Introduction to 2 Peter

How to Study the Bible

1:1 Simeon Peter A usage of both Peter’s Hebrew name and Greek name, respectively. See 1 Pet 1:1 and note; Matt 16:18 and note.

slave The Greek word here, doulos, associates Peter with ot figures referred to as servants of Yahweh (e.g., Josh 14:7; 2 Sam 7:8; Jer 7:25; Ezek 38:17; Joel 3:2; Amos 3:7). Peter uses the Greek term doulos to describe his total devotion to Jesus (see 1 Cor 6:19; compare Rom 1:1 and note).

apostle of Jesus Christ Peter understands himself as one sent by Jesus to proclaim the salvation Jesus offers to the world (see note on 1 Pet 1:1). The distinction that Peter is not just an apostle (a sent one), but particularly an apostle of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is an important one. He does not send himself; Jesus does.

a faith equal in value to ours While Peter knows that he has special authority as an apostle, he also knows that all people are equal in the eyes of God and that faith itself shows that to be the case. Faith necessitates that people admit that they are sinners like anyone else. Likewise, by Christ’s actions for all people, they have equal opportunity to be made right before God.

by the righteousness Describes the right standing (or justice) of God, which believers are given. By the actions of Jesus, a right standing is bestowed upon believers, even though they would otherwise be in wrong standing before God (compare Rom 5:10).

God and Savior Jesus Christ Jesus is explicitly identified as God (compare Titus 2:13; John 1:1 and note). The Greek here includes only one definite article—resulting in the rendering of “the God and savior Jesus Christ.”

1:2 knowledge of God Believers are encouraged to experience completeness through their growing knowledge of God Himself. At its most basic level, this is the knowledge of the salvation that people can receive in Jesus. But there are radical implications of that message, including a transformed life; these implications will be described throughout the letter. Accepting the knowledge of God results in action; the knowledge does not stand apart from action (see 2 Pet 1:5–9).

Lord Peter has just described Jesus as God and now is either describing Him as his master, his ruler, or Yahweh Himself. The ancient Greek ot (Septuagint) substitutes the same term, kyrios, for the divine name, Yahweh.

1:3 his divine power Here, Peter uses a singular term to reference the power of God and Jesus, further indicating that he understands them to be one and the same.

necessary for life and godliness Peter asserts that Christians are fully equipped to live a life pleasing to God, to overcome any obstacle they face, and to persevere under trial. In summary, God is sufficient—a concept that Peter will come back to later in this letter (see ch. 3).

excellence of character It is solely because of who God is that believers have an opportunity to be in relationship with Him.

1:4 great promises The reality described in 2 Pet 1:3 and Jesus’ second coming (see ch. 3).

sharers of the divine nature Here, Peter may be contrasting the Christian belief that believers participate in the divine nature with the Greek belief that humans could become gods.

escaping from the corruption The specific type of corruption Peter has in mind is described later in the letter (see 2 Pet 2).

1:5 excellence of character The idea of knowing about God is preceded by the principle of living a life of integrity, making the point that the disciplines of a faithful life lead to further understanding of God.

1:6 self-control Faith is not just a matter of obtaining salvation; it is a matter of life transformation—overcoming sin demonstrates the power of Jesus in a person’s life.

patient endurance Against daily opposition, believers were forced to explain their choice to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Living as part of society without synchronizing their beliefs with those of the Roman Empire would have required incredible endurance. The believers who received the letter of 2 Peter would have found the principles of their faith at odds with the general practices of Graeco-Roman culture.

1:8 and are increasing Christians should not just possess the virtues in vv. 5–7, but be growing in them. It is possible to have some knowledge of Christ and yet be unproductive.

1:10 make your calling and election secure Believers should embody the virtues Peter lists because it means honoring the sacrifice Jesus has made (vv. 5–7). Peter does not mean that people earn salvation through embodying virtues; Peter has already indicated that salvation depends on Jesus alone (see 1 Pet 1:1 and note; compare John 3:16–17; Rom 8:28–30; 1 Thess 1:4). Peter is indicating that believers confirm the power of Jesus’ work by their choices.

you will never ever stumble People who are so focused on living a virtuous life, through the power of Jesus’ work in them, do not have room for sinful behavior; instead, they honor God in all they do. By extension, Peter may also be referring to avoiding the compromising influences of the false teachers; those who embody the virtues will be able to discern truth from falsehood (2 Pet 1:5–7; see 2:1 and note).

