Deeper Reflection
IN THE LAST DAYS, CHRISTIANS WILL ENCOUNTER FALSE prophets and teachers, and ungodly and lawless people. We need to keep growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, living godly lives, trusting in the reliability of the apostolic witness and the Scriptures, and waiting for the Lord’s return. Peter now gives us two final exhortations.First, “be diligent to be found by [God] without spot or blemish, and at peace. And count the patience of our Lord as salvation” (vv.14-15). The Greek verb translated as “be diligent” (ESV; NASB) or “make every effort” (NIV) is a command.²² It conveys fervency to accomplish all that God assigns and being “eager to do something, with the implication of readiness to expend energy and effort”.²³ Christ’s disciples must be fervent and eager to live a godly life of Christlike character,²⁴ at peace with God and people, and to maximise opportunities to lead unbelievers to salvation in Christ.Second, “take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (vv.17-18). The Greek verb translated as “take care” (ESV) or “be on your guard” (NIV; NASB) is another command.²⁵ It means to preserve by “having an eye on”, like the constant vigilance displayed by shepherds in keeping their flocks.²⁶ We must maintain a lifestyle of constant vigilance against error and deception, so that we will not be led astray and have our faith shaken. We must grow to know Jesus more and more through the Scriptures – both the Old and New Testaments.²⁷

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²² The Greek aorist imperative commands mandatory action to be completely done (“checked-off ”); it focuses on the first, most immediate (“nearest”) attainment if a series of episodes is intended: The Discovery Bible. ²³ The Discovery Bible HELP Lexicon. ²⁴ Cf. 1 Peter 1:19. ²⁵ The Greek present imperative commands ongoing action, i.e. a regular, long-term way of doing something as an ongoing lifestyle; the process-action must happen again and again over multiple situations or repeatedly (progressively) in the same scenario: The Discovery Bible. ²⁶ The Discovery Bible HELP Lexicon. ²⁷ Peter considered Paul’s writings in all his letters as on par with the (Old Testament) Scriptures: vv.15b-16.