1. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self- control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 1

2. “Supplement … virtue with knowledge." 2

3.  In order to continue being "partakers of the divine nature," we must not only "supplement … faith with virtue" but we must also "supplement … virtue with knowledge." This, too, requires "every effort" on our part.  But what do we mean by "knowledge"?  In order to continue being "partakers of the divine nature," we must not only "supplement … faith with virtue" but we must also "supplement … virtue with knowledge." This, too, requires "every effort" on our part.  But what do we mean by "knowledge"? 3

4. 1. An awareness of the facts of the gospel 4

5. Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. 5

6. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6

7. Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have. I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things. 7

8. For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 8

9. 1. An awareness of the facts of the gospel 2. A comprehension of these facts 1. An awareness of the facts of the gospel 2. A comprehension of these facts 9

10. For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 10

11. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through, faith—that you being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 11

12. 1. An awareness of the facts of the gospel 2. A comprehension of these facts 3. Practical wisdom in applying these facts 1. An awareness of the facts of the gospel 2. A comprehension of these facts 3. Practical wisdom in applying these facts 12

13. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 13

14. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 14

15. 1. Ignorance begets error. 15

16. But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.” 16

17. 1. Ignorance begets error. 2. Zeal without knowledge leads to self- righteousness. 1. Ignorance begets error. 2. Zeal without knowledge leads to self- righteousness. 17

18. Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 18

19. 1. Ignorance begets error. 2. Zeal without knowledge leads to self- righteousness. 3. Israel was destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 1. Ignorance begets error. 2. Zeal without knowledge leads to self- righteousness. 3. Israel was destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 19

20. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. 20

21. 1. Ignorance begets error. 2. Zeal without knowledge leads to self- righteousness. 3. Israel was destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 4. Knowledge of the truth will set us free. 1. Ignorance begets error. 2. Zeal without knowledge leads to self- righteousness. 3. Israel was destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 4. Knowledge of the truth will set us free. 21

22. So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 22

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