Bible Study V

2 Peter 1:3-11 ”According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

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.

But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

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 Savior Jesus Christ."

Greek & English Definitions:

According as: (Greek) in that manner unto; with all speed; (Webster's) Suitable; agreeable; in accordance or in agreement with a person; conformity with a thing; Accordingly or in a manner conformable to.

divine: (Greek) a deity, especially the supreme Divinity, in all of their reflections; figuratively, a magistrate; godlike.

power: (Greek) vigor [great] (literally or figuratively); dominion, might, mightily, power, strength: 

(vigor meaning to be strong; Active strength or force of body, mind, or morals; Full or strength or active force; strong; Powerful; forcible; made by strength; Characterized by strength, boldness, and power); 

(great meaning distinguished by rank, office, or power; Worthy of earnest consideration; Vast; sublime; dignified; Chief; principal; most important; [Vast meaning being of great extent; very spacious or large; boundless; capacious; having an extent not to be surveyed or ascertained; Hugh in bulk and extent; enormous; massive; immense; Very great in number or amount; Very great as to degree or intensity; mighty; a great deal; a large quantity; far reaching]) 

(dominion meaning sovereign or supreme authority; the power of governing and controlling; domination; supremacy; sovereignty; independent possession; control; In law, power to direct, control, use, and dispose of at pleasure; right of possession and use without being accountable; Territory under a government; region; country; district governed, or within limits of authority of a prince or state; that which is governed or controlled; Predominance; ascendancy: 

[domination meaning the exercise of power in ruling,; dominion; government; Control of the superior over the inferior; mental or spiritual control; prevailing force]; 

[supremacy meaning the state of being supreme or in the highest station of power; highest authority or power, as, the supremacy of a king: {supreme meaning highest in authority; holding the highest place in government or power; Highest, greatest, or most excellent, as, supreme love, supreme glory, supreme degree}]; 

[sovereignty meaning the state or condition of a sovereign; supreme power in a state; the possession of supreme or uncontrollable power; a sovereign state]). 

(might meaning strength; force; power; primarily and chiefly, bodily strength or physical power; Ability to wield force; power of control). 

(mightily meaning with great power, force, or strength; vigorously; Greatly; to a great degree; very much). 

(power meaning the latent or inherent property of a being, divine, human, or animal, manifested by endeavor, by reason, of which that being is capable of bringing about moral or physical changes; potency; Ability, material or moral; Capacity; susceptibility; force; strength; momentum; Influence; that which may move the mind; Command; the right of governing or actual government; dominion; rule; sway; authority; That quality in any natural body which produces a change, or makes an impression on another body; Divinity; a celestial or invisible being or agent supposed to have dominion over some part of creation; Legal authority; warrant, as power of attorney, an agent invested with ample power; a person who exercises great influence, as, the power behind the throne; A large quantity; a great number); 

(strength meaning forcefulness literally or figuratively; ability, might, power, strength).

given: (Greek) a present; specifically a sacrifice; a gift, an offering; to bestow gratuitously to: 

(gratuitously meaning in a gratuitous manner or freely, voluntarily, not required by justice; granted without compensation, claim, or merit; granted without sufficient cause or reason).

pertain: (Greek) to stretch oneself forward upon; to stay over; to remain; figuratively to preserve; to abide in; to continue in; tarry with.

life: (Greek) to flow; a pouring rain; water, as, having an overflow and an abundance of peace, prosperity, wealth, and riches.

godliness: (Greek) well reverent; pious; devout; godly; piety; specifically the gospel scheme; godliness; holiness; meaning living a life that is morally good; being well in mind, body, and spirit; to be able to worship and to praise God with your sound mind, with your healthy body, and with your clean heart and  spirit without a sense of guilt, conviction, or sin that will separate a person from the presence of God; also to be able in a clear and sound mind, heart, and spirit to love your neighbor as you love yourself without hypocrisy.

exceeding: (Greek) to super abound; to be exceeding abundant.

great: (Greek) of the greatest measure or in a very large measure; exceedingly great above measure; 

(Webster's) Large in bulk or dimension; of extended length or breadth; of a large number; Expressing a large, extensive, or unusual degree of anything.

precious:(Greek) to be valued; to be honored; honorable; to be esteemed to the highest degree or the dignity itself; beloved; to be most precious; had in reputation; (Webster's) Of great value; very dear.

promises: (Greek) to announce upon; to engage to do something; to assert something representing oneself, as, God making promises through the “Word of God” to bless, to heal, to restore, to love, etc., all that believe and except His salvation through His Son Jesus Christ; to profess; to make promise; a self-committal (by assurance of conferring some good); 

