YOUR CALLING

Being sure of your election

and calling
An exegesis on 2 Peter 1:3-11

DM Arendse

TABLE OF
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................. 3
OUTLINE ........................................................................................ 5
COMMENTARY ................................................................................ 5
Know your salvation (2 Pet. 1:3-11) ................................................. 5
Sustained by Gods Power (1:3-4) .................................................... 6
Confirmed by Christian Virtues (1:5-7) .............................................. 7
Honoured by Abundant Reward (1:8-11) ........................................... 8
SERMON OUTLINE ........................................................................ 10
BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................ 12

INTRODUCTION
The given text which will be looked at in further detail in this paper is found in 2
Peter 1:3-11, it is the second letter written by the Apostle Peter, and is a follow on
from the 1 Peter.
The authorship of 2 Peter has been disputed over the years, and the early church
fathers were slow in their acceptance. In fact no early church father refers to 2
Peter by name until Origen in the early third century. The main reason for this
dispute is the style of Greek language used in 2 Peter. It is not consistent with that
found in 1 Peter. However we can confidently answer such irregularities. Peter
writes in 1 Peter 5:12 that he used an amanuensis named Sylvianus to write down
his thoughts. The differences in linguistic style can be attributed to Peter possibly
using a different amanuensis, or he could have written the letter personally.
Nonetheless the issue of authorship is comprehensively answered and one can
say without doubt that even though 1 and 2 Peter do not share the same linguistic
styles they do share the same author, the Apostle Peter. We see that the same
words are used throughout both epistles such as; the salutation grace and peace
be multiplied to you, certain unusual words are found in both; obtained, was
allotted (1 Peter 1:1; Acts 1:17), godliness, or piety (2 Peter 2:13, 15; Acts 1:18)
The intention of this letter is different from 1 Peter as in 1 Peter the intention was
to offer hope and help to suffering Christians, whereas 2 Peter was written to
expose false teachers. The themes found throughout the book are consistent with
a change in linguistic tone. Whereas 1 Peter was written with compassion and love

for those suffering, 2 Peter is written with warnings to those who teach false
doctrine.
The theme of the letter is different to 1 Peter as well. In 1 Peter we find that the
author is teaching that the second coming is near, and the suffering of Christians,
2 Peter focuses on the delay of that return. Pointing to those who doubt and scoff
at the truth of the Gospel.
We know that Nero died in 68 A.D. as a result this epistle may have been written
just before the death of Peter who died at the hands of Nero, placing the date of
authorship between A.D. 67 and 68.
We are unsure of where Peter was when he wrote this epistle, however if one looks
at the possible dates of authorship we comfortably assume that Peter was writing
from a Roman prison.
Peter does not make direct reference to the intended recipient of this epistle,
however we can see from 2 Peter 3:1 that he was writing to the same group of
people that he had written 1 Peter to. These people, who were mostly gentiles,
were the elect disciples of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia,
and Bithynia (1 Pet. 1:1 ESV). These provinces were located in an area in Asia
Minor, or what is today modern day Turkey.
The theme for this given piece of scripture found within the epistle surrounded by
the themes of thwarting false teachings and doctrine is the encouragement to know
your prophecy, to know your identity in Christ and to know who you are.

OUTLINE
Know your salvation (2 Pet. 1:3-11)
Sustained by Gods Power (1:3-4)
Confirmed by Christian Virtues (1:5-7)
Honoured by Abundant Reward (1:8-11)

COMMENTARY
Know your salvation (2 Pet. 1:3-11)
The overwhelming theme found throughout this piece of scripture is an
encouragement to know ones salvation. So often Christians doubt their salvation
and in that they doubt the saving grace that Christ provides for each every one of
us.
We will see as we unpack this piece of scripture that Peter is encouraging those
that read this letter to live lives set a part because of the redeeming grace we are
given through Christ.

Sustained by Gods Power (1:3-4)

We find that the Greek grammar in verses 3-4 is difficult. The phrase his divine
power may refer to God or Christ, but most likely refers to Christ because he is
the immediate antecedent in verse 2 and the word power (dynamis) clearly refers
to Christ in verse 16.
A similar issue arises in determining the reference in the phrase the one who
called us. If the previous argument is persuasive then Christ is probably also
referred to by this phrase. The main point of verse 3 is that Christ has provided
everything necessary for believers to have life and godliness, in other words what
is being said is that there is no excuse not to live a godly life. Life comes through
knowledge of Christ by means of his calling us. Peter says that Jesus own glory
and excellence led to their calling.
There is a field of thought that raises the question of whether this action was for or
by His glorious excellence. The grammatical construction found in the original
Greek could bear either meaning. We see that throughout Psalms His excellence
is celebrated, and such a display of ones wealth was not uncommon in the
Mediterranean world of that time. In fact it was commonly thought that an
honourable person would display his wealth.
On the other hand, a person who was excellent would naturally act accordingly, so
it would also make sense to say that Jesus called us by his own (his own being
emphatic in contrast to us) glorious excellence or glorious achievement.

