Spiritual growth conforms us into the image of God
and confirms our salvation

Spiritual growth conforms us into the image of God
and confirms our salvation

Christian Character (v.5-11)

Faith – pistis – personal faith

Virtue – aretē - best translated “moral excellence”

Knowledge – gnosis - refers to the knowledge of God’s will
and ways that are necessary for every Christian.

Self-control – enkrateia – it is a fruit of Spirit; Self-restraint
was one of the prized virtues.

Steadfastness – hypomone - “endurance” The word
“endurance” often describes the desired character of
believers

Godliness – eusebeia - ‘godlike’ or a life that pleases God

Brotherly affection – philadelphia - The love between
fellow believers, or the family-like devotion that should
characterize the Christian community

Love – agape – Godlike love; the virtue that sums up all
other virtues

v.8- “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing,
they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When the virtues both exist and abound in believers,
believers are effective and fruitful with respect to their
knowledge of Christ.

v.9 – “For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted
that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed
from his former sins.”

that such a person has “forgotten that he has been
cleansed from his past sins.”

v.10 – “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to
confirm you calling and election, for if you practice these
qualities you will never fall.”

Believers who confirm their call and election by living in a
godly manner will not “stumble,” that is, they will not
forsake God. They are cultivating their relationship with
him daily.

v.11 – “For in this way there will be richly provided for you
an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.”

Spiritual growth conforms us into the image of God
and confirms our salvation