There is a short introduction available for the book of 2 Peter. You can read it here.
Key Themes (2 Peter)
The book of 2 Peter, traditionally attributed to the Apostle Peter, is a letter written to warn believers about false teachers and to encourage them to grow in their faith. The letter addresses the dangers of false teachings, the importance of spiritual maturity, and the certainty of Christ’s return. It is a call to remain faithful to the truth of the Gospel and to live in a way that reflects God’s promises. The key themes include:
- Warning Against False Teachers and Heresies: A central theme in 2 Peter is the danger posed by false teachers who distort the truth of the Gospel. Peter warns believers to be on guard against those who introduce destructive heresies, exploit others with deceptive words, and lead many astray. This theme emphasizes the need for discernment and vigilance in maintaining the purity of the Christian faith.
- The Certainty of Christ’s Return: Peter reaffirms the promise of Christ’s second coming, countering the skepticism of those who deny it. He reminds believers that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief, bringing judgment and renewal. This theme underscores the importance of living in anticipation of Christ’s return and the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan.
- Spiritual Growth and Maturity: Peter encourages believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. He lists virtues such as faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love, urging believers to cultivate these qualities in their lives. This theme highlights the importance of continual spiritual growth and the pursuit of godliness as evidence of genuine faith.
- The Authority of Scripture: Peter stresses the reliability and divine origin of Scripture, affirming that the prophetic message is completely trustworthy and not based on human will, but inspired by the Holy Spirit. This theme emphasizes the foundational role of Scripture in guiding believers and the necessity of adhering to its teachings amidst the rise of false doctrines.
- God’s Judgment and Deliverance: Peter reminds believers of God’s past judgments, such as the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, as examples of His ability to judge the wicked and rescue the godly. He assures believers that, just as God has judged in the past, He will bring judgment on the ungodly in the future. This theme emphasizes God’s justice and the certainty of His deliverance for those who remain faithful.
- The Call to Holy Living: In light of Christ’s return and the coming judgment, Peter calls believers to live holy and godly lives. He urges them to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. This theme underscores the ethical implications of the Christian faith, calling believers to align their lives with God’s holiness as they await the new heaven and new earth.
- The Promise of New Creation: Peter looks forward to the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells, reminding believers of the future renewal of all things. This theme emphasizes the hope of eternal life and the restoration of creation, encouraging believers to live with an eternal perspective, focused on God’s promises.
- God’s Patience and Long-Suffering: Peter explains that the apparent delay in Christ’s return is due to God’s patience, giving people time to repent. This theme highlights God’s merciful character, His desire for all to come to repentance, and the urgency for believers to remain faithful and ready for the Day of the Lord.
- The Need for Diligence and Firmness in Faith: Peter exhorts believers to be diligent in their faith, to stand firm against false teachings, and to be steadfast in the truth they have received. He encourages them to remember the teachings of the apostles and the prophetic word, which serve as a lamp shining in a dark place. This theme emphasizes the importance of persistence in faith and the need to hold firmly to the truth amidst challenges.
2 Peter is a powerful letter that addresses the realities of false teachings, the certainty of Christ’s return, and the call to live a holy life in anticipation of God’s promises. Through its themes of spiritual growth, the authority of Scripture, and the assurance of God’s judgment and deliverance, the letter encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, to grow in godliness, and to hold fast to the hope of Christ’s return and the coming of the new creation.
What I Noticed Today (2 Peter 1-3)
In verses 1-2, Peter opens the letter in the typical 3-part fashion: the author (Peter, a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ), the recipients (to those who have obtained a faith of equal privilege as ours…), and a greeting (may grace and peace be multiplied to you…).
In verses 3-11, Peter stresses the importance of growing in faith through God’s power:
- God’s power gives us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him.
- By His glory and goodness, He has given us precious promises so we might share in His divine nature, escaping the corruption of the world.
- Make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
Note: Of the seven virtues Peter lists, the first five involve our inner life and our relationship with God, the last two involve our relationships with others. It begins with faith and ends with love.
- If these qualities are yours, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord.
- The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins.
- Therefore, make every effort to confirm your calling and election.
Note: Peter’s reference to “calling” is to God’s efficacious work of salvation. “Election” is God’s work of choosing some for salvation by His grace.
- If you do these things, you will never stumble.
- You will receive entry into heaven, the eternal kingdom of our Lord.
In verses 12-15, Peter reminds his readers about the truth he has already provided:
- Therefore, I remind you of these things (the prior section, verses 3-11).
- As long as I am alive, it’s right for me to remind you of these things, knowing that I will soon be with the Lord Jesus.
