5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. (NIV)
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5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding), 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 8 For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is
blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins. (AMP)
Questions
● (v5). For what “reason” are believers to add these holy virtues to their lives? (Look at the previous verses 3 & 4.)
● (v5). When Peter says to “make every effort”, what is he asking believers to do? Why? Are you willing to do what Peter asks here?
● (v5). Faith seems to be the foundation on which these virtues are built upon. What is that faith? Describe it. __________________________________________________________________________________
● (vs 5-7). What are the seven virtues believers need to add to their faith and how would they be defined in a biblical sense?
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● (vs 5-7). Should these virtues be added to a believer’s faith one at a time in sequence or should all of them be worked on simultaneously? Why? Does a believer ever fully mature in any of these virtues? Why? What is the standard?
● (v8). What is the outcome for a believer who seeks to continually mature in these virtues? How can a believer be ineffective and unproductive in their faith?
● (v 9) How does Peter describe a believer who does not grow and mature in these virtues? What does Peter say these believers have forgotten? How is this possible for a believer to do?
● What is something from our passage or study you are challenged to ponder further this week?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Suggested Prayer: Lord Jesus, I ask that you give me the desire to make every effort to add these seven virtues to my faith. Help me add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love to my life and faith in ever-increasing measure. Show me the areas of my life I need to work on. Lord Jesus, I love you and I have no desire to be ineffective and unproductive in my knowledge of you. Thank you that you have cleansed me from my past sins and never allow me to forget this fact or love sin more than you. Amen