Equal Standing

Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: 2 Peter 1:1 NASB

Of the same kind as ours – Isotope, isosceles, isoseismic, isometric. All derived from the Greek isos meaning “equal.” Peter uses isotimos, “of equal value or honor.” The ESV correctly translates Peter’s declaration as, “a faith of equal standing.” Now that we know Peter sees no difference between the standing of Gentile believers and Jewish believers, what does all this mean?

First, of course, it demonstrates that Paul was right to take Peter to task over his inconsistency regarding table fellowship with Gentiles. YHVH was equally right to take Peter to task with the vision on the rooftop and the visit to Cornelius. Jew and Gentile have equal standing before YHVH. Yes, the Jews were given the Torah, but possession is not nine-tenths of the law when it comes to God’s jurisprudence. Doing it is what counts. So Paul can argue, “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.”[1] If you and I, as Gentiles, do what God ask, even if we don’t realize it is part of Torah, we have standing before YHVH. If we do not do what YHVH asks, even if we are Jews, we do not have standing. In this way, Jew and Gentile are equal on the scale of performance. I will never be Jewish but before God that makes no difference in judgment. What I do with what I know is what counts.

Secondly, it hardly makes any sense given Peter’s behavior as recorded in Acts to suppose the he is speaking to Gentiles who have become Christians. That is anachronistic interpretation. Peter’s claims his readers have received a “faith” (the word is pistis which for a Jew means a way of life) that is the “same as ours.” Peter does not indicate that his faith is now radically different than it used to be. In fact, his interaction with Cornelius and his discussion with James (Acts 15) clearly demonstrate that his “faith” was not different in thought or practice, with the one addition that Yeshua is recognized as Messiah. Paul essentially claims that same thing when he writes to Timothy about the faith inherited from Timothy’s grandmother and mother.[2] “Equal standing” does not mean different commandments or expectations. Faith as a way of life is the same for all who share in the commitment. It may vary according to conditions, but its structure is uniform. Once again, what I do with what I know is what matters.

Jew and Gentile, one faith, one Messiah, one way of living. That’s the message here. And it is all the result of the righteousness of YHVH and His son.

Topical Index: isotimos, equal, 2 Peter 1:1

[1] Romans 2:14-15 NASB

[2] 2 Timothy 1:5