Bible Book: II Peter

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Peter

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Christian Greetings (1:1-2a)
The Source and Application of True Knowledge (1:2b-21)
The Privilege and Transforming Power of Knowing God (1:2b-4)
The Responsibility and Progressive Character of Christian Growth (1:5-11)
The Purpose and Validation of Peter’s Message (1:12-21)
His Motive (1:12-15)
His Method (1:16-21)
An Eyewitness of Christ and the Prophetic Word (1:16-19)
The Illumination and Inspiration of Prophetic Scripture (1:20-21)
The Warning Against False Teachers (2:1-22)
What to Expect From False Teachers (2:1-3)
What They Can Expect From God (2:4-10a)
Some Characteristics of False Teachers (2:10b-19)
The Dangers of Turning From the Truth (2:20-22)
The Certainty of Christ’s Return (3:1-18a)
Denial of His Return (3:1-7)
Assurance of His Return (3:8-10)
Living for His Return (3:11-18a)
Benediction (3:18b)

Theme: Faithful Truth Versus False Teachers

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 66-67

Background
    In his greeting, Simon Peter (Simon being his original name and Peter being the name Jesus gave him, Jn 1:40-42) identifies himself as author of this letter. He later remarks that this is his second letter to the readers (3:1), indicating that he is writing to the same general audience in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) who had received his first letter (1Pe 1:1). Since Peter, like Paul, was put to death by an edict, or command, of the wicked Emperor Nero (who himself died in June, A.D. 68), it is most likely that Peter wrote this letter between A.D. 66-67, shortly before his execution in Rome (1:13-15).
    Some scholars, in both ancient and modern times, have ignored the remarkable similarities between 1 and 2 Peter. Instead, they have stressed the differences between the two letters, leading to an assumption that Peter was not the author of this letter. However, the differences in content, vocabulary, emphases and writing style between the two letters can be adequately accounted for by the different circumstances of both Peter and his readers in the two letters. (1) The original circumstances of the recipients had changed from the outward threat of persecution from their surrounding society to the inward threat of compromise from within the church by false teachers. Peter wrote this letter to emphasize that these deceptive individuals must not be allowed to undermine the churches’ foundations of truth and distract the believers from their true purpose in following Christ. (2) Peter’s circumstances were also different. While he had the skilled assistance of Silas when writing his first letter (1Pe 5:12), it appears that Silas was not available when writing this one. Peter may have used his own rough Galilean Greek or relied on a less capable scribe than Silas.

Purpose
Peter wrote (1) to encourage believers to diligently pursue godly character and a true knowledge of Christ and (2) to expose and denounce the dangerously deceptive activity of false prophets and false teachers among the churches in Asia Minor who were undermining the original truth of Christ’s message. Peter summarizes his purpose in 3:17-18, as he challenges true believers (1) to be on their guard so that they may not “be carried away by the error of lawless men” (3:17) and (2) to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (3:18).

Survey
    This short letter instructs believers to develop and show godly character resulting from a true knowledge of God, which comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The first chapter emphasizes the importance of spiritual growth. Having begun by faith, Christians must diligently pursue moral excellence, godly knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and selfless love. The aim is that they would mature in their faith and knowledge of Jesus and that they would be productive in serving him (1:3-11; see article on Sanctification).
    The next chapter seriously warns about false prophets and false teachers who were emerging among the churches. Peter denounces them as lawless men (2:1, 3; 3:17) who participate in shameful lifestyles that appeal to the corrupt desires of sinful human nature (2:2, 7, 10, 13-14, 18-19). He describes them as greedy (2:3, 14-15), arrogant (2:18) and self-willed (2:10) and ones who despise authority (2:10-12). Peter’s aim is to protect true believers against destructive beliefs, teachings and practices (2:1) by exposing the evil motives and conduct of these false leaders (see article on False Teachers).
    In ch. 3, Peter argues against the doubt, denial and skepticism that have been taught about Jesus’ return (3:3-4). For as Noah’s generation mistakenly and tragically tossed aside as foolishness the idea of the judgment of a great flood from God, so these false teachers are equally blind concerning the promises of Christ’s return. But with the same swift and definite action of God’s judgment through the flood (3:5-6), Christ will return to execute judgment on the present earth by fire (3:7-12). After that, he will create a new heaven and earth as a home for his people (3:13). In view of this, God’s people must live holy (i.e., morally pure, spiritually whole, separated from evil and dedicated to God and his purposes) and godly lives in this present age (3:11, 14).

Special Features
Four major features characterize this letter. (1) It contains one of the Bible’s strongest statements about the inspiration, reliability and authority of Scripture—God’s written Word (1:19-21; see article on The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture). (2) Ch. 2 and Jude’s letter are remarkably similar in how they describe and denounce false teachers. It is very likely that one of the authors relied on the other for some of the shared information. Perhaps Jude, later facing the same problem of false teachers, utilized portions of Peter’s inspired teaching to make the same point (see the introduction to Jude). It is also possible that the longer letter (Peter) incorporated much of the shared information from the shorter letter (Jude). (3) Ch. 3 is one of the great NT chapters on Christ’s second coming. (4) Peter indirectly refers to Paul’s writings as Scripture (God’s inspired and authoritative written Word) by mentioning them in relation to “the other Scriptures” (3:15-16).   

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.