Add to your faith virtue and knowledge

"... add to your faith virtue;

and to virtue knowledge ..."

"Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. Written to those in the truth, emphasising how precious faith is." (2 Peter 1 v 13-14)

Foundation of faith

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2 v 19-22)

Building the House of God

2 Peter 1 v 5

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it ..." (Psalm 127 v 1)

"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 Peter 3 v 18)

Conclusion

"... built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2 v 20-22)

"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (John 6 v 27-29)

2 Peter 1 v 1-9

"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: grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 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: 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 beside 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."

VIRTUE

KNOWLEDGE

The character of Jesus is our perfect example

• Knowledge is a vital - if slow-growing attribute to add
• God expects us to grow in the truth
• He wants us to move on beyond first principles

Christendom Astray (Robert Roberts)

Christadelphian Instructor (Robert Roberts)

Knowledge helps keep the house of God in order

Nothing compares with a knowledge of Christ

It's no good feeding only on the milk of the word

The consequences of a lack of knowledge are dire

This knowledge is closely related to the remission of sins and consequent salvation from death. Zacharias prophesied that John the Baptist was -

The ultimate reward for gaining true knowledge: filled with the fulness of God

Only in God and Jesus do we find wisdom and knowledge

Greek word used here for knowledge appears 29 times in the NT

= knowing, knowledge, science

"Salvation depends upon a full and true knowledge of God

and of Jesus, God's son."

"Nothing will serve a man in the end but an exact knowledge of the will of God as contained in the scriptures and faithfully carrying out the same."

We must develop knowledge:

- not for knowledge's sake, but to

- develop wisdom

- appreciate divine ways

- discern good and evil

"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 Peter 3 v 18)

" And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him..." (Colossians 3 v 10)

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee ..." (Hosea 4 v 6)

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously; who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. (1 Peter 2 v 21-25)

"And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. (Romans 15 v 14)

"In whom (God and Jesus) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2 v 3)

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ ..." (Philippians 3 v 8)

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5 v 13-14)

"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3 v 19)

"To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins" (Luke 1 v 77)

The virtues of almighty God were declared to Moses

Our aim should be to become more and more like our maker

Paul defines a few virtues

We should strive to fill ourselves with the virtues of the Lord Jesus Christ

Not a self-righteous virtue like the Jews, but virtue based on the righteousness of God. The Jews made this mistake!

Godly virtue comes from reading God's word, believing God's word and obeying God's word

* "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (* Philippians 4 v 8)

"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin ..." (Exodus 34 v 6-7)

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." (1 Peter 1 v 13-16)

* "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises [virtues AV Margin] of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light ..." (* 1 Peter 2 v 9)

Greek word used here appears five times in NT

= praise; virtue; intrinsic or attributed excellence

2 Peter 1 v 3, 5 (twice in v 5)

Philippians 4 v 8 *

1 Peter 2 v 9 *

"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." (Romans 10 v 3)

"add to your faith virtue ("moral excellence" NASV)

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10 v 17)

It is on these foundations that we build

SEVEN attributes

Add in abundance

Repentance and faith form the foundations for a life in the truth

Benefits of sound building

Similar to the fruits of the spirit

Minister = add in abundance

* "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 Saviour Jesus Christ. (* 2 Peter 1 v 11)

Has the meaning:

- to fully furnish

- to minister

- to nourish

"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 v 8)

"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God ..." (Hebrews 6 v 1)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance ... (Galatians 5 v 22-23)

• virtue*
• knowledge*
• temperance
• patience
• godliness
• brotherly kindness
• charity

"And beside 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." (2 Peter 1 v 5-7)

"Add"

Greek word used here for "add" found five times in NT

Once translated "add" in 2 Peter 1 v 5

Four times translated "minister"

2 Corinthians 9 v 10 *

Galatians 3 v 5

Colossians 2 v 19

2 Peter 1 v 11 *

* "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) (* 2 Corinthians 9 v 8-10)

"For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3 v 9-11)

His theme - be prepared, beware but grow

He writes to others in the truth, stressing the preciousness of faith

He is keen for his brothers and sisters to be "established in the truth" on firm foundations

The promises too are precious

"Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 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 Peter 3 v 17-18)

"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." (2 Peter 1 v 4)

"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. " (2 Peter 1 v 12)

"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 v 1)

Peter writes knowing he is soon to die

Preparation