Some time ago a discussion on an internet forum that I was a part of involved a subject that was deemed by some to be “controversial.” Meaning some of the views expressed were contrary to “what we have always taught.” Some welcomed the discussion, but many if not most of the forum members labeled this type of discussion as divisive. A number of the comments expressed the opinion that such subjects shouldn’t be studied, looked at, or discussed BUT that we should concentrate on learning to love one another and build “unity.” And, learning to love one another is important.
However, a familiar passage came to my mind. Peter tells us to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord...” I wondered to my self, “Just what does that mean?” How does one grow in “knowledge” if one doesn’t look at or study a subject or doctrine? Or, is this even what Peter meant?
I did a short study of this well known scripture and would like to share that with you today.
The passage quoted is found in 2 Peter 3:18. Let’s begin by turning there.
This is the concluding verse to Peter’s second letter. It is his final exhortation to those he was writing to—and to us, as this letter has been preserved as part of Holy Scripture.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Pet. 3:18 KJV)
For the sake of this study we will be looking at “knowledge.” Further study can and should be done on “grace.” But, to understand what Peter is meaning and is referring to we need to go back to the beginning of this epistle and look at his earlier instructions.
Turn with me to the first chapter and we will begin in verse 1.
2 Peter 1:1 ¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
2 Peter 1:3 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:
In verses 2 and 3 Peter uses the word “knowledge.” “The knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,” and “the knowledge of him.” The Greek word that is translated here as “knowledge” is an interesting word. It is epignosis, #G1922 in Strong’s. It is a noun and is defined in the lexicon as “precise and correct knowledge.” Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words gives us a bit more information. He says, “denotes ‘exact or full knowledge, discernment, recognition,’” Also,“expressing a fuller or a full ‘knowledge,’ a greater participation by the ‘knower’ in the object ‘known,’ thus more powerfully influencing him. It is not found in the Gospels or Acts. Paul uses it 15 times (16 if Heb. 10:26 is included) out of the 20 occurrences; Peter 4 times, all in his 2nd Epistle.”
The verb form of this word, epiginosko, #G1921 in Strong’s, gives some additional information. Again from Vines. “Denotes (a) ‘to observe, fully perceive, notice attentively, discern, recognize’; it suggests generally a directive, a more special, recognition of the object ‘known’; it also may suggest advanced ‘knowledge,’ especially of spiritual truth;”
In almost all of the places used it is speaking of our “knowledge” of God and Jesus. A special “full knowledge, discernment, recognition.” It has to do with our “participation” in and relationship with God.
Let’s continue reading with verse 4.
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, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Beginning with verse 5 Peter begins to give us some specific instructions. In many translations we see this as a paragraph break.
2 Peter 1:5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
2 Peter 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
2 Peter 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
Peter tells us in verse 5 that to the “knowledge,” the relationship we have with God and Jesus, and to the great promises we have been given, we are to ADD something. He says “giving all diligence.” This is an expression, and admonition, we will see again later. “Diligence” is defined as “with haste, with earnestness.” It is something we should be giving special attention to.
So, with haste and special attention we are to ADD several things. He says to our faith (as mentioned in verse 1) we are to add virtue. Then comes KNOWLEDGE. Other things listed are temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity or love.
There is quite a bit of material for additional studies, but for today’s study let us continue to focus on “knowledge.” I found it quite interesting that the word “knowledge” as used in verses 5 and 6 is translated from a different Greek word than the one we looked at earlier. It is gnosis, #G1108 in Strong’s. The lexicon defines this word as “knowledge signifies in general intelligence, understanding.” Vine’s adds, “primarily ‘a seeking to know, an inquiry, investigation,’ denotes in the NT, ‘knowledge,’ especially of spiritual truth.” The verb form of the word, ginosko, #G1097 in Strong’s, Vine’s says, “signifies ‘to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand,’ or ‘to understand completely,’”
What Peter is telling us here it that we need to be gaining “knowledge,” taking in additional understanding, especially of spiritual truth. And, we need to be doing it with haste and earnestness. This is through study, a seeking to know, an inquiry into the Scriptures, an investigation. This includes looking “outside” the box. It doesn’t mean to read someone’s literature, listen to someone’s sermon or tape and feel you have “added knowledge.” Those things can sometimes give you direction for your own study.
Let us continue with Peter’s epistle.
2 Peter 1:8 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 Peter 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
2 Peter 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Verse 8 makes it very clear that we need the items discussed in verses 5-7 to be in us. This includes “knowledge,” the seeking to know, the inquiry, the investigation.” He uses the word “KNOWLEDGE” again. Here it is #G1922, the same word used in verses 2 and 3, dealing with our relationship with the Creator and His son, Jesus.
IF we lack these things, including “knowledge,” he says we are BLIND. You might recall a church that Jesus addresses in the book of Revelation. They felt that they had everything they needed Spiritually speaking. And, Jesus told them that they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor and BLIND, and naked.”
In verse 10 Peter gives us very specific instructions. “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” There is that word “diligence” again. Notice, how he says we are to do that. Continuing with verse 10, “for IF (that big little word “if”) ye do these things (the things listed above, including “knowledge”), ye shall never fall.”
Verse 11 tells us that IF we are doing those things we will be assured of entrance into the kingdom of God. The Weymouth translation expresses it this way, “And so a triumphant admission into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be freely granted to you.”
Peter doesn’t stop his admonition with these verses. He continues.
2 Peter 1:12 ¶ Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.
Did you notice a very interesting expression, “the present truth?” “Present” is #G3918 in Strong’s–to be by, be at hand, etc. The Weymouth translation renders it perhaps a little clearer. “For this reason I shall always persist in reminding you of these things, although you already know them, and are stedfast believers in truth you already possess.”
2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance;
2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off [this] my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
2 Peter 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
He says he intends to continue to remind them not to neglect “these things.” As long as he was alive, “in this tabernacle,” he says he will continue to “stir” them, and us, up by reminding them, or putting them in “remembrance.” He says he knows that he would shortly die but he said he was going to make every effort to see that they, and us, were to ALWAYS have “these things” in remembrance. Peter KNEW how important it was. We can’t rest on our laurels. We MUST be adding “these things,” including “knowledge.”
Even though he goes on to additional instructions and teachings, he doesn’t leave the importance of what he has given in these first 15 verse. He concluded the letter with a very direct reference back. Notice again the passage we started with. 2 Peter 3:18, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Which Greek word for “knowledge” would you think Peter used here? That special relationship and knowledge we as believers have with God and Jesus that he mentioned in verses 2 and 3 of chapter one? Or, the “knowledge,” the seeking to know, the inquiry, the investigation” he includes in the seven “things” we are to give all diligence to add?
It is the latter. He ends his letter by continuing to remind us, to put us into remembrance, of the need and absolute requirement that we “grow” in that “knowledge,” that continual seeking to know, to continue to inquire, to investigate.”
Studying a subject, a doctrine, and presenting something a little different from our “accepted” and long held beliefs shouldn’t be viewed as divisive. It should be viewed as a means, an effort to “grow in knowledge” as we are commanded to do. We should be able to do as the Bereans did, search the Scriptures daily to determine whether these things are true. The Apostle Paul instructed us to “Prove all things.” Once we have “proved it” and can continue to prove it in the light of additional understanding, then we are told to “hold fast that which is good.”
Latest revisions 5/26/01, 3/16/2020
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