Section 15 – 2 Peter 3:17-18
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (NIV)
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17 Therefore, [let me warn you] beloved, knowing these things beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men [who distort doctrine] and fall from your own steadfastness [of mind, knowledge, truth, and faith], 18 but grow [spiritually mature] in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory (honor, majesty, splendor), both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (AMP)
Questions
● (v17) This is the fourth time Peter uses the phrase “dear friends” to describe his recipients in this chapter alone. Does Peter care about the people he is writing to? What is he doing in response to his great care for them? Who would you warn in this way?
● (v17) What is Peter warning his audience to be on guard about? What does it mean to be on guard as a believer? What can a believer get carried away by? What position can a believer fall from? Can a believer believe lies? Can we move backward in our spiritual growth or sanctification? Look back at verse 1:5-11. What can we do to never stumble in our faith?
● (v18) What is Peter’s final command to his recipients? How do you grow in grace? How do we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior? What is the result of increasing in both grace and knowledge?
● (v18) Who should receive glory both now and forever? Who should give Him that glory?
● What is something from our passage or study you are challenged to ponder further this week?
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Suggested Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for Peter’s letter that warns us of the danger of not being on our guard and being carried away by the error of lawlessness. Help me keep growing in maturity of faith and never fall from my secure position. Lord Jesus, I want always to be growing in grace and in my knowledge of you. I want to give you glory and praise both now and forever! Amen.
Passages for reference:
2 Peter 1:5-11
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.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.