Introduction
The second Peter is a letter of warning and encouragement. First Peter deals with problem from outside and second Peter deals with problem from the inside. The epistles of Second Timothy, Second Peter and Jude have much in common. In these letters believers are warned about the danger of false teaching. The false teachers are sensual, arrogant and covetous. They scoff at the thought of future judgment. Peter knew that heretical teaching can lead to immoral behavior. In this general epistle, Peter exposes the danger of false teaching and encourages believers to grow spiritually. Peter urges them to keep close watch on their personal life and be on guard against false teachers. Peter reminds believers who are going through severe trials the importance of adding to their faith virtue, knowledge and steadfastness. This second epistle may have written close to the martyrdom of Peter in about A.D. 67.
Chapter 1
Greetings 2 Peter 1:2-4.
Peter Identifies himself as the apostle and the bond servant of Jesus Christ. Peter was servant of Christ by choice and shows deep humility to his master (Ex 21:5, 6; Deut 15:12-17). He was divinely chosen and commissioned to be an apostle by Christ. Peter is accountable to the Lord. Peter was a recipient of divine revelation. He was sent with authority by Christ to speak in His name. Peter refers to his authorship of his first and second epistles in chapter 3:1. He also recalls the transfiguration experience of Christ on the mount (2 Peter 1:16). This letter was addressed to believers who have shared the same faith with apostles. They are saved in the same way apostles are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Peter points out that all that pertain unto life and godliness is given to believers. They come by divine power through our relationship with Jesus our Lord (1:3). Our standing before God is by the righteousness of Christ. In Christ we have everything needed to live a life that honors God. Peter wishes readers more grace and peace as they grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. His divine power works in us to live a godly life. Peter tells us that believers become partakers of the divine nature through the precious promises in Christ. The believers are freed from the bondage of sin and are now able to live for the glory of God. Thus they escape the world’s corruptions caused by their sinful desires.
Christian Responsibilities: 2 Peter 1:5-7.
Now Peter calls upon believers to add to their God given faith, seven spiritual virtues to support their Christian life. They have already received the precious faith in Christ. Faith is the God given ability to respond to His grace and righteousness revealed in Christ. This is the saving faith. Believers should make every effort to support their God-given faith with virtue or moral excellence, knowledge, self control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness and selfless love. Here Peter is referring to our experiential knowledge of Christ. As we receive the gospel, we begin transforming into the likeness of Christ. We must make every effort to live out the qualities of Christian life. Moral excellence implies Christ-likeness. Knowledge comes from the Word of God and through Christian experiences. This helps us to make sound spiritual discernment. Self-control speaks of dying to self and yielding to Christ to control us. Lack of self control can damage our testimony. Patience is the ability to endure adversity. Godliness speaks of practical holiness. Brotherly kindness is love in action. It should be manifested in our giving and caring of others. Love speaks of unconditional love for all. It is supernatural in nature (John 3:16; 1 Cor 13). Love is not a matter of emotion but will. If these qualities abound in us, we become effective and fruitful in Christian life. These virtues flow from Christ. Spiritual growth does not happen automatically. Christians should take hold God's promises and grow in the knowledge of Christ.
The Danger of Not Growing: 2 Peter 1: 8-15.
The more we grow spiritually we become more productive and useful to God. Otherwise we become ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ. Our lives must demonstrate the reality of our transformed life. Otherwise we become shortsighted or blind. Also we start forgetting that we have been cleansed from our old sinful life (1:9). Peter urges believers to make sure of their calling and election by growing in the grace. Then they will have a rich entrance to the eternal kingdom of God. Otherwise they are prone to stumble in their faith. There is a sense of urgency in Peter’s writing. He knew that his days on earth are numbered and very soon he was going to die (2 Peter 1:14). So Peter wanted to bring these things to their remembrance because they are prone to forget what they have been taught. Christians are justified freely by faith in Christ. Justification is instantaneous and a legal act of God. Thus we have been declared not guilty and become legally righteous. Some teach that one should prove righteous before declaring righteous. That is not true. Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners. Otherwise there would not be any story like the story of the woman at the well and the woman caught in the act of adultery in the Bible. Justified people are being sanctified. The sanctification is an internal, progressive and subjective process. In sanctification we are cleansed from the influences of sins and receive a new nature that would motivate us to live a holy life. The Holy Spirit who dwells in us gives us the inner desire to be conformed to the image of Christ. Believers cannot continue to live in sin for ever. The idea, "let go and let God" is not biblical. We are exhorted to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). Fear is seeing life from God's perspective. Salvation is personal, practical and a present life experience. It is the divine work accomplished at Calvary. It includes past, present and future blessings of justification, sanctification and glorification. God wants our trust, obedience and cooperation in the working out this salvation (2 Pet 1:3-11; 1 Cor 10:12).
Importance of the Scripture: 2 Peter 1: 16-21.
False teachers were using clever stories about the second coming of Christ to influence believers. But apostles preached Christ because they were eyewitnesses of Him. He is coming in glory to reign. Here Peter recalls his experience on the mount of transfiguration. He was an eye witness of the majesty of Christ (Matt 17). So he wants to assure us that Christ and his message are not cleverly devised stories or myths (1:16). False teachers knew about Christ but apostle knew Christ. The gospel is trustworthy and we must pay close attention to the Word of God when presented. The Old Testament prophets had predicted Christ’s coming in power and glory. They are like a lamp shining in a dark place. It is the more sure Word in a dark world to guide us. The Old Testament prophecies are about Christ (John 5:39). Christ is the light and He should shine in our hearts. The false teachers perverted and misapplied the scripture. Scripture did not come from human initiative or insight but from God. When prophets wrote the holy scriptures, they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is reliable because it is the the Word of God. Pray that God's Word would give you insight to guide you in the fallen world.
Peter Identifies himself as the apostle and the bond servant of Jesus Christ. Peter was servant of Christ by choice and shows deep humility to his master (Ex 21:5, 6; Deut 15:12-17). He was divinely chosen and commissioned to be an apostle by Christ. Peter is accountable to the Lord. Peter was a recipient of divine revelation. He was sent with authority by Christ to speak in His name. Peter refers to his authorship of his first and second epistles in chapter 3:1. He also recalls the transfiguration experience of Christ on the mount (2 Peter 1:16). This letter was addressed to believers who have shared the same faith with apostles. They are saved in the same way apostles are saved by grace through faith in Christ. Peter points out that all that pertain unto life and godliness is given to believers. They come by divine power through our relationship with Jesus our Lord (1:3). Our standing before God is by the righteousness of Christ. In Christ we have everything needed to live a life that honors God. Peter wishes readers more grace and peace as they grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. His divine power works in us to live a godly life. Peter tells us that believers become partakers of the divine nature through the precious promises in Christ. The believers are freed from the bondage of sin and are now able to live for the glory of God. Thus they escape the world’s corruptions caused by their sinful desires.
Christian Responsibilities: 2 Peter 1:5-7.
Now Peter calls upon believers to add to their God given faith, seven spiritual virtues to support their Christian life. They have already received the precious faith in Christ. Faith is the God given ability to respond to His grace and righteousness revealed in Christ. This is the saving faith. Believers should make every effort to support their God-given faith with virtue or moral excellence, knowledge, self control, patient endurance, godliness, brotherly kindness and selfless love. Here Peter is referring to our experiential knowledge of Christ. As we receive the gospel, we begin transforming into the likeness of Christ. We must make every effort to live out the qualities of Christian life. Moral excellence implies Christ-likeness. Knowledge comes from the Word of God and through Christian experiences. This helps us to make sound spiritual discernment. Self-control speaks of dying to self and yielding to Christ to control us. Lack of self control can damage our testimony. Patience is the ability to endure adversity. Godliness speaks of practical holiness. Brotherly kindness is love in action. It should be manifested in our giving and caring of others. Love speaks of unconditional love for all. It is supernatural in nature (John 3:16; 1 Cor 13). Love is not a matter of emotion but will. If these qualities abound in us, we become effective and fruitful in Christian life. These virtues flow from Christ. Spiritual growth does not happen automatically. Christians should take hold God's promises and grow in the knowledge of Christ.