We are faced with a dilemma as both interpretations make sense, it is difficult to

decide which is more likely correct. However we find that in verse 3 that the means
of His promises to us is the basis of our calling. In other words the achievement of
our calling is the achievement of Jesus. That this calling came on the basis of his
achievement and excellence, his honourable nature, not ours. Yet because of his
honour we have been called into an honourable status. (Davids 2006:170-171,
Green 2008:123)

Confirmed by Christian Virtues (1:5-7)

The phrase for this very reason means that because Christ has given believers
everything they need for life and godliness (1:3-4), believers should live in a way
that pleases God (1:5-7). We probably should not read much into the number or
order of the list of eight virtues since this is a conventional literary form. The
exception to this rule is the first and last items in the list.
Christian faith is the root from which all these virtues must grow, and Christian love
is the crowning virtue to which all the others must contribute. In a list of this kind,
the last item has unique significance. It is not just the most important virtue, but
also the virtue which encompasses all the others. Love is the overriding ethical
principle from which the other virtues gain their meaning and validity. Thus the
author of 2 Peter sees that some of the ethical ideals of pagan society should also
be Christian ideals, but only if they are subordinated to and reinterpreted by the
Christian ideal of love. (Bauckham 1983:193, Brown 1890:101)

Faith (pistis) refers to trust in or faithfulness towards God. Excellence (arete)

refers to moral excellence. The knowledge (gnosis) in view is probably personal
knowledge of Jesus Christ (3:18). The self-control (enkrateia) believers are to
strive for will contrast them with the false teachers of the community. Godliness
(eusebeia) refers to the kind of life that pleases God. The list of virtues ends by
focusing on love within the Christian community. The important point to keep in
mind is that love is a virtue, not an emotion. Christians are not encouraged to feel
warmly about each other or even to like one another; they are instructed to act
lovingly toward one another. (Davids 2006:184).

Honoured by Abundant Reward (1:8-11)

If a man is blind, how can he be short-sighted? When Peter was writing this letter
he was talking about a man who is blind to heavenly things, and engrossed in the
earthly; he cannot see what is a far off, but only what is near. This makes
excellent sense in view of the immorality and earthiness of the false teachers.
But probably Peter was thinking of the other meaning of the Greek word
muopazo, namely to blink, to shut the eyes. If so, the participle is causal.
Thus the meaning is that such a man is blind because he blinks or willfully closes
his eyes to the light. (Brown 1890:200, Harrink 2009:176, Henry 1994:231)

More than the physical, however, is the spiritual blindness which descends upon
the eyes which deliberately look away from the graces of character to which the

Christian is called when he comes to know Christ. (Schreiner 2003:302, Walvoord

1985:204).
What we see Peter talking about in this piece of scripture is the public confession
of sin and the vows taken by converts at their baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Their
past sins would then be those committed before they became Christians, the
cleansing of which would be an essential aspect of being made a believer. The
man who makes no effort (verse 5) to grow in grace is, in a sense, going back on
his baptismal contract. (Green 2008:82)
This teaching, to be sure of your calling and election, may sit uncomfortably with
some peoples theology, but it is the other side of the coin that has, on one side,
that God makes us new, and on this side that we make our own salvation firm. It
is on this side of the coin that the believers being addressed 2 Peter need to hear.
They have among them some who think that their salvation is firm enough without
their pursuing any of the virtues that Peter puts forth. (Davids 2006:88)
Although different translations end this verse off differently, is would be best
translated as it is in the NIV: you will never fall. This is because while translating
ptaisete as sin is possible in some contexts, we cannot be certain that Peter
was suggesting Christians could live without ever committing a sin of any kind.
Instead it is safe to suggest that he probably meant that Christians who live out
these virtues may not be perfect they will be pursuing a life that is worthy to God.
(Schreiner 2003:305).

The word rich (plousios) indicates that the eschatological reward is more than
any believer deserves (Schreiner 2003:306). This is because we often overlook
what rich really entails. This is not large amounts of wealth it is blessings beyond
comprehension, and in that it is more than any person ever deserves, yet it is
poured out. As such we as believers can know that we will be richly rewarded,
however the road is not easy, and as believers the life that we live must at all times
reflect the virtues of a Christian as outlined by Peter. This is not because we must
earn our salvation, but rather because it shows that the heart of a believer has truly
changed as they realise this life is no longer all about them, but instead all about
bringing God glory.(Bauckham 1983:191).

SERMON OUTLINE
Who are you, really?
Introduction:
Use a story about a person who is unsure of who they are, they do not have a
clear idea of what they desire to do with their lives.

Body:
The basis for this message is allowing people to be certain of who they are
and what their calling is because of the salvation and promise of hope we have
through Christ Jesus.

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1. We are called to live a life set a part because of who Jesus is to us and what
He equips us with.
2. What does a Godly person look like? Discuss virtues and what they
mean/look like.
3. Rewards of living such a life.
As much as I warn you, and attempt to equip you, if you and your heart are
unwilling to pursue a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, through reading His word
and spending time alone with Him, then do be alarmed when one day you wake
up and you do not know who you are.
It is as much our responsibility to equip and guide you as it is your own
responsibility to grow yourselves so that you can become mature and sure.

Closing:
Challenge put forward, who are you, really?
Christ offers you an identity, take it and pursue it.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bauckham, R. 1983. Jude, 2 Peter. Word Books: Illinois.

Brown, J. 1890. Expository Discourses. Robert Carter & Brothers: New York
Brown, J. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. [Online]
Available.

http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/jamieson-fausset-

brown/2-peter/2-peter-1.html
Davids, P. 2006. The Letters of 2 Peter and Jude. Kindle Edition. Wm. B.
Eerdmans Publishing Co.
Green, G. 2008. Jude & 2 Peter. Baker Academic: USA
Green, M. 2007. 2 Peter & Jude. Kindle Edition. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company.
Harrink, D. 2009. 1 & 2 Peter (Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible).
Grand Rapids:Brazos Press.
Henry, M. 1994. Matthew Henrys commentary on the whole Bible: Complete and
unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson.
Jamieson, R. 1997. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak
Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
MacArthur,

J.

2006.

The

Believers

Privileges.

[Online]

Available.

http://www.gty.org/resources/study-guides/40-5191/the-believers-privileges

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Schreiner, T. 2003. 1, 2 Peter, Jude. Holman Reference: USA

Walvoord, J. F. 1985. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the
Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. 1996. The Bible exposition commentary. W

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