2 Peter 1:5

Each Christian Must Bring In His Part

The A.S.V. translates this verse, "Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue, and in your virtue knowledge." Because of the promises belonging to those in Christ and the glory in which they share, they will quickly strive to add their part. Woods says the Greek word translated "adding on your part" (A.S.V.) is only used here in the New Testament. It literally means, "Bringing in by the side of." It "indicates the comparative unimportance of man's participation in his salvation by suggesting that his part is merely contributing, 'brought in by the side of what God does', and yet is absolutely essential, since God's part is done only on condition that man complies with his" (2 Peter 1:5 a).

Faith, Virtue and Knowledge

Of course, one must begin with faith (Hebrews 11:6). Of the word translated "supply" in the A.S.V., Woods says, "Originally it meant to found and support a chorus, to lead a choir, to keep in tune, and then, to supply or provide. As here used, the graces which adorn the Christian character are to be chorused into a grand symphony to the delight and pleasure of him who fashioned and made us for his own good pleasure." The second of the eight notes on the Christian scale is virtue. The word suggests one developing the courage to stand for what is right. The third note is knowledge which grows out of the courage to stand for the right. Such will cause one to seek out the Lord's will and practice it in daily living, thus growing more sure of the things learned (2 Peter 1:5 b; Hebrews 5:12-14; Ephesians 5:15-17).