Through the Righteousness

2Peter 1:1-2 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord 

‘Peter’ he was one of the 12 apostles (1Pet. 1:1; Matt. 10:2); called Simon and Cephas (John 1:42); a native fisherman of Bethsaida (Matt. 4:18; John 1:44. Peter was a married man (Matt. 8:14; 1Cor. 9:5). He ministered primarily to Jews (Gal. 2:7) and was an elder among many others (1Pet. 5). Peter went east and wrote an epistle from Babylon. Nothing is given of his death other than what is given in John 21:18-19. The theme of this epistle is to exhort believers to stand true in all kinds of suffering, and to set forth the true grace of God (1Pet. 5:12).

‘An apostle of Jesus Christ’ the Greek word apostolos meaning a delegate, one sent with full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent. In the case of Christians, it means God sends them to do what He, Himself would do if He went.

‘Precious’ [Greek: isotimos] equal honour. It refers to valuable and costly faith; faith of a great price.

‘Righteousness of God’ the true and costly faith comes through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ, or through their method of redemption of the lost world (Rom. 10:17).

‘And our Saviour Jesus Christ’ the Greek reads, “our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Peter thus declares that Jesus is God as much as the Father and the Holy Spirit.

‘Jesus our Lord’ ten things about Jesus Christ: Peter’s Master – servant of Christ (1:2); made Peter an apostle (Mark 3:14-19); source of precious faith (Acts 3:16); source of righteousness (1Cor. 1:30); He is God (John 1:1-2); He is Saviour (John 4:42; Acts 5:31); source of grace (John 1:16-17); source of peace (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14); associated with God the Father as the source of knowledge (Eph. 1:1-23;17; 4:13); a separate person from God the Father (1:2; 1Jn. 5:7).

‘Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord’ as our knowledge of the Father and Son increases when we study the Word (Php. 1:9) our relationship grows and so the blessings we receive from the gospel which includes grace and peace. To be kept in continued grace we have to live and walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-13; Gal. 5:5; 16-26; Col. 3:5-10); be patient in hope (Rom. 8:24; Gal. 5:5; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:19); continue in Christ (John 15:1-8; Gal. 5:6; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 3:14), and continue in faith (Gal. 5:6; Col. 1:23). To have the peace of God one must be in Christ Jesus, which means to be in unity with Him and of one mind with His Word. We must permit the peace of God to garrison or keep your heart and mind through Jesus Christ (Php. 4:7) without allowing the cares of this world to consume our hearts and minds.