- And I make every effort for you to be able to recall these things after I am gone.
In verses 16-21, Peter continues discussing the trustworthiness of God’s prophetic word:
- We did not follow myths about the Lord but instead were eyewitnesses of His majesty.
- When He received honor and glory from God, a voice came to Him from God, “This is My Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 17:5)
- We heard His voice while we were with Him on the Holy Mountain.
- So we have the prophetic word confirmed.
- Pay attention to the Word. It is like a lamp shining until dawn and the morning star rises in your heart.
- No prophecy or Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation or by the will of man. Instead, man spoke from God what they were told by the Holy Spirit.
2 Peter 2
In 2 Peter 2, Peter warns about false teachers and the judgment they will face from God.
In verses 1-10a, Peter says God is willing and able to rescue them from false teachers:
- There will be false teachers among you just as there were false teachers among the prophets.
- They will bring in destructive prophecies, even denying the Master (Christ), and will bring judgment upon themselves.
- Many will follow their unrestrained ways, and the truth (Gospel) will be blasphemed because of them.
- They will exploit you in their greed with deceptive words.
- Peter gives examples of God’s judgment and of His deliverance:
- Angels who sinned were thrown into Tartarus in chains.
Note: Tartarus is the Greek name of a physical subterranean place lower than Hades, where only the wicked are sent.
- God protected Noah and his family of seven while He judged the rest of the world.
- God rescued Lot and some of his family before bringing judgment upon Sodom and Gomorrah.
- God can rescue the righteous and punish the unrighteous (especially those who pollute the desires of the flesh and despise authority) until judgment day.
In verses 10b-16, Peter offers a further description of the false teachers:
- They are arrogant. They don’t even tremble when they blaspheme God.
- They are irrational. They speak blasphemies about things they don’t even understand.
- They are deceitful. They delight in their deception as they feast on you.
- They never stop sinning. They are adulterers always looking to seduce unstable people.
- They are mercenaries. They abandoned the straight path, loving money, and unrighteousness.
In verses 17-22, Peter describes the damage these false teachers will do:
- They utter boastful, empty words.
- They seduce with fleshly desires and debauchery.
- They promise freedom but are themselves slaves of corruption.
They could have produced life through knowledge of the Lord but instead are again entangled in things that are defeated. They would have been better off to not know about Christ than to know Him and turn away (Proverbs 26:11).
2 Peter 3
In 2 Peter 3, Peter focuses on the hope of the Lord’s return and the importance of Holy living.
In verses 1-2, Peter exhorts the reader to remember the first letter as well as the instructions in this second letter, the words of the prophets, and the commands of the Lord given through the apostles.
In verses 3-7, Peter warns them of scoffers who will live according to their own desires and cast doubt on the coming of the Lord.
Note: The word “First” (or “First of all”) means “above all.” Peter is saying this for emphasis; this is the most important thing.
In verses 8-9, The delay in the Lord’s return is because the Lord is patient, not wanting any to perish.
Note: Verses 8-9 do not teach universal salvation. God wishes everyone would be saved, but He knows some will reject Him.
In verses 10-13, When the Lord does come (the Day of the Lord), He will come like a thief (catch people by surprise). Heavens will pass away (earth and sky, not the heaven where God lives) with a loud noise, elements will burn and dissolve, and the earth will be laid bare.
- Since all this will happen, how shall you live? Shouldn’t you live holy and Godly lives while waiting for the Day of the Lord?
- Based on His promise, we wait for the new heaven and the new earth where righteousness will dwell (during Christ’s reign).
In verses 14-16, Peter issues his concluding exhortation about Christian living:
- Therefore (because of the Lord’s coming), make every effort to be at peace with Him without spot or blemish.
- The patience of the Lord (in waiting for His return) is an opportunity for salvation for others.
- Paul wrote the same things in his letter. Some of which are hard to understand. Unstable people tried to pervert and distort his teaching, but that was to be expected because they also distorted Scripture.
In verses 17-18, Peter closes with a final warning about the false teachers:
- Be on guard, so you are not led astray by the error of lawless people.
- But grow in grace and knowledge of the Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory.
Some additional thoughts for consideration:
- Peter described false teachers who led people astray by mishandling the Word of God. We need to be alert and on guard to make sure those who teach us are rightly dividing the Word. This requires that, like the Bereans, we study the scripture ourselves to know if what we hear is true.
- Peter also described those who, if they cannot lead you astray with false teaching, will scoff at you for your beliefs, telling you what you believe is not true. Again, the answer is to know the Word and stay strong in the faith, holding on tightly to the promises of God.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
