2 Peter 1
1 John 1 begins with the apostle John sharing his testimony about Jesus Christ to believers. He introduces Jesus as the "word of life" and is proclaiming the gospel to his readers based on the facts he has seen and heard. Next, he explains fellowship with God, who is "light," and covers sin and forgiveness as well as the essence of true fellowship.
1verseSimon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
2verseGrace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,
3verseseeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue,
4verseby which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.
5verseYes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge;
6verseand in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control, perseverance; and in perseverance, godliness;
7verseand in godliness, brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love.
8verseFor if these things are yours and abound, they make you to not be idle or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9verseFor he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
10verseTherefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.
11verseFor thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
12verseTherefore I will not be negligent to remind you of these things, though you know them and are established in the present truth.
13verseI think it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,
14verseknowing that the putting off of my tent comes swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.
15verseYes, I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.
16verseFor we didn’t follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17verseFor he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
18verseWe heard this voice come out of heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain.
19verseWe have the more sure word of prophecy; and you do well that you heed it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts,
20verseknowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
21verseFor no prophecy ever came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit.
Structure and Flow
- Introduction (verses 1–4): John testifies from the beginning about Jesus Christ—the "word of life"—that he has experienced. This emphasizes that the foundation of faith is based on real experience. He also says that he wants to share true fellowship with his readers through that testimony.
- God is light (verses 5–7): God is light, and there is no darkness in him, he says. Therefore, those who want true fellowship with God must live and walk in the light, and he explains that communal fellowship is possible when it is also in the light.
- Confession of sin and forgiveness (verses 8–10): He states that claiming to have no sin shows that truth is not in you, and he delivers a message of hope: when you acknowledge and confess your sins, God will forgive you.
Core Theme
The core themes of this chapter are "true fellowship with the word of life (Jesus Christ)" and "awareness of sin and forgiveness." It emphasizes that faith must be experienced as reality rather than just theory, and that it is carried out through a life that aligns with God’s character (walking in the light) and a humble attitude that includes honest self-confession.
Points for Reflection
- How am I recognizing and experiencing Jesus Christ?
- Does my life look like it is walking in the light, or am I staying in darkness?
- Do I have the courage and sincerity to confess my sin honestly before God?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Just like John, I can also value my relationship with Jesus and my experience with him, and I can share it by fellowshipping with others.
- I can live within God’s light, not hiding the darkness and sin within me, but confessing and receiving forgiveness in the truth.
- To restore fellowship with God and true fellowship with my neighbors, I can examine my life today.
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