“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:…” 2 Peter 1:3.
We know that Peter is writing to Christians. It should be noted that the word “pertain” is in italics therefore not in the Greek text. In reference to the preposition “unto” (πρός) Bullinger states, “πρός governs three cases (the Genitive, Dative, and Accusative), and denotes to, or, toward, implying motion onward. Its general meaning with the three cases is the motive - as in consideration of (with the Genitive); in addition to anything - as an act (with the Dative) with a view to anything - as an end (with the Accusative).” (The Companion Bible). This preposition has an accusative object and according to Louw-Nida, it is “a maker of a relation involving potential interaction – ‘with regard to, with, between….” (89.7n; Cf. BAGD, p. 710). Guy N. Woods states, “This verse is a clear affirmation of the sufficiency of God’s revelation to man, as well as an unmistakable assurance that every need of every kind will be supplied.” (Gospel Advocate Commentary on Second Peter, p. 148).
From one who sought to find answers to his life as a Christian this verse helped me with a past that kept robbing me of the peace that I am to have as a Christian. I sought for answers and found them in God’s revelation to man. Peter uses the word “knowledge” which is from the Greek word epignosis. Thayer states, “epignosin “precise and correct knowledge.” [p. 237]. Trench stated, “…greater and more accurate knowledge … deeper and more intimate knowledge and acquaintance … the complete comprehension after the first knowledge [gnosin] of a matter. It is bringing me better acquainted with a thing I knew before; a more exact viewing of an object that I saw before afar off.” [p. 300].
I searched the Scriptures for an example and I found David. David reasons in 1 Samuel 17:37, “…The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.” I am a Christian! Delivered from all of my past sins and no matter what I face in my Christian race “the LORD” will be with me and “deliver me out of the hand of” whatever it is. However, why can I not keep that peace I found when I first became a Christian. Again, listen to David. “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; [THEREFORE (BDG)] Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” Psalm 4:1. When we sang the song, “Hear Me When I Call” my heart and soul yearned for God to listen to me so I could once more have peace. David is not finished. He states, “Will the Lord cast off for ever? And will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies?” Now watch David as he recollects himself with what he knows that God has done for him over the years. “And I said, This is my infirmity: But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11 I will remember the works of the LORD: Surely I will remember thy wonders of old.” Psalm 77:7-11. David continues, “For great is thy mercy toward me: And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell. [THEREFORE (BDG)] O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; Give thy strength unto thy servant, And save the son of thine handmaid.” Psalm 86: 13, 16. If I had been there when David finished his prayer, I would have boldly stated, “AMEN.”
Paul’s assurance can be seen in 2 Timothy 4:17, 18, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.” We like Paul can say, “I know whom I have believed.” 2 Timothy 1:12. The word “know” is from the Greek word οἶδα and the word “believed” is from the Greek word πιστευω and both are perfect, active, indicative. Being in the perfect tense “describes an action which is viewed as having been completed in the past, once and for all, not needing to be repeated.” [Pierce, Tense Voice Mood]. What does all this mean? The perfect tense marks it as a settled matter. God will deliver us from all the things that pertain to this life so we can have that “…peace of God, which passeth all understanding.” Philippians 4:7. We are to “….trust…in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy…” 1 Timothy 6:17. Jesus said to the apostles, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27. That is the peace I so desire. God has given us everything that we need in order to live this life in this world.
God’s word has the power to produce a new life for anyone. James said, “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18. Peter stated, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:22, 23. Paul said, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Our Lord came to this earth so that we might have an abundant life. John 10:10. We obtained that life through Jesus Christ. John 20:30-31. In this life, the Christian has the promise of eternal life through Christ. 1 John 2:25.
We live in an age of doubt! We need to understand that the Scriptures are “God-breathed.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17. However, we need to understand that this Scripture teaches us things that are profitable. What is right (“doctrine”)! What is not right (“reproof”)! How to get right (“correction”)! In addition, how to stay right (“instruction in righteousness”)!
Therefore, the Scriptures give the Christian all things that pertain to this life. The Scriptures are factual and authoritative.