2 Peter: false teachers and the day of the Lord

About the book

The letter opens, "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). The writer knows that "this tent will soon be laid aside" (2 Peter 1:14), says that on the holy mountain "we were eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Peter 1:16), and calls this "my second letter to you" (2 Peter 3:1). So the traditional view takes it as Peter's last word, written about 65, shortly before his martyrdom in Rome; the map under the Jesus tab sets it in the era of the church (c. AD 30–90).

Yet no book of the New Testament has its authorship more debated. Many scholars note that its Greek style differs a good deal from 1 Peter's, that chapter 2 closely follows Jude, and that it speaks of "all his letters" (2 Peter 3:16), Paul's, as already read beside the other Scriptures, which suggests a later time. The letter was slow to be received, and early in the fourth century Eusebius listed it among the books disputed, though received by many Eusebius, Church History 3.25. So many scholars take it as written after Peter's death in his name, in the form of a farewell charge.

Those who hold the traditional view, evangelicals among them, who stress the authority of Scripture and the telling of the gospel, point out that the letter names Peter and gives his eyewitness testimony, and that the early church, which set aside writings falsely bearing apostles' names, received this one after long testing. They explain the change of style by Peter writing without the help that Silvanus gave him in 1 Peter, or with someone else's. Athanasius' list of the twenty-seven books in 367 includes it Athanasius, Festal Letter 39.

How it unfolds

Key passages

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3), so believers are to add to faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, and so on to love (2 Peter 1:5-7). This faith, Peter says, rests not on clever tales but on God's word:

For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:21

The inspiration and authority of Scripture, in the doctrine course, teaches this. Chapter 2 warns of false teachers who slip in, "even denying the Master who bought them" (2 Peter 2:1), and lure people with promises of freedom. Jude gives the same warning; read it with the lesson on Jude.

In chapter 3 scoffers ask where the promise of his coming is. Peter reminds his readers that "With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day" (2 Peter 3:8), and answers:

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

The day will come like a thief, but believers look for "a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). Peter counts Paul's letters with "the rest of the Scriptures" (2 Peter 3:16), and warns against twisting them.

The book and Christ

Peter calls Jesus "our God and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:1). On the mountain he heard the voice from heaven: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased" (2 Peter 1:17), and that made the prophets' word all the surer. The new heavens and new earth Isaiah promised (Isaiah 65:17) come with the day of Christ's return. The letter ends, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18), and gives him the glory.

Reading it

Its three chapters can be read at one sitting; begin with 2 Peter 1. Write out the eight steps of 1:5-7, read chapter 2 side by side with Jude, and read chapter 3 with Matthew 24. Then go on to 1 John.

Practice