(Webster's) In a general sense, a declaration written or verbally made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience, or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act; A ground for expectation; To make a promise of; to declare or engage to do, give, procure, or grant to or for another; to engage the conferment of, as a benefit.

partakers: (Greek) to share with others; communicate, distribute, be a partaker; be a companion; to have fellowship with; to partner with.

divine: (Greek) a deity, especially the supreme Divinity, in all of their reflections; figuratively, a magistrate; godlike.

nature: (Greek) growth by germination or expansion; natural production (by lineal decent); a genus or sort; figuratively, native disposition, constitution, or usage; mankind.

faith: (Greek) trust, confidence, and loyalty; persuasion, credence, moral conviction of truth, or the truthfulness of God or His teachings by and through revelation knowledge that comes from the Holy Ghost; especially reliance upon Jesus Christ for salvation; constancy in such profession of your beliefs and convictions; depending on the Truths that are found in the Gospel itself; assurance, belief, fidelity.

virtue: (Greek) manliness as in have or possessing valor; excellence intrinsic or attributed; praise; excellence, being pleasing to God, the excellence of God revealed in the work of salvation; The moral sense what gives man his worth, his efficiency; excellence, perfection; in the New Testament virtue, Excellency, perfection as found in 1 Peter 2:9 is virtue as the force or energy of the Holy Spirit accompanying the preaching of the glorious gospel, called glory in 2 Peter 1:3; Human virtue in general is courage, fortitude, resolution, and moral excellence.

knowledge: (Greek) to know or perceive; Revelation knowledge that is given by the unction of the Holy Spirit; used in the New Testament of the revelation of God’s saving purpose; also of apostolic activity as the gospel is being preached to the utter most parts of the earth; Divinely communicated information and knowledge; God making His power known; of Christ work being revealed in a person into the image of God’s son Jesus; Also used as communication that is communicated to God’s by and through the Blood of Jesus Christ; 

(Webster's) A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement and repugnance, of our ideas; Learning; illumination of mind; Skill; Acquaintance with any fact or person; Cognizance; recognition; Information, the power of knowing.

temperance: (Greek) having self-control; Strong in a thing (masterful); self-controlled in appetite; Temperate.

patience: (Greek) cheerful or hopeful, having endurance, having consistency; enduring, patience, patient, continuance, (waiting).

godliness: (Greek) well reverent; pious; devout; godly; piety; specifically the gospel scheme; godliness; holiness; meaning living a life that is morally good; being well in mind, body, and spirit; to be able to worship and to praise God with your sound mind, with your healthy body, and with your clean heart and spirit without a sense of guilt, conviction, or sin that will separate a person from the presence of God; also to be able in a clear and sound mind, heart, and spirit to love your neighbor as you love yourself without hypocrisy.

brotherly kindness:(Greek) fond of the brethren; fraternal affection; brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren, love as brethren; being a friend; an associate; being a good neighbor.

charity: (Greek) to love in a social or moral sense; affection or benevolence; a love feat; a feast of charity; to be a friend to; to have affection for denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; Especially embracing the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty, and propriety, respectively the former (judgment) being chiefly of the heart and the latter (the deliberate assent of the will) of the head; 

(Webster's) In a general sense, love , benevolence, good-will; that disposition of the heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good; In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men; In a more particular sense, love, kindness, affection, tenderness, springing from natural relations, as, the charities of a father, of a son, of a brother; Liberality to the poor, consisting in alms-giving or benefactions, or in gratuitous services to relieve them in distress; Alms; whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the poor for their relief; Liberality in gifts and services to promote public objects of a faith based nature, as the founding and supporting of Bible societies, missionary societies, and the like; Candor; liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to think and judge favorably, and to put the best construction on words and actions which the case will admit; A charitable institution, especially for the relief of the helpless or unfortunate in mind or body.

entrance: (Greek) literally or figuratively an entrance into; coming, entering into, to or into indicating the point reached or entered, of place, of time, of place, or of place, the result of entering into from to start of an action, work, plan, or vision; literally and figuratively expressing motion forward.

ministered: (Greek) to furnish besides; fully supply, figuratively aid or contribute; minister nourishment, minister unto.

unto: (Hebrew) to gush forth as water; generally to issue; to break forth, labor to bring forth, come forth, draw up, take out; to rush forth; to strive; 

(Webster’s) Until; up to the degree or time that, as, to be faithful unto the end.

abundantly: (Greek) copiously; abundantly, richly; figuratively abounding with; rich; wealthy (as full), (literally) having money, possessions, or (figuratively) having abundance, richness, (specifically) valuable bestowment; riches; literally or figuratively to fill, to imbue, to have influence, to have supply; specifically to fulfill (as the appointed time); accomplish, make full, furnish with.

everlasting: (Greek) perpetually (also used of past time, or past and future as well); eternal forever; everlasting; world with no end.

kingdom: (Greek) literally or figuratively a realm, royalty, a kingdom, a reign; through the notion of a foundation of power; a place of sovereign. 

