In Discover the Bible for Yourself, Kay Arthur introduces the book of 2 Peter with this beautiful description of the apostle’s life and mission:
“A fisherman by trade, Peter had been captured and transformed by the Great Shepherd. Is it any wonder that even in Peter’s darkest hour, the welfare of God’s sheep was uppermost in his mind? Ever since the day he stood with Jesus by a fire, the morning air full of the aroma of roasting fish, Peter had known the way he would die. But Peter would be faithful. His concern about his death and the way he would die would not override his concern for the sheep Jesus had commissioned him to feed and shepherd. And so, sometime around A.D. 63 or 64, Peter writes ‘to those who have received a faith the same kind as ours.’ In A.D. 64, according to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down for the Lord he once denied knowing. How Peter had grown in the grace and knowledge of his God!”
Peter’s second epistle instructs us how to grow in knowledge and righteousness, to beware of false prophets, and to be prepared for the coming “day of the Lord.” As believers living in the 21st century, we must heed these words and put them into practice.
Structure
Peter begins by affirming that God has “granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness” (1:3) so that we may become “partakers of the divine nature” (1:4). We must apply diligence in our faith and develop moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love in our lives (1:5-7). “For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1:8). Practicing these qualities ensures we will not stumble (1:10).
Peter reveals that he is writing to remind believers of these things because the end of his earthly life is near (1:12-15). He recalls his personal experiences as a disciple of Jesus and witnessing God’s pleasure for His Son (1:16-18). He states that scriptural prophecies are not a matter of one’s own interpretation, but are given by the Holy Spirit (1:19-21).
However, false prophets have arisen and introduced destructive heresies, maligning the truth and inciting people to follow their sensuality (2:1-2). Peter describes the wickedness of false prophets (2:3) and talks about God’s acts of judgment upon evil in the past (2:4-8), concluding that “the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment” (2:9). Peter characterizes the unrighteous as those who indulge the corrupt desires of the flesh, despise authority, are daring and self-willed, revile angelic majesties, find it pleasurable to revel, carouse, never cease from sin, entice unstable souls, have hearts trained in greed, and forsake the right way (2:9-16).
The unrighteous are “springs without water, and mists drive by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved” (2:17). They speak arrogantly, entice by fleshly desires and sensuality, and are slaves to corruption (2:18-19). Even if they manage to escape the defilements of the world, they soon become entangled in sin again (2:20-22).
Peter reminds us to remember the prophecies we have heard and to be on the lookout for those “mockers” who will ask why the Lord has not yet returned as He said he would (3:1-4). Peter stresses that “the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men” and warns that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (3:5-11). God is patient and has been withholding this judgment, “not wishing any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (3:9).
In light of the coming judgment, Peter calls us to holy conduct and godliness, “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God” (3:11-12). We should “be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless” (3:14). He urges us to recall the writings of Paul, who also spoke of the Christian’s responsibilities and actions (3:15-16). Peter closes his epistle with a warning and a blessing: “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, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and in the day of eternity. Amen” (3:17-18).
Relevance
Even though Peter wrote this epistle in the first century, it might as well have been written today. His descriptions of false prophets and “unprincipled men” and their ungodly behavior are readily demonstrated in this postmodern world. How much closer the day of the Lord’s return is for us! We have the responsibility to live godly lives and to hasten the coming of the Lord. We can do this by taking His gospel to those who have not heard it and encouraging all to come to repentance and accept God’s grace. It is a big undertaking, but for those who have been promised eternity with Jesus Christ, we are empowered for righteousness and holiness by the One who created and saved us.
Food for Thought
What would it take to live my life in a manner so that I will be found “spotless and blameless” when Christ comes again?
How can I keep from “falling from my own steadfastness?” Practically speaking, what do I need in order to “grow in the grace and knowledge” of Jesus Christ?
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