 5:1 [“do the will of him who called us”]; 9:5), nor is the idea entirely absent in the NT (, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners,”

Furthermore, “knowledge” or “acknowledgment” in 2 Peter usually has Jesus as its personal object (; ; cf. 3:18, which expresses the same idea using a slightly different term).

Thus the knowledge of Jesus (i.e., coming to understand and acknowledge his significance), which was the basis of the reception of the equally honorable faith, is the means by which he, by his divine power, gives one all that is needed for a godly life.

This “knowledge” of Jesus did not come through their personal investigation, but because Jesus himself “called us.” He took the initiative. And this call came “by his own glory and goodness.”

“Glory” is closely related to “honor”.

In this word pair in 2 Peter it indicates that Jesus’ own glorious or honorable achievement or excellence led to their calling. That raises the question whether this action was done by his glorious excellence or for his glorious excellence (or glorious praise). The grammatical construction (Greek dative) could bear either meaning.

led to their calling. That raises the question whether this action was done by his glorious excellence or for his glorious excellence (or glorious praise). The grammatical construction (Greek dative) could bear either meaning.

That is, through or by means of these virtues he has given us promises, so very likely the thought in v. 3 is already that they are the basis of our calling. That is, the achievement in our calling was all Jesus’ doing.

On the other hand, a person who was excellent would naturally act accordingly, so it would also make sense to say that Jesus called us by his own (“his own” being emphatic in contrast to “us”) glorious excellence or glorious achievement. Since both interpretations make sense, it is difficult to decide which is more likely correct. However, the following verse tips the balance toward the latter interpretation. That is, through or by means of these virtues he has given us promises, so very likely the thought in v. 3 is already that they are the basis of our calling. That is, the achievement in our calling was all Jesus’ doing.

We were called into our knowledge of him; it was not really our discovery. And this calling came on the basis of his achievement and excellence, his honorable nature, not ours.

Yet because of the honor of Jesus, we have been called into an honorable status.

PRECIOUS AND GREAT PROMISES

It is through his glory and honor (“these”) that Jesus has given “us very great and precious promises.”

The term “very great” is found only here in the NT, but it is the normal superlative of “great.” As frequently happens in 2 Peter, our author has paired two words, “very great” and “precious”.

“Very great” (which in Greek is actually the second term) serves to underline and heighten the effect of “precious” or “valuable.”

What is so valuable in the “promises” Jesus has made.

The term “promise” itself is unusual, for this word for “promise,” appears in the NT only here and in 3:13. Thus it stands out and neatly brackets the whole letter. While this rarer term is a near synonym of the more common term, it does focus on the content of the promise more than on the promise itself.

What is this content? In 3:13 it is a new heaven and a new earth, perhaps the equivalent of the “eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (1:11).

2 Peter 3:13 KJV 1900

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Here we are not told what the exact content of the promises is, but the focus is on participation “in the divine nature” and the concomitant escape from corruption. Promises that bring such things are significant indeed.

Here we are not told what the exact content of the promises is, but the focus is on participation “in the divine nature” and the concomitant escape from corruption. Promises that bring such things are significant indeed.

“that by these”—vs4

It is “through” these promises that the follower of Jesus gains two benefits,

the first positive

participate in the divine nature

and the

second negative “

escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires

The term “the divine nature” was well established in Greek language and literature, as was the idea of “participating” or “sharing” in it, --- sharing some characteristic of God, something that makes the readers more like the world of the divine.

rather as sharing some characteristic of God, something that makes the readers more like the world of the divine (including the beings other than God inhabiting that world) than like the world of human beings.

The negative benefit is “escape from the corruption in the world caused by [evil] desires.”

The negative benefit is “escape from the corruption in the world caused by [evil] desires.”

Why do we try to make Christianity so hard?

Do you KNOW Jesus today? If you said YES,

GODLINESS should employ your character!

DIVINE PROMISES should encourage your heart

DISCIPLES MAKE DISCIPLES