Commentary

2 Peter 1:3-11 is a part of Scripture that is very profound when we look at it through the eyes of our understanding by and through the inner man, the Holy Spirit of Promise that abides in us and manifests himself in us and through us ... mightily...!!!

As we read this particular verse of Scripture we need to reference the Scripture found in the Gospel of Matthew 6:33 which says "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added onto you.” 

As we rightly divide the Word of God in this verse the question that needs to be asked what are these "things" that this verse is speaking of and that will be added onto you (us)...? Many Bible teachers and scholars when delivering this particular Word and message to the Believer refer to the "things" that will be added unto you (us) are physical or tangible things, such as possessions, houses, lands, businesses, money, and the like, and to a measure and to a degree this is right.

As we refer to Matthew 6:34 which states "Take therefore no thought for the marrow: for the marrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” This particular Scripture refers to the natural things that God will provide and add unto you (us).

When we look at Matthew 6:34 is taught that the” things" that we as Believers will obtain are physical and tangible "things". This Word is focusing on the natural man, and yes God our Heavenly Father desires to bless us with physical and tangible "things" of this life, such as possessions, houses, lands, businesses, money, and the like.

But God our Heavenly Father also desires us as Believers "to prosper even as our soul prospers" as mentioned in 3 John verse two. Where He (God) desires that we also obtain the spiritual "things" that are mentioned in the "Word of God that come by and through the Holy Spirit, as we seek the kingdom of God.

Which "things" in this verse of Scripture are referring to the spiritual "things" of God. These "things" being the building blocks of the fruits of Righteousness which is the evidence and manifestation of the exceeding great and precious promises as we as Born-Again Believers have become partakers with Jesus Christ of the divine nature, which is also the divine nature of God our Heavenly Father. Where we will by and through the Holy Spirit be transformed into the image and likeness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as mentioned in 2 Peter 1:3-11, through a process as we yield and submit our hearts, our lives, our mind, and our will to the transforming power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, in the authority and name of Jesus Christ.

Where the fruits of righteousness which is the manifestation of the divine nature (by and through the Holy Spirit) will begin to reveal itself in and through our lives, as we (diligently) seek the kingdom of God, through studying the Word of God, yielding to the perfect will, instruction of, and unction of the Holy Spirit as He leads us and guilds us into all Truth and Righteousness. 

And through prayer, which is direct communication and continual fellowship with God our Heavenly Father, by and through the blood of Jesus Christ our High Priest, Savior, and Lord, praying in the Spirit, speaking in the heavenly language, continually being spiritually aware of the presence and glory of our Heavenly Father and God.

Where the word "things" then has both natural and spiritual implications, we as Believers, being Born-Again by and through the Holy Ghost will receive the Spiritual "things" (the building blocks of Righteousness) of God as indicated in 2 Peter 1:4, "Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature,". Referring that our Heavenly Father and God is as interested in building the inner man, where the foundation of the divine nature begins as we have allowed the Holy Spirit of Promise to abide and dwell in our hearts, as it says in Colossians 2:29 "who is Christ in you (us) the hope of glory". 

Therefore, it is important that we as Believers, being Born-Again Christians, who have accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts and made Him Lord over our lives begin to yield to the transforming and building power of the Holy Spirit of Promise. Yielding to the Holy Ghost that the kingdom of God may be built in us by and through the mighty working power of the Holy Spirit.

Who as we yield to the revelation of the "Word of God", and to the Lord's perfect will, will begin to be transformed into the likeness and image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and will become partakers of the exceeding great and precious (spiritual) promises of God, His divine and eternal nature. 

Where the Holy Spirit will begin the process toward building in us the exceeding great and precious promises, being the divine nature of God and of His Son Jesus Christ. Who's fruits of righteousness will begin to be manifest in us and through us. As we through the mighty working power of the Holy Spirit will then be partakers of the divine nature of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Who was made in the likeness and image of God, His eternal and holy God and Father, who is now through the sacrifice and blood of Jesus Christ is now our holy God and Heavenly Father.

