Second letter of Peter


Peter's spiritual testament


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About this epistle 1 2 3

About Second letter of Peter

Peter knew that his departure from this world was near, see 2 Pet. 1:14–15. This is Peter's spiritual testament. The word knowledge is used frequently in this letter, referring not only to pure intellectual knowledge but also to a personal relationship with Jesus. Peter urges believers to let their faith be visible in their lives. He warns against false teachers who advocate a life of licentiousness (2 Pet. 2:1–3). He also predicts that mockers will question Jesus' return (2 Pet. 3:3–4). The remedy for false teachings is the truth in God's word, see 2 Pet. 1:4, 19–21; 3:1–2, 14–16. The letter emphasizes the entire Bible, both the Old and New Testaments. It is interesting that Peter also refers to Paul's letters, see 2 Pet. 3:15–16.

Structure:
1. Knowing Jesus personally, chapter 1.
2. False teachers, chapter 2.
3. Jesus' return, chapter 3.

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents


Persons (7) BETA

Persons in Second letter of Peter


Places (2)

Places in Second letter of Peter


Unique Words (62)

Unique Words in Second letter of Peter



  Written: Around the year 64-65 AD

To: All believers, see 2 Pet. 2:1. The fact that this is "the second letter," see 2 Pet. 3:1, indicates that it may have been sent to the same recipients as the first letter: Christians in present-day northern Turkey, the regions of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, see 1 Pet. 1:1.

From: Probably Rom.

Author: Peter, one of the twelve apostles.

Peter was a fisherman from Galilee who became a fisher of men. His name was Simon, but Jesus gave him a new name – Peter, which means rock, see John 1:42. Peter became a small rock on the rock that was Jesus. In the Gospels, he appears as the leader among the disciples and was often the one who spoke up. He denied Jesus three times but was restored. On the day of Pentecost, he preached boldly and 3,000 came to believe in Jesus, many of whom are recipients of this letter, see the areas in Acts 2:8–10 and 1 Pet. 1:1. He was married and his wife accompanied him on his travels, see 1 Cor. 9:5. According to tradition, he died a martyr's death in Rom during the persecution of Emperor Nero. The first reference to his death is already found in John 21:18. Bishop Clement of Rom. mentions Peter's martyrdom in his letter to Corinth (95 AD). The apocryphal text "The Acts of Peter" from 180-190 AD describes Peter's desire to be crucified upside down.

Reading time: ca 15 minutes.

Total Word Count

1099 words in the book (in the original text).

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Second letter of Peter

Greetings

11[From] Simeon [Simon] Peter, servant (slave, bondman – Gk. doulos) and apostle (messenger, ambassador) of Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ). [Peter does not use the usual Greek form "Simon" to introduce himself, but "Simeon," which is closer to the Hebrew origin of the name. In his first letter, he writes only Peter, see 1 Pet. 1:1, which was the name Jesus gave him, see John 1:42. By including both of these names (and also calling himself a servant), he shows the transformation that has taken place in his life. To those who through (in) the righteousness of our God and Savior – Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) – have received a faith as precious as ours.]
2May grace (favor) and peace (complete harmony)
    be multiplied (increased) to you
    through (in) the knowledge [which is specific and based on personal experience] of God and Jesus our Lord.

Be steadfast and grow in faith

God has given us everything we need

[The introduction is often followed by a prayer of thanksgiving in the New Testament letters. However, this is not the case here (or in the letter of Jude). Verses 3-11 nevertheless contain several elements similar to the thanksgiving in 2 Tim. 1:3–7. The first word in verse 3 (Gk. hos) marks a connection and is translated as "therefore." Now the benefits of this precious faith that we have received through Jesus' righteousness are described, see verse 1. The grammatical construction also points to verses 5-7.] 3Therefore, his divine power has given (bestowed) us everything [we need] for life and godliness [i.e., everything that leads to an abundant life in holy reverence and devotion to God] through the knowledge of [the specific personal experience of] the one who has called us to his own glory (honor) and goodness (virtue, power, purity; high moral standards). 4Through them [glory and holiness], he has given us enormously great and precious promises, so that through [accepting them and acting on them] you may share in God's nature, having fled from the corruption (decay, rottenness) that is in the world because of evil desires (longing for the forbidden).

