BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
2 Peter
3 chapters
Peter warns believers to guard against false teachers in the last days and to grow in the promised coming of the Lord, becoming mature and holy in salvation.
2 Peter
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Why this book was written
Peter, near the end of his life, writes to scattered believers to remind them that as scoffers mock the Lord's coming and false teachers arise, they must recall apostolic teaching, grow in grace and knowledge, and watchfully await the day of the Lord.
Structure
- 1Confirming Apostolic Grace and Calling
- 1:12–21Built on Prophetic and Apostolic Word
- 2Identifying and Judging False Teachers
- 3The Promise of the Lord's Return and New Creation
Major themes
True Knowledge vs. False Teachers
Peter warns against false teachers who distort truth, urging believers to grow in the knowledge of Christ (2:1-3:18).
The Authority and Reliability of Scripture
Peter affirms that prophetic Scripture comes from the Holy Spirit, underscoring the trustworthiness of God's Word (1:19-21).
Holy Living and Spiritual Growth
Believers are to diligently supplement their faith with virtue, knowledge, and love, ensuring a fruitful entry into Christ's kingdom (1:5-11).
The Day of the Lord and Final Judgment
Peter prophesies scoffers in the last days and reminds believers that the Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly (3:1-13).
God's Promise and the New Heavens and New Earth
The promised new heavens and new earth are the believer's ultimate hope, motivating holy and godly living (3:8-13).
Establishing Faith and Guarding Against Apostasy
Peter urges believers to make their calling and election sure, to avoid falling, and to beware of being led astray by error (1:10-2:22).
How it points to Christ
2 Peter exalts the Lord Jesus Christ as the source of true knowledge (1:2-4), the cornerstone chosen by God (1:1), and the coming Judge of all (3:10-14). Where false teachers deny the Lord who bought them (2:1), Peter proclaims Christ as the long-suffering Savior who ransomed believers with His blood. The promise of new heavens and a new earth points to the consummation of Christ's redemptive work in righteousness and peace (3:13).
Key verses
- 1:3God has given us everything needed for life and godliness through knowing Him who called us.
- 1:10–11Make your calling and election sure, so an abundant entry into the eternal kingdom will be granted.
- 1:19The prophetic word is a sure lamp shining until the morning star rises in your hearts.
- 2:1False teachers will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master.
- 2:9The Lord knows how to rescue the godly and to keep the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
- 2:21–22It would be better never to have known the way of righteousness than to turn back, like a washed sow returning to the mire.
- 3:9The Lord is not slow, but patient, not wishing any to perish but all to come to repentance.
- 3:18Final exhortation: grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory.
Questions for reflection
- ·Am I diligently growing in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, or have I remained at spiritual infancy? (1:5-11)
- ·How can I discern and resist the false teaching and deceivers prevalent today? (2:1-3)
- ·In the face of scoffers mocking Christ's return, do I patiently hold fast and look forward to the new heavens and new earth? (3:3-13)
- ·Do I truly regard Scripture as God-breathed and rely on it as a lamp for my path? (1:19-21)
- ·Am I growing in grace and the knowledge of Christ, living in holiness as I await His return? (3:14-18)
Where 2 Peter fits in the Bible's storyline
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Chapter 1
1Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and the Saviour Jesus Christ:
2Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
3seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
4whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust.
5Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge;
6and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness;
7and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love.
8For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
10Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble:
11for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12Wherefore I shall be ready always to put you in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and are established in the truth which is with you.
13And I think it right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle cometh swiftly, even as our Lord Jesus Christ signified unto me.
15Yea, I will give diligence that at every time ye may be able after my decease to call these things to remembrance.
16For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17For he received from God the Father honor and glory, when there was borne such a voice to him by the Majestic Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased:
18and this voice we ourselves heard borne out of heaven, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19And we have the word of prophecy made more sure; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts:
20knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of private interpretation.
21For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit.