In this first chapter of II Peter, the writer builds a progression of ideal characteristics which culminate in the complete Christian personality. Like a grand symphony, building to a crescendo, each succeeding element growing out of and dependent upon the musical chords which precede it, so Peter begins with the grand theme of faith, and using that as the base, he shows how each succeeding element uses the ones which go before to perfect and actuate each Christian trait, until they culminate in the grand finale of love punctuating the total ideal. The whole passage is a masterpiece of Christian truth, as well as a beautiful literary presentation.
Nowhere is the dependence of each element upon the ones which precede it more evident that in these last three Christian characteristics: godliness (or piety), brotherly kindness, and love. Before one can come to this exalted level of
Christ-like living, he must have perfected the positive trait of virtue, the personal communion with Jesus Christ in knowledge, the masterful self-control of a spirit-driven person, and the determined steadfastness which ignores all else in reaching for the ultimate goal of being God's person.
I must take a moment here to say a word about "words". Words have two dimensions worth noting. They have definition. Which means we need to know to what the word symbol refers. But they also have something called "connotation". Webster defines it as, "An idea suggested by, or associated with a word, in addition to its definition". In other words, some words conjure up ideas, memories, emotional feelings, etc., in addition to their base meaning. "Piety" is just such a word. This is one translation of the word for "godliness" in this passage.
Unfortunately the word "piety" does not always have good connotations. We often think of it as a pretense of super goodness in a hypocritical display. Jesus condemned the Pharisee, who proclaimed his piety by praying in the marketplace with many words. He suggested that the closet was a better place to offer one's prayers, where only God could hear. I heard a sermon a few years ago in which the preacher repeated after every phrase, "Praise the Lord". I am in favor of praising the Lord, but when it is used in this perfunctory, repetitious way, it becomes meaningless, and seems only to proclaim the user's attempt to appear pious.
When I was a very young boy, there was an older man who, when called upon to word the final prayer at church, would stroll pompously down the aisle, turn to face the audience, lift his hand and face heavenward, and proclaim in loud tones, "O Lord, we come to Thee in the most humble way we know how". Even those of us who were very young, found this amusing, and a bit ridiculous. The pretense of piety, which often proclaims our desire to be seen and, even worse, our hypocrisy, does much to discredit Christianity. We preachers, especially, need to be careful about this.
Having said that, I feel that the characteristic Peter had in mind when he used the word
"eusebia", translated "godliness", or "piety", is high on the list of essential Christian traits, which all of us should strive to achieve. Let us examine the real meaning of this admonition.
We might paraphrase this word by saying "God-centered"..."Spirit-directed"..."truly religious". Godliness is making your every word and action conform to
your absolute dedication to the Father's will. Therefore, it also means that you never do or say anything that is harmful to your fellowman. "Love God...love your neighbor as yourself". That is the total will of God. The godly man...the honestly pious man, has no other credo, no other motivation, no desire to deviate in any way from this course.
One's religion is what he considers most important in his life, and that to which he dedicates himself. If yours is the
Christian religion, then that is the only motivating factor in your behavior, and the driving force of your life. "Godliness", or "piety", is being truly religious. It is not simply going to church. It is a way of life. It is total dedication. If you think a moment, you will see that one can come to this point only after perfecting true virtue, intimate knowledge, rigid self-control, and solid steadfastness in his life.
Lest we make this essay too long, I am going to defer the last two Christian characteristics: "brotherly kindness and love", to the next paper. I hope you
find Peter's treatment of the great crescendo toward the ideal personality for the man of God, to be as compelling as I do.