The Danger of Not Growing: 2 Peter 1: 8-15.
The more we grow spiritually we become more productive and useful to God. Otherwise we become ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of Christ. Our lives must demonstrate the reality of our transformed life. Otherwise we become shortsighted or blind. Also we start forgetting that we have been cleansed from our old sinful life (1:9). Peter urges believers to make sure of their calling and election by growing in the grace. Then they will have a rich entrance to the eternal kingdom of God. Otherwise they are prone to stumble in their faith. There is a sense of urgency in Peter’s writing. He knew that his days on earth are numbered and very soon he was going to die (2 Peter 1:14). So Peter wanted to bring these things to their remembrance because they are prone to forget what they have been taught. Christians are justified freely by faith in Christ. Justification is instantaneous and a legal act of God. Thus we have been declared not guilty and become legally righteous. Some teach that one should prove righteous before declaring righteous. That is not true. Jesus did not come to call the righteous but sinners. Otherwise there would not be any story like the story of the woman at the well and the woman caught in the act of adultery in the Bible. Justified people are being sanctified. The sanctification is an internal, progressive and subjective process. In sanctification we are cleansed from the influences of sins and receive a new nature that would motivate us to live a holy life. The Holy Spirit who dwells in us gives us the inner desire to be conformed to the image of Christ. Believers cannot continue to live in sin for ever. The idea, "let go and let God" is not biblical. We are exhorted to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). Fear is seeing life from God's perspective. Salvation is personal, practical and a present life experience. It is the divine work accomplished at Calvary. It includes past, present and future blessings of justification, sanctification and glorification. God wants our trust, obedience and cooperation in the working out this salvation (2 Pet 1:3-11; 1 Cor 10:12).
Importance of the Scripture: 2 Peter 1: 16-21.
False teachers were using clever stories about the second coming of Christ to influence believers. But apostles preached Christ because they were eyewitnesses of Him. He is coming in glory to reign. Here Peter recalls his experience on the mount of transfiguration. He was an eye witness of the majesty of Christ (Matt 17). So he wants to assure us that Christ and his message are not cleverly devised stories or myths (1:16). False teachers knew about Christ but apostle knew Christ. The gospel is trustworthy and we must pay close attention to the Word of God when presented. The Old Testament prophets had predicted Christ’s coming in power and glory. They are like a lamp shining in a dark place. It is the more sure Word in a dark world to guide us. The Old Testament prophecies are about Christ (John 5:39). Christ is the light and He should shine in our hearts. The false teachers perverted and misapplied the scripture. Scripture did not come from human initiative or insight but from God. When prophets wrote the holy scriptures, they were moved by the Holy Spirit. The Bible is reliable because it is the the Word of God. Pray that God's Word would give you insight to guide you in the fallen world.
Chapter 2
Warning against False Teachers: 2 Peter 2: 1-9.
In this chapter Peter warns the believers against false teachers. He draws a contrast between God's Word and the deception of false teaching. Paul warned that false teachers will come from within the Church (Acts 20:29, 30). These are professing Christians secretly bringing destructive heresies along with true doctrines in the church. Peter urges believers to pay close attention to the teachings of the apostles. The common denominator of their heresy is their denial of the deity of Jesus Christ. Also they deny the reliability of the Bible, trinity, the virgin birth of Christ, His bodily resurrection, eternal judgment and the reality of miracles in the Bible. False teachers claim they have special revelation and knowledge of God. They promise freedom but they themselves are slave to sin. They are reformed people but never born again. False teachers were unclean before they were reformed and remain unclean after they say they have changed (2 Pet 2:20-22). This passage does not teach that believer can lose their salvation. Reformation is dangerous because it can give false impression about salvation. God is just, and he will ensure that those who exploit others with lies will not go unpunished. He will punish the wicked but he will rescue the godly (2:9). False teachers will bring upon themselves swift destruction. So Peter warns believers not to fall into their destructive deceptive. They should stand firm in faith.
