Dear Friends,

Clearly, I am a numbers guy. When we are in the middle of making a decision together, Judy regularly says to me, “Don’t put me on a spreadsheet!” I just can’t resist a good numerical analysis, and I am sure that many of you are the same way.

Sometimes, though, it pays to be as analytical in our reading of Scripture as we would be our understanding of a client’s financial situation. The list of steps to making our faith real in II Peter 1 is rich with nuance and meaning, if we will take the time to look more deeply at the various translations of each word in the list. I have listed each word below and written some other common translations of the same word that appear in other versions of Scripture. 

Goodness: moral excellence, virtue, integrity, excellence of character, worthiness

Knowledge: spiritual understanding, knowing God better

Self Control: abstinence, temperance, the ability to control yourself, alert discipline

Endurance: perseverance, patience, a quiet mind, steadfastness, the strength to keep going, patient endurance

Godliness: fear of God, service for God, reverent wonder, piety

Brotherly Affection: brotherly kindness, love of the brothers, love of brotherhood, Christian affection, brotherly love, kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ, kindness to believers, warm friendliness, mutual affection

Love: charity, genuine love for everyone, generous love 

As you ponder these words and this list, I hope that the richness of this passage of Scripture beckons you into a deeper abiding and a more thorough study of the Word.

Blessings,

Ron