Category Archives: 2 Peter

In his second inspired letter the Apostle Peter tells the followers of Christ that they will receive grace and peace through having a full knowledge of Jesus. If we want peace we must know who Jesus is. Who is Jesus? Peter identifies him as God, Savior, Christ, Lord and Master. But the knowledge Peter writes about is far more than a mental acknowledgment of who Jesus is. For example, if we truly know that Jesus is the Christ, then we will also know that God anointed Him to be our high priest and will present our petitions to God in Jesus’ name. If we truly know that Jesus is the Master, then we will also know that we are his servants and will obey him.

A true knowledge of Jesus not only places us under obligation to obey, but grants us unparalleled blessings. In chapter 1, verses 3 through 4 Peter writes. “seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust.”

Jesus possesses divine power because, as Peter had already said in verse 2, he is Lord. It is because of this power that He is able to grant everything that pertains to life and godliness. It is not entirely clear whether Peter means that Jesus will provide everything that we need for living as well as godliness, or whether he means that Jesus will provide everything we need in order live a godly life. In either case Peter says that Jesus provides all things. This means that His provision is complete. We do not need to look elsewhere, or to someone else, to meet our needs. But the fact is that we often feel that we have not been given everything that pertains to life and godliness. We often feel that we lack the things we need. Not all of our desires are fulfilled. Since this is so, how can Peter say that Jesus provides all things? The answer to this is found when we look at how Jesus provides. Peter writes that Jesus provides through our knowledge of Him. Jesus provides in proportion to our knowledge of Him. If we feel that we are lacking the things that are needed in our lives then we do not yet know Jesus as we ought to know Him. The more we rely on Jesus, the more He will enable us to face any situation. In view of this the Apostle Paul wrote, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

It is important to understand that God never promises that the followers of Jesus will have a life free of trouble. That is not His purpose. Peter writes that his purpose is that we “…may become partakers of the divine nature…” The more we know Jesus, the more we will want to be like Him. And it is to fulfill this purpose that Jesus provides all things. The Apostle Paul wrote, “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:28-29) No matter whether we have little or much, whether we face adversity or not, God provides exactly what we need to make us more like Jesus. And it is in this sense that Jesus provides everything we need pertaining to life and godliness.

Peter writes that the followers of Jesus are called. But why are they called? Is it because of their goodness? No. Peter makes it very clear that Jesus calls us not because we are good, but because He is. There are many who think that they can earn their salvation by the good deeds that they do. But this is not the case. None of us can meet the standards that God requires. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “…all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) We do not earn our salvation. It is Jesus’ gift to us which he grants as a result of His goodness.

But Jesus is not the only one who calls. Peter contrasts the call of Jesus to that of the world. In using the word ‘world’ Peter is not merely speaking of the earth on which we live. He is using the word in a spiritual sense as well because he speaks of the lusts that is, evil desires, which are in the world. Peter’s meaning becomes even more clear when we look at how the Apostle John used these words. He wrote, “Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s.” (I John 2:15-16)

Both the call of Jesus and the call of the world are accompanied by promises. Peter points out in chapter 2 of this letter that one of the enticements of the world’s call is pleasure. And, at least to a certain degree, the world can fulfill this promise. But Peter also points out that this pleasure is temporary and carries a heavy price. The world’s call also makes the false promise of providing freedom. In chapter 2, verse 19 Peter writes concerning false prophets, they entice by, “promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.”

In contrast to the promises of the world, Peter says that the promises of Jesus are “precious and exceedingly great.” In chapter 3, verse 13 he tells us what these promises are. He writes, “But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.”

What are the consequences of obeying the two calls? Peter says that listening to the call of the world leads to slavery and corruption. On the other hand, putting our trust in the promises of Jesus allows us to escape from the world’s corruption and to participate in the divine nature.

Each one of us must decide which call to obey. Will we respond to the call of Jesus, or will we respond to the call of the world? But Peter is writing to those who are followers of Jesus. Why is it necessary for Peter to say these things to them? Haven’t they already obeyed Jesus’ call by becoming his followers? The answer is that it is possible for us to be ineffective and unproductive in our knowledge of Jesus.