Marks of false teachers: 2 Peter 2:10-22
This is a difficult passage because it appears to give the impression that those who have been saved can fall away. But a careful reader will note that, as in Hebrews 6:4-9, these people have never actually been freed from their enslavement to sin (2:19). They have given the appearance of being part of the church but return to their former sinful ways. Their knowledge of Christ was superficial (2 Pet 2:20). Only those who receive gospel with humble heart, it is a mighty force to bring about the supernatural change which can never be reversed. Those who fall away show that they were never truly saved. Their hearts are more hardened to the appeal of the gospel because they think they have already been saved (2 Pet 2:20-21). They live according to their natural instinct and speak about things of which they are ignorant.
In this chapter Peter warns the believers against false teachers. He draws a contrast between God's Word and the deception of false teaching. Paul warned that false teachers will come from within the Church (Acts 20:29, 30). These are professing Christians secretly bringing destructive heresies along with true doctrines in the church. Peter urges believers to pay close attention to the teachings of the apostles. The common denominator of their heresy is their denial of the deity of Jesus Christ. Also they deny the reliability of the Bible, trinity, the virgin birth of Christ, His bodily resurrection, eternal judgment and the reality of miracles in the Bible. False teachers claim they have special revelation and knowledge of God. They promise freedom but they themselves are slave to sin. They are reformed people but never born again. False teachers were unclean before they were reformed and remain unclean after they say they have changed (2 Pet 2:20-22). This passage does not teach that believer can lose their salvation. Reformation is dangerous because it can give false impression about salvation. God is just, and he will ensure that those who exploit others with lies will not go unpunished. He will punish the wicked but he will rescue the godly (2:9). False teachers will bring upon themselves swift destruction. So Peter warns believers not to fall into their destructive deceptive. They should stand firm in faith.
Marks of false teachers: 2 Peter 2:10-22
This is a difficult passage because it appears to give the impression that those who have been saved can fall away. But a careful reader will note that, as in Hebrews 6:4-9, these people have never actually been freed from their enslavement to sin (2:19). They have given the appearance of being part of the church but return to their former sinful ways. Their knowledge of Christ was superficial (2 Pet 2:20). Only those who receive gospel with humble heart, it is a mighty force to bring about the supernatural change which can never be reversed. Those who fall away show that they were never truly saved. Their hearts are more hardened to the appeal of the gospel because they think they have already been saved (2 Pet 2:20-21). They live according to their natural instinct and speak about things of which they are ignorant.
- They deny the deity of Christ. 2 Pet 2:1
- They blaspheme the truth. 2 Pet 2:2
- They twist the truth and exploit new believers for personal gain. 2 Pet 2: 3, 15.
- They are self-will people. Slander even angels. 2 Pet 2:10, 11
- They are immoral and act according to their natural instincts. 2 Pet 2: 12
- They make fun of things they do not know. 2 Pet 2: 12.
- They promise freedom yet they themselves are slave to sin. 2 Pet 2: 19
- They deny the second coming of Christ. 2 Pet 3: 4, 5.
- If God judged, fallen angels, Sodom and Gomorrah, they will be also judged.2 Pet 2: 4-9
- God in His mercy will preserve the righteous. 2 Pet 2: 7.
Chapter 3
Purpose of Writing: 2 Peter 3:1-7.