Live out your faith

5But also for this very reason [thanks to the promises and the relationship with Jesus that gives glory and holiness, see verses 3-4], when you [at the same time] have done everything you can [with all your zeal, striving to the utmost]:
Supply your faith with (give rich nourishment to your trust through; clothe your faithfulness in)
    goodness (virtue) [high morals whose character is evident in practical action] –
through (in) goodness [develops]
    knowledge [the personal experience of Jesus],
6through (in) knowledge [which comes in a living relationship with Jesus, then develops]
    self-control (self-restraint),
through (in) self-control [develops]
    perseverance (steadfastness) [so that you can stand firm and remain steadfast even during trials],
through (i) [the practice of] perseverance [develops]
    godliness (piety) [a life of holiness that pleases God],
7through godliness [in the living relationship with God develops]
    brotherly love [Gk. philadelphia – brotherly love consisting of affectionate friendship, see Rom. 12:10; 1 Pet. 3:8],
through (in) brotherly love [ultimately develops into selfless and generous]
    love (Gk. agape) [for all people].
 8For when you have (already possess) [all] these [seven qualities – i.e., goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly love, and love] and they [continually] grow (increase), it does not make you [prevent you from becoming] inactive or unfruitful in the knowledge of [in the pursuit of personally knowing] our Lord Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ). 9For whoever lacks these [whoever does not always have these qualities present] is blind, he is [constantly spiritually] nearsighted [he sees only the earthly things that are close to him, not the heavenly perspective] because he has forgotten that he was cleansed (literally: forgot about the cleansing) from his former (old) sins.
10Therefore, my brothers and sisters in faith, do your utmost to confirm your calling and election. [The calling takes place when we receive Jesus, while the election took place before the world was created. Both originate from God and have their source in him, but the believer confirms them by growing, and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23) provides tangible evidence of the new life.] For if you do this, you will never, ever fall. 11In this way, you will receive everything you need for your entrance (your arrival) into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ).

A reminder

[Three times in the following verses, Peter speaks of remembering spiritual truths. Just over 30 years earlier, Jesus had predicted that Peter would die a martyr's death, see John 21:18–19. Peter knew that the time of his departure was near, see verse 14.] 12Therefore, I will constantly remind you of these things, even though you already know them and are established in the truth you have. 13I consider it my duty to stir you up (activate, shake into life) with my reminders as long as I remain in this tent. [Our earthly body is likened to a perishable temporary dwelling.] 14I know that I will soon lay aside my tent [earthly body]. Our Lord Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) has shown me this. 15But I want to do what I can so that after my departure (exodus – Gk. exodus) you will always remember this.

God's word is true and trustworthy

The apostles' eyewitness account

16When we told of the power and personal coming of our Lord Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) [Jesus' transformation and presence on the Mount of Transfiguration, see Mark 9:1–13], our story was not based on cleverly concocted tales. [These were not fantasy stories that many Gnostics used to attract listeners and arouse interest, see 2 Pet. 2:3.] No, on the contrary, we saw with our own eyes his majesty (divine, kingly authority and magnificent power).
     17For [we were there when] he received honor and glory from (next to, right beside) God the Father. A voice came from this majestic glory [in the light that shone over Jesus]: "This is my Son – my Beloved. In him I am well pleased (pleased; I am satisfied with him)." [Matt. 3:17] 18We [Peter, James, and John] heard that voice coming from heaven [God's throne], for we were with him on the holy mountain. [Matt. 17:1–9; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:35]

The prophetic word is trustworthy

19And we also have the very reliable words of the prophets. [In addition to Peter's eyewitness account on the Mount of Transfiguration, we have all the prophecies in the Old Testament that testify that Jesus would come.] You are right to constantly examine (take note of, pay attention to) the prophecies, for they shine like a lamp in a dark (morally darkened) place, until the day dawns and the morning star [Jesus, see Rev 22:16] rises in your hearts.
     20Above all (first and foremost), you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture originates from anyone's own imagination (fantasy). 21No prophecy has ever come as a result of human will, but led (carried, driven) by the Holy Spirit, people have spoken [carried and conveyed] words from God.

