2 Peter Overview

Tod Kennedy, May 28, 2003

Chapter Titles

Chapter 1, Everything for life and godliness

Chapter 2, Judgment of false teachers and rescue of the godly

Chapter 3, Mockers cannot hinder Christ’s return

General Purpose

          Peter wrote his second letter “to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1.1). They were believers in Jesus Christ; they possessed eternal life and were eternally secure.

          He was concerned that these believers might come under the power of false teachers who would hinder, damage, or stop their day to day Christian life, which we can call present time sanctification. He wrote “now for this very reason also, applying all diligence” (2 Peter 1.5), “therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent” (2 Peter 1.10),  “therefore, I shall always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2 Peter 1.12), “and I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind” (2 Peter 1.15), “there will also be false teachers among you” (2  Peter 2.1), “they will exploit you with false words” (2 Peter 2.3), “they entice…those who barely escape from the ones who live in error” (2 Peter 2.18), “therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (2 Peter 3.14), and “you therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness” (2 Peter 3.17).

          Peter concluded the way he began: he emphasized progress in grace and knowledge (2 Peter 1.11-4 and 2 Peter 3.17-18).

Argument of 2 Peter

1.     Peter, after his introduction in chapter 1, verse 3, writes that God has “has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.”  Part of life and godliness is the freedom or salvation from the control and results of sin during time. God has given each believer that which is necessary to live this normal Christian life. Salvation from the control of sin is also called experiential sanctification, phase 2 salvation, and phase 2 sanctification. Then in 2 Peter 1.4 he reminds us that from this “everything” we have what we need to grow up as Christians. “Partakers of the divine nature” refers to what we gain in Christ. “Partakers” is the word koinwnoi (koinwnoi), those who partake in something with someone or those who permit someone else to share in something.  Peter then reminds us to be diligent about our own Christian life sanctification and growth and to pay attention to the Word of God in our lives. He ends chapter 1 saying that God’s prophets spoke the true word of God and the Scripture is this revelation.

2.     Peter, in chapter 2, warns believers in Christ about false prophets and false teachers. The false teachers have a completely different worldview—rebellion and moral degeneracy—than the worldview presented by the Bible.  They try to exploit believers in Christ with false words and so greatly damage them (2 Peter 2.1-3). He then warns about the intent of the false teachers: they introduce destructive heresies which result in subverting people and blaspheming the biblical faith. God’s determination to judge them is evident by his judgment of the fallen angels and unbelievers of Noah’s time and his judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah; yet at the same time Noah and Lot demonstrate that God is able to rescue the faithful remnant from the evil of the day (2.4-9). In verses 10-19, Peter details the rebellion and moral degeneracy of the false teachers and that they actively work to entice believers over to their side by carousing with believers and promising them a new freedom (2.19). At verse 20, Peter becomes specific in his warning to believers. He describes what can happen if believers hang around the wrong crowd; they will fall in with the false teachers and adopt their attitudes and lifestyles. They do not gain freedom and happiness; they give up freedom and happiness. Those who become entrapped will become miserable, yet they are secure in their eternal salvation.