STUDIES
INTHE EPISTLES
OF
SECOND PETER
ANDJUDE
Bob Buchanan
NOTE THE FIVE PROVINCES LISTED IN
FIRST PETER 1:1
PONTUS, GALATIA, CAPPADOCIA,
ASIA, AND BITHYNIA
NOW EXAMINE
SECOND PETER 3:1
INTRODUCTION TO SECOND PETER
I. The inspired AUTHOR of Second Peter
A. The epistle of SECOND PETER was NOT QUOTED BY NAMEin the first or
second centuries A. D..
1. There may be TWO REASONS FOR THIS:
a. The epistle may NOT have been circulated as widely in the first and
second centuries as was First Peter and other epistles. It may have been read in a more limited area.
b. Writings were circulated in the second century, with Peter’s name
attached which had NOT been written by Peter. These are called
“pseudepigraphic” writings. These included such writings as the “Gospel of Peter,” “Preaching of Peter,” “Acts of Peter,” and
“Apocalypse of Peter.” The early church rejected these apocryphalwritings. There was caution at that time
concerning whether Second Peter should be accepted.
2. CLEMENT of ROME (About 95 A. D.) did use PHRASES in his writing which
are only found inSECOND PETER. This suggests that he knew the
epistle.
a. His statements about righteous LOT (I Clement 11) remind us of
II Peter 2:7-10.
b. Compare the following statement of Clement to II Peter 3:4:
“Wretched are the double-minded, Which doubt in their soul
and say, These things we did hear in the days of our fathers
also, and behold we have grown old, and none of these things
hath befallen us” (I Clement 23:3).
3. In the EPISTLE OF BARNABAS, written by an unknown author, with the
estimated date of 80-140 A. D., the author said,
“for the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years; and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years.” Compare this statement to II Peter 3:8.
4, ORIGEN, in the early third century, referred by name to Second Peter
SIX TIMES (Kelcy, pages 109, 110).
5. EUSEBIUS, in the early fourth century, in his Ecclesiastical History, said,
“And Peter has left one acknowledged epistle; perhaps also a second, but this is doubtful.” (VI, xxv, 8). He also said that the epistle of Second Peter was “Among the disputed writings, which are nevertheless recognized by many…” (III, xxv, 2, 3).
6. In the years following, Second Peter was accepted as the writing of Peter,
and asa New Testament epistle.
B. Some writers have seen a CONTRAST in the STYLE OF WRITING found in FIRST
and SECOND PETER. This CONTRASTmay have been caused by the
completelydifferent EMPHASES found in the two epistles.
1. The EMPHASIS by the apostle in FIRST PETER is the “LIVING HOPE“ of the
Christian even in the middle of PERSECUTION (I Peter 1:3-7).
2. The EMPHASIS by the apostle in SECOND PETER is the danger of the FALSE
TEACHING which could deeply affect the church (See II Peter 2:1-22).
C. Interesting SIMILARITIES in FIRST and SECOND PETER
1. Both epistles speak of the END OF THE WORLD (I Peter 1:5; II Peter
3:10, 11).
2. Both epistles place an emphasis on OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY
(I Peter1:10-12; II Peter 1:19-21).
3. Both epistles refer to the FLOOD of NOAH’S DAY (I Peter 3:19-21;
II Peter2:5; 3:5, 6).
4. OTHER SIMILARITIES in FIRST and SECOND PETER:
a. BROTHERLY LOVE (I Peter 1:22; II Peter 1:7).
b. MEN and ANGELS kept in “prison” before judgment (I Peter 3:19;
II Peter 2:4) .
c. “FREEDOM” (I Peter 2:16; II Peter 2:19) etc. (Hillyer, page 15).
D. AFFIRMATIONS made by the AUTHOR of SECOND PETER:
1. The author affirmed that he was SIMON PETER, a “BOND-SERVANT” and
“APOSTLE” of JESUS CHRIST (II Peter 1:1).
2. The author affirmed that he was NEAR DEATH, and that the Lord had spoken
earlier about the DEATH of the author (II Peter 1:13, 14; See also John
21:18, 19 and 13:36). Of course, this was PETER!
3. The author of Second Peter spoke of being on the “HOLY MOUNTAIN”
and seeing the MAJESTY of the Lord. This was the MOUNT OF
TRANSFIGURATION! (II Peter 1:16-18; See also Matthew 17:1-5).
