Written by Paul J Bucknell on June, 15, 2023

2 Peter 1:5 Increase in Knowledge

PURSUING HIS EXCELLENCE #6

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5, NASB).

Gaining knowledge is something we do every day without even thinking about it. It is an underestimated aspect of life until recently, but things are changing. We live in an information age where knowledge is common (Dan 12:4), and, in some contexts, it’s become a prized resource. Those who obtain specific knowledge can quickly advance in this modern society; those without this knowledge are left in the dust. Knowledge of biochemical processes or communication techniques can lead to brilliant ‘re-inventions.’ Artificial Intelligence (AI) bots can now collect knowledge for you.

Interestingly, Peter, a former fisherman, includes knowledge as the crucial third step in the cycle of spiritual life. Stopping at virtue is inadequate. Unless we continually walk through this cycle, we will regress. The question is not whether we have reached maturity but whether or not we are maturing. Are we regularly going through this cycle of growth?

Peter states that the road to spiritual development must go through the door of knowledge, gaining more information about something. Let me share five ways that knowledge aids the believer and plays an essential role in fostering godliness.

1) Knowledge Provides Salvation

Peter himself starts this letter by emphasizing the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. The word ‘knowledge’ is used twice in verses 2-3.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence” (2 Pet 1:2-3)

Jesus Christ is the doorway to truth. “He is the Light that steers us to saving truth to give to His people the knowledge of salvation By the forgiveness of their sins” (Luke 1:77). Spiritual insight (i.e., knowledge) is first gained when we come to know Jesus Christ and gain faith. This saving knowledge comes from hearing the word of Christ. But now, many own a copy of the written Scriptures and read His Word too.

“¹⁶ However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Rom 10:16-17).

Although knowledge is not one of the fruit of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5, it is frequently spoken of in the Bible—starting with the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Gen 2:9). What is the knowledge that Peter refers to? Though knowledge of Christ is crucial for salvation, this is not the knowledge being directly referred to here in verse 5. It is part of an eight-step cycle: step 3. Let’s look at the following four ways knowledge helps our spiritual growth (sanctification).

2) Knowledge Provides Direction

Merely understanding certain principles of God as found in nature is not enough. Science, defined as knowledge, is insufficient. Leading a secular life, cut off from God, can have serious repercussions. It is also unwise to equate knowledge with education since it can sometimes hinder our capacity to truly comprehend.

Knowledge is the information and insight that links life on earth with our Maker. Knowledge includes truths, spiritual principles, and His magnificent promises spoken of earlier in verse 4. They are spiritual in nature, and we cannot learn them apart from God’s instruction.

Our question is, what place does knowledge have in our spiritual growth and service? Peter boasts about the positive impact of the whole cycle in verse 8.  (Note his emphasis on knowing the Lord Jesus again.)

“For if these [qualities] are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Pe 1:8).

These qualities are to keep growing because, like vitamins,   spiritual life depends on them. Let me focus on the direction knowledge gives. 

To faith, we add virtue, and to virtue, we add knowledge. Knowledge gives us an understanding of what God wants for our lives. “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). He tells children to honor their parents. Scriptural admonitions are one example of how knowledge lights our pathway. 

99% of God’s will is clear. We do not need to ask whether or not we should lie or steal. Instead, we should be hard workers to have extra to share with others (Eph 4:28). The knowledge contained in God’s Word, sets out for us all the good works to be accomplished in our lifetime (Eph 2:10). All of this, and more, provides spiritual direction for our lives.

We thank Him for this knowledge and remind ourselves to regularly and devotedly read His Word for this knowledge.

3) Knowledge Provides Confidence

Knowledge also provides confidence and trust that God can and will provide sufficient grace. Part of this grace is His abounding “precious and magnificent promises,” mentioned in verse 4. If Christ is your foundation, you will not be threatened by the philosophies and worldly voices around you.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He has the answer. He is the Light. The more you affirm His place in your life, the more your confidence will grow. Knowing these moral principles are His principles and the plan for a good and virtuous life.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him [be] the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Pe 3:18).

