Please note that all Biblical quotes, in this and all other lessons posted to Greek Thoughts, are from The Literal English Translation of the Bible produced by BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America.
We are continuing our study of the noun ὑπομονὴ (Strong's #5281), which means patience, endurance, perseverance. Its meaning contains the concept of remaining under or endurance in circumstances. In Part Three of this study, taken from Hebrews 12:1-3, we saw the Christian life presented as the running of a race. Verse 1 of that text expresses that the race is to be run through endurance (our word of study). The use of the prepositional phrase "through endurance" gives the understanding that the Christian's race is a marathon, not a sprint. This understanding brings to light the importance of perceiving that the trials in our lives prepare us to remain under our circumstances for an extended period of time. Consequently, while we are typically looking for instant relief, Scripture teaches that most of our trials will remain with us for quite some time. This week's study, taken from the first chapter of II Peter, will help us understand how endurance is developed in the growth process of believers.
In 2 Peter 1:2-4, Peter presents the first essential of the Christian faith - relationship. He addresses his readers as "the ones who have obtained an equally honorable faith with us" (1:1). He uses the word faith to describe those who have been born of the Spirit of God and are under God's influence and persuasion. In these verses (1:2-4), Peter emphasizes that believers are partakers of God's divine nature (1:4) and are empowered by "His divine power" which has given believers all things pertaining to life and godliness. He goes on to say that these provisions of God's Spirit are made known to us "through the complete knowledge of the One having called us through glory and virtue" (1:3). The glory and virtue referred to here are characteristics of God's Spirit residing within each genuine believer in Christ. After establishing that Christians are of one "faith" having the divine nature of God living within, Peter presents the second essential of the Christian faith - growth (1: 5-7).
2 Peter 1:5-7
Peter's presentation here parallels the Lord's, as recorded in Matthew 22:36-39, where Jesus refers to Deuteronomy 6:5 and says that the first and great commandment is "You will love the Lord your God in your whole heart, and in your whole soul, and in your whole mind." Jesus goes on to reference Leviticus 19:18 saying, "The second is like it 'You will love your neighbor as yourself.'" Notice that the first and great commandment is in direct relation and response to the Lord, while the second is in relation and response to those people nearest to us. Peter is presenting that the development of a believer's relationship and response to the Lord comes first, and then generalizes to the Body of Christ and all others as well. The first five phases of growth have to do with a direct relationship and response to the Lord, while the final two phases have to do with believers relating to other believers and all people in general.
Verse 5 is a transition verse wherein Peter first refers back to the statement that believers are partakers of the divine nature. This is seen in his use of the phrase, "but also on account of this very thing." He then transitions into his presentation of the seven phases of growth that believers should go through to reach maturity. Peter states that believers are first to provide diligence to this growth process. The word for diligence is σπουδὴ (Strong's #4710), which refers to doing something in haste. However, when used with lists, it refers to priority. So, those who belong to Christ are to make decisions with their growth in Christ as top priority, being responsible to build a changed life through interaction with the indwelling presence of God's Spirit.
Referring to those who are already partaking of God's divine nature, Peter next presents the process through which believers mature, showing that each phase of that process is the foundation for the next and that each phase grows into the next. Peter starts his description of growth with, "Supply in your faith the virtue." Here "faith" is the word representing the presence and activity of the divine nature of God in the heart of each believer. The Greek text uses the preposition ἐν (Strong's #1722), which means "in." Peter also uses the definite article "the" to denote each phase in the growth process. Therefore, Peter is expressing that "in" each phase or sphere of "the" process of growth, another phase of growth is produced.
The process of growth in the faith (the presence and interaction with God's divine nature) produces virtue. The word for virtue is ἀρετὴ (Strong's #703), which, in Classical times, meant the god-given ability to perform super-human work (whether applied in the military or athletic arenas or simply in the arena of one's life). In the New Testament it means quality of character, moral excellence, or excellence of character. ̓Αρετὴ is the same word translated "virtue" in 2 Peter 1:3 where Peter writes, "He has given to us all the things pertaining to life and godliness, through the full-knowledge of the One having called us through glory and virtue." Some manuscripts read "through His own glory and virtue," bringing out the full meaning of the Greek text, which makes it clear that Peter is talking about the excellency of God's character. So, Peter is saying in verse 5 that interaction with God's Spirit produces the excellency of God's character in believers.
Peter then writes, "in the process of growth in virtue, let it supply knowledge to you." The Greek word translated "knowledge" is γνῶσις (Strong's #1108) and means the understanding or insight of the Lord. This is the same word Jesus uses in John 15:15 when He says to His disciples, "...all things which I heard from My Father I make known (γνῶσις) to you." It is also used in Peter's conclusion of II Peter where he writes, "but grow in grace, and in knowledge (γνῶσις) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
In summary, Peter begins his description of the Christian growth process by stating that every believer is to first concentrate on interacting with the indwelling Spirit of God, the glory and virtue of the divine nature Himself. Through this interaction, the very excellence of God's moral character influences their lives. From this intimate fellowship and association with God's Spirit and substance of character, believers get understanding and insight into Who the Lord actually is and gain understanding of His ways.
In this week's study we have established the biblical foundation for understanding subsequent phases of growth, which are focused in the area of trials and tribulations. In next week's study, we will look specifically at the area of trials and tribulations as they relate to Christian growth.
*hUPOMONE is the English font spelling of the Greek word ὑπομονὴ.
Copyright Statement
'Greek Thoughts' Copyright 2024© Bill Klein. 'Greek Thoughts' articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each article, along with a link to https://www.studylight.org/language-studies/greek-thoughts.html 2) 'Greek Thoughts' content may not be arranged or "mirrored" as a competitive online service.
Bill Klein has been a pastor, counselor, and educator for the past 41 years. He has had extensive training and education in biblical languages, and has authored a Biblical Greek course.
He is currently serving as Professor of Biblical Greek at Master's Graduate School of Divinity, and president of BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America, a non-profit organization located in California that provides Bible study tapes and Greek study materials through their website BTEMinistries.org.