2 Peter 1:1-2

DISCOURSE: 2416
PETER’S SALUTATION TO THE SAINTS

2 Peter 1:1. 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.

IN reading the epistles of the different Apostles, whether written to particular Churches, or to the whole catholic Church throughout the world, we cannot but be struck with the benevolence which they breathe in every part, and especially in the salutations with which they begin, and the benedictions with which they close. In the words which we have now read, which, as in the former epistle, are addressed to the whole Church scattered through the Roman empire, we may notice two things,—an inscription—and a salutation: to both of which we will now turn your attention.

I. The inscription—

Here the Apostle describes,

1. The writer—

[His own proper name was Simon, or Simeon, as he is called in the original and by the Apostle James [Note: Acts 15:14.]. The name Peter was given to him by his Lord on two different occasions; partly, to mark his characteristic boldness; and partly to intimate, that on his testimony both to Jews and Gentiles the Christian Church should be established [Note: John 1:42.Matthew 16:18.]. The office he held as a servant and an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ was the highest that could be assigned to mortal man: and the peculiar care which he took in thus designating his own name and character satisfies our minds that this epistle, no less than the former which bears his name, was written by him: for no bad man would have written it; and no good man could have been guilty of such a forgery as that of assuming the name and office of this inspired Apostle.]

2. The persons addressed—

[These were believers throughout the world. They “had faith” in our Lord Jesus Christ, as the only Saviour of fallen man. They had “obtained” this faith, not by any efforts of their own, but, as it were, by lot, just as all the tribes of Israel obtained their portion in the promised land. To each the precise measure was assigned by God himself: nor was there one throughout the whole land who was not constrained to acknowledge that he owed his portion solely to the free and sovereign grace of God [Note: λαχοῦσι.] — — — This faith was precisely “the same” whether in Apostles or private Christians, and “alike precious” to them all: for though the faith of different persons might differ widely in its degrees and consequent operations, it was “alike precious” to all, inasmuch as it was the one means of uniting them to Christ, and of saving their souls alive — — — “Through the righteousness of God our Saviour” too was this faith obtained: for by that righteousness it was purchased for them; and through the prevalence of that righteousness, as pleaded with God in their behalf, was the gift of faith imparted to them — — —

In this respect, then, every saint under heaven answers to the character drawn by the Apostle, and may consider the epistle as addressed personally to his own self in particular, as much as ever it was to the saints in the Apostle’s days.]
From the inscription we pass on to,

II.

The salutation—

“Grace and peace” comprehended all the blessings of the Gospel—
[Sometimes, in the salutations of the Apostles, “mercy” is added; “Grace, mercy, and peace:” but generally it is, as here, “Grace and peace.” By “Grace” I understand all that is necessary for the transformation of the soul into the Divine image: and by “peace,” all that is necessary for the comfort and encouragement of the soul in its progress heavenward — — —]
These the Apostle desired to be “multiplied” unto the saints—
[There should be no measure of these in which we should rest; seeing that there is no measure which may not be greatly and abundantly increased. We should therefore, even if our attainments were equal to those of the Apostle Paul, “forget what is behind, and reach forth to that which is before”— — —]
They are to be multiplied solely “through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord “—
[It is by that knowledge alone that grace and peace are at first obtained: when we look to God as reconciled to us in Christ Jesus, then grace and peace flow down into our souls [Note: John 17:3; 2 Corinthians 4:6.]. In like manner, it is only through an increasing acquaintance with this mystery that we grow up into Christ, and are transformed into his image [Note: 2 Corinthians 3:18.]. Contemplate then more and more the wonders of redeeming love: and be assured, that in proportion as you are enabled to comprehend them, you shall “be filled with all the fulness of God [Note: Ephesians 3:18.].”]

Address—

[Receive this as a faithful expression of my regards for you: and pray for me, that what I desire in your behalf, I may richly experience in my own soul.]