Introduction to II Peter

Text: II Peter 1:1

Style

Peter knows that he is about to die and what Jesus had prophesied about him would soon come to pass (II Peter 1:13-15). It was Peter’s desire to leave a final address to those he has sought to lead. Such is not uncommon. There are numerous farewell addresses in the Bible:

  • Jacob (Genesis 49:1-33)
  • Joseph (Genesis 50:24-25)
  • Moses (Deuteronomy 32-33)
  • Joshua (Joshua 23-24)
  • David (I Chronicles 29:10-20)
  • Jesus (John 13:31-17:26)
  • Paul (Acts 20:17-38)

Class Discussion:

  1. What do farewell speeches have in common?
  2. Which of these aspects do you find in II Peter?

Audience

II Peter is more broadly addressed than I Peter. Peter sends it to those who have received a faith similar to his own. In other words, he is sending his letter out to all Christians. The Greek word translated as “received” literally means “obtained by lot.” Perhaps in the same sense of it being used in Acts 1:17 of Judas. He was offered a chance to follow Jesus and took it. In a similar way, Jesus offers us a chance to follow him. What we have received is of equal value or honor, though not necessarily of equal amount.

Christians are able to have faith by the righteousness (or justification) of Jesus whom Peter refers to as both God and Savior (there is only one article shared between both titles which indicates that the two titles refer to one person). This then becomes another verse to point out the deity of Christ. We have our faith by the equity of Jesus Christ who gives salvation fairly (Romans 5:18; I Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:11).

Purpose

The primary purpose of II Peter is to remind Christians of the things they have learned. Peter realized that he didn’t have much time left on earth so he saw this as the best use of his remaining time (II Peter 1:12-15; 3:1-2).

Knowing that he would be gone, Peter was also concerned about the attacks that would be made when he was no longer available to defend his brethren (II Peter 3:17). It isn’t that Peter thought that Christianity would be destroyed without him, but that he didn’t want his fellow Christian caught off-guard.

Finally, Peter’s letter is to serve as an encouragement to Christians, who might be saddened by the departure of yet another apostle (II Peter 3:18). Peter wants everyone to grow in God’s grace and in their knowledge of God’s teachings.

Outline

  1. A Reminder of a Christian’s Character - II Peter 1
    1. Salutation - II Peter 1:1-2
    2. Growth in qualities - II Peter 1:3-11
    3. A reminder - II Peter 1:12-15
    4. Confidence - II Peter 1:16-21
  2. A Warning About False Teachers - II Peter 2
    1. Bound to have false teachers - II Peter 2:1-3
    2. Destruction of false teachers assured - II Peter 2:4-9
    3. Characteristics of false teachers - II Peter 2:10-22
  3. An Encouragement that Christ Will Return - II Peter 3
    1. Reminder - II Peter 3:1-2
    2. People will doubt Jesus’ return - II Peter 3:3-4
    3. The world will be destroyed - II Peter 3:5-10
    4. The Christian’s response - II Peter 3:11-18
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