Page 58 - General Epistles (James through Jude) Textbook

Occasion.
Since Peter fills out chapter 2 and part of chapter 3 discussing false teachers, it is fair to suggest that as a
reason why he was prompted to write second Peter. Further, his encouragement in his affirmation that
the Lord Jesus would come again based on his own experience suggests that his audience were
somehow doubting if Jesus would come (2 Pet. 1:16-19). This could have been caused by obvious
presence of scoffers or false teachers. Hence, it possibly stimulated Peter to write this letter.

Purpose.
Peter stated clearly his purpose for writing this letter. “I have written both of them as reminders to
stimulate you to wholesome thinking” (2 Pet. 3:1 [NIV]).

Confirmation of Calling/Election (2 Pet. 1:1-21).
First of all, Peter addresses himself as the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. That means that Peter
belongs to God, not temporarily, but permanently. The term slave/servant is not defined by what
human beings know a slave is supposed to be or understand, but is defined by the Bible. Peter is not a
slave by force, nor because he has nowhere to go. Further, he is not the slave unwillingly. Peter’s
servanthood has dignity because he stands on equal grounds with the renowned and celebrated
servants of God who are both still living and dead. These might include Moses (Deut. 34:5; Dan. 9:11),
David (Jer. 33:21; Ezek. 37:25), Amos, Jeremiah, and Daniel). For more information on being a bond
slave. Go back a few pages in the syllabus and read under Trials of Many Kinds and Temptations on the
epistle according to James on page 6.

Peter wrote this epistle to those who received a faith because of God’s and Jesus’ righteousness.
Consequently, this (and possibly many other passages in the Bible) confirms that nobody can earn
salvation. You cannot work for it. I cannot work for it. They cannot work for it. We cannot work for it. To
God alone be the glory, amen.

Everything we Need to Live Godly was Given (2 Pet. 1:3-4).
Peter notes that through their knowing of God who called them by His own
glory and goodness (brought by or caused by God’s and Jesus’ righteousness [2
Pet. 1:1b]), God has given them everything they need to live godly. Or every
Christian who comes to the knowing of God should have access to (or should
make use of) everything God has given (or made available) in order for that
Christian to live a godly life. Through God’s glory and goodness (or excellence
[NASB]), He gave them His very great and precious promises. What are these promises? The closest I can
get in identifying those promises is Peter’s encouragement to his audience that Jesus was coming again
for the second time. Peter confirmed Jesus’ second coming based on what he saw and experience during
the transfiguration of Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:4, 9, 11, 13; cf. Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36).
Second, Peter’s admonition to pay attention to prophetic message as reliable could be another promise
that he has in view brought by God’s glory and goodness. Through those promises (reliability of
prophetic message and Jesus’ second coming), they would be able to participate in the divine nature
after escaping the corruption in the world caused by evil desires when they knew God by means of
surrendering their lives to Jesus upon hearing the proclamation of the Gospel from those who preached
to them (see 1 Pet. 1:14b).

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