2 Peter

Part One: Introduction to 2 Peter

The Author

"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ" (1:1). The writer identifies himself as Peter, an eyewitness of Christ's transfiguration on the holy mount (1:16-18), the author of an earlier letter to the same readers ("This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you," 3:1), and a friend of "our beloved brother Paul" (3:15). He knew that his death was near, "even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me" (1:14; John 21:18-19).

2 Peter was accepted into the New Testament more slowly than most books, and some have questioned whether Peter wrote it, pointing to its different style from 1 Peter. But 1 Peter was written with the help of Silvanus (1 Peter 5:12), which may explain the difference; the letter claims Peter's authorship plainly, contains personal details that fit Peter's life, and was recognised by the church as inspired Scripture. Its message carries the marks of an apostle facing death.

Date and Setting

Peter wrote shortly before his martyrdom in Rome, around AD 66-68: "Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle" (1:14). This is Peter's last will and testament, as 2 Timothy is Paul's. Both, written from Rome near the end, warn of false teaching and point believers to the Scriptures.

The Recipients

The letter is addressed "to them that have obtained like precious faith with us" (1:1), apparently the same believers in Asia Minor who received 1 Peter (3:1).

The Situation

In 1 Peter, the danger was persecution from outside the church. In 2 Peter, the danger is corruption from inside: false teachers within the churches, who denied the Lord, lived immoral lives, exploited believers for money and promised a false liberty (2:1-3, 10-19). With them came scoffers who mocked the promise of Christ's return (3:3-4).

Purpose and Theme

Peter wrote to remind believers of the truth they already knew (1:12-13, 15; 3:1-2), to urge them to grow in the true knowledge of Christ, and to warn them against false teachers and scoffers. Words for "knowledge" appear about sixteen times. True knowledge of Christ is the safeguard against error, and the Word of God, both the prophets and the apostles, is the sure foundation.

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue

2 Peter 1:3

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

1 Peter and 2 Peter

2 Peter and Jude

Chapter 2 of 2 Peter closely parallels the letter of Jude. Both warn against the same kind of false teachers with many of the same examples and images. One writer may have drawn on the other, or both may have used common material:

Outline of 2 Peter

Part Two: Chapter-by-Chapter Analysis

Section I: Grow in the True Knowledge (Chapter 1)

Chapter 1:1-4 — God's Provision

Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:1

Believers' faith is "like precious," equal in value to the apostles' faith. It comes "through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," a phrase that, in the Greek, calls Jesus Christ both "God" and "Saviour" (compare Titus 2:13). "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord" (1:2).

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:3-4

God's power has already given believers everything they need for spiritual life and godly living, through knowing Christ. The false teachers claimed special knowledge; Peter says that knowing Christ is enough. Through God's promises, believers become "partakers of the divine nature." This does not mean that people become God, but that through the new birth they share in God's moral character, receiving a new nature that loves holiness, having escaped the world's corruption.

Chapter 1:5-11 — Add to Your Faith

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

2 Peter 1:5-7

God has provided everything; believers must respond with "all diligence." "Add" (supply generously) was used of a wealthy patron who paid lavishly for a chorus in a public festival. Faith is the foundation; on it believers build seven qualities:

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:8-9

Growing in these qualities makes believers fruitful. Lacking them, a professing believer is spiritually short-sighted and has forgotten his cleansing from sin.

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:10-11

God's calling and choosing are certain in themselves; believers make them "sure" to their own hearts, and evident to others, by growing in these qualities. This is assurance, not earning salvation. Those who grow will not "fall" (stumble into ruin), and will receive a rich, abundant welcome into Christ's eternal kingdom, like a victor welcomed home.

Chapter 1:12-15 — Peter's Reminder Before Death

Peter would always remind them of these things, "though ye know them, and be established in the present truth" (1:12). Believers need reminders, not novelties.

Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

2 Peter 1:13-14

Peter called his body a "tabernacle," a tent, temporary and soon to be taken down. Jesus had foretold the kind of death by which he would glorify God (John 21:18-19). Peter would make sure that after his "decease" (the Greek word is "exodus," the same word used of Christ's departure at the transfiguration, Luke 9:31), they would always be able to remember these things (1:15), through his letters and perhaps the Gospel of Mark, which tradition links with Peter's preaching.

