Reference: Peter, Second Epistle Of
Easton
The question of the authenticity of this epistle has been much discussed, but the weight of evidence is wholly in favour of its claim to be the production of the apostle whose name it bears. It appears to have been written shortly before the apostle's death (1:14). This epistle contains eleven references to the Old Testament. It also contains (3:15, 16) a remarkable reference to Paul's epistles. Some think this reference is to 1Th 4:13-5:11. A few years ago, among other documents, a parchment fragment, called the "Gospel of Peter," was discovered in a Christian tomb at Akhmim in Upper Egypt. Origen (obiit A.D. 254), Eusebius (obiit 340), and Jerome (obiit 420) refer to such a work, and hence it has been concluded that it was probably written about the middle of the second century. It professes to give a history of our Lord's resurrection and ascension. While differing in not a few particulars from the canonical Gospels, the writer shows plainly that he was acquinted both with the synoptics and with the Gospel of John. Though apocryphal, it is of considerable value as showing that the main facts of the history of our Lord were then widely known.
Hastings
This Epistle cannot rank with 1Peter as a Christian classic; indeed, very many would agree with J
See Verses Found in Dictionary
"Everything has been handed over to me by my Father; neither does any one know the Son, except the Father, nor any one know the Father except the Son, and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
"But if it is in the power of the Spirit of God is already upon you. "Or how can any one enter the strong man's house and carry off his goods without first binding the strong man? Then he can rob his house.
"Whenever an unclean spirit leaves a man, it wanders through waterless places, seeking rest but finding none. "Then it says, "'I will go back to my house which I left'; and on arrival finds it empty, swept, and garnished. read more. "Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits worse than itself; and they enter in and dwell there. And the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it be with this wicked generation."
"In solemn truth I tell you," Jesus answered, "that in the New Creation, when the Son of man shall sit on the throne of his glory, you also who have followed me shall sit on twelve thrones, to govern the twelve tribes of Israel.
"But when the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then will he take his seat on the throne of his glory;
"But when the tribulation is past, in those days the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shed her light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. read more. Then will they see the Son of man coming in clouds, with great power and glory.
Earth and sky shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
He answered. "To you it is given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God; But all others are taught in parables so that seeing they shall not see, and hearing they shall not hear.
"When he lights a lamp no one covers it with a vase or hides it under a bed; he puts it on a lamp-stand so whoever may behold the light.
"men lifeless through fear, and foreboding of that which is about to come upon the habitable earth. For the powers of the heavens shall be shaken, "and then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. read more. "But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, lift your heads! for your redemption is drawing near."
"Feed my sheep," said Jesus. "In solemn truth I tell you that when you were young, you used to put on your own girdle, and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old you will stretch out your hands for some one to gird you, and carry you where you do not wish to go." This he said to show by what kind of death Peter was to glorify God. After speaking thus, he said to him, "Follow me."
"Repent then! and reform, from the blotting out of your sins, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord; "and that he may send Jesus, your appointed Messiah, read more. "whom the heavens must receive until the time of restoration of all things. "God spoke of this ages ago, through the mouth of his holy prophets.
Or do you despise the riches of his kindness and forbearance and long patience? Do you not know that the kindness of God is leading you to repentance?
Destruction and ruin are in their paths;
Do not continue to present any part of your body to sin to be used as a weapon of unrighteousness. On the contrary, be presenting yourselves to God, as alive from the dead, and the various parts of your bodies to be used as weapons of righteousness.
But what if God, while intending to show forth his wrath, and to make known his power, yet endured, with much long-suffering, vessels of wrath, fitted to destruction?
For I know, if this earthly tent of mine were struck, I have a mansion built by God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
And so may he establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus, with all his saints.
May the God of peace consecrate you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept altogether faultless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Roman Asia, and Bithynia,
and into an inheritance imperishable and undefiled and fadeless, which has been kept in heaven for you
Concerning this salvation the Prophets who prophesied regarding the grace intended for you, diligently sought and searched. They were searching to know to what time, or to what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them kept pointing, when he ever testified beforehand concerning the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. read more. It was revealed to them that it was not for themselves, but for you, that they were ministering the truths which have now been announced to you, by those who preached the gospel to you, through the help of the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven??ruths into which angels long to look. So then brace up your minds, be steady in spirit, and fix your hope firmly in the grace that is coming to you, at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
but become yourselves holy in your whole manner of living, as He who has called you is holy, as the Scripture says, You shall be holy, because I am holy.
Now that by obedience to the truth you have purified your lives for a brotherly love without hypocrisy, you must love one another from your hearts, fervently. For you have been born anew, not of perishable, but of imperishable seed, by the living, lasting word of God.
and, A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense. They stumble over it because they are disobeying God's word, and to this they were also appointed.
