In his first epistle, Peter emphasized the grace of God (1 Pet. 5:12), but in this second letter his emphasis is on the knowledge of God. The word know or knowledge is used at least thirteen times in this short epistle. The word does not mean a mere intellectual understanding of some truth, though that is included. It means a living participation in the truth in the sense that our Lord used it in John 17:3 – This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent. - Wiersbe
Some have said that Peter didn’t write this letter because the subject and style
is somewhat different than 1 Peter. Yet the purpose of the two letters is quite different.
1 Peter was written to encourage Christians under the threat of violent persecution;
2 Peter was written to warn those same believers of the danger of false teachers
and harmful influences. – Guzik
Convinced that the best antidote for heresy is a mature knowledge of the truth,
Peter exhorts his readers to have a proper appreciation for prophecy,
to live holy and godly lives while awaiting Christ’s coming,
and to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. – Kirby
I. The Author
A. In verse 1, Peter refers to himself as Simon Peter. Simon is his given name. Jesus gave him the name “Cephas,” meaning “stone” (John 1:42) which is translated as “Petros” in Greek and “Peter” in English.
1. For three years Peter lived as a disciple (learner) of Jesus. Peter was a natural-born leader whose leadership skills were used by God before and after the death and resurrection of Jesus. What truth about Jesus was Peter the first to confess? (Matthew 16:16-17)
2. Peter was part of Jesus’ inner circle which also included James and John. What events did this inner circle of men have the privilege of experiencing according to Mark 5:37,Matthew 17:1, and Luke 22:8?
B. Peter identifies himself as both a bondservant and an apostle of Jesus. Define “bondservant” and “apostle.” Why might Peter have wanted his readers to know these things about himself?
II. The Recipients
A. Peter’s first epistle was written to a specific group of people: the pilgrims of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. The recipients of his second letter were a much broader group. To whom was his second epistle written? (vs 1)
B. What is faith and in what ways is it precious? (vs 1)
C. For those who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, we share the same faith – it is “like precious faith.” Who is the “us” in this verse? (vs 1)
D. What does the word “obtained” mean? According to verse 1, how is this faith obtained?
1. What is “righteousness”?
2. What do these verses add to your understanding? 2 Cor 5:21 and Titus 3:5.
3. The end of verse one holds one of many New Testament claims that Jesus is God. Note this quote: “The expression God and our Saviour is in a construction in the Greek text which demands that we translate, our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the expression thus showing that Jesus Christ is the Christian’s God.” (Wuest)
E. Is this letter written to you? Are you one who has obtained “like precious faith…by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ”?
III. The Time and Place of Writing
A. 2 Peter was written near the end of Peter’s life, probably while he was in Rome.
B. It is thought that 1 Peter was written between A.D. 62-64, and 2 Peter written between A.D. 64-67. Note: Both Peter and Paul were executed in Rome in A.D.67.
IV. The Theme of the Letter
A. The Christian faith that Peter had faithfully preached was not just a matter of philosophy. It was a matter of eternal life and death. Yet there were those who were peddling their own propaganda, falsehoods that contradicted the truth. Peter had to say something: he had to confront these falsehoods so they would not be mistaken for the truth. – NKJV Study Bible.
B. Throughout this short letter, Peter corrects false teaching by proving the truths about Jesus and the Christian faith. Today, the truth is being twisted at an alarming rate. The idea of absolute truth is thought to be archaic. 2 Peter teaches us to distinguish truth from error. This letter is for us today!
C. To help us keep this big picture theme in mind, plan to read through the entire letter this week.