Gary Hampton introduces 2 Peter

Peter writes this second letter as one who knew the Lord had prophesied his coming death (1:1, 14; John 21:18-19).

He defends the Lordship of Christ, referring to himself as an eyewitness of the transfiguration (1:16-17; Matthew 17:1-9). He mentions the first epistle (3:1). Kelcy shows a number of words these two epistles have in common, like “precious” (1 Peter 1:7, 19; 2 Peter 1:1); “virtue” (1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3; “supply” (1 Peter 4:11; 2 Peter 1:5); “love of the brethren: (1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 1:7); “without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 3:14); and “ungodly” (1 Peter 4:18; 2 Peter 2:5-6; 3:7).

The epistle is written to the same people who received the first epistle (1 Peter 3:1). Peter’s purpose in this writing was to refresh their memories as to what were the prophets’ and Jesus’ commandments (1:12-13, 15; 3:1-2). There is no reference within the epistle to date or place of writing. We assume it was written shortly after the first epistle (A.D. 64 or 65) and possibly from Babylon (see 1 Peter 5:13).

The apostle was dealing with a threat posed by certain false teachers (2:1-2). They were self-willed and spoke in an irreverent way about things they did not even understand (2:10-12). They engaged in immorality and tried to seduce others to join them (2:13-14, 17-18). They made empty promises about freedom, while they themselves were again enslaved in sin (2:19-22). Also, they ridiculed the promise of the Lord’s return (3:3-4).

A “bondservant” is "one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will” (Thayer). Peter describes himself as such a servant and an apostle because that was Jesus’ will (Luke 6:13-16). Peter is writing to those who, because of God’s love and not their own working, have come to have a faith equally as rewarding as the faith of the apostles. Those in Christ obtained their faith through God’s righteous, or just, dealing with all men and continue to have it as long as they remain in the right path, which is in Jesus. He calls Jesus “God and Savior” (2 Peter 1:1).

Peter prayed in both epistles that his readers might have the great blessings of God’s unmerited favor and the peace it supplies (1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2). Grace and peace quickly grow when we continue to grow in our understanding of God and Christ.

Christ gave the apostles “all things that pertain to life [eternal] and godliness.” Life and godliness come through the knowledge of Christ who both called us to glory and purity of deeds and called us by his glory and pure deeds (2 Peter 1:3). Those things reveal great and priceless promises. When these promises belong to someone, he shares in the divine nature, or becomes partners with God (Hebrews 12:10). Christians have escaped the corrupt morals of the sinful world. The corruption which comes because of lust (2 Peter 1:4).

May God bless us with that same life and godliness. May we live realizing we can have a faith equal to Peter’s and look forward to a heavenly reward.