Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:8 if these qualities are yours and are increasing. A lifelong pattern of growth in Christlike character is expected of Christians and is the key to fruitful ministry. By contrast, knowledge (Gk. epignōsis) of . . . Christ is ineffective and unfruitful unless accompanied by a life that increasingly exhibits the qualities of vv. 5-7.

1:9 The one who lacks these qualities (cf. vv. 5-7) is spiritually blind and has forgotten that he was cleansed (cf. Titus 3:5-7) from his sins. This lack of fruit could exist because a person's "cleansing" was merely an external reformation that did not come from a truly changed heart. But it could also describe a genuine Christian who has fallen into serious error regarding the Christian life. Only God knows the person's true status (cf. 2 Tim. 2:19).

1:10 Christians should be diligent to make their calling and election (Gk. eklogē) sure (Gk. bebaios, "reliable, unshifting, firm"). God calls believers to faith through the gospel (2 Thess. 2:14), but he has also chosen (elected) them "before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4). But God's grace in salvation should not be taken for granted. Growing in the Christlike virtues mentioned in 2 Pet. 1:5-7 will give believers increasing confidence that God really did call them and really did elect them to salvation before the foundation of the world. Thus their election becomes "sure," as a sure foundation. Those who practice these qualities . . . will never fall, probably meaning apostasy (falling away from the faith). Good works are evidence of and give assurance of salvation, though they are never the basis for it. Peter's wording does not imply that true followers of Christ can ever apostatize; those who do so were never really "called," "elected," or born again (cf. notes on John 6:39; 6:40; 10:26-29; 1 Thess. 1:4; Heb. 6:4-8).

1:11 in this way. That is, by doing the things Peter mentions in vv. 5-10. This way of life is the path into the eternal kingdom of Christ. Those who practice these qualities will be richly provided with the reward of eternal life. Some interpreters think "richly" indicates degrees of blessing and reward both in this life and in heaven. Others think that eternal life is itself the reward in view, in contrast to the prospect facing the false teachers.