2 Peter 1:2

2 Peter 1:2 ‘Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;'

‘in the knowledge of God' -‘Knowledge'-‘precise and correct knowledge' (Thayer p. 237). ‘EPIGNOSIS'-denotes exact or full knowledge, discernment, expressing. fuller or. full knowledge,. greater participation by the knower in the object known, thus more power influencing him.' (Vine p. 301)

Points to Note:

Just some knowledge of God isn't enough (Romans 10:2). 2. Rather, it is correct, real, true and. full knowledge that brings salvation and its blessings. 3. The multiplication of peace and grace is dependent upon having the correct knowledge. Hence, the danger of false doctrine, which would cut one off from grace and peace (2 John 1:9; Galatians 1:6). 4. Spiritual growth is dependent upon increasing in knowledge, knowing Jesus and His will even better. ‘The better we know Jesus, the greater the wonder of grace, and the more real our experience of the peace which passeth understanding.' (Barclay pp. 347-348) 5.. full and correct knowledge of God and His truth is not only possible, rather, it is expected of everyone (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Timothy 3:7). 6. ‘This is (grace and peace) no barren formula to Peter…for he makes both the experience of God's peace and the reception of His grace (or help) to be dependent upon the deep knowledge of God (see John 17:3).' (Green p. 61) 7. It is also essential that one understand that grace and peace cannot be enjoyed, without. relationship with Jesus Christ. Real grace and peace are not found in non-Christian religious systems.

Concerning this ‘knowledge', Barclay had some interesting observations: Much like today, many in the ancient world sought knowledge by way of philosophic speculation. ‘They sought to reach God by the sheer power of human thought. There are clear and obvious troubles there. For one thing, God is infinite; the mind of man is finite…If God is ever to be known, he must be known, not because man's mind discovers Him, but because He chooses to reveal Himself (i.e. the Bible)…..They sought it by mystical experience.' (pp. 348-349)

Man has always wanted the truth to come from some emotional or mystical experience.

And, people usually want the truth to be only available to the few, they want something that only. few can have. In addition, they usually want the truth to be non-threatening,. message that pampers them, instead of telling them the truth about themselves.

‘Jesus our Lord' -‘Peter is also alert to the danger of taking shortcuts to heaven, and behaving as if God had magically so transformed us that the categories of “sin” and “obedience” have become irrelevant. He does not want us to forget that Christians talk of Jesus as their Lord as well as their Saviour.' (Lucas/Green p. 43)