Chapter 1:16-21 — The Sure Foundation

The eyewitness (1:16-18).

For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

2 Peter 1:16-18

The false teachers may have called the second coming a myth. Peter insists that the apostles' message was not clever fiction. On the mount of transfiguration, Peter, James and John saw Christ's glory and heard the Father's voice (Matthew 17:1-8). The transfiguration was a preview of His power and coming in glory.

The Scripture (1:19-21).

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts

2 Peter 1:19

Even more certain than Peter's eyewitness experience is the written Word of prophecy. (The phrase may also mean that the transfiguration made the prophetic Word "more sure," confirmed.) Scripture is like a lamp shining in a dark, gloomy place, guiding believers until the day dawns at Christ's return, when "the day star," Christ Himself (Numbers 24:17; Revelation 22:16), rises.

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

2 Peter 1:20-21

"Private interpretation" refers to the origin of prophecy: no prophecy of Scripture arose from the prophet's own understanding or interpretation of events. Scripture did not originate in human will. Holy men spoke from God as they were "moved," carried along, by the Holy Spirit, as a ship is carried along by the wind (the same word is used in Acts 27:15, 17). The human writers were real authors using their own minds and styles, yet the Spirit guided them so that what they wrote was exactly what God intended. This, with 2 Timothy 3:16, is the clearest statement of the inspiration of Scripture.

Section II: Beware of False Teachers (Chapter 2)

Chapter 2:1-3 — Their Arrival and Doom

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:1

Just as false prophets troubled Israel alongside the true prophets (Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Jeremiah 23), false teachers would arise in the church. They would work secretly, introducing destructive heresies, even denying the Lord ("Master") who bought them. (Baptists differ on how to understand "the Lord that bought them." Some see it as showing that Christ's death provided redemption sufficient for all, even for those who reject it; others understand it as describing what these teachers claimed, or Christ's rights as Master over all. On either view, these false teachers were never truly saved, and their destruction is certain.)

"And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of" (2:2). Their immorality would bring the gospel into disrepute. "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you" (2:3): they would exploit believers for money with fabricated stories. But their judgment "lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

Chapter 2:4-9 — God Judges the Wicked and Delivers the Godly

Peter gives three examples of God's judgment, with two examples of His deliverance:

• The angels who sinned (2:4): God "spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [Greek tartarus, a place of confinement], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment" (Jude 6).
• The ancient world (2:5): God "spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly."
• Sodom and Gomorrha (2:6-8): God turned them to ashes as "an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked... in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds" (Genesis 19). Despite his compromises, Lot was a righteous man, distressed by the wickedness around him.

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished

2 Peter 2:9

The conclusion is twofold: God knows how to rescue His people, however great the wickedness around them, and how to hold the wicked for judgment.

Chapter 2:10-19 — The Character of False Teachers

Peter paints a vivid portrait of these teachers:

Balaam, the prophet hired to curse Israel, was so blinded by greed that his donkey had to rebuke him: "the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet" (2:16; Numbers 22). False teachers are "wells without water": they promise refreshment but give nothing (2:17).

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

2 Peter 2:19

They offered freedom from moral restraint, but they were slaves to their own corruption. True freedom is found only in Christ (John 8:34-36).

Chapter 2:20-22 — Their Terrible End

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

2 Peter 2:20-21

These people had gained knowledge of Christ and outwardly escaped the world's pollution for a time, but then returned to it. Their final state is worse than before, because they sinned against greater light (Luke 12:47-48).

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

2 Peter 2:22

The proverb (Proverbs 26:11) reveals what they really were. A dog returning to its vomit and a washed pig returning to the mud never changed their natures; they were cleaned on the outside only. These false teachers had experienced outward reformation, not inward regeneration. They were never "partakers of the divine nature" (1:4). This passage does not describe true believers losing salvation, but false professors returning to what they always were.

Section III: Look for the Day of the Lord (Chapter 3)

Chapter 3:1-7 — The Scoffers

"This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour" (3:1-2). The apostles' teaching stands alongside the prophets' as authoritative.

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

2 Peter 3:3-4

Scoffers would mock the promise of Christ's return, arguing that nothing ever changes; the world simply continues by natural processes as it always has. Their real motive was moral: they walked "after their own lusts" and did not want to face a coming judgment. Peter answered that they deliberately ignore two great facts of history:

• Creation (3:5): "by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water" (Genesis 1:2, 6-9). The world did not always exist; God made it by His word.
• The flood (3:6): "Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished" (Genesis 6-8). God has already intervened in worldwide judgment once.

But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 Peter 3:7

The same word that created the world and judged it by water now holds it in reserve for judgment by fire.

Chapter 3:8-9 — God's Patience

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2 Peter 3:8

God does not experience time as we do (Psalm 90:4). What seems a long delay to us is nothing to Him. (This verse teaches God's perspective on time, not a formula for calculating prophetic dates.)

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

The apparent delay of Christ's return is not slowness or failure; it is mercy. God is patient, giving people time to repent, because He does not desire anyone to perish (Ezekiel 33:11; 1 Timothy 2:4).

Chapter 3:10-13 — The Day of the Lord and the New Heavens

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:10

The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly (Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2). It will climax in the dissolution of the present universe by fire: the heavens passing away with a roar, the "elements" (the basic components of matter) dissolving in intense heat, and the earth and its works laid bare and burned up (Isaiah 34:4; Revelation 20:11).

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God

2 Peter 3:11-12

Prophecy is given not to satisfy curiosity but to change lives. If everything material will be destroyed, believers should live holy and godly lives, investing in what lasts. They are to be "looking for and hasting" the coming of that day, eagerly anticipating it and, through holy living, prayer and evangelism, being part of God's purposes to bring it about.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2 Peter 3:13

The end is not destruction but renewal. God has promised new heavens and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1), a home where righteousness dwells permanently.

Chapter 3:14-18 — Final Exhortations

"Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless" (3:14). Believers should "account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation" (3:15): every day of delay is another day for people to be saved.

Even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

2 Peter 3:15-16

Peter warmly commends "our beloved brother Paul," who had once publicly rebuked him (Galatians 2:11-14). He acknowledges that some things in Paul's letters are hard to understand, and that the ignorant and unstable twist them, as they do "the other scriptures." Peter thus places Paul's letters alongside the Old Testament as Scripture, early evidence that the apostles' writings were recognised as God's Word.

Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:17-18

Forewarned, believers must guard against being carried away by error. The best defence is growth: growing in grace and in the knowledge of Christ. Peter's last recorded words are a doxology to Jesus Christ, giving Him the glory that belongs to God alone.

Part Three: Christ in 2 Peter

Portraits of Christ

The Scoffers' Error and the Truth

Part Four: Prophecies Fulfilled and Future

Part Five: Key Passages in Depth

2 Peter 1:3-4 — Everything Needed

God's divine power has given believers everything they need for life and godliness through knowing Christ, and through His promises they share in His nature and escape the world's corruption.

2 Peter 1:5-11 — Growing in Grace

On the foundation of faith, believers diligently add virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. This growth makes them fruitful, confirms their calling and election, and leads to an abundant entrance into Christ's kingdom.

2 Peter 1:16-21 — The Sure Word

The apostles were eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty, not tellers of fables. Even more sure is the Word of Scripture, which did not originate in human will, but came as holy men of God spoke, carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 2:1-3 — False Teachers

False teachers will arise within the church, secretly introducing destructive heresies, denying the Lord, living immorally and exploiting believers for money. Their judgment is certain.

2 Peter 2:9 — Deliverance and Judgment

The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and how to hold the wicked for judgment, as He did with Noah and Lot.

2 Peter 2:19-22 — False Freedom and False Profession

False teachers promise liberty but are slaves of corruption. Those who outwardly escape the world but return to it show that their natures were never changed.

2 Peter 3:3-9 — The Scoffers and God's Patience

Scoffers mock Christ's return, ignoring creation and the flood. But God's timing is not ours, and His delay is mercy: He is not willing that any should perish.

2 Peter 3:10-14 — The Day of the Lord

The present heavens and earth will be dissolved by fire, and God will create new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. Knowing this, believers should live holy lives, looking for that day and being found blameless.

2 Peter 3:18 — Grow in Grace

The final command and best defence against error is to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever.

Part Six: The Major Teachings of 2 Peter

1. The Deity of Christ

Jesus Christ is called "God and our Saviour" and receives eternal glory (1:1; 3:18).

2. The Sufficiency of God's Provision

All things for life and godliness through knowing Christ (1:3).

3. The New Nature

Believers are partakers of the divine nature (1:4).

4. Spiritual Growth

Diligently adding Christian virtues to faith (1:5-8; 3:18).

5. Assurance of Salvation

Calling and election made sure by growth in grace (1:10-11).

6. The Inspiration of Scripture

Holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (1:20-21).

7. The Authority of the Apostles

Their teaching stands with the prophets; Paul's letters are Scripture (3:2, 15-16).

8. False Teachers

Their doctrines, motives, character and judgment (2).

9. God's Judgment and Deliverance

God judged angels, the ancient world and Sodom, and delivered Noah and Lot (2:4-9).

10. True and False Profession

Outward reformation without a new nature leads back to sin (2:20-22).

11. The Second Coming

Certain, though mocked (3:3-4, 10).

12. God's Patience and Desire for Salvation

Not willing that any should perish (3:9, 15).

13. The Day of the Lord and New Creation

The dissolution of the present universe and new heavens and earth (3:10-13).

14. Holy Living in Light of the End

What manner of persons ought ye to be (3:11, 14).

Part Seven: Connections — How 2 Peter Links to the Rest of the Bible

2 Peter and the Old Testament

2 Peter and the New Testament

Themes That Run from 2 Peter Through Scripture

Part Eight: Practical Lessons

• Value the precious faith you share with the apostles (1:1).
• Rest in God's full provision for godly living (1:3).
• Claim God's exceeding great and precious promises (1:4).
• Add to your faith with all diligence (1:5-7).
• Be fruitful in the knowledge of Christ (1:8).
• Never forget you were cleansed from your old sins (1:9).
• Make your calling and election sure by growing (1:10).
• Welcome reminders of truths you already know (1:12).
• Remember that your body is a tent (1:13-14).
• Trust the eyewitness testimony of the apostles (1:16).
• Take heed to the Scriptures as a light in a dark place (1:19).
• Believe that Scripture came from God, not man (1:21).
• Watch for false teachers inside the church (2:1).
• Beware of those who exploit you for money (2:3).
• Trust God to deliver you in an evil world (2:9).
• Be vexed by sin, like Lot, not comfortable with it (2:7-8).
• Don't be fooled by promises of liberty that lead to bondage (2:19).
• Seek a changed nature, not just outward reform (2:22).
• Expect scoffers, and don't be shaken by them (3:3).
• Remember creation and the flood (3:5-6).
• Trust God's timing (3:8).
• See God's patience as an opportunity for salvation (3:9, 15).
• Live in holiness, knowing everything will be dissolved (3:11).
• Look for the new heavens and new earth (3:13).
• Be found in peace, without spot, and blameless (3:14).
• Handle Scripture carefully; don't twist it (3:16).
• Guard your steadfastness (3:17).
• Grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ (3:18).

Part Nine: Key Verses to Memorize

Conclusion

2 Peter is the apostle's farewell, written as he prepared to put off his earthly tent. Facing death, Peter reminded believers of what they already knew. God's divine power has given them everything for life and godliness through knowing Christ, and His great promises make them partakers of the divine nature. They must therefore add to their faith, with all diligence, virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love, making their calling and election sure and looking forward to an abundant entrance into Christ's eternal kingdom. Their faith does not rest on fables: Peter saw Christ's majesty on the holy mount and heard the Father's voice, and they have the even more sure word of Scripture, given as holy men spoke, carried along by the Holy Ghost. Peter warned that false teachers would arise within the church, denying the Lord, living immorally, exploiting believers, promising liberty while enslaved to corruption, and returning like a dog to its vomit; but God, who judged the angels, the ancient world and Sodom, knows how to deliver the godly and judge the wicked. Scoffers would mock the promise of Christ's coming, forgetting creation and the flood; but the Lord is not slow, only patient, not willing that any should perish. The day of the Lord will come as a thief, the heavens and earth will be dissolved by fire, and God will make new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells. So believers must live holy lives, be found blameless, guard against error, and above all grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom be glory both now and for ever.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

2 Peter 3:18