All things pertaining to Life and Godliness

The Unveiling of Glory in Our Dominion and Virtue in Christ's Finished Work (2 Peter 1:1-4)

Have you ever considered the sheer magnitude of what Christ accomplished for us? It's not merely a "get out of hell free" card, but an invitation into a life of profound partnership with the Divine, marked by dominion and infused with divine virtue. Peter's opening words in his second epistle are a stunning declaration of this reality, anchored firmly in the finished work of Jesus.

Let's delve into 2 Peter 1:1-4 (KJV) and uncover the glorious truths for the believer.

"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."

Our Righteousness in Christ

Peter begins by addressing those who "have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ."

The word "obtained" here is the Greek λαγχάνω (lanchano), meaning to receive by lot or divine apportionment. This isn't a faith earned, but a faith divinely allotted, a gift freely given. It immediately points to the finished work: our faith is not a human striving, but a divine bestowal, allowing us to grasp the magnitude of Christ's perfect righteousness.

This "precious faith" is ours "through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." This is not our self-righteousness, but the δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) of God Himself. It is Christ's perfect standing before the Father, imputed to us as a free gift. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV) declares, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." We didn't achieve this; Christ accomplished it on the cross, making us righteous in God's sight, once and for all. This is the bedrock of our grace.

Grace and Peace Multiplied through Intimate Knowledge

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

"Grace" (χάρις, charis) is God's unmerited favor, His divine enablement. "Peace" (εἰρήνη, eirēnē) is not merely the absence of conflict, but a holistic well-being, wholeness, and harmony. Peter says these are "multiplied" – πληθύνω (plēthynō), to increase abundantly. This overflowing abundance isn't through our works, but "through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord."

This "knowledge" is not mere intellectual assent but ἐπίγνωσις (epignosis), a deep, intimate, experiential, and full knowledge. It's far more than γνῶσις (gnosis), which is general acquaintance. Epignosis implies a personal, transformative knowing, a recognition of someone or something through close interaction.

This profound Greek term finds its parallel in the Hebrew word יָדַע (yada), meaning "to know" in a profoundly intimate and relational sense. It’s the same "knowing" used in Genesis 4:1 (KJV), where "Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived..." – denoting intimate union. It’s also how God describes His unique relationship with Israel in Amos 3:2 (KJV): "You only have I known of all the families of the earth..." This is not just a casual acquaintance, but a deep, covenantal, experiential relationship.

So, when Peter speaks of "knowledge" here, he's talking about a progressive, intimate communion with God and Jesus, made possible by the finished work of Christ. Christ's sacrifice tore the veil (Hebrews 10:19-20, KJV: "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"), granting us direct access to the Father. As we grow in this intimate understanding of who God is and what Christ has accomplished, grace and peace become increasingly evident and abundant in our lives. This aligns with John 17:3 (KJV): "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Our peace is founded in knowing the One who has already secured it for us through His ultimate sacrifice.

Our Divine Endowment in all Things Pertaining to Life and Godliness

"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."

This is a breathtaking declaration! "His divine power" – δύναμις (dynamis), referring to inherent power and ability – "hath given unto us all things." The Greek perfect tense, δέδωρηται (dedoretai), emphasizes a completed action with ongoing results: God has already given us everything we need. This endowment is a direct consequence of Christ's finished work; it's not something we strive for, but something we already possess.

These "all things" pertain to "life" (ζωή, zoē, referring to divine, eternal life) and "godliness" (εὐσέβεια, eusebeia, meaning true piety, reverence, and devotion that manifests in right living). This implies that through Christ, we are already fully equipped to live a life that honors God and accesses the abundant life He offers. It's not about trying to be godly, but living from the godliness already imparted by His divine power.

This endowment comes "through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue."

• Glory (δόξα, doxa): The very nature and character of God, His splendor and magnificence. We are called into this glory, not just to observe it. This speaks to our new identity as co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17, KJV: "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.").

• Virtue (ἀρετή, aretē): This is moral excellence, inherent goodness, and spiritual courage. In Christ, we are not merely commanded to be virtuous; we are called into a life where Christ is our virtue. His righteousness becomes our practical living. As Philippians 4:8 (KJV) encourages, "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." These virtues are not external works but flow from the indwelling Christ.

Exceeding Great and Precious Promises

"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."

These promises are μέγιστα καὶ τίμια (megista kai timia) – "greatest and most precious." They are the guarantees of God's Word (Jesus) and secured by His faithfulness. Through these promises, we become "partakers" – κοινωνός (koinōnos), meaning partners, associates, sharers – "of the divine nature." This is not becoming God, but sharing in His character, His holiness, His life. It is the ultimate expression of our new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.").

This participation in divine nature is possible because we have "escaped" (ἀποφεύγω, apopheugō) – completely fled from or avoided – "the corruption that is in the world through lust." This "corruption" (φθορά, phthora) is the decay, depravity, and moral ruin that pervades the fallen world, driven by "lust" (ἐπιθυμία, epithymia), which refers to strong desires or beliefs, often leading to evil and confusion. Christ's finished work has delivered us from this dominion of corruption and epithymia, granting us freedom from its enslaving power. Romans 6:14 (KJV) affirms: "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

Our Dominion and Christ as Our Virtue

In conclusion, 2 Peter 1:1-4, from the perspective of Christ's finished work, paints a magnificent picture of the believer's position:

• Righteousness is ours by divine gift, not by human effort.

• Grace and peace abound as we grow in the intimate, experiential knowledge of Jesus.

• All things for life and godliness have already been given to us by His divine power.

• We are called to glory and virtue, not as an unattainable ideal, but as our inheritance in Him. Christ Himself is our virtue.

• We are partakers of the divine nature, having been utterly delivered from corruption.

This understanding shifts our focus from striving for righteousness to walking in the righteousness already attained. Our dominion, spoken of even in Genesis 1:28, is restored through Christ's victory. His ἀρετή (virtue) becomes our own inherent quality, empowering us to live victoriously, reflecting His glory to a world desperately in need of the true and living God. It's a glorious reality to behold!