Knowledge of God Leads to an Increase in Godly Activity

The Goal of the Passage

The goal of this passage in 2 Peter 1:1-11 is to understand that knowledge of God leads to an increase of godly activities. As godly activities increase, they grant benefits not just in the life to come, but in pursuing life now as individuals, human beings, and Christians.

The knowledge of God is a key concept here. It is a significant blessing that motivates an increase in godly activities, which glorifies God and brings good and blessing to us.

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

If you've wondered what a good starting point is—perhaps you're new in the faith, struggling with sin, or unsure about your salvation—this message is for you. Even if you've been a Christian for a long time, engaging in meaningful activities, or have studied this chapter before, it applies to you.

Peter says in 2:12, he intends always to remind us of these qualities, though we know them and are established in the truth. Fresh knowledge refreshes, like a new driver being more cautious than a veteran. Don't feel you've arrived; no sermon is ever enough. These are gospel activities, Christlike activities, godly activities spread throughout Scripture.

Addressing Objections

There could be an objection: Aren't there people with knowledge of God who don't increase in godly activities? Isn't knowledge alone sufficient to make us fruitful? Yes, some recite Scripture better yet remain unfruitful. But others increase because of their knowledge, living godly, holy, humble lives. What is the difference?

The answer is in this context. Understanding how knowledge of God leads to godly activities starts with the knowledge of God itself—specifically His power, saving ability, sovereignty over salvation and our lives, His calling and electing us.

2 Peter 3:1: Beloved, this is now the second letter that I am writing to you...

1 Peter 1:1-5: Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood... Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

These concepts—God's power, sovereignty, promises—pertain to knowledge that causes increase in godly activities. Peter's concern is that grace and peace be multiplied to us now, in our circumstances. We need greater grace and peace for satisfaction in God.

His divine power has granted all things that pertain to life and godliness—through the knowledge of Him. Grace and peace are multiplied through knowledge (v. 2); all things for life and godliness through knowledge (v. 3); supplement with knowledge (v. 5); increase keeps from being unfruitful in knowledge (v. 8). Knowledge brings blessings: called to His glory and excellence; precious promises; partakers of the divine nature (fellowship and experience of God); escape from worldly corruption due to sinful desire.

Knowledge of God's sovereignty, power, and salvation fosters thankfulness. Though we did nothing to earn it, God saved us for His glory and excellence. This is a starting place for godly activities.

Our Responsibility: Make Every Effort

Understanding continues with what to do with this knowledge. Verse 5: "For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith..." It refers to what God has done—granting things for life and godliness, promises, escape from corruption. Our activity complements God's work in us, like "work out your salvation" because God works in you (Phil. 2:12-13).

Without knowing what we've been saved from—corruption, wrath—it's hard to serve. "Make every effort" means diligence, speed, haste, zeal, earnest commitment—not procrastination. It's eagerness in discharging obligation or relationship.

Excitement comes from seeing these as ways to improve, grow like Christ, glorify God, enjoy Him, have grace and peace multiplied, be effective and fruitful, and confirm salvation. Lack of effort explains why some with knowledge don't increase.

Hebrews 5:11: About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

These were 30-year Christians, lazy in hearing deep truths. Make every effort—do your best, put forth all, with haste and commitment. Dear Christian, read your Bible, pray, fellowship—dig deep, leave it all on the table. Even much activity is not enough; it must increase.

The Qualities to Supplement

Supplement faith with virtue (moral excellence, praiseworthy behavior in Christian community—exemplary in business, school, relationships). Like a miracle, it's supernatural, outside the norm, from God.

Supplement virtue with knowledge—of God and Christ, biblical knowledge of how Jesus lived.

Supplement knowledge with self-control—control behavior, eliminate sin, discipline consistently in taking in knowledge.

Supplement self-control with steadfastness (perseverance)—be consistent. Out of shape? Lack of consistency.

Supplement steadfastness with godliness—reverence, devotion, awe toward God.

Supplement godliness with brotherly affection (philia)—not lone Christianity; saved into covenant community for mutual encouragement, admonition. Church discipline works because genuine believers long for community.

Supplement brotherly affection with love (agape)—selfless, others-oriented, sacrificial. If everyone cares for everyone else, all are cared for.

Increase Without End

These qualities must be yours and increasing (v. 8). Like a parabola approaching the x-axis infinitely, increase without end—incorporate throughout your day, without quitting jobs or duties.

Whoever lacks them is nearsighted, blind, having forgotten cleansing from former sins—a genuine believer, but ineffective (not experiencing fully), unfruitful (not useful). They can't see clearly, distort truth, doubt salvation.

Be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election: practice these qualities, and you will never fall (never totally or finally). This richly provides entrance into the eternal kingdom—assurance through perseverance. ```