This is a good checklist that helps us evaluate whether we are all that God wants us to be. These are the traits of a maturing Christian whose faith is vital, not dead. [1][source]
"Their presentation here seems to observe an order from the more elemental to the more advanced, but they are all of them facets of the Spirit"s work in the life of a believer, aspects of the glory of the indwelling Christ, his character shown in the Christian"s character." [2][source]
Each child in a family bears some resemblance to his or her parents while at the same time remaining distinctive. So each growing Christian normally manifests similarities to Christ and yet remains different from every other Christians. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
2 Peter 1:1-11 - The Rule Of Christian Growth
The keynote of this paragraph is these things, 2 Peter 1:8-10. Precious faith, 2 Peter 1:1, answers to precious promises, 2 Peter 1:4. Notice that God has given us every provision for a godly life, through the knowledge of Jesus, but that we must avail ourselves of it. The promises are great and precious, but we must appropriate and absorb them, if we are through them to partake of the divine nature. Our redemption has been secured by our Savior, but we must constantly advance and add to the golden links already securely stapled in faith.
In 2 Peter 1:5-7, a choir with linked hands passes before us, each member of which leads another; or we may use another similitude, and say that each grace, here mentioned, is contained in the next, as a series of Chinese boxes. To be deficient in these things is to be barren and unfruitful, 2 Peter 1:8, and to be shortsighted, 2 Peter 1:9. We may well desire the abundant entrance, 2 Peter 1:11, not like waterlogged vessels, but with every sail unfurled-hot landing on the celestial shore unexpected and unwanted, but welcomed by those we have helped. [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Peter 1
1Peter confirms the hope of the increase of God's grace, 5exhorts them, by faith, and good works, to make their calling sure; 12whereof he is careful to remind them, knowing that his death is at hand; 16and assures them of the authenticity of the Gospel, by the eyewitness of the apostles and the prophets
1 Peter 1:22In your obedience [εν τηι υπακοηι] With repetition of the idea in 1 Peter 1:2,1 Peter 1:14 (children of obedience).To the truth (της αλετειας tēs aletheias). Objective genitive with which compare John 17:17,John 17:19 about sanctification in the truth and 2 Thessalonians 2:12 about believing the truth. There is cleansing power in the truth of God in Christ.Unfeigned Late and rare double compound, here alone in Peter, but see James 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:6, etc. No other kind of πιλαδελπια philadelphia (brotherly love) is worth having (1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7).From the heart fervently (εκ καρδιας εκτενως ek kardias ektenōs). Late adverb (in inscriptions, Polybius, lxx). The adjective εκτενης ektenēs is more common (1 Peter 4:8). [source]
1 Peter 1:22Unfeigned [ανυποκριτον] Late and rare double compound, here alone in Peter, but see James 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:6, etc. No other kind of πιλαδελπια philadelphia (brotherly love) is worth having (1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7).From the heart fervently (εκ καρδιας εκτενως ek kardias ektenōs). Late adverb (in inscriptions, Polybius, lxx). The adjective εκτενης ektenēs is more common (1 Peter 4:8). [source]
Greek Commentary for 2 Peter 1:7
See 1 Peter 1:22. [source]
By deliberate choice (Matthew 5:44). Love for Christ as the crown of all (1 Peter 1:8) and so for all men. Love is the climax as Paul has it (1 Corinthians 13:13). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Peter 1:7
With repetition of the idea in 1 Peter 1:2, 1 Peter 1:14 (children of obedience).To the truth (της αλετειας tēs aletheias). Objective genitive with which compare John 17:17, John 17:19 about sanctification in the truth and 2 Thessalonians 2:12 about believing the truth. There is cleansing power in the truth of God in Christ.Unfeigned Late and rare double compound, here alone in Peter, but see James 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:6, etc. No other kind of πιλαδελπια philadelphia (brotherly love) is worth having (1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7).From the heart fervently (εκ καρδιας εκτενως ek kardias ektenōs). Late adverb (in inscriptions, Polybius, lxx). The adjective εκτενης ektenēs is more common (1 Peter 4:8). [source]
Late and rare double compound, here alone in Peter, but see James 3:17; 2 Corinthians 6:6, etc. No other kind of πιλαδελπια philadelphia (brotherly love) is worth having (1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7).From the heart fervently (εκ καρδιας εκτενως ek kardias ektenōs). Late adverb (in inscriptions, Polybius, lxx). The adjective εκτενης ektenēs is more common (1 Peter 4:8). [source]