False prophets

How false teaching creeps in

[There have always been false teachings and teachers, see Deut. 13:1–5; 18:14–22; Jer. 28. Peter uses the words prophet and teacher synonymously. Prophecy certainly has an aspect of predicting future events, but the main meaning in the biblical sense is to claim to speak inspired by God and to be a teacher.] 21But there were also false prophets among the people [in the time of the prophets, see 1 Pet. 1:19–21], just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce false doctrines. They will deny the Sovereign (Gk. despotes) who redeemed them and suddenly bring destruction upon themselves. 2Many will follow them in their sexual immorality, and for their sake the way of truth will be blasphemed. [Jesus is the truth and the way, see John 14:6. The first Christians belonged to "the Way," see Acts 9:2; 19:9. See also Acts 16:17; 18:25–26.] 3In their greed, they [these false teachers] will exploit you with false arguments. But the judgment against them has been in effect for a long time, and their destruction is not asleep.

God's Judg.

4For God did not spare the angels who had sinned, but cast them into the lowest abyss (Gk. tartaros). He delivered them to the chains of darkness to be kept there until the judgment. [This is the only time the word tartaros is used in the New Testament. In Greek mythology, Tartaros was a lower level of Hades (the realm of the dead). The worst sinners were brought here and punished day and night. Peter borrows this word to describe a temporary place for fallen angels until the final judgment of Rev 20:10-14. Since the context is Noah, see verse 5, these angels may refer to the angels who rebelled and sinned against God's command by having sexual relations with women, see Gen. 6:1–4.] 5He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others [Noah's wife, their three sons, and their wives] when he brought the flood upon the world of the ungodly. [Gen. 6–9] 6He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, reducing them to ashes, thus setting an example of what awaits the ungodly. [Gen. 19; Jude 1:7] 7But he saved righteous Lot, who was tormented by the lawless lives of the wicked. 8For day after day, this righteous man, living among them, was tormented in his righteous soul by the evil they committed. 9The Lord understands, therefore, to save the godly from temptation and to keep the unrighteous in custody under punishment until the day of Judg.

Their character

10This is especially true of those who, in their impure desires, follow their carnal nature and despise [the Lord's] authority [Gk. kyriotes in the singular, see also Jude 1:8]. Bold and self-confident, they do not shy away from mocking high powers, 11while angels who are higher in power and strength do not utter any scornful judgments against them before the Lord. 12Those who mock what they do not know are like irrational animals, born by nature to be caught and killed.
    They are corrupt and therefore end up in corruption, 13where they receive the wages of their unrighteousness. They enjoy feasting in broad daylight, they are stains and blemishes, reveling in their lusts and feasting with you.
     14Their eyes are full of adultery, and they cannot get enough of sin. They entice unstable souls, and their hearts are trained in greed, these children of cursing.

They have left the way

15They have left the straight path and gone astray, following the same path as Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 16But he was rebuked for his crime when a mute donkey spoke with a human voice and stopped the prophet's madness. [At the end of the Israelites' desert wanderings, Balak, king of Moab, tried to persuade the prophet Balaam to curse the Israelites, see Num. 22–24. Balaam's father was named Beor, see Num. 22:5. However, some manuscripts have "Bosor's son" here, a name that means "son of the flesh." It may be that Peter is making a deliberate paraphrase to illustrate how Balaam walked after the flesh and not after the Spirit.]
17These [false teachers] are
    fountains without water
    and clouds [with longed-for water] driven by a storm.
Deep darkness awaits them. [In a dry climate, drinking water and life-giving rain are essential. These images describe how the teachers make promises they cannot keep. They are worthless wells, see Jer. 2:13.] 18They speak grand and empty words and lure [newly converted] people who have just escaped from those who live in delusion with licentiousness and carnal desires. 19They promise them freedom [without any moral qualms], but they themselves are slaves to corruption, for whatever defeats you, you are a slave to. [The lifestyle of false teachers contradicts what they say.] 20If they have come to know our Lord and Savior Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ) and escaped the corruption of the world, but then allow themselves to be ensnared and conquered by it again, their end will be worse than their beginning. 21It would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then turned away from the holy message entrusted to them. 22They have gone the way of the proverb:
    "A dog returns to its own vomit" [Prov 26:11],
and
"A pig that has been washed wallows in the mud again."
[An extra-biblical quotation, probably from the Proverbs of Ahikar. Pigs and dogs were unclean animals, see Matt. 7:6.]

