Second Epistle of Peter
HIS DIVINE POWER
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:3 (KJV)
In verse 2 the apostle desires that grace and peace be multiplied unto to us. Our verse tells of yet more things that come to us through "the knowledge of Him." Because we know
Him, by His divine power, He gives unto us all things needful for our life in Christ and godliness of life for Him.
"His divine power"
In this verse we have "divine power" and in the next "divine nature." It is only by His divine power that it is possible to obtain the divine nature. The word "divine" is intriguing. The original word appears only in these two verses and in Acts 17:29 where it is translated "godhead." It is the divine power of Christ that gives to us a godlike nature. The word translated "divine" in Hebrews 9:1 is a different word and would be better translated "worship." Perhaps several of us have had an unscriptural thought of this word "divine." Some think of it as "God Himself" rather than "godlike." The word for God is theos, not as in our verse theios. Because of this misunderstanding of the word and the expression "divine nature" in our next verse, some have almost ascribed deity to Christians.
Peter had seen many evidences of the power of Christ. Perhaps the greatest demonstration of His power lay in His self-control. He had complete control over His passions, His words and actions. We see this especially at the time of His trial. They accused Him, but He made no defense; they reviled Him, but He reviled not again; they threatened Him, but He threatened not in return; they abused Him, but He did not call down the wrath of God; they crucified Him, but He said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Peter saw Christ demonstrate great power over others. He saw many souls saved as well as bodies. He saw wicked sinners changed into adoring saints, such as the sinful woman who anointed Him with the alabaster box of ointment. He saw her sitting at His feet weeping and wiping His feet with her hair. He saw lepers cleansed; the blind have their eyes opened; the lame walk; and the dumb speak.
Peter likewise saw Christ's power over death. He saw the young daughter of Jairus raised to life and the young son of the widow of Nain. He also saw Lazarus, dead four days, come out of the tomb. The crowning evidence was Christ Himself coming forth out of the tomb on the third day. Peter could not question such mighty evidences of the power of the Son of God.
Peter also saw Christ demonstrate power over Satan. He saw the maniac of Gadara have a legion of demons cast out of him and saw him clothed and in his right mind sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus. He saw Mary Magdalene have seven demons cast out of her at His command. How devoted this dear soul was to the Lord. Demons had to obey His will. Someday He will cast the devil himself into the lake of fire.
Peter also saw Christ's power over the things of nature. With the other disciples, he was on Sea of Galilee when a terrible storm arose. The waves were dashing into the boat, but our Lord lay fast asleep. They awoke Him saying, "Master, carest thou not that we perish." He rose and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, "Peace be still," and there was a great calm. Peter also remembered the time when Christ and he, too, walked on the boisterous waves. Then there was the coin in the fish's mouth and the colt on which the Lord triumphantly rode into Jerusalem. All these things and others demonstrate the power the Lord Jesus had and still has over things natural.
In Matthew 28:18, the Lord Jesus said, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." This means that His power is no less now than it was when He was here. He may demonstrate it in a different way, but it is no less great. Speaking of Himself to His Father in John 17:2, He says, "Thou hast given him power over all flesh." John 1:10; Colossians 1:16 and Hebrews 1:2 tell us that Christ was the powerful Creator of all things. Hebrews 1:3 states that today He upholds "all things by the Word of his power." His power is still unlimited – "With God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).
An old World War II sailor once said, "The Lord cannot save me." "Why not," he was asked. He told a story about his ship bringing a German U-boat to the surface after badly damaging it. As the German crew came out of the conning tower with their hands upraised he and other gunners shot them. He reasoned the Lord could not and would not save him. But such is not the case. We need only read what an Apostle wrote: "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief" (1 Tim. 1:15). It wasn’t Germans that Paul hated and killed, but Christians who were not in warfare against him but simply spreading the gospel and living for Christ. If the Lord could (and did) save Paul, He surely could save the old sailor or any of us!
Paul could say, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" (Rom. 1:16). No case is too hard for the Lord. Today, Christians throughout the world can safely offer the gospel to any creature because "He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25). Isn't it true that His power is shown as much in the redemption of the sinner as it is in connection with creation?
Some have said, "No use of me becoming a Christian, I could not live the life anyway." But such a person does not understand the transforming power of Christ. When one trusts and obeys the Lord Jesus, the Spirit of God enters into his heart and there is a complete change. Unconquerable habits fall away and sinful passions lose their grip.
The new birth (salvation) is truly a life- changing experience. This divine power working in a Christian makes one more and more Christ-like. The very worst have been changed into the very best.
A realization of the power of Christ should be a great consolation to the Christian. Are we dejected, suffering opposition or great trial? It is a comfort to know that all is in His plan, for if it were not, by His power He could quickly change it. It is by His almighty power that He makes, "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28).
