2 Peter 1:8
Verse
Context
Partakers of the Divine Nature
7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.8For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For if these things be in you and abound - If ye possess all there graces, and they increase and abound in your souls, they will make - show, you to be neither αργους, idle, nor ακαρπους, unfruitful, in the acknowledgment of our Lord Jesus Christ. The common translation is here very unhappy: barren and unfruitful certainly convey the same ideas; but idle or inactive, which is the proper sense of αργους, takes away this tautology, and restores the sense. The graces already mentioned by the apostle are in themselves active principles; he who was possessed of them, and had them abounding in him, could not be inactive; and he who is not inactive in the way of life must be fruitful. I may add, that he who is thus active, and consequently fruitful, will ever be ready at all hazard to acknowledge his Lord and Savior, by whom he has been brought into this state of salvation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
be--Greek, "subsist" that is, supposing these things to have an actual subsistence in you; "be" would express the mere matter-of-fact being (Act 16:20). abound--more than in others; so the Greek. make--"render," "constitute you," habitually, by the very fact of possessing these graces. barren--"inactive," and, as a field lying fallow and unworked (Greek), so barren and useless. unfruitful in--rather, . . . in respect to, "The full knowledge (Greek) of Christ" is the goal towards which all these graces tend. As their subsisting in us constitutes us not barren or idle, so their abounding in us constitutes us not unfruitful in respect to it. It is through doing His will, and so becoming like Him, that we grow in knowing Him (Joh 7:17).
John Gill Bible Commentary
For if these things be in you,.... Are wrought in you by the Spirit of God, and exercised and performed by his assistance, who works in his people both to will and do: and abound; increase in their acts and exercises by the frequent performance of them: they make you; both by way of influence and evidence, that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a knowledge of Christ which is barren and fruitless; and those that have it are so in their conversations, and it will be of no avail to them another day: and this is a mere notional and speculative knowledge, such as is not attended with any inward experience and application of Christ to themselves, or any fruits of righteousness in their lives, and is a bare theory of things relating to his person, offices, and works; but there is a knowledge of him that is spiritual and experimental, by which a soul not only approves of Christ, but places its trust and confidence in him, and appropriates him to himself, and practically observes his commands and ordinances in the faith of him; and in love to him he performs the above duties, and exercises the above graces; from whence it appears, that he is neither barren nor unfruitful himself in the profession of his knowledge of Christ; "or in the acknowledgment of him", as it may be rendered; nor is that a vain, empty, and useless thing: he is not like the barren fig tree, or the earth that bears briers and thorns, and is nigh to cursing and burning, but like a tree planted by a river of water, and is green, flourishing, and fruitful. This is used as an argument to enforce the foregoing exhortation, to add to, that is, to exercise and perform the above graces and duties, in conjunction with each other.
2 Peter 1:8
Partakers of the Divine Nature
7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.8For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
(Through the Bible) 2 Peter 1-3
By Chuck Smith1.7K1:21:272PE 1:22PE 1:82PE 1:112PE 2:152PE 2:172PE 3:92PE 3:15In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of studying and understanding the word of God. They argue that the power of the gospel can be seen in the transformed lives of believers. The speaker encourages the audience to study the book of First John, promising that it will bring fascinating changes to their lives. They also urge the audience to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and to be freed from the corruption of the world. The speaker warns that sin can numb our conscience and make us blind to our spiritual condition, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with knowledge of God's will.
(Faith Community Chapel) Remain Steadfast
By Terrill Yoder82437:05MAT 21:38COL 2:41TH 4:1HEB 3:142PE 1:8In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of building our lives on the teachings of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that it is not enough to simply hear the words of Jesus, but we must also put them into practice. The preacher warns that if we build our lives on anything other than Jesus Christ, our foundation will not stand when faced with trials and challenges. He encourages believers to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord, reminding them that their labor is not in vain in the Lord.
As the Life -- So the Fruit
By C.H. Spurgeon0Spiritual GrowthFruitfulness in FaithGAL 5:222PE 1:8C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that to glorify the Lord through fruitfulness, we must cultivate certain virtues within us, starting with faith as the foundation. He explains that qualities such as virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, and brotherly love must not only be present but also abound in our lives to prevent barrenness. Spurgeon warns that mere knowledge without these graces leads to unfruitfulness, and that true usefulness in the Kingdom of God comes from being filled with these virtues. He encourages believers to reflect on their spiritual state and strive for growth in grace to produce meaningful fruit in their lives.
The Proper Purpose of Duties
By Thomas Shepard0MIC 3:11TIT 2:14HEB 7:252PE 1:22PE 1:8Thomas Shepard emphasizes the importance of performing duties not for salvation but to draw closer to the Lord Jesus Christ, to deepen love, acquaintance, and union with Him. He warns against falling in love with the performance of duties themselves rather than using them as means to reach Christ, the only source of rest and salvation. Shepard also highlights the role of duties as evidences of God's love and the need to honor Christ through zealous good works. Lastly, he cautions against false faith and presumption, urging individuals to seek true faith that comes from God and not rely on their own efforts or imaginations for salvation.
Abundant Resources (Ii. Cor. Ix. 8)
By Seth Rees0ROM 15:132CO 9:6PHP 1:9COL 2:71TH 4:12PE 1:82PE 1:11Seth Rees preaches on the abundance of God's grace, emphasizing the law of grace that the more we give away, the more we receive, contrary to human reasoning. He encourages cheerful and even hilarious giving, illustrating how God desires us to be channels of His blessings to the world. Rees reminds believers that God is able to help always, even in the midst of trials and challenges, and urges them to face difficulties head-on, trusting in God's ability to lift them up. He highlights the importance of abounding in every good work after receiving God's abundance, leading to a life filled with faith, thanksgiving, joy, love, pleasing God, liberality, and hope.