God's word is true and trustworthy

the return of Jesus

31This is now the second letter I am writing to you, my beloved. [The first letter may be 1 Peter, but it may also be another letter that has been lost.] In both [letters], I have wanted to awaken (activate, revive) your pure minds with my reminders, 2so that you may remember what has been foretold by the holy prophets and the message from the Lord and Savior that you have heard from your apostles (messengers). [Indirectly, the Old Testament is equated here with the New Testament; see also verse 16, where Paul is mentioned.]
3Above all, you should know that in the last days there will be scoffers who will follow their own desires and mock you 4and say,
"Where is the promise of his coming (arrival – Gk. parousia)?
Since the fathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.] died
    everything has continued just as it has been since the beginning of creation."
[The expression "the last days" is used in the New Testament for the entire period from Jesus' death and resurrection until his return, see Peter's speech in Acts 2:16–39 and Hebrews 1:2. Already in the letters to Thessalonica, belief in Jesus' imminent return could cause questions and doubts. When this letter was written, Peter was old and about to die. Jesus had not yet returned. The false teachers discussed in the previous chapter are probably these mocking people who question the truth of the Bible.] 5They deliberately ignore the fact that long ago there were heavens and an earth that came into being out of water and through water by the word of God. 6Through water and God's word, the world of that time was flooded and perished. 7But the heavens and the earth that now exist have been saved by the same word and are being preserved until the day when the ungodly people will be judged and perish.
[Now comes the answer to the question in verse 4, about why the Lord delays:] 8But do not forget this one thing, beloved [do not ignore this fact], that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day [Ps. 90:4]. 9The Lord is not slow (is not late) in [fulfilling] the promise [of his return/arrival, see verse 4] as some people think [according to some people's understanding of what is meant by slowness and delay]. Instead, he is patient (gentle; slow to anger) toward you, because he does not want [does not have an attitude] anyone to be lost, but [wants] everyone to [have time to] repent (change their way of thinking; literally: that everyone may come to make room for reflection).
     10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [Jesus uses the same parable, see Matt. 24:42–44. Paul also does so, see 1 Thess 5:2.] On that day, the heavens will fall (pass away, perish) with a great roar (bellowing). The heavenly bodies will melt (break apart) in heat, and the earth and everything on it will be exposed (revealed, made manifest).
11Now that everything is breaking apart (moving toward its dissolution), how should we live?

We should be holy and fear God (associate with him, be in his presence, and live a life that pleases God), 12while we wait for and hasten the day of God. [The mission of the church is to preach the gospel to all nations, see Mark 13:10.] On that day, the heavens will be dissolved by fire, and the heavenly bodies will melt with heat. 13But, because of his promise [Isa. 65:17; 66:22], we wait for (look forward to) new (better) heavens and a new (better) earth, where righteousness (freedom from sin) will always reign. [Rev 21:1]

Be steadfast and grow in faith

14Therefore, my beloved, since you are waiting for these things, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15Consider that our Lord's patience [waiting to judge the world, see verse 9] means salvation. So also our beloved brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom he has been given, 16and he does so in all his letters when he speaks of this. [To live pure and holy in all areas of life, because Jesus is coming back soon.] In his letters there are some things that are difficult to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort to their own destruction, as they do with the other Scriptures. [Here, both Peter's and Paul's letters are mentioned together with the Scriptures, which refers to the Old Testament. There are examples where Paul's teaching has been misinterpreted. In an early letter to Corinth, which is no longer preserved, the Corinthians had misunderstood him to mean that they should completely avoid contact with non-believers. Paul had to correct this, see 1 Cor. 5:9–11. Perhaps phrases such as “everything is lawful,” see 1 Cor. 6:12, could have been used by false teachers to distort Paul's teaching on grace and freedom from the law. This type of “cheap grace” teaching seems to be what the false teachers were teaching and what Peter opposes in this letter, see 2 Pet. 2:2.]
17My beloved, you already know this. [The word "forecast" comes from the Gk. proginosko, which is translated as "you already know this." God's word gives a warning and a "forecast" of what will happen.] Therefore, be on your guard [against false teachers, see chapter 2], so that you are not carried away by the error of the wicked (lawless) and lose your footing.
18Instead, grow [continuously, all the time] in grace [God's favor/power] [1 Pet. 1:5–7] and knowledge [personal acquaintance] of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Anointed One (Messiah, Christ).

His is the glory, now and forever.

Amen (so be it).




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