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Books of the New Testament
The Second Epistle of Peter
The following notes are intended to supplement, not replace, the readings from the Bible and the text book.
Comments or questions should be sent to: Dr. Rollinson.
2 Peter
The author identifies himself as Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:1). "Simeon" is a Semitic variation of the name "Simon". He states that he was an eyewitness to the transfiguration of Jesus (II Peter 1:16-18). He also says that this is his second letter (II Peter 3:1) to the readers, and refers to Paul as "our beloved brother" (II Peter 3:15)
The letter does not give a regional destination for the recipients, but is addressed to Christians in general (II Peter 1:1), whom Peter regards as beloved friends (II Peter 14, 17)
The letter was written towards the end of Peter's life (II Peter 2:15); he was martyred during the reign of the Emperor Nero, who died in AD 68, so this dates the letter to between AD 65-68.
The purpose of Peter's first epistle was to encourage Christians who were facing persecution from outside the Church. The aim of his second epistle is to warn Christians about false teachers and evil-doers inside the Church (II Peter 2:1-3, 13-15, 17-20, 3:17).
Structure of 2 Peter
- 2 Peter 1:1-2 - Introduction
- 2 Peter 1:3-11 - Christian growth
- 2 Peter 1:12-21 - Peter's authority and purpose for writing
- 2 Peter, chapter 2 - Warning about false teachers
- 2 Peter 3:1-16 - Awaiting the return of Christ
- 2 Peter 3:17-18 - Concluding exhortation and doxology
Commentary
2 Peter 1:16-18 - see Matth. 17:1-8, Mark 9:2-8, Luke 9:28-36
2 Peter 1:20-21 - see 1 Cor. 12:7-11
2 Peter 2:1-22 - compare Jude v.4-13
2 Peter 2:4 - see Rev. 12:7-9, 20:1-3
2 Peter 2:5 - see Gen. 6:5-8. "seven others" - the eight persons saved in the Ark were Noah, his wife, his three sons (Shem, Ham, and Japheth), and his three daughters-in-law (Gen. 7:1, 7)
2 Peter 2:6-9 - see Gen. 18:16-21, 19:1-29
2 Peter 2:15-16 - see Num. 22:5-35
2 Peter 2:22 - see Proverbs 26:11
2 Peter 3:5 - see Genesis 1:1 - 2:3
2 Peter 3:6 - see Genesis 6:5-8, 17, 7:11-12, 17-24
2 Peter 3 see Zeph. 1:18
2 Peter 3:8 - see Psalm 90:4
2 Peter 3:10 - see Amos 5:18-20, Zeph. 1:18, Matt. 24:35-44, Luke 12:39-40, Luke 12:3, 1 Cor. 3:11-15)
2 Peter 3:13 - see Revelation, chapter 21
2 Peter 3:16 - Peter knows at least some of Paul's epistles and regards them as scripture
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