For it is the will of God that by well-doing you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
But be glad in the degree in which you share in the sufferings of Christ; so that when his glory shall be revealed, you too may be glad with triumphant gladness.
Now to you who are presbyters I make this appeal; for I am myself a presbyter, and was a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory about to be revealed.
But the God of all grace, who has called us by Christ Jesus to share his eternal glory, will, after you have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord. For his power divine has granted to us everything needful for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue.
For his power divine has granted to us everything needful for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue.
For his power divine has granted to us everything needful for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue.
For his power divine has granted to us everything needful for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue.
For his power divine has granted to us everything needful for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue. By these he has granted his promises to us, precious and splendid; so that through them you may become partners of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By these he has granted his promises to us, precious and splendid; so that through them you may become partners of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By these he has granted his promises to us, precious and splendid; so that through them you may become partners of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By these he has granted his promises to us, precious and splendid; so that through them you may become partners of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
By these he has granted his promises to us, precious and splendid; so that through them you may become partners of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. For this very reason do your best to add to your faith manliness, and to manliness knowledge,
For this very reason do your best to add to your faith manliness, and to manliness knowledge,
For this very reason do your best to add to your faith manliness, and to manliness knowledge,
For this very reason do your best to add to your faith manliness, and to manliness knowledge,
For this very reason do your best to add to your faith manliness, and to manliness knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control stedfastness, and to stedfastness piety,
and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control stedfastness, and to stedfastness piety,
and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control stedfastness, and to stedfastness piety,
and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control stedfastness, and to stedfastness piety,
and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control stedfastness, and to stedfastness piety,
and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control stedfastness, and to stedfastness piety, and to piety brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love itself.
and to piety brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love itself.
and to piety brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love itself.
and to piety brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love itself.
and to piety brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love itself.
and to piety brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love itself. For if these virtues are yours in abounding measure, they render you not idle nor unfruitful, until you come into the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if these virtues are yours in abounding measure, they render you not idle nor unfruitful, until you come into the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if these virtues are yours in abounding measure, they render you not idle nor unfruitful, until you come into the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if these virtues are yours in abounding measure, they render you not idle nor unfruitful, until you come into the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
For if these virtues are yours in abounding measure, they render you not idle nor unfruitful, until you come into the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the man who lacks these virtues is blind, short-sighted, forgetful of his cleansing from his old sins.
For the man who lacks these virtues is blind, short-sighted, forgetful of his cleansing from his old sins.
For the man who lacks these virtues is blind, short-sighted, forgetful of his cleansing from his old sins.
For the man who lacks these virtues is blind, short-sighted, forgetful of his cleansing from his old sins. So, brothers, take diligent care to make your calling and election sure; for if you do this, you will never stumble.
So, brothers, take diligent care to make your calling and election sure; for if you do this, you will never stumble.
So, brothers, take diligent care to make your calling and election sure; for if you do this, you will never stumble.
So, brothers, take diligent care to make your calling and election sure; for if you do this, you will never stumble. For so the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.
For so the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.
For so the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you.
For so the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you. I shall therefore be always ready to remind you of all this, even though you know it, and are firmly founded in the truth which is with you.
I shall therefore be always ready to remind you of all this, even though you know it, and are firmly founded in the truth which is with you.
I shall therefore be always ready to remind you of all this, even though you know it, and are firmly founded in the truth which is with you.
I shall therefore be always ready to remind you of all this, even though you know it, and are firmly founded in the truth which is with you. So I think it right, as long as I am in this "tent," to rouse you by way of reminding you,
So I think it right, as long as I am in this "tent," to rouse you by way of reminding you,
So I think it right, as long as I am in this "tent," to rouse you by way of reminding you,
So I think it right, as long as I am in this "tent," to rouse you by way of reminding you,
So I think it right, as long as I am in this "tent," to rouse you by way of reminding you, since I know that the time for me to strike tent comes swiftly on, even as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out to me.
since I know that the time for me to strike tent comes swiftly on, even as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out to me.
since I know that the time for me to strike tent comes swiftly on, even as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out to me.
since I know that the time for me to strike tent comes swiftly on, even as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out to me. So I will do my best to enable you, even after my departure, continually to call these things to mind.
So I will do my best to enable you, even after my departure, continually to call these things to mind.
So I will do my best to enable you, even after my departure, continually to call these things to mind.
So I will do my best to enable you, even after my departure, continually to call these things to mind. For we were not following cunningly devised fables, when we told you of the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye-witnesses of his Majesty.