Where as we allow God by and through the power of the Holy Spirit will build in us the building blocks of His divine nature which is described in 2 Peter 1:3-11. As the Scripture states that all men are given a measure of faith. Where with that measure of faith the Holy Spirit will begin to build from that measure of faith, build virtue; and from virtue, increase our spiritual knowledge concerning the things of God; 

And as we increase in knowledge and revelation of the Word of Truth, that knowledge and revelation of the Word of Truth will cause us to have temperance or self-control when tempted with sin. We will be able to be strong the power of His might and have self-control in as the devil temps us with the lusts of this world.

Where that temperance will cause us to have patience; knowing in our mind and hearts that God Word is Truth and that what His Word says He is able to fulfill what He has said and promised to us. This confidence in the "Word of God” will cause our confidence in God to become stable in knowing God is in control no matter what comes our way. That confidence in God by and through His Word will bring us into that place of rest (the secret place). As we abide in that place of rest in God (the secret place) we will always be cheerful and hopeful, having endurance, having consistency; enduring, patient, confident, continually waiting and expecting God to move in our behalf, always ready and willing to fulfill His Word and promises He has spoken over us, in accordance to the "Word and Revelation of God ...!!!", found throughout the Holy Bible. 

Where through the fruit of patience, godliness a fundamental building block of the divine nature will begin to express itself and manifest (naturally) in and through our actions, words, and lives. Meaning we will live a life that is morally good, being well in our mind, body, and spirit.

Where we as Believers who are Born Again will worship and praise God with your sound mind, a healthy body, and with a clean heart and spirit without a sense of guilt, condemnation, where sin will separate us as believers from the presence of and fellowship with our Heavenly Father and God. And in a clear and sound mind, heart, and spirit will love our neighbor as we love ourselves without aught, division and/or hypocrisy.

As the godly and divine nature has been formed and fashioned into our nature and being, we as Born Again Believer's, unity with the brethren, fraternal affection, brotherly love (kindness), love of  the brethren, love as brethren, being a friend and associates in Christ. Being a good neighbor, with other Born Again Believer's and Christians will come natural and we will all have one thing in common, God and His perfect will and purpose and plan will become our daily and eternal ambition and desire for ourselves and others. 

As the godly and divine nature has been formed and fashioned into our nature and being. And the fruit of Righteousness and unity in the Spirit, partly being brotherly kindness is the founding principle of your nature and is naturally manifesting and flowing in and through your (our) lives, charity, the acts and actions of charity, will become the bases and fundamental reason the we live, where the Word says in Philippians 2:21 "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain".

Where the love of Christ, the divine nature of God, will bring us into a closer and more personal relationship with our Heavenly Father and God, by and through the sacrifice and blood that was shed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Calvary, .by and through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, that Jesus promised to send and did send from His Father and God to us, as He was given all power over everything in heaven, in the earth, and under the earth, went and sat at the right hand of our Great and most Holy God and Creator in heaven. 

As the Holy Spirit of Promise, the Holy Ghost, the comforter coming from God by and through the blood of Jesus Christ came to us, to dwell in us, building us into a perfect men or woman from the inside outwardly. As we except Jesus Christ into our hearts and lives through faith will do this great and mighty work in us and through us.

Where Jesus Christ, the Son of God enabled us to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust through His great and wondrous act of love bring us into the plan salvation that God had planned and made available to every person who believes. 

Where through the Holy Spirit will cause the fruits of Righteousness to be a natural part of our acts, actions, lives, and being will be manifest in us and through our lives as we are partakers of the divine nature of Jesus Christ and His and our God and Heavenly Father in heaven. 

As the fruits of Righteousness are described in Galatians 5:22,23, which states "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such is no law.", will not be something we strive toward obtaining but will be a part of our hearts and lives and will naturally flow in and through or lives. 

These fruits of Righteousness being inner characteristics will become a natural part of our being and will not have to be worked up where every person who is going through this building and transformation process toward those exceeding great and precious promises, His divine and eternal nature. Will not ever have to be concerned about going back into that corruption, that life of sin that had kept us in bondage and separated from our God and Heavenly Father.

Where 2 Peter 1:3-11 the building blocks of the divine nature, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone, will bring forth and will manifest the fruit of the Spirit, the fruits of Righteousness, the divine nature and eternal "things" that will become a natural part of our lives, actions, deeds, and words, which will bring great praise and glory to our Heavenly Father and God and His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen and Amen...!!!

Author:

Na To Ah Wa Pii (Holy Speaker)