HIS SERVANTS' MINISTRY

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The Book of 2 Peter

Introduction

I will do the Second Peter Commentary similar to my other Commentaries . . . in that I will bring the verse or verses in the KJV, followed by what it is saying to me. What I write will be a personal comment, it is NOT Scripture.

AUTHOR: The apostle Peter . . . His name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Peter (John 1:42). Simon had his own 'fish' business. But Jesus called Simon to be an apostle, where he would be "a fisher of men" (Mat.4:19), and gave him the name Peter, which means a ‘rock’. Jesus chose him as one of the 12 apostles. Later Peter became one of the bold leaders of the Christian church.

Peter was probably in the city called Rome when he wrote this letter. He was old and expected to die soon. Peter died on a cross about 35 years after Jesus returned to Heaven (Acts.1:9). At that time Nero, who was the evil ruler in Rome, was killing Christians.

Peter wrote this letter in the Greek language. In New Testament times, many people could speak and read the Greek language. This meant that the good news about Jesus could spread easily.

DATE WRITTEN: Probably between a.d. 64 and 70.

PURPOSE: To warn believers of the dangerous and seductive work of false teachers; and to encourage them to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," (2 Peter 3:18).

TO WHOM WRITTEN: Christians everywhere, . . . 2 Peter 1:1. Peter did not say where he was sending the letter. In 3:1, he referred to this letter as his ‘second letter’. I think that 1 Peter was his first letter to these same readers. They were Christians who lived in the country that we now call Turkey. Peter probably wrote this letter to both Jews and Gentiles who had become Christians. (Gentiles are people who are not Jews.)

MAIN THEME: A warning against corrupt teachers and scoffers. In order to counteract the influence of false doctrine, great emphasis is laid upon the Word of God and the certainty of the fulfillment of the divine promises.

KEY WORDS: False teachers, . . . 2 Peter 2:1.

KEY VERSES: 2 Peter 1:20-21; 3:1-2.

Peter wrote this letter for four reasons:
#1. He wanted the people to be stronger Christians.
#2. He wanted to warn them about false teachers and their damnable heresies.
#3.He also wanted to remind them about the TRUE Christian beliefs.
#4. He emphasized that Jesus Christ will return, and God will judge wicked people. So, Christians must be ready for that day.

Peter had the authority to say these things. He had been with Jesus while He was alive in this world, during His ministry, and had watched Him die, and saw Him ascend into Heaven (Acts 1:9-10).

Christian graces gives assurance; and authority of the Scriptures is proven by fulfilled prophecy.

This wonderful letter is the "swan song" of the apostle Peter. It is his final word to believers right before his death by crucifixion. He warns them of the apostasy which is coming, and particularly of the heresy among teachers, and he wants desperately to anchor their faith on the Holy Word of God, as their only defense against the coming storm.

Tradition is that Peter was crucified head down, because he did not feel worthy of being crucified as His Lord was.

In the first fourteen verses of this chapter, we shall see that the full "knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord" is the foundation on which Christian character is built.

Bible Commentaries

Second Peter

Ch.1 . Ch.2 . Ch.3

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