The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Peter — Section 44

expression of which is," Let us be on fire: let us only be forcible." Ilut in forcibleness there must be supplied, as its necessary complement, knowledge. Thero is a different word here from what was formerly used. 'l'he idea is that there must be enlightened ,:judgment-an apprehension in every moment of what is the right application of the forco. (3) Temperance. "And in your knowledge temperance." Let us suppose that we have supplied in our force knowledge: is that enough? Where there is a. stopping at this, there _is scientism, the expression of w~ich is," Let u~ have abundance of light; let us not be imposed on; let us know the right way of thmgs." But in this know- ledge there must be supplied, as its necessary complement, temperance, i.e. the subjec- tion of our appetites, desires, affections, tempers, to knowledge, which is very difficult, seeing that we are strongly tempted from within to be guided, not by what we know but by what is pleasing to us. (4) Patience. "And in your temperance patience.'{ Let us suppose that we have supplied in our kuo,vledge self-restraint: is that enough? Where there is a stopping at this, there is a rigorism, of which the expression is, "Let us abstain; let us mortify self." But in this self-restraint there must be supplied, as its necessary complement, patience, which is a sustaining by self, or putting one's shoulder under the burdens, and especially the hardships of life. (5) Godliness. "And in your patience godliness." Let us suppose that we have supplied in our self-restraint patience : is that enough? Where there is a stopping at this, there is e. stoicism, of which the expression is, "Let us be insensible to pain; let us be heedless of difficulties." But in this patience there must be supplied, as its necessary complement, godliness, or a God-regarding, especially God-fearing, disposition, without which there cannot be snbdued.ness, sweetness, or stay, in patience. (6) Love of the brethren. "And in your godliness love of the brethren." Let us suppose that we have supplied in our patience godliness : is that enough? Where there is a stopping at this, there is a one-sided riligiousness, of which the expression is, "Let us pray; let us attend conscientiously on the public means of grace." But in this godliness there must be supplied, as its necessary complement, love if the brethren, Le. of those who are our brethren in Christ. "For he that loveth not his brother whom be hath seen, how can he love God whom he bath not seen?" (1 John iv. 20); "And every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him" (1 John v. 1). (7) Lov.,, "And in your love of the brethren love." Let us suppose that we have supplied in our godliness love of the brethren: is that enough? Where there is a stopping at this, there is a narrow- heartedness, of which the expression is, "Let us make the Christian circle our home; let us choose the society of those who have the same thoughts and the same hopes.'' But in this love of the brethren there must be supplied love or philanthropy-love for all that bear the Divine image and for whom Christ died. 3. Importance of develop- ment with reference to knowledge. (1) Positively. "For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." By" these things" we are to understand the seven virtues which are to be supplied in faith. These are regarded as actually subsisting in us or belonging to us. There is a difference between their thus being in us and their abounding in us. 'There is a difference between an infant's finding of strength ancl tbs consciousness of a giant's strength. There is a difference between a rudimentary knowleage and a know- ledge that can be effectually applied to every question of duty that comes up. There is a difference between the mastery of a single appetite and the full mastery of all our appetencies and tempers. There is a difference between a patience that is untried and a patience that can stand the severest test. There is a difference between a sense of the Being of God and the deepest awe in the realization of his perfections. There is e. difference between a sense of brotherhood in Christ a.ad the full flood of Christian brother- liness. There is a difference between an interest in a single case of reclamation and e. large-hearted philanthropy. Given, then, that these virtues are not merely in us, but abound, they make us, literally, put us in a position, to be not idle nor unfruitful. If there are certain elements in a tree, they make it to be not idle; i.e. it discharges its functions, it puts forth fresh shoots and leaves aud blossoms. And making it not idle, they also make it not unfruitful; i.e. in due season it is laden with fruit. So if these virtues o.re in us, and in abundant measure, they make us to be not idle; i.e. we do in the right manner. And making us not idle, they also make us not unfruitful; i.e. there are good results. The goal toward which we are to be fruitful is the knowledge of our Lora OU, r, 1-21.] TBE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF PETER.