2 PETER 1

GROWING SPIRITUALLY + EMBRACING GOD’S DIVINE POWER

Peter’s second letter to believers offers a message of both hope and warning. Peter reminds believers that they are invited to participate in God’s divine power. God’s spirit guides His people in all things that pertain to life and godliness. Peter urges followers of Jesus to live a life of endurance, love, and self-control instead of being influenced by corruption in the world. Peter does not want only to create believers in Christ, but imitators of Christ.

Peter desires for the believers to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth. Because God has granted divine power, His people are encouraged to make every effort towards steadfast and virtuous living. Peter uses the phrase “supplement your faith” (1:5) to express that genuine faith provokes personal growth.

Having faced great persecution for his faith, Peter knew the time of his death was near. The purpose of Peter’s writing was to memorialize his teaching to share with future generations of Jesus followers.

Reiterating the legitimacy of the gospel, Peter states that he is not believing in a myth or legend, but something he experienced himself. Peter recalls his eyewitness account of both the ascension of Jesus (Acts 1) and the resurrection of Jesus (John 21). Peter also argues that Jesus fulfills the messages of the Old Testament prophets. Clarifying the source of prophecy, Peter states that no prophecies of Jesus originated from someone’s own interpretation. The prophecy of the Old Testament was from God, about Jesus.

2 PETER 2

GOD WILL BRING JUSTICE TO FALSE TEACHERS

Peter addresses the common problem of false prophets and corrupt teachers within the church. Instead of kindness and truth, these leaders are driven by greed and exploitation. Peter trusts that these false teachers will be brought to justice and God will bring judgment upon them.

Peter supports his warning with examples of God's judgment on the unrighteous. Peter recalls the fallen angels who rebelled against God and were cast out of heaven. Remembering God’s protection of Moses, Peter explains how the world was flooded, but Moses found favor with God (Genesis 7). Peter mentions Sodom and Gomorrah, cities that were destroyed for their wickedness and sin. Before they perished, Abraham asked God to save any righteous people and Lot was spared (Genesis 19).

Peter also references Balaam, who was hired as a prophet to speak against the Israelites, but ended up speaking on their behalf (Numbers 22-24). Before eventually abandoning sorcery and divination, Balaam would gain from his unrighteous practices. Peter is comparing the false teachers to the initial ways of Balaam, claiming that they are wanting to profit from their wrongdoing.

Peter calls the false prophets “waterless springs,” seeing their teaching as empty and corrupt. Peter condemns their abuse of grace as an excuse for continued sinful living, emphasizing their refusal to repent. Instead of boasting about God, they boast about their own sin. Instead of living in freedom, they are slaves to their own sin. Warning believers not to turn away from their faith, Peter depicts the false teachers as dogs who return to their vomit and pigs who wallow in mud.

2 PETER 3

THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD + TIMING 

Peter restates that his purpose for writing is to serve as a reminder of God’s teaching. Warning that there will be scoffers, Peter encourages believers to cling to the truth of Jesus and His fulfillment of many prophecies. Focusing on the power of God’s Word, Peter states that God’s Word intervened in the beginning of creation to bring something out of nothing. God’s Word is not only truth, it is the creator and sustainer of all things.

Peter offers perspective on God’s divine timing. Because God is outside of time, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like one day to Him. God has enduring patience, but is never late in fulfilling His promises.

Peter foretells the Day of the Lord, or the time of God’s judgment. God does not want anyone to perish, but to repent. In the end, God will establish a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. Until this time comes, believers are to be patient and filled with peace.

Peter references Paul, who wrote many of the other New Testament Letters. Peter writes that Paul’s letters can be challenging to understand. Despite the challenges of interpreting the Scriptures, readers are taught not to distort or twist the writing to fit their own understanding. Peter ends by encouraging believers to continue growing in grace and knowledge of God.