A growing knowledge of Jesus Christ brings us to a fundamental understanding of our virtues and life’s meaning. We are no longer living blindly by a set of rules. Instead, we purposely live in obedience to what our Lord and Maker have said. So our conscience begins to face a reform, away from the influence of people around us, to what God expects of us.

From 2 Peter 3:18, we are expected to grow in this knowledge. The personal knowledge of Jesus Christ transforms a moral life into a dynamic relationship with God.

Colossians 3:10 summarizes this by saying, “Have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” As we know Christ more, our minds will be renewed to true knowledge according to the image of the One who created us. 

To know and love God is to love His will and ways. Some people mentioned in 2 Peter denied the Savior who bought them. They acted inconsistently with what they said they believed. Please do not be like springs without water. Instead, deepen your knowledge of Him and see your faith grow strong.

4) Knowledge Issues Persistence

Knowledge deepens our confidence, but it also preserves power. By preserving power, I refer to how knowledge preserves the virtues, seeing them as good and proper.

Knowledge explains why we should live according to specific standards. Often, one does not understand why particular virtues should be held. This produces a shallow and untested faith. It creates people who question wisdom and follow their peers, resulting in experimentalism.

How do we confirm our virtues? We need to connect the spiritual laws with the One who created them. It is increasingly difficult to explain to your friend why you do not go to a specific party or lie about your taxes or gamble by saying that your parents didn’t do it that way. Unless you are unusual, you will be severely tested when you leave home. Without God-provided knowledge, the foundation of your reasoning will fail.

When you link this knowledge of common spiritual laws with the Creator, you begin to understand why these laws are so important to your life. Instead of doubting their value, you will gain confidence as you understand the Lord Jesus Christ.

But the argument goes deeper. Peter uses the word knowledge eight times in this book of 2 Peter. Peter might have been slow of learning, but he does his best to set people’s minds straight about their lives by providing that needed knowledge.

True knowledge starts with knowing Jesus Christ. This knowledge unleashes an avalanche of knowledge that helps us to stand strong. Many of you do not stand firm. Why? Why do you let your eyes wander? Why do you gossip? Why do you say untrue things about another? These are ordinary virtues, but yet you wander. Why do you not stand firm in what you think is right?

Do you see how we are shaped like the world? We defile our conscience by going against what we know is right or wrong. Knowledge helps us understand the goodness of Jesus Christ, which in turn gives us good laws. 

Satan tempts us with lies, and false knowledge, suggesting that ‘God is withholding the best from you.’ Sounds much like what the evil one whispered to Eve way back in the garden. Knowledge of Christ will break the spell of that lie into a thousand pieces. If you know Christ, you will know without a doubt that He will never withhold the best from you. You know Jesus Christ is not some cosmic bully but one that has laid down His life for you.

5) Knowledge Grants Compassion

Knowledge of Christ also reminds us of His great compassion. Do not think the Lord withholds mercy and grace from you. No, He calls you back into the fold.

Jesus said that He will never leave us or forsake us, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Heb 13:5). 

As we get to know Christ more, we will learn from the Word of God that He sent the Holy Spirit to work in our lives so that we can know and learn from Him. His care is 24/7, with no breaks.

True knowledge brings a humble heart so that we may continue to grow, despite our failures.

Application and Summary

We underestimate the importance of knowledge. Because of this, we have given scarcely any thought to its vital place in our Christian lives. Furthermore, we have often given way to a cheap knowledge or superficial acquaintance with the things of God rather than He, Himself. The more you know Christ, the more you will value what He values. You won’t question His intentions; instead, you will find each day a delightful opportunity to affirm your love for Him by listening to what He says.

Do you know Christ or only know about Him? A daily Bible reading is essential. Are you doing things just because someone expects you to do them? Have you moved on and found that Jesus is the wise One who gives us opportunities to live good lives? It’s time we insist on godly standards for our lives. Where we have failed, let us go back and confess and repent. Let us ask Him for a deep appreciation of His knowledge. Let us live it out in the strength of the Spirit.

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“5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you” (2 Peter 1:5-10).

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