In this chapter Peter provides comfort to Christians by explaining that justice will come soon. Peter reminds the readers the the purpose of writing this letter. It was to stir up their sincere mind (2 Pet 2:2,13). He warns believers that scoffers will come in the last days (2 Pet 3:3). Christians are beloved brothers. They are not professionals but brothers in the family of God. Their memory need to be refreshed and thinking should be stimulated by reminding them of what prophets and apostle have said. The scoffers would come in the last days following their own lust (1 Tim 4:1). They pride themselves that they have special knowledge. They scoff at the hope of Christ's return. They arrogantly overlook the fact that God is the creator and judge of the world. (3:5-6). They willfully reject the fact that God judged the world with the flood and will one day judge the present world with fire. The day of the Lord is the reference to the final judgment of God.
False Teachers are Scoffers:2 Peter 3:8-13.
Peter warns that in the last days, scoffer will come. The “Last days” is a term refers to a period of time from the coming of Christ to our rapture. While it seem to us that Christ's return has been delayed a long time, it is but a moment to our God. With the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet 3:8). The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise but he is patient in love, giving people more time to get saved (2 Pet 3:9).
God’s Amazing Grace: 2 Peter 3:14-18.
Peter exhorts Christians to remain holy and blameless. A new world is coming. Since we have the truth of the gospel, we must resist the deception of false teaching and spiritual corruption (2 Pet 3:17). The grace that saved us will empower us to grow in Christ. The promise of Christ’s return should motivate us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Growing in the grace and in the knowledge of Christ must go together. Christian life is not lived on auto pilot. Sixteen times the word knowledge is used in this letter. Biblical knowledge is the experiential knowledge. This gives us assurance of God’s saving grace. Those who are born again must remain firm in their faith and appreciate what God is doing in their lives. It is a fight they cannot lose, because God has provided all they needed to live a life of godliness (2 Pet 1:3). Peter encourages believers be on guard against false teachers so that they may not fall from their steadfastness. He wants them to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). Do you appreciate God's amazing grace!
In this chapter Peter provides comfort to Christians by explaining that justice will come soon. Peter reminds the readers the the purpose of writing this letter. It was to stir up their sincere mind (2 Pet 2:2,13). He warns believers that scoffers will come in the last days (2 Pet 3:3). Christians are beloved brothers. They are not professionals but brothers in the family of God. Their memory need to be refreshed and thinking should be stimulated by reminding them of what prophets and apostle have said. The scoffers would come in the last days following their own lust (1 Tim 4:1). They pride themselves that they have special knowledge. They scoff at the hope of Christ's return. They arrogantly overlook the fact that God is the creator and judge of the world. (3:5-6). They willfully reject the fact that God judged the world with the flood and will one day judge the present world with fire. The day of the Lord is the reference to the final judgment of God.
False Teachers are Scoffers:2 Peter 3:8-13.
Peter warns that in the last days, scoffer will come. The “Last days” is a term refers to a period of time from the coming of Christ to our rapture. While it seem to us that Christ's return has been delayed a long time, it is but a moment to our God. With the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day (2 Pet 3:8). The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise but he is patient in love, giving people more time to get saved (2 Pet 3:9).
- The false teachers ridicule the second coming of Christ. 2 Pet 3:3.
- They follow their own sinful desire. 2 Pet 3:3.
- They argue that “where is the promise of His coming, everything remains same from creation. 3: 4.
- They deny the historical account of the universal flood. 2 Pet 3:5, 6.
- They deny that this earth and heaven will be purged by fire and a new earth will emerge. 2 Pet 3:7.
- They willingly ignore that they are standing on a fire bomb. Scientists suggest that this earth core is boiling at 12400 degree Fahrenheit and we are only separated by a crest of 10 miles. 2 Pet 3:11-13.
- False teachers were in direct opposition to the apostolic teaching.
- They do not understand that God is not slow to fulfill his promise but is patient towards us. 2 Pet 3:9
- They do not know that God does not count time in the same way we count time. For Him a thousand years is as one day. God does all things in His own time for His own sovereign purpose.