WEAFFIRM THAT PETER WAS THEAUTHOR OF THIS EPISTLE!
II. The RECIPIENTS of the epistle of SECOND PETER
A. II Peter 3:1 indicates that this epistle was the “second letter” the author had written
tothe recipients. Some authors affirm that FIRST PETER was NOT the “FIRST
LETTER” indicated in this passage. They say that the “first letter” was NOT
preserved by God.
1. If this were true, the RECIPIENTS COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED!
2. However, if the “first letter” ISFIRST PETER, the RECIPIENTS would be
Christians in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia
(I Peter 1:1).
B. We AFFIRM that FIRST PETERWAS the “first letter” and SECOND PETER
WAS the “SECOND LETTER!” (II Peter 3:1).
1. It is also affirmed that the PERSONAL INFORMATION concerning the author
which is found in II Peter 1:1 and 1:16-18 is spoken truthfully by PETER
concerning HIMSELF!
2. Therefore, in Second Peter, the apostle Peter was writing to the “CHOSEN”
people of God in FIVE PROVINCES of Western Asia Minor (I Peter 1:1)
III. The DATE when SECOND PETER was written
A. Assuming the truthfulness of the statements ABOVE, SECOND PETER would be
written AFTER FIRST PETER, which was written, perhaps about 63 or 64 A. D.,
AND,
B. BEFORE the DEATH OF PETER, which, when Second Peter was written, WAS
APPROACHING QUITE RAPIDLY! (II Peter 1:14). Perhaps, Second Peter was
written about 66-67 A. D..
C. Note this partial SUMMARY of the scholar, Charles Bigg, concerning the AUTHOR of
Second Peter, the DATE, etc.:
“The previous review seems to show (1) That Second Peter is older than Jude, (2)
That it belongs to the same school of ecclesiastical thought as I Peter, (3) That it
contains no word, idea, or fact which does not belong to the apostolic age, (4) That traces of the second century are absent at the places where they might have been
confidently expected to occur…..”
He also said, “These facts are best explained by the theory that the epistle is really thework of St. Peter, but that a different amanuensis (scribe –By this writer) was employed” (Bigg, page 242).
IV. The epistle of SECOND PETER is quite SIMILAR, especially II Peter 2, to the epistle of
JUDE! Compare JUDEand II Peter 2:1-22.
A. Some scholars say that JUDE WROTE FIRST, and that PETER was quotingJUDE!
Others say that SECOND PETER was written FIRST, and that JUDE used some
of the statements in SECOND PETER.
B. Brother Kelcy stated in his commentary, that, possibly, SECOND PETER was written
FIRST, and thatJUDE later used some of Peter’s statementsfound in SECOND PETER (Kelcy, page 114).
The reasons given are the following:
1. Some of the main statements about the FALSE TEACHERS in Second Peter
are in theFUTURE TENSE (See II Peter 2:1-3). NOTE: “…will secretly
introduce…,” “many will follow their sensuality….” etc..
2. JUDE conveys the thought that the FALSE TEACHERS had ALREADY
ARRIVED (See Jude 4, 8, 10-13, 16). Others disagree, and think that
JUDEwas written FIRST! Determining which came first, and who quoted whom, is NOT important, and does NOT change the meaning.
V. The ENEMIES of TRUE CHRISTIANITY found in the epistle of SECOND PETER
A. A DESCRIPTION of theEVIL ENEMIES of TRUTH :
1. They had been Christians, but had LEFT the LORD (II Peter 2:1, 15, 20-22).
2. They were FALSE TEACHERS (II Peter 2:1) who were DECEIVING
people with “false words” (II Peter 2:3).
3. They had become IMMORAL (II Peter 2:2, 10, 14, 18). They would “revel
in thedaytime” (II Peter 2:13).
4. One of their primary MOTIVATIONS was “GREED” (II Peter 2:3, 14).
5. They were ARROGANT, and despised “authority” (II Peter 2:10, etc.).
6. They promised “FREEDOM” but were really, “SLAVES of CORRUPTION”
(II Peter 2:19).
7. They “enticed” NEW CHRISTIANS and those who were NOT STABLE
(II Peter 2:18).
8. They were “MOCKERS” concerning the SECOND COMING of CHRIST,
andthe Day ofJUDGMENT (II Peter 3:3-10).
