2 Peter 1:7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. Truth to Learn The ultimate objective of a Christian is to love. Behind the Words Brotherly kindness is the translation of the Greek word philadelphia. This is a very familiar compound word made up of philos, which...
2 Peter 1:6 – Self-control, Perseverance, & Godliness
2 Peter 1:6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; Truth to Learn With hard work we can develop a more Christ-like character. Behind the Words The word translated “self-control” (‘temperance” in some translations) is engkratia. This is a compound word made up of en,...
2 Peter 1:5 – Diligent Growth
2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; Truth to Learn No matter where we are in our Christian experience today, we need to be growing and maturing in our relationship to God. Behind the Words “Every” is...
2 Peter 1:4 – Eternally Divine
2 Peter 1:4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Truth to Learn In eternity, we will share in God’s divine nature. Behind...
2 Peter 1:3 – God-given Godliness
2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Truth to Learn All that we need for life and godliness comes from God. Behind the Words “Divine” is translated...
2 Peter 1:2 – Abundant Peace
2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Truth to Learn Peace with God comes from complete knowledge of Him. Behind the Words The word translated “be … in abundance” is plēthunō, which is derived from plēthō, meaning...
2 Peter 1:1 – Humble Greetings
2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Truth to Learn Peter humbly greets all Christians who read this letter. Behind the Words “Servant” is...
1 Peter 5:14 – Hugs and Peace
1 Peter 5:14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. Truth to Learn Peter encourages brotherly love and offers peace to all Christians. Behind the Words “Kiss” is translated from the Greek word philema, which is derived from phileō,...
1 Peter 5:13 – Embracing the Faithful
1 Peter 5:13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son. Truth to Learn A greeting may come in many forms. The early church used a hug. Behind the Words The word translated “elect together with” is suneklektē, which is a...
1 Peter 5:12 – Standing Firm
1 Peter 5:12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. Truth to Learn It is only by God’s grace that we can firmly stand in Christ. Behind...
1 Peter 5:11 – Our Eternal God
1 Peter 5:11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Truth to Learn God is mighty in position and power, deserving of our worship now and for all eternity. Behind the Words The word translated “glory” is doxa, (from which we get our English word,...
1 Peter 5:10 – Temporary Suffering
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. Truth to Learn God will use our suffering to make us complete in Him. Behind the Words The...
1 Peter 5:9 – Brotherhood of Suffering
1 Peter 5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. Truth to Learn You are not alone in your suffering for Christ. Behind the Words “Resist” is translated from the Greek word anthistēmi, which is a compound word...
1 Peter 5:8 – Stay Alert!
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Truth to Learn Stay on the alert and don’t be intimidated by our accuser. Behind the Words “Sober” is translated from the Greek word nēphō, which means...
1 Peter 5:7 – No Worries, Mate
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Truth to Learn God is interested in our well being, so why are we worrying? Behind the Words The word “casting” is translated from the Greek word epirrhiptō, which is a compound of epi, meaning “on...
1 Peter 5:6 – Humbled Exaltation
1 Peter 5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, Truth to Learn Embrace humility and resist pride and let God lift you up. Behind the Words The word translated “humble yourselves” is tapeinoō. It refers to the act of...
1 Peter 5:5 – Humble Submission
1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Truth to Learn Submission is the key to life within the Body of...
1 Peter 5:4 – Unfading Victor’s Crown
1 Peter 5:4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. Truth to Learn There is an unfading reward awaiting those who faithfully lead. Behind the Words The expression “Chief Shepherd” is translated from the Greek word archipoimēn, which is...
1 Peter 5:3 – Example, Not Dictator
1 Peter 5:3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; Truth to Learn The pastor (or elder) of a local congregation is to be an example of Christ, not a dictator over the local church. Behind the Words The words “being lords...
1 Peter 5:2 – Shepherd The Flock
1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; Truth to Learn A church leader is to behave like a loving shepherd. Behind the Words The word translated “exhort” in yesterday’s verse is...
1 Peter 5:1 – Peter the Elder
1 Peter 5:1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Truth to Learn Pastor Peter is about to give instruction to church leaders. Behind...
1 Peter 4:19 – Committed Suffering
1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. Truth to Learn If you suffer for the cause of Christ, place yourself in His hands and serve Him faithfully. Behind the Words...
1 Peter 4:18 – Final Judgment
1 Peter 4:18 Now "if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" Truth to Learn All unbelievers will face a horrific judgment. Behind the Words The word translated “scarcely” is the Greek word molis. This is an adverb (it modifies the verb “is...
1 Peter 4:17 – Fatherly Chastening
1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Truth to Learn As His child, God will chasten you because...
1 Peter 4:16 – Suffering Praise
1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. Truth to Learn If you should suffer as a Christian, give God the glory! Behind the Words The word “Christian” is translated from the Greek word christianos....
1 Peter 4:15 – Improper Suffering
1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Truth to Learn Suffering for righteousness is pleasing to God. Suffering for wrongdoing is not pleasing to anyone. Behind the Words “Evildoer” comes from the Greek...
1 Peter 4:14 – Suffering For His Glory
1 Peter 4:14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. Truth to Learn Our obedient, righteous suffering glorifies God. Behind the...
1 Peter 4:13 – Joyful Suffering
1 Peter 4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. Truth to Learn We should be happy when we suffer as followers of Christ. Behind the Words “Rejoice” is from chairō, meaning...
1 Peter 4:12 – Christian Suffering, Not Unusual
1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; Truth to Learn Christians have suffered for their faith throughout history. Therefore, don’t think it strange if it happens to you. Behind the Words...
1 Peter 4:11 – Speaking and Ministering
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever....
1 Peter 4:10 – Ministering Gifts
1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Truth to Learn God has given every Christian gifts. These are to be shared with the rest of the church, liberally and humbly. Behind the Words...