Summary of the Book of 2 Peter

Author:
2 Peter 1:1 specifically states that the apostle Peter was the author of 2 Peter. Peter’s authorship of 2 Peter has been challenged more than that of any other book in the New Testament. However, the early church fathers found no good reason to reject it. There is no valid reason to dispute Peter’s authorship of 2 Peter. Full article: Who wrote the book of 2 Peter? Who was the author of 2 Peter?

Date of Writing:
The Book of 2 Peter was written toward the end of Peter’s life. Since Peter was martyred in Rome during the reign of Nero, his death must have occurred prior to A.D. 68. He very likely wrote 2 Peter between A.D. 65 and 68.

Purpose of Writing:
Peter was alarmed that false teachers were beginning to infiltrate the churches. He called on Christians to grow and become strong in their faith so that they could detect and combat the spreading apostasy. He strongly stressed the authenticity of the Word of God and the sure return of the Lord Jesus.

Key Verses:

2 Peter 1:3-4, “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

2 Peter 3:9: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:18: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

The key word is “knowledge,” with its related words, occurring at least 13 times in the Book of 2 Peter.

Brief Summary:
Knowing that his time was short (2 Peter 1:13-15) and these churches faced immediate danger <a href="https://www.bibliatodo.com/en/seIn the (2 Peter 2:1-3) passage, Peter urged the readers to recall his teachings, stating, “Yea, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by reminding you.” In (2 Peter 1:13), he also encouraged them to engage their minds, and in (2 Peter 3:1-2), he emphasized the importance of remembering his teachings, saying, “Moreover, I will make every effort to ensure that after my departure you will always be able to recall these things.” Peter challenged the believers to mature in their faith by cultivating specific Christian virtues, as outlined in (2 Peter 1:5-9). He pointed to the Old and New Testament writers as the foundation of their faith, as seen in (2 Peter 1:12-21, 3:2, 3:15-16). Peter desired that they grow strong in their faith to resist the false teachers who had infiltrated and negatively impacted the churches. He denounced these teachers, detailing their behavior, judgment, and traits in 2 Peter chapter 2, noting their mockery of the Lord’s Second Coming (2 Peter 3:3-7). Peter taught the Christians that the anticipation of the Second Coming should motivate them to live holy lives, stating, “Therefore, beloved, since you are looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless.” (2 Peter 3:14). Finally, after issuing a final warning, Peter encouraged them once more to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Lord and Savior Jesus.Christ. He concluded with a word of praise to his Lord and Savior, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.,” (2 Peter 3:18).

Connections:
In his denunciation of false prophets, Peter repeats a prevalent Old Testament theme that must have been very familiar to his readers. Many of the early Christians were converted Jews who had been well taught in the law and the prophets. When Peter referred to the “word of the prophets” of the Old Testament in 2 Peter 1:19-21, he at one time denounced false prophets and affirmed that true prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit who spoke through them, “The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, And his word was in my tongue.,” (2 Samuel 23:2). Jeremiah was equally forceful in his criticism of false prophets, asking, “How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds?” “How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;,” (Jeremiah 23:26). Clearly, the same deluded false teachers who plagued God’s people in both the Old and New Testaments are still with us, making Peter’s second epistle as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago.

Practical Application:
Certainly, as Christians in the 21st century, we are nearer to our Lord’s return than the first-century Christians to whom this epistle was written. Through television and other means of mass communications, mature Christians are aware that many charlatans are parading as true Christian leaders, and that immature Christians have been “taken in” by their quackery and false interpretation of Scriptures. It behooves all born-again

Christians should be so well-grounded in the Word that they will be able to distinguish truth from error.

The same guidance for growth in faith that Peter provided (2 Peter 1:5-11), when implemented in our lives, will also ensure us a valuable reward “into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:10-11). The basis for our faith is and will always be the same Word of God that Peter preached.