The Apostle Peter wrote his inspired letters so that those who read them might be able to reason in a pure way. The basic premise of Peter’s second inspired letter is that uncorrupted thought depends upon having a correct view of who Jesus is. If we have a proper understanding of Jesus and accept His authority over us, then our eternal destiny is secure. If, on the other hand we reject Jesus’ position we will fall into error. We will fall prey to false teaching and will misunderstand God’s promises. This in turn, will lead to our destruction. In view of this, who is Jesus? What does Peter say about Him? In chapter 1, verses 1 and 2 Peter writes, “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,” In this brief greeting Peter says a great deal about who Jesus is.

Peter calls himself a servant of Jesus. If Peter is a slave then Jesus is the master. How did Jesus become the master? In chapter 2 verse 1 Peter indicates that Jesus has become the master of those who follow Him by purchasing them. But from whom or what did Jesus purchase them? Peter provides the answer when he writes in chapter 2, verse 19, “…for a man is brought into bondage by whoever overcomes him.” We have all allowed sin to master us and therefore we became slaves to sin. But Jesus paid the price to purchase us from sin. He gives us the freedom to choose whether we will remain slaves of sin or will enter His service. In writing to the followers of Christ the Apostle Paul explains it this way, “…whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto you were delivered. Being made free from sin, you became bondservants of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18) What was the purchase price for our freedom from sin? Scripture says about Jesus, “…you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation,” (Revelation 5:9)

It is because Jesus frees from the bondage of sin that Peter also calls him the Savior. Paul writes about God, “who delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the Kingdom of the Son of his love; in whom we have our redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

Another title that Peter uses for Jesus is Christ, that is, the Anointed One. The Jewish national and spiritual leaders were appointed by anointing them with oil. Also, the Jewish prophets had predicted that one day God would anoint a great leader. For example it says in Psalms, “The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take counsel together, against Yahweh, [that is, the Lord] and against his Anointed.” (Psalm 2:2) The promise of the coming Messiah was fulfilled in Jesus. God Himself anointed Jesus. The Scripture says, “…God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power…” (Acts 10:38) But what position did God’s anointing give Jesus? The first position Jesus received as a result of his anointing is that of prophet. The work of a prophet is to deliver God’s message. Jesus said, “…I do nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I say these things.” (John 8:28) Jesus was also anointed to be high priest. The priest’s role is to offer sacrifices on behalf of sinners and to present the people’s requests before God. Jesus does both of these things. He sacrificed His own sinless life on our behalf and He presents our petitions before God. Scripture says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;” (1 Timothy 2:5-6) A third position which Jesus has been given is that of king. Jesus said, “…All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) To summarize, when we give Jesus the title “Christ” we are acknowledging that he is prophet, priest and king.

It is because of the authority that Jesus has as king, both on earth and in heaven, that Peter also calls him Lord. But this raises a question. The word that Peter uses means ‘divine ruler.’ How can any man, even the sinless Jesus, be divine? Peter answers this question, and at the same time presents us with a greater difficulty, when he writes, “…in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ…” (1:1) In this phrase Peter very clearly calls Jesus ‘God.’ Scripture also says, “For in him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily…” (Colossians 2:9) In another place it says about Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” (John 1:1-2) From this we see that according to Scripture, Jesus is not a created being as are other men, but is eternally coexistent with God. Jesus Himself said, “…He who has seen me has seen the Father…” (John 14:9) and “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) Since Jesus refers to God as the ‘Father’ in these passages, it is appropriate to mention that Jesus is called the ‘Son’ in verse 17 of Peter’s second letter. It is important to understand that the title ‘Son’ describes a spiritual relationship rather than a physical one. To say that Jesus is God’s son in a physical sense is blasphemy. Scripture calls Jesus the Son of God for three reasons: 1) He did not have an earthly father. 2) His life was a perfect demonstration of God’s character. 3) Jesus’ own testimony. For example he said to the Jews, “It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God.” (John 8:54) If we are going to accept Jesus as a prophet then we must also accept His testimony about Himself.

Though Peter calls Jesus ‘God’ in verse 1, he makes a distinction between them in verse 2. He says, “Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord,” Does this means that the followers of Christ believe in two gods? No! Absolutely not. Let us be very clear about this. From the very beginning to the very end the Holy Scriptures make it plain that there is only one God. Nor do the followers of Christ try to divide God, or to place someone else alongside of him. God is, and will always remain, One. But if God is One, then how can Jesus and the Father both be considered God? When asked about this, the followers of Christ will freely admit that this is something they do not fully understand. How can the creature fully comprehend the One who created him? It is not our place to argue with God, but to humbly accept what He has revealed about Himself through His word. The Scriptures say that God came down to earth in the form of Jesus in order to save the creatures He had made from the consequences of their own sin.

