Sharper Iron — The Imperishable Inheritance: Christ’s Gifts for Life and Godliness

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Rev. Dr. Curtis Giese, professor of religion at Concordia University, Texas, New Testament editor of the Concordia Commentary series, and author of the Concordia Commentary on 2 Peter and Jude, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 2 Peter 1:1-11.

St. Peter writes again to the congregations in Asia Minor in order to strengthen them in their knowledge of God from the false teachers who question Christ’s divinity and second coming. Likely writing from Rome in the mid-60s, he identifies himself as “Simeon Peter,” perhaps in order to emphasize his preaching to both Jews and Gentiles. Those who have believed this Word have the same faith as this faithful servant and apostle, who prays that grace and peace be multiplied to his hearers. He begins the body of his second epistle with a short sermon. He emphasizes that Christ’s divine power has already granted to Christians all that they need for life and godliness. Christ’s gifts are effective in the lives of His people, as the Apostle calls on Christians to be diligent to put these gifts to use. This is God’s work in the lives of His people that they would be sure of their calling and election as they await entrance into the eternal kingdom of Christ.

“The Imperishable Inheritance” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistles of 1 and 2 Peter and Jude. The life of the Christian Church right now is life in exile. We endure attacks from various trials and from false teachers. Such suffering makes us long for the eternal home that will be ours at the resurrection of the dead. In Jesus, we have this promise of eternal life that can never be snatched away. These three epistles strengthen us to hold fast to Christ in the midst of suffering and to give witness to the hope that is ours in Him.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

2 Peter 1:1-11

Greeting

1 Simeon[a] Peter, a servant[b] and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Confirm Your Calling and Election

3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence,[d] 4 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. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[e] and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities[f] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers,[g] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 11 For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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Footnotes

2 Peter 1:1 Some manuscripts Simon

2 Peter 1:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface

2 Peter 1:3 Or by

2 Peter 1:3 Or virtue

2 Peter 1:5 Or excellence; twice in this verse

2 Peter 1:8 Greek these things; also verses 9, 10, 12

2 Peter 1:10 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters