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2 Peter Introduction

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Basics

BOOK: 2 Peter

Description: A follow-up letter (see 3:1) “to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.”

Author: Clearly the apostle Peter

Date written: Probably between AD65 and AD69

Chapters: 3

Brief Synopsis
  • Peter’s purpose is threefold:
    • to stimulate Christian growth (ch. 1),  
    • to combat false teaching (ch. 2) and
    • to encourage watchfulness in view of the Lord’s certain return (ch. 3)
  • It was also a follow-up letter to his previous one (see 1 Peter)
Why Read 2 Peter

Peter’s second letter is delightfully simple to read.

Ch.1 reminds us of the wonder of what it means to be a believer and why we can be sure of the truth of what he says.

In Ch.2, by contrast he warns against so-called believers (actually backsliders) who live wrongly, teach wrongly and seek to lead others astray. It reminds us there is truth and there is error and God will judge those who bring the error.

In Ch.3 he extends this to warn against those scoffers who say Jesus won’t return and declares it will and so we should live holy lives accordingly. It is a short letter designed to keep believers on the right track and challenges us to reject those who would live and teach otherwise.  

Outline
  • 1:1-2 Introduction
  • 1:3-11 Exhortation to Growth in Christian Virtues
    • 1:3-4 The Divine Provision: What God has done
    • 1:5-7 The Call for Growth: What we can do
    • 1:8-11 The Value of Such Growth
  • 1:12-21 The Purpose and Authentication of Peter’s Message
    • 1:12-15 His Aim in Writing
    • 1:16-21 The Basis of His Authority
  • 2:1-22 Warning against False Teachers
    • 2:1-3a Their Coming Predicted
    • 2:3b-9 Their Judgment Assured
    • 2:10-22 Their Characteristics Set Forth
  • 3:1-16 Warning against those who deny Christ’s Return
    • 3:1-2 Peter’s Purpose in Writing Restated
    • 3:3-7 The Coming of Scoffers
    • 3:8-10 The Certainty of Christ’s Return
    • 3:11-16 Exhortations Based on the Fact of Christ’s Return
  • 3:17-18 Concluding Remarks
Concluding Comments

Thus we have a second letter to encourage, build up and challenge the believers. The emphasis of this one is not so much on persecution and suffering but Peter is aware he may not be around much longer and so wants to encourage the believers on, and warn them against false teachers and those who would deny Christ’s return. In focusing on the certainty of Christ’s return he is providing an additional motivation to remain faithful and true to the gospel.

2 Peter Ch 1