William Burkitt's Expository Notes

2 Peter 1:5

The apostle spends the former part of the chapter in comforting, this in exhorting; he told us before what God had done for us; he tells us now, what we must do for ourselves; it is not fit that heaven should take all the pains, and we none; we must give diligence, all diligence.

Besides this, that is, besides what God has given us, and done for us, let us take care to be daily adding to our stock and store.

Adding to our faith, virtue; that is, all good works in general, without which faith is dead, or dying; and fortitude, or holy courage, in doing our duty in particular.

To virtue, knowledge: that is,. more exact knowledge of your duty, and. farther increase in it; for knowledge is the light, without which the Christian cannot see to do his work.

And to knowledge must be added temperance, which subdues the violence of our unruly passions and appetites, and does reduce those rebellious powers under the government and dominion of reason and religion.

And to temperance, patience under all wrongs and sufferings whatsoever; an impatient man under affliction is like. Bedlamite in chains, raving against God and man.

To patience, godliness,. conscientious regard to all the duties of the first table; let the fear of God restrain you from sin, the love of God constrain you to duty.

And to godliness, brotherly kindness, or. fervent love to all Christians, as being our brethren and fellow-members in Christ, and this for grace sake.

And to brotherly kindness, charity; that is, to all mankind, as proceeding from the same stock, having the same nature, and subject to the same necessities with ourselves; let there be found with you. desire and endeavour to do all the possible good you can to every one.

Learn and observe form the whole, That there is. concatenation both of graces and duties, they must not be separated, they will not live single; where there is one grace in sincerity, there is. constant care to secure all the rest; and where. Christian, for conscience sake, performs one duty, he will make conscience of all the rest; the duties of both tables are religiously observed, both as an argument of his sincerity, and as an ornament to his holy profession.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

2 Peter 1:5

Old Testament

New Testament