There is a surprising richness in the language of the epistles of Simon Peter—the fisherman-turned-apostle. Peter was not a man formally educated in matters of Greek syntax and grammar. He was an ordinary man—not a statesman or a poet. The sophisticated members of the Sanhedrin were astonished at the boldness with which Peter and John preached in the early days after Pentecost, noting that they were unschooled, untrained, ordinary men. (Acts 4)

And yet, in just one verse of Peter’s opening remarks in his second epistle (2 Peter 1:3), we find a wealth of truth that compels us to stop and meditate for at least a moment on each phrase. In fact, we have already spent five weeks of sermons considering this one verse, phrase by phrase. They are the “last words” of an apostle, who would soon be martyred and leave others to carry on the work of the church without him.

His 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.

This Sunday, we will continue to meditate on these extraordinary “last words,” as we venture into the next verse (2 Peter 1:4).

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.