2 Peter 1:8
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Truth to Learn
We need to be continually growing in our Christian faith.
Behind the Words
The word “possess” is the Greek word huparchonta, which means “to begin to be” or “to come into existence.” It is expressed here as a present, active participle, indicating continual action. So we could translate the beginning of this verse as, “For if these things are beginning to be to you” or “For if you are continually acquiring these things.”
The words “in increasing measure” are translated from the Greek word pleonadzō, which means “to cause to increase.” In the Greek text this word and huparchonta are joined by the equivalent of our English word “and.” The implication is that we should be constantly acquiring these character qualities and consistently building on what we already have.
“Ineffective” is from argos, meaning “not working” or “inactive,” and “unproductive” is from akarpos, meaning “without fruit.”
Meaning Explained
Okay, so why is it so important that we develop these Christian qualities that Peter has been talking about? Why should we work hard at developing faith, morality, knowledge and understanding, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love? Peter says that if these qualities are constantly growing in us then we will neither be idle nor unfruitful.
The last phrase of today’s verse is a little misleading due to an unfortunate translation. The word translated “in” is the Greek word “eis” which means “into” or “unto” implying a result, and the word translated “knowledge” is the word “epignosin” which means complete knowledge or full understanding. Peter is saying that developing these Christian qualities in abundance will result in constant successful efforts in the service of the King, resulting in a complete understanding of Him.
This was the Apostle Paul’s desire in Philippians 3:8-10 where he expressed disdain for the things of this world in favor of knowing Christ,
But whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. But no, rather, I also count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them to be dung, so that I may win Christ and be found in Him; not having my own righteousness, which is of the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness of God by faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death;
Is that your desire, to disdain worldly accomplishments, to know God better, to serve Him more faithfully?
Application
Back in verse five we said: as a Christian you’re either moving forward, or you’re sliding backward. Which direction is your Christian life going? Which way does God want you to go?
In God’s service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2009 Will Krause. All rights reserved.
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