2 Peter - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

trembling endeavors by the side of the strength of God; the two things are
incommensurate: how can the Infinite and the finite work together? But it is the teaching
of Holy Scripture; the saints have proved its value in their daily lives. (B. Caffin)
Personal diligence is needed for sanctification. Diligence implies that spiritual increase
requires personal effort. Speedy and spontaneous sanctification is what we should prefer,
but that idea is not encouraged in Scripture. It is true growth in the law of life – life
naturally increases to maturity, as Peter says, “Grow in grace;” but he also says “Giving
all diligence, add.” It clearly affirms that sanctification is progressive, and demands
constant endeavor. (C. New) Courage and firmness may do harm unless they are directed
by knowledge: true Christian virtue will lead on to knowledge. (B. Caffin) The divine
nature works at its best efficiency when the believer cooperates with it in not only
determining to live a life pleasing to God, but definitely stepping out in faith and living
that life in dependence upon the new life which God has implanted in him. And this must
not be a mere lackadaisical attempt at doing God’s will, but an intense effort, as shown
by the word spoude, translated diligence. (K. Wuest) We must, we must, we must, study
the Word of God. We must in that way add to virtue knowledge. (W. Pettingill)
The path of the saint is one of progress or apostasy. If he is not adding, he will probably
be subtracting. Hence Simeon Peter exhorts his readers to advance, making each spiritual
grace the container of another and a better, until they all unfold for the display of love,
the highest and best of all. (A. Knoch) If this danger (chronic inertia) is to be avoided, the
Christian must always be adding to his faith. (M. Green) The connection between
practical Christian living and developing knowledge is referred to again in verse 8. (D.
Wheaton) Faith or strong conviction as the root of the Christian life is the foundation
which goes through various steps up to agape love. (A. Robertson) In ancient Greece the
state established a chorus but the director, the choregys, paid the expenses for training the
chorus. Then the word came to be used of one who provides for or supports others or
supplies something for them in abundance. A believer is to furnish, supply, or support his
life with these virtues. (K. Gangel) They are to let one gift “further” the other so that the
basic gift of faith promotes virtue, virtue promotes knowledge, etc. (B. Reicke)
Here there is a concurrence between the Christian and the Spirit: our responsibility is to
cherish and cultivate our graces, and to resist and reject everything which hinders them.
Fruit is neither our invention nor our product, nevertheless it requires our “diligence” as 2
Peter 1:5 plainly indicates. A neglected garden grows weeds in plenty, and then its
flowers and fruits are quickly crowded out. The gardener has to be continually alert and
active. (A. Pink) The faith-rest drill stabilizes your mentality, regains your ability to think
under pressure, keeps your emotions in perspective, and reinforces your appreciation of
the grace of God. The mixing of faith with promises changes your outlook from one of
self-centered arrogance to authority orientation, dignity and poise, teachability,
objectivity, and professionalism. Claiming promises becomes an instant reaction force to
hold the FLOT line for a time. This faith is the foundation of humility and strength to
execute the plan of God. (R.B. Thieme, Jr.) Diligence, placed forward for emphasis,
denotes quick movement or haste in the interest of a person or cause, and then,