"hath given unto us"
Our Lord is a great giver. He does not lend nor lease nor sell; He only gives. It is entirely by His marvelous grace, we had nothing and deserve nothing, but with Christ,
He freely gives us all things (Rom. 8:32). He gives us all things natural and spiritual. He gives us birth, life, food, clothing and homes to live in. He gives not only possessions, but bodily strength and wisdom. He is the greatest of all givers. May we also be givers.
"all things"
James says in 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." Every good thing in this world comes from the Lord. "All things" in our verse, refers especially to spiritual blessings. "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." "Life" refers to our life in Christ. He gives everything needful for our Christian life, its commencement, continuance and completion. All these things flow from union to and communion with our Lord. "All things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's" (1 Cor. 3:21-23). We are indeed rich in Christ.
"that pertain unto life"
"Unto life" refers to the new life we have in Christ. This life starts with the new birth, but will never end, because it is eternal life. By His divine power, He not only gives that life, but gives everything necessary to foster it and nourish it. That life will give us entrance into glory and enable us to enjoy His presence forevermore. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph. 1:3).
"and godliness"
His divine power first supplies everything necessary for life, and then also for a godly walk. Some profess to be Christians because they think they lead a godly life, but they have never been born again. It is necessary to be born before one can walk. Life must precede godliness. No Christian can excuse himself on the ground that he is weak. The Lord has given the Holy Spirit to dwell in every true Christian's heart. He also has given him a new nature. If a Christian is not living a godly life it is not the fault of the Lord, for He has given everything needful for his godliness. It is because the Christian does not avail himself of that which the Lord has provided that he fails. He permits himself to become under the influence of his old sinful, worldly nature.
"through the knowledge of Him"
This is the second time that Peter tells of benefits obtained through the knowledge of the Lord. In verse 2, he desires that "grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord." Here it is, "all things that pertain to life and godliness." All these blessings can only come through a personal knowledge of our Lord. The better we know Him, the more we will desire to serve Him.
"hath called us"
Our calling seems to be a favorite subject of Peter. He mentions it five times in first Peter, and also in verse 10 of our chapter, besides in our verse 3. First of all we are called by Christ unto salvation. We hear His call, "Come unto me," and we come to Him. After salvation we are called to various services for Him. All of His calls usually come through the reading or hearing of the Word of God preached.
We have been called "out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pet. 2:9). He has called us out of uncleanness into holiness (1 Thess. 4:7); out of affliction into His eternal glory (1 Pet. 5:10); out of the power of Satan into His glorious kingdom (Acts 26:18); out of rebellion into fellowship with His dear Son (1 Cor. 1:9).
Let us not forget our high calling in Christ Jesus. Let us indeed, walk worthy of this calling wherewith we are called to be a blessing; let us see to it that we fulfill our calling in this, even as our Lord Jesus Christ did. We may even be called to suffering for Christ's sake, as the servant slaves were in 1 Peter 2:18-21. Then if we are called to any special service, as was the apostle Paul (Acts 9:15), let us be ready to hear and to do His bidding.
"to glory and virtue"
Instead of "to glory and virtue" the Revised Version has "by his own glory and virtue." Most contend that this is the better translation, although one would naturally think the King James the most logical. Many other Scriptures tell us that we are called to glory (1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 2:14; 1 Pet. 5:10). "Virtue" has been variously translated as "manliness," "bravery," "courage," "energy," "worthiness" and also "power." Certainly we are called to these things, but perhaps by them in Christ too.
Peter was much impressed by the glory of the Lord Jesus. The moral glory of the Lord had much to do with his call. He saw the sinlessness of the Savior and His power manifested in His miracles (John 2:11). How impressed Peter was by the great draught of fishes in Luke 5:1-11. The glory of the Lord as manifested on the Mount of Transfiguration left an indelible impression on Peter, as we observe later on in our chapter (2 Pet. 1:16-18). Then he saw the Lord in His glory after His resurrection from the dead. No doubt Peter felt this all a part of his call to special service for the Lord.
"Glory" is a hard word to define. It speaks of the highest form of honor and praise. It also speaks of a character of nobility and morality which deserves that glory. Truly our Lord Jesus had and has a noble character and is worthy of the greatest glory. He has now been exalted to the highest pinnacle of glory in heaven. As children of God, we should deport ourselves with the same nobility and dignity which characterized Him, and so already share His moral glory. Scripture everywhere tells us that we shall share His future glory with Him. We may have to suffer a bit with Him now, but "if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Rom. 8:17). The knowledge of this should stir us on to faithful endeavor for Him.
"virtue"
A few paragraphs back we noticed how "virtue" has been variously translated bravery, courage, power, energy, manliness and worthiness. We generally think of "virtue" now as purity, but that is not the sense of the word in our verse. Whichever definition we take, they all fit our Lord very well. Certainly He was brave, manly and worthy. He had great energy and power. Peter's call no doubt was greatly affected by these characteristics of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many today are drawn to Him because of these things in Him. Again we would say, this character here called "virtue" should characterize us. More of this in connection with verse 5.