- God is patient towards men that they might be saved. 2 Pet 3:9; 1 Tim 2: 4.
- Christ’s return is imminent and it can happen any time. Out of the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are about 300 references to Christ's return. That is one in every twenty five verses.
- Christ’s return is our blessed hope because it means resurrection, glorious body and reign with Christ. Titus 2:13; 2 Tim 2:12.
- It is a comforting hope because we will see our dear ones who went to be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:18.
- It is our purifying hope because the return of Christ motivates us live a holy life. 1 John 3:3
- It is a challenging hope because it prepares us to appear before Him with confidence. 1 John 2:28.
- It encourages us to get busy in evangelism to hasten the return of Christ. 2 Pet 3:12.
God’s Amazing Grace: 2 Peter 3:14-18.
Peter exhorts Christians to remain holy and blameless. A new world is coming. Since we have the truth of the gospel, we must resist the deception of false teaching and spiritual corruption (2 Pet 3:17). The grace that saved us will empower us to grow in Christ. The promise of Christ’s return should motivate us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Growing in the grace and in the knowledge of Christ must go together. Christian life is not lived on auto pilot. Sixteen times the word knowledge is used in this letter. Biblical knowledge is the experiential knowledge. This gives us assurance of God’s saving grace. Those who are born again must remain firm in their faith and appreciate what God is doing in their lives. It is a fight they cannot lose, because God has provided all they needed to live a life of godliness (2 Pet 1:3). Peter encourages believers be on guard against false teachers so that they may not fall from their steadfastness. He wants them to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 3:18). Do you appreciate God's amazing grace!
- We are saved by the grace of God. Ephesians 2:8-10.
- We are empowered by this grace to serve Christ. 2 Tim 2: 1-4; 1 Cor 15:10.
- We are strengthened by grace in our suffering. 2 Cor 12:7-10.
- We are the stewards of God’s grace. 1 Pet 4: 10.
- Grace encourages in our generous giving when giving becomes harder. 2 Cor 8:9.
- Grace makes us strong when we are weak. 2 Cor 12: 10.
- Grace enables us to praise God with singing. Col 3:16
- All that we are and we have, we owe to the grace of God. 1 Cor 15:10.
Conclusion
Peter exhorts believers to remember that God shows patience for sinner to get saved (3:15). Peter draws support from Paul's writing (Rom 2: 4). False teachers twist the scripture for their own gain. Believers must be on guard against their destructive teachings. Patience is a godly virtue that we should imitate. God does not wish anyone should perish in their sin but that all should come to repentance (2 Pet 3:9;
1 Tim 2: 4). God never prepares anyone for hell but shows patience and mercy to all. People prepare themselves for hell by their disobedience and rebellion toward God (Rom 9: 22, 23). The goodness and patience of God should lead us into repentance. Paul’s argument is that every time we condemn others and do the same thing, we condemn ourselves before God. Also when we continue to sin and do not repent, we store up the wrath for the righteous judgment of God. We should not take God’s patience for granted and reject the gospel. How thankful that God’s love never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, and they are new every morning and great is His faithfulness (Lam 3: 22, 23). Peter concludes his letter by encouraging to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior? If not, why not today?
1 Tim 2: 4). God never prepares anyone for hell but shows patience and mercy to all. People prepare themselves for hell by their disobedience and rebellion toward God (Rom 9: 22, 23). The goodness and patience of God should lead us into repentance. Paul’s argument is that every time we condemn others and do the same thing, we condemn ourselves before God. Also when we continue to sin and do not repent, we store up the wrath for the righteous judgment of God. We should not take God’s patience for granted and reject the gospel. How thankful that God’s love never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, and they are new every morning and great is His faithfulness (Lam 3: 22, 23). Peter concludes his letter by encouraging to grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior? If not, why not today?