B. Therefore, they promoted a “FREEDOM” which, they thought, permitted them
to go into IMMORALITY
VI. GREAT LESSONS found in SECOND PETER
A. Concerning GOD, the FATHER!
1. He is the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST (II Peter 1:17).
2. Through the Holy Spirit, the Fatherinspired thePROPHETS of long ago
(II Peter 1:20, 21).
3. He leads godly people in THEIR TRIALS, and keeps the unrighteous under
PUNISHMENT until the day of JUDGMENT (II Peter 2:9).
4. He is the CREATOR (II Peter 3:5). Note that this was done through
CHRIST (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-3).
5. He destroyed the UNRIGHTEOUS in the FLOOD (II Peter 3:6, 7).
6. At the end, He will destroy the EARTH byFIRE! (II Peter 3:7, 10-13).
B. Concerning the LORD JESUS CHRIST
1. JESUS is the LORD of His people (II Peter 1:2, 16).
2. The “MAJESTY” of CHRIST was displayed on the Mount of Transfiguration
(II Peter 1:17, 18).
3. The “ETERNAL KINGDOM” belongs to our LORD JESUS CHRIST
(II Peter 1:11).
4. Through true “KNOWLEDGE” of “our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,”
men and women escape the “DEFILEMENT” of the world (II Peter 2:20).
5. CHRIST is the “MASTER”Who“PURCHASED” people (II Peter 2:1).
C. Concerning the HOLY SPIRIT. PROPHETS were INSPIRED by Him
(II Peter 1:19-21).
D. The necessity ofADDING the Christian VIRTUES (II Peter 1:5-11). Read
alsoII Peter 3:11, 14.
E. The great EMPHASIS on “LAST THINGS”
1. Consider the “ETERNAL” aspect of the KINGDOM of Christ (II Peter 1:11).
2. The “DAY OF JUDGMENT” is APPROACHING (II Peter 2:9; 3:7).
3. “MOCKERS” will arise who will DENY the COMING OF THE LORD
(II Peter 3:3, 4)
4. The EARTH will be DESTROYED BY FIRE! (II Peter 3:7, 10-13).
(Kelcy, pages 115, 116).
______
OUTLINE OF THE EPISTLE OF SECOND PETER
I. Peter’s GREETING (II Peter 1:1, 2)
II. The TRUE “KNOWLEDGE” of the LORD JESUS CHRIST (II Peter 1:3-21).
A. The PROMISES which COME OUT of TRUE “KNOWLEDGE” (II Peter 1:3, 4).
B. TRUE “KNOWLEDGE” leads Christians to GROWTH and MATURITY
(II Peter 1:5-11).
C. The BASIS and FOUNDATION of TRUE “KNOWLEDGE” (II Peter 1:12-21).
III. The FALSE TEACHING and UNRIGHTEOUS LIVING confronted by PETER
(II Peter 2:1-22).
A. These UNGODLY TEACHERS will be PUNISHED! (II Peter 2:1-9).
B. The WRONG TEACHING and the WRONG LIVING of the FALSE TEACHERS
(II Peter 2:10-16).
C. The BAD INFLUENCE of these UNGODLY MEN (II Peter 2:17-22).
IV. The SECOND COMING of the LORD JESUS CHRIST (II Peter 3:1-18).
A. CHRIST will CERTAINLY COME AGAIN! (II Peter 3:1-7).
B. The TIME and the AWESOME EVENTS involved in the LORD’S SECOND
COMING (II Peter 3:8-13).
C. ENCOURAGEMENT which comes out of the REALITY of CHRIST’S COMING
(II Peter 3:14-18).
______
REVIEW QUESTIONS ON THE INTRODUCTIONTOSECOND PETER
1. Give TWO possible REASONS concerning WHY Second Peter was NOT quoted by
name in the last part of the first century AND the second century.
2. What is the great EMPHASIS in FIRST PETER? In SECOND PETER?
3. Discuss some SIMILARITIES found in FIRST and SECOND PETER. What TOPICS
are discussed in BOTH?
4. Give some of the “AFFIRMATIONS” made by the author, Peter, concerning himself.
5. WHO seem to be the “RECIPIENTS” of Second Peter? WHY do you think this?
6. Discuss the possible DATE of writing of the epistle of SECOND PETER.
7. To what other epistle is the second chapter of Second Peter closely related?
8. Discuss Peter’s detailed DESCIPTION of the false, ungodly teachers.
9. HOW is GOD, the FATHER described in Second Peter?
10. HOW is JESUS, our LORD described in Second Peter?
11. Suggest some of the other beautiful LESSONS found in Second Peter.
12. Discuss the EVENTS of the Second Coming of Christ found in Second Peter,
chapter THREE.
