I spent some time in 2 Peter 1:5 this morning and really appreciated Young's Literal Translation of vs. 5-10. Here they are, as they might encourage you as well.
And this same also – all diligence having brought in besides, superadd in your faith the worthiness, and in the worthiness the knowledge, 6and in the knowledge the temperance, and in the temperance the endurance, and in the endurance the piety, 7and in the piety the brotherly kindness, and in the brotherly kindness the love; 8for these things being to you and abounding, do make you neither inert nor unfruitful in regard to the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ, 9for he with whom these things are not present is blind, dim-sighted, having become forgetful of the cleansing of his old sins; 10wherefore, the rather, brethren, be diligent to make stedfast your calling and choice, for these things doing, ye may never stumble, 11for so, richly shall be superadded to you the entrance into the age-during reign of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
It is worth noting that this follows some of the grandest statements about what God has given us in Christ. It would be absurd to read into this some sort of works oriented salvation. Rather, it seems that rooted in what God has done for us in giving us faith, and everything we need for life and godliness and promises to be laid hold of, that vs. 5-10 are a great therefore. These verses can only be effectively applied to those who, through the righteousness of God have received a precious faith. Here are the preceding verses:
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Love the Gospel, Live the Gospel, Advance the Gospel,
Jerry
