Add to your godliness, brotherly kindness

2 Peter 1:5-7
...add to your faith ...., to godliness brotherly kindness ...

As part of our spiritual development that starts from faith, it should lead to virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love. The brotherly kindness is the last stage just before love, and it is already very similar to it. We all know the theory that love is not an emotion but something we need to will it and committed to. There are people who are difficult to love by human standard. However it is still possible to be kind and eventually love in the way God loved us. Also keep in mind that God loves us though many of us seem like unlovable people. One commentator said "love is spontaneous, but must be maintained through discipline".

No prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation

Peter teaches about growing in faith, from faith to virtue, to knowledge, to self-control, to perseverance, to godliness, to brotherly kindness and finally to love. We should check that these are present because if they are, then we can be useful in spreading the gospel of Christ. If we don't have these, we may forget that we have been cleansed from sin. If we have these virtues, then we will be less likely to stumble.

Peter reminds us that he was an eyewitness to the glory of Yshua, such as during the Transfiguration where God spoke in an audible voice and commended Yshua. This exaltation of Christ had been prophetic and became reality. Other prophecies will also be true and can be assessed by various sources. The reason is that prophecies are from God, the Holy Spirit, and can be confirmed by interpretation from others.

righteousness, faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love, Jesus Christ, blindness, Lord, Majesty, Excellent Glory, Scripture, prophecy, Holy Spirit,



2 Peter 1
Greeting the Faithful

1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Fruitful Growth in the Faith

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Peter’s Approaching Death

12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. 13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, 14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. 15 Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.

The Trustworthy Prophetic Word

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed,[a] which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,[b] 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God[c] spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men

Believers are encouraged to pray for all men, evidence that God is all inclusive and desires that everyone knows about the truth of Christ. Specifically we are also called to pray for our leaders, for the practical purpose that good leadership will ensure a peaceful society so that believers can promote living godly lives. History have shown that leaders who are hostile to faith in God naturally results in persecution of believers.

Paul encourages the male gender especially to pray outwardly with lifted hands. He also suggests the female gender to dress appropriately to be consistent with their professed faith. A somewhat more controversial discussion seem to indicate that Paul was teaching that women should not be teaching nor placed in authority over men. Certainly there have been women leaders and teachers in the very early church but it is not clear if Paul viewed this as an exception to the rule. Also it is interesting to note that Paul mentioned it was Eve who was deceived, not Adam.




1 Timothy 2
Pray for All Men

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ[a] and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Men and Women in the Church

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Paul reminds the Galatians that they are no longer under the bondage of the Law. Those who are of the circumcision, which means the old covenant, are justified by law. In Christ, there is no circumcision or uncircumcision. Instead it involves the Holy Spirit and faith working through love.

Paul talks about the freedom in Christ, in contrast to the bondage of the law. He encourages the use of love to serve others, instead of fighting each other. Love actually fulfills the entire Law.

Paul teaches on the conflict between our two natures: flesh and spirit. Paul lists all the effects of lust which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness and so on. Then he list the 9 fruits of the Spirit, of which nothing can be held against, in other words, blameless.





Galatians 5
Christian Liberty

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,[a] and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Walking in the Spirit

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,[c] fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,[d] drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

If they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry

Paul encourages people to get married so they will not fall into various sexual temptations, but he clearly states that this is not a commandment. He recognises that there are some people like himself who will do well being single. He also encourages husband and wives to give themselves to satisfy the other and only hold back when they have plans to pray and fast.

Paul also gives his opinion about staying together in marriage. For those who have separated, he urges them to remain single for the possibility of reconciliation later on. For those married couples where one partner is not a believer, then the believing partner should not initiate separation, because God can work on the partner. But if the unbelieving partner initiates separation, then the believing partner is not obliged to remain together.

God calls each one whether they are Jews or Gentiles, free or slaves, and whatever position they may be. The earthly circumstances does not matter; only importance is to walk with God. Paul reminds us that we are bought by God, so we are no longer slaves to any man.

Again Paul states that he is giving his opinion only and not a commandment from Jesus. He continues to call people to remain single or married and not strife to achieve the other position. The main reason is because time is short so we should appreciate what we have. He believes that being single is better able to serve the Lord. However he urges that being single needs to have strong self control in sexual matters,



1 Corinthians 7
Principles of Marriage

1 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 7 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Keep Your Marriage Vows

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

To the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is[a] a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin,[b] does well. 38 So then he who gives her[c] in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day

Now Paul was brought before Governor Felix and the high priest Ananias gathered a group of chief  priests and an orator named Tertullus. This seemed to be a professional speaker. He started to identify Paul as the leader of the followers of Yshua which he called the sect of the Nazarenes. He accused Paul of creating dissension not only in Jerusalem, but throughout the world. He also accused the Roman commander Lysias that he did not need to bring this problem to the governor since this was a religious Jewish problem and they all agreed that Paul is guilty.

Paul defended himself by saying that he had been in Jerusalem for only 12 days and he had not argued or disputed with anyone in the temple. This is true as Paul was following James instructions to show himself participating in the traditions. Paul also declared that he was a follower of Yshua whom he called the Way which the others refer to as a sect. Paul also emphasized that he is still worshipping the same God and the resurrection as the rest of his accusers.

Felix had a Jewish wife and he was also curious about Paul's new religion called the Way. He ordered that Paul to be put on house arrest and have many freedoms including seeing visitors. He often called for Paul to explain the Way, faith in Christ, self-control, righteousness but often tried to avoid listening to judgment. In addition, Felix was also keeping Paul hoping that he would be bribed to release Paul, apparently bribing must have been quite usual. This continued for two years until Felix ended his governorship and was replaced by Festus.



Acts 24
Accused of Sedition

24 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. 5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him,[a] and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also assented,[b] maintaining that these things were so.

The Defense Before Felix

10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead,[c] both of the just and the unjust. 16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing[d] in me while I stood before the council, 21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’”

Felix Procrastinates

22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him.[e] Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.