______
STUDIES IN THE TEXT OF SECOND PETER
I. PETER”S GREETINGof the RECIPIENTS of the epistle (II Pete 1:1, 2).
A. Peter’s DESCRIPTION of himself (II Peter 1:1).
1. In this passage, Petercalled himself“SIMEON PETER” (Greek text)
Note “SIMON” who is called “Peter” in Matthew 10:2.
2. JESUS is the one who called “SIMON” by the name “PETER” which means a
“rock” or “stone” (Note Mark 3:16 and Luke 6:14).
3. In Matthew 16:17, Peter was called “SIMON BARJONA” by Jesus
4. Peter’s namein the ARAMAIC languagewas “CEPHAS!” See this NAME
in I Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; Galatians 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14.
5. Peter called himself a “SLAVE” (“doulos”) of Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:1).
a. Consider that PAUL also called himself a “SLAVE” of Christ Jesus
(Romans 1:1).
b. PAUL and TIMOTHY were “SLAVES” of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:1).
c. Paul was a “SLAVE” also of the church in Corinth (II Corinthians 4:5).
d. ALL CHRISTIANS should be “SLAVES” of GOD (I Peter 2:16;
(Romans 6:16-18, 22).
6. Peter also called himself an “APOSTLE” of Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:1)
a. The word, “APOSTLE” means “one who is sent out!”
b. Examine also Mark 3:14 where it is stated that (1) The apostles were to
“BE WITH”JESUS and that, (2) He would “send them out to
preach.”
c. The general meaning of the word, “APOSTLE” is “MESSENGER.”
There were “messengers” (“apostoloi”) who were “sent out” by
thechurches (II Corinthians 8:23).
d. Observe the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES in Matthew 10:1-6;
Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16.
B. Consider Peter’s description of those who RECEIVED the epistle of II Peter
(II Peter 1:1).
1. They were CHRISTIANS, probably the same “chosen” disciples residing in
FIVE PROVINCES in western Asia Minor (See I Peter 1:1). Note also
that SECOND Peter was the “second letter” which Peter had sent to
them (II Peter 3:1).
2. These Christians had received “A faith of the same kind as ours.” The word
“isotimon” means “of equal value” or the “same kind” (Arndt and
Gingrich Lexicon, page 382). The American Standard Version translates it,
“A like precious faithwith us.”
3. When Peter used the words, “OURS” or “with US,” he could be referring to the
apostles, or, other brothers with Peter, or,possibly the Lord’s body as a whole.
4. Their “FAITH” was made possible by the “righteousness” of “OUR GOD AND
SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST”
a. The “righteousness” of Christ is the basis for their “FAITH.” Note the
use of “righteous” and “righteousness” in this epistle (II Peter 2:5, 7, 8, 21; 3:13). JUST, or RIGHTEOUS ACTION seems to be the meaning in these passages.
b. The Greek construction indicates that the words, “GOD,”and
“SAVIOR”BOTH REFER TO JESUS CHRIST! Christ is called
“GOD” and “SAVIOR.” Note the same construction in Titus 2:13. BOTH PASSAGES ARE TEACHING THE DEITY OF CHRIST!
(Gene Green, page 175).
c. EXAMINE how the word, “SAVIOR” refers also to JESUS CHRIST in
II Peter 1:11; 2:20; 3:2, 18.
C. May “GRACE and PEACE” be MULTIPLIED in thelives of those who RECEIVED
this epistle (II Peter 1:2). Read also Jude 2.
1. This WISH and PRAYER for “GRACE” and “PEACE” is found also in
FIRST Peter 1:2. Review Paul’s use also of this phrase in Romans 1:7;
I Corinthians 1:3; and II Corinthians 1:2, etc..
2. God’s GRACE, His “undeserved favor,” was expressed in the REDEMPTIVE
WORK of Christ (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8, etc.).
3. The word, “PEACE” here would refer to “PEACE WITH GOD” (Romans 5:1).
4. Peter said, “May GRACE and PEACE abound” in the “KNOWLEDGE OF
GODand JESUS OUR LORD!”
a. One word for “KNOWLEDGE” (“gnosis”) is found in II Peter 1:5, 6;
and 3:18, and another word, (“epignosis”) is found in 1:3, 8; 2:20.