The Author & the End of Theology
By James Arminius0AMO 3:81TI 4:62TI 2:15TIT 3:12PE 1:8James Arminius preaches about the importance of embracing Sacred Theology, focusing on the Object, Author, End, and Certainty of this divine science. He emphasizes the necessity of understanding Theology's Object, which is God, and its Author, who is God Himself for Legal Theology and God through Christ for Evangelical Theology. Arminius delves into the End of Theology, highlighting the ultimate goal of union with God and Christ, leading to salvation and eternal glory. He urges his audience, especially the chosen youths, to diligently study the Scriptures, be inspired by the Spirit of Prophesy, and become good ministers of Jesus Christ, sowing the gospel with patience and diligence.
2 Peter 1:8
By John Gill0Spiritual GrowthFruitfulness in FaithJHN 15:5GAL 5:222PE 1:8John Gill emphasizes the necessity of possessing and practicing spiritual qualities as outlined in 2 Peter 1:8. He explains that true knowledge of Christ is not merely theoretical but must be accompanied by practical application and the fruits of righteousness in one's life. Gill warns against a barren and unfruitful faith that lacks genuine experience and trust in Christ, contrasting it with a vibrant faith that flourishes like a well-watered tree. He encourages believers to actively cultivate these graces to ensure they are fruitful in their knowledge of the Lord. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deep, experiential relationship with Christ that manifests in a life of obedience and good works.
As the Life--So the Fruit
By C.H. Spurgeon0FruitfulnessSpiritual GrowthJHN 15:5GAL 5:222PE 1:8C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that to glorify the Lord through fruitfulness, we must cultivate certain virtues within us, starting with faith as the foundation. He explains that qualities such as virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, and brotherly love must not only be present but also abound in our lives to prevent barrenness. Spurgeon notes that true fruitfulness is the result of an overflowing life, and that graces are more important than mere gifts for effective ministry. He encourages self-examination among believers to ensure they are not merely idle knowers but active doers of the Word. The sermon serves as a reminder that our inner life directly influences our outward effectiveness in serving God.
Abiding Fruit
By Andrew Murray0Abiding in ChristFruitfulness in MinistryMAT 7:17JHN 15:5JHN 15:16ROM 7:41CO 2:4GAL 5:22EPH 2:10PHP 1:11COL 1:102PE 1:8Andrew Murray emphasizes the significance of abiding in Christ to produce lasting fruit in our Christian lives. He contrasts temporary, superficial fruit with the enduring impact of work empowered by the Holy Spirit, which leaves a mark for eternity. Murray encourages believers to recognize their divine appointment to bear fruit that abides, highlighting that true fruitfulness stems from a deep, unbroken fellowship with Christ. He calls on Christians to reflect on their influence and to rely on God's power rather than their own efforts. Ultimately, Murray reassures that as we abide in Him, we will fulfill our purpose and bear much fruit for His glory.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
For if these things be in you and abound - If ye possess all there graces, and they increase and abound in your souls, they will make - show, you to be neither αργους, idle, nor ακαρπους, unfruitful, in the acknowledgment of our Lord Jesus Christ. The common translation is here very unhappy: barren and unfruitful certainly convey the same ideas; but idle or inactive, which is the proper sense of αργους, takes away this tautology, and restores the sense. The graces already mentioned by the apostle are in themselves active principles; he who was possessed of them, and had them abounding in him, could not be inactive; and he who is not inactive in the way of life must be fruitful. I may add, that he who is thus active, and consequently fruitful, will ever be ready at all hazard to acknowledge his Lord and Savior, by whom he has been brought into this state of salvation.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
be--Greek, "subsist" that is, supposing these things to have an actual subsistence in you; "be" would express the mere matter-of-fact being (Act 16:20). abound--more than in others; so the Greek. make--"render," "constitute you," habitually, by the very fact of possessing these graces. barren--"inactive," and, as a field lying fallow and unworked (Greek), so barren and useless. unfruitful in--rather, . . . in respect to, "The full knowledge (Greek) of Christ" is the goal towards which all these graces tend. As their subsisting in us constitutes us not barren or idle, so their abounding in us constitutes us not unfruitful in respect to it. It is through doing His will, and so becoming like Him, that we grow in knowing Him (Joh 7:17).
John Gill Bible Commentary
For if these things be in you,.... Are wrought in you by the Spirit of God, and exercised and performed by his assistance, who works in his people both to will and do: and abound; increase in their acts and exercises by the frequent performance of them: they make you; both by way of influence and evidence, that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a knowledge of Christ which is barren and fruitless; and those that have it are so in their conversations, and it will be of no avail to them another day: and this is a mere notional and speculative knowledge, such as is not attended with any inward experience and application of Christ to themselves, or any fruits of righteousness in their lives, and is a bare theory of things relating to his person, offices, and works; but there is a knowledge of him that is spiritual and experimental, by which a soul not only approves of Christ, but places its trust and confidence in him, and appropriates him to himself, and practically observes his commands and ordinances in the faith of him; and in love to him he performs the above duties, and exercises the above graces; from whence it appears, that he is neither barren nor unfruitful himself in the profession of his knowledge of Christ; "or in the acknowledgment of him", as it may be rendered; nor is that a vain, empty, and useless thing: he is not like the barren fig tree, or the earth that bears briers and thorns, and is nigh to cursing and burning, but like a tree planted by a river of water, and is green, flourishing, and fruitful. This is used as an argument to enforce the foregoing exhortation, to add to, that is, to exercise and perform the above graces and duties, in conjunction with each other.