Growth in Christian Virtue 1 Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those who havereceivedandpossess [by God’s will] a precious faith of thesame kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace [that special sense of spiritual well-being] be […]
Monthly Archives: August 2017
2 PETER 2
The Rise of False Prophets 1 But [in those days] false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will subtly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the […]
2 PETER 3
Purpose of This Letter 1 Beloved, I am now writing you this second letter. In this [as in the first one], I am stirring up your untainted mind to remind you, 2 that you should remember the words spoken in the past [about the future] by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord […]
1 PETER 1
A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation 1 Peter, an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ, To those [elect–both Jewish and Gentile believers] who live as exiles, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia [Minor], and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work […]
1 PETER 2
As Newborn Babes 1 So put aside every trace of malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slanderandhateful speech; 2 like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurturedandgrow in respect to salvation [its ultimate fulfillment], 3 if in fact […]
1 PETER 3
Godly Living 1 In the same way, you wives, besubmissive to your own husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they may be won over […]
1 PETER 4
Keep Fervent in Your Love 1 Therefore, sinceChrist suffered in the flesh [and died for us], arm yourselves [like warriors] with the same purpose [being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God], because whoever has suffered in the flesh [being like-minded with Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [having stopped pleasing […]
1 PETER 5
Serve God Willingly 1 Therefore, I strongly urge the elders among you [pastors, spiritual leaders of the church], as a fellow elder and as an eyewitness [called to testify] of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory that is to be revealed: 2 shepherdandguideandprotect the flock of God among […]
JAMES 1
Testing Your Faith 1 James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion: Greetings (rejoice)! 2 Consider it nothing but joy, mybrothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through […]
JAMES 2
The Sin of Partiality 1 My fellow believers, do not practice your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ withan attitudeof partiality [toward people–show no favoritism, no prejudice, no snobbery]. 2 For if a man comes into yourmeeting placewearing a gold ring andfine clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 […]