Peter was speaking of the TRUE KNOWLEDGE of the Father and
the Son!
b. Consider that there is a “KNOWLEDGE” that is “FALSELY CALLED
KNOWLEDGE” (I Timothy 6:20).
c. NOTE that in II Peter 1:8 and 2:20, Peter placed an EMPHASIS on the
“KNOWLEDGE” of “OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!”
d. The LORD wants His people to “ATTAIN” and be “MATURE” in their
“KNOWLEDGE of the SON OF GOD” (Ephesians 4:13).
II. The “TRUE KNOWLEDGE” of the LORD JESUS CHRIST (II Peter 1:3-21).
A. Wonderful PROMISES which come out of “TRUE KNOWLEDGE” (II Peter 1:3, 4).
1. CHRIST has “DIVINE POWER” (Read II Corinthians 5:4; 12:9). The
FATHER also has “DIVINE POWER!”
2. Everything which is essential for “LIFE” and “GODLINESS” was provided
to PETER and the OTHER APOSTLES (II Peter 1:3). Read also the
statements of Jesus to the APOSTLES in John 14:26; 16:13, etc. Note
that they were to be GUIDED INTO “ALL TRUTH” by the Holy Spirit.
a. The word, “LIFE” in this passage refers to the “NEW LIFE” in Christ
(John 10:10; II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; I John 3:14; 5:11, 12).
This “LIFE” begins with the “NEW BIRTH” (John 3:1-5; I Peter
1:23-25, etc.).
b. The word, “GODLINESS” (“eusebian”) means “Piety, reverence, loyalty,
fear of God” (A. and G., page 326). Observe that it is one of the
qualities which every Christian should have (II Peter 1:5). This
wordrefers to “GODLY ACTS” in II Peter 3:11.
c. Consider that GODLY LIVING will be observed in the life of one who
has a “TRUE KNOWLEDGE” of Christ (II Peter 1:3).
d. Christ “CALLS” mento His own “GLORY ANDEXCELLENCE”
(1) PETER and OTHERS had been “CALLED”personally by
JESUS to be Hisdisciples (Matthew 4:18-22, etc.).
(2) Now, people are “CALLED” by the GOSPEL (II Thessalonians
2:14).
(3) PETER and the OTHER APOSTLES saw the “GLORY” of
Christ (Read II Peter 1:16-18; John 1:14).
(4) The Lord “CALLS” people also to His “EXCELLENCE!” This
word, “arête” means “VIRTUE” or “moral excellence”
(A. and G., page 105). Note that it is also used in Philippians 4:8 where Paul said, “If there is any excellence….”. See “moral excellence” below in I Peter 1:5. We are called to be
“VIRTUOUS”like CHRIST!
3. Christ has given “PRECIOUS and MAGNIFICENT PROMISES” (II Peter 1:4).
a. Through these precious PROMISES, Christians can “SHARE,”be
“partakers,’ have fellowship, in the“DIVINE NATURE!”
(1) The word for “DIVINE” (“theias”) means “Of the Godhead and
everything that belongs to it” (A. and G., page 354), and the
word, “NATURE” (“phuseos”) refers to “Natural
characteristics or disposition” (A. and G., page 877)
(2) Note Scriptures which use other words to describe the meaning of
partaking of the “DIVINE NATURE” (Ephesians 4:24;
5:1, 2; Colossians 3:10; Hebrews 3:14).
b. Christians have ESCAPED the “CORRUPTION” in the “WORLD”
(II Peter 1:4).
(1) The word, “CORRUPTION” here (“phthoras”) is sometimes
used for PHYSICAL DECAYof the body (See Acts 2:27;
I Corinthians 15:42).
(2) However, here it refers to, “Religious and moral depravity,”
“depravity that exists in the world because of passion”
(A. and G., page 865).
(3) This “CORRUPTION” is caused “BECAUSE OF PASSION,”
that is, “BY LUST” (“en epithumia”). Read I John 2:15-17.
B. “TRUE KNOWLEDGE” will produce Christian GROWTH and MATURITY
(II Peter 1:5-11).
1. The phrase, “FOR THIS REASON” (II Peter 1:5), refers back to Peter’s
statement that Christian can “Partake of the divine nature.” Read
againII Peter 1:4.