1:11 richly supplied for you Those who live the virtues Peter has listed are welcomed into God’s eternal kingdom with honor, as those who have faithfully served Him (compare Matt 25:14–30). Furthermore, if Jesus were to return during their lifetimes, they would be found doing His work (compare 2 Pet 3:11–13).

eternal kingdom In the nt, the kingdom of God (or heaven) is articulated as present, but not fully arrived (Luke 17:20–21). This kingdom is present in heaven already and in the midst of those on earth, but earth is awaiting the day of Jesus’ return, when the full power of Christ’s reign will be established (2 Pet 3:8–10).

1:12 remind you continually concerning these things Peter exhorts them so that they will remember and obey what he has taught them.

established in the truth The saving message of Jesus that Peter has already described (see note on v. 1).

1:13 in this habitation Peter has an eternal perspective on Jesus’ work. He has work to do while on earth. When his body dies, his life will go on as he enters God’s eternal kingdom. Because of Christ’s actions, Peter knows that he has been granted eternal life (vv. 1, 11; compare 2 Cor 5:1–4).

1:14 the removal of my habitation Refers to Peter’s death (compare 1 Pet 5:1).

Christ made clear to me This may indicate that Jesus had revealed to Peter the approximate timing of his death or that Peter simply understood his life to be short in comparison to the eternal kingdom, and thus he viewed each day as if it could be his last.

1:15 after my departure, to recall these things Peter desired those under his pastoral care to be well equipped to continue in the Christian faith without his presence or supervision. Peter may be referencing the remaining contents of his letter or a process he envisions taking place through other people, after his death—perhaps involving appointed leaders carrying forward the tradition he has passed down to them.

1:16 ingeniously concocted myths Peter is defending the truth of what he has preached about Jesus’ return (2 Pet 3). This is in contrast to the false teachers who have called his authority into question (compare 1 Tim 1:4 and note).

eyewitnesses Peter and the apostles testified about events they witnessed firsthand, particularly Jesus’ transfiguration.

1:17 in whom I am well pleased Similar commendations from God the Father occurred at both Jesus’ baptism and His transfiguration, but Peter particularly has in view Jesus’ transfiguration, as 2 Pet 1:18 shows (Matt 3:17; 17:1–8; Mark 1:11; 9:2–8; Luke 3:22; 9:28–36).

1:18 on the holy mountain Peter asserts that he was present at Jesus’ transfiguration, which the Gospels confirm (see 2 Pet 1:17 and note). Jesus’ appearance in glory at that event looks forward to His future appearance in glory, which Peter is defending (see ch. 3).

1:19 more reliable the prophetic word Scripture—particularly the words of the prophets—and Peter’s own experience confirm the truth of his teachings. The words of Scripture may be used to discern truth from falsehood.

the day dawns Refers to the day of the Lord, a frequent subject of prophetic passages in the ot that the early church applied to the day of Jesus’ return and judgment.

morning star A metaphor for the return of Christ, with a particular focus on His glory (see Rev 2:28 and note; Rev 22:16 and note).

rises in your hearts Peter is saying the very glory of Christ dwells within believers, overtaking their selfish desires. In this verse, Peter is echoing language about the day of Jesus’ return to show that this process will not be fully complete on earth until Jesus’ return.

1:20 one’s own interpretation Peter asserts that true prophecy does not come from human ability but divine enablement (compare Isa 6:1–13).

Biblical Theology

1:21 carried along In this verse, the Greek verb used refers to guidance by the unseen hand of the Holy Spirit, both in the moment of writing and in the numerous circumstances of the writer’s life—culminating in the production of Scripture.

spoke from God Because God spoke through the prophets, their messages were true. Peter contrasts true prophets with the false teachers of 2 Pet 2:1.