As people get older they begin to think about what kind of heritage they will leave for the generations that will follow. As death draws near there is time only to pass on those things which are of most importance. Things of lessor significance are set aside so that what is most important will not be left undone. The Apostle Peter wrote his second inspired letter very near the end of his life. In order to understand what he wrote we should keep this fact in mind. The message contained in this letter to the followers of Christ is what Peter considered the most important of all.

But why was it necessary for Peter to write this letter? One reason is that the followers of Jesus would be able to remember Peter’s teaching. In chapter 1, verse 14 he says that Christ had revealed to him that his death was near. He would no longer be able to teach the people in person. It is for this reason he says in verse 15, “…I will make every effort that you may always be able to remember these things even after my departure.”

Another reason for writing down this message was so that it would reach a wider audience. There is a limit to how much one man can do in person. But his ministry can continue and spread through the written word. In his first inspired letter Peter had written specifically to Jesus’ followers in the area which is now in the country of Turkey. But his second inspired letter is addressed to all who believe in Christ.

Peter tells us the primary reason for writing this letter in chapter 3, verse 1. He says, “This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind…” Perhaps a better translation would be, “to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.” (NIV) In other words Peter desires the reasoning of the readers of his letters to be pure and wholesome. How can our thoughts be wholesome? Peter bases the entire argument of his second inspired letter on how we view the person of Jesus Christ. Are we willing to accept Jesus for who He is, or will we deny His position and authority?

But before going forward we need to remind ourselves of who Peter is. He begins his letter with these words: “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ…” Peter’s birth name was Simon. This was a very common name. Several people with the name of Simon are mentioned in Scripture. In fact one of the other Apostles was also named Simon. But there can be no confusion about who wrote this letter because the author introduces himself as Simon Peter. Peter is the name which was given to him by Christ. It is this name which distinguishes him from every other Simon. He is writing as one whose life has been changed by Jesus. Peter also calls himself an Apostle of Jesus Christ. This title establishes Peter’s authority to write this letter. Jesus chose certain of his disciples as his Apostles for a very special task. He told them, “…You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) While reading this letter it is very important to remember that though the words are Peter’s, the message is in reality from Christ.

In his first inspired letter Peter had also written as an Apostle, but in this second letter he calls himself the slave of Christ as well. In chapter 2 Peter says that false teachers deny the Master, that is Jesus, who bought them. Peter is saying that his message is trustworthy not only because he is an Apostle, but because he is a slave of Christ. He is not writing on his own authority but that of his Master. On the other hand, a teacher who denies that Jesus is his Master is proclaiming a false message.

Peter writes, “to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (1:1-2)

We can learn several things from this greeting. One is that Peter is writing to the followers of Christ. If we are not willing to submit ourselves to Christ then the assurance and encouragement Peter gives to the readers of this letter are not for us.

Another thing we can learn is that all of the followers of Christ are equal before God. People classify one another according to such things as ethnic background, social class, economic status and amount of education. But Peter does not look at any of these things. Nor does he make any distinction between those who knew Jesus personally and those who only heard about Him through the preaching of others. Only one thing is of importance: Have we received faith through Jesus Christ? Or have we not? The Apostle Paul puts it this way, “For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28)

Peter says that faith is precious. It is precious in at least two ways. The first is that Jesus gave up His life for us so that through faith in Him we might have eternal life. What could be more precious than eternal life? Secondly, faith in Christ is the only means by which we can stand before God. We should be willing to give up everything else in order to retain our faith. It is worth noting that Peter says that we obtain this faith through the righteousness of Christ. There are many people who think that their own righteousness will make them acceptable to God. But this is not so. As the prophet Isaiah wrote “…all our righteousness is as a polluted garment…” (Isaiah 64:6) If we want to be pleasing to God we must depend on the righteousness of Christ.

Peter closes his greeting by praying that his readers enjoy grace and peace in abundance. But Peter says that grace and peace come in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. What Peter is saying is that the more we know Jesus, the more grace and peace we will enjoy. In light of this it is important for each one of us to ask ourselves, “Do I know who Jesus is?”