For we were not following cunningly devised fables, when we told you of the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye-witnesses of his Majesty.
For we were not following cunningly devised fables, when we told you of the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye-witnesses of his Majesty.
For we were not following cunningly devised fables, when we told you of the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye-witnesses of his Majesty.
For we were not following cunningly devised fables, when we told you of the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye-witnesses of his Majesty. For he did receive honor and glory from God the Father, when there was borne such a voice to him from the Majestic Glory, This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I delight;
For he did receive honor and glory from God the Father, when there was borne such a voice to him from the Majestic Glory, This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I delight;
For he did receive honor and glory from God the Father, when there was borne such a voice to him from the Majestic Glory, This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I delight;
For he did receive honor and glory from God the Father, when there was borne such a voice to him from the Majestic Glory, This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I delight;
For he did receive honor and glory from God the Father, when there was borne such a voice to him from the Majestic Glory, This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I delight; and this voice we ourselves heard, borne to us out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy hill.
and this voice we ourselves heard, borne to us out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy hill.
and this voice we ourselves heard, borne to us out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy hill.
and this voice we ourselves heard, borne to us out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy hill.
and this voice we ourselves heard, borne to us out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy hill. And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation.
But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.
For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.
For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.
For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.
For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.
For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.
Then there will be many who will follow their immorality, because of whom the Way of the Truth will be maligned.
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to chains of darkness, and reserved them for judgment;
For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them down to Tartarus, and committed them to chains of darkness, and reserved them for judgment;
(for that righteous man, living among them, tormented his righteous soul in seeing and hearing, day after day, their lawless deeds),
(for that righteous man, living among them, tormented his righteous soul in seeing and hearing, day after day, their lawless deeds),
even where angels, though surpassing them in strength and might, do not bring a railing judgment against them before the Lord.
suffering wrong as the wage of wrong which they have done. These are men who count it pleasure to carouse in open daylight; they are spots and blemishes reveling in their deceit, even while they are feasting with you. They have eyes full of harlots, eyes that cannot stop sinning. They entice unsteady souls. Their heart is trained in greed. They are an accursed generation. read more. They have forsaken the right way; they have lost their way, and followed the road of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of wrong-doing. He was, however, rebuked for his own transgression; a dumb ass spoke with a man's voice, and stopped the madness of the prophet. Such men are like waterless springs, or mists storm-driven; for them the blackness of darkness has been reserved.
Such men are like waterless springs, or mists storm-driven; for them the blackness of darkness has been reserved. For speaking great swelling words of vanity, they entangle, by their lasciviousness, in the lusts of the flesh, those who are just about to escape from the men that live in misconduct.
For speaking great swelling words of vanity, they entangle, by their lasciviousness, in the lusts of the flesh, those who are just about to escape from the men that live in misconduct. They promise them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of rottenness! (For indeed a man is the slave of anything which masters him.)
They promise them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of rottenness! (For indeed a man is the slave of anything which masters him.) For if, after having escaped the pollutions of the world, through the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, men are again entangled in them and overpowered, their last state is become worse than their first. read more. Indeed it would have been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them.
Indeed it would have been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them.
Indeed it would have been better for them not to have known the Way of Righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. In their case it has happened according to the true proverb, The dog returns again to his own vomit, and The sow, after washing, to her wallowing in the mire.
This is now my second letter to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your pure minds by putting you in remembrance.
This is now my second letter to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your pure minds by putting you in remembrance. I want you to recollect the words that were foretold by the holy prophets, and the command of your Lord and Saviour, given you through your apostles. read more. Know this first, that mockers will come in the last days, in their mockery, men who walk the way of their own lusts
For they willingly ignore the fact that there were heaven, from of old, and an earth formed out of water and through water, by the word of God; and that by the same means the world which then existed was destroyed by a deluge of water. read more. But the heavens and earth that now are, by the same word of God, have been reserved for fire, and are being kept for the Day of Judgment, and for the destruction of ungodly men.
But the heavens and earth that now are, by the same word of God, have been reserved for fire, and are being kept for the Day of Judgment, and for the destruction of ungodly men. Do not forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. read more. The Lord does not loiter over his promise, as some men esteem loitering; but he is longsuffering toward you, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should pass on to repentance. But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; and on that Day the heavens will vanish with a crash, the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat, and the earth and all its works will be burned up.
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; and on that Day the heavens will vanish with a crash, the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat, and the earth and all its works will be burned up.
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief; and on that Day the heavens will vanish with a crash, the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat, and the earth and all its works will be burned up. Now since all things are in the process of dissolution, what kind of men ought you to be, in all holy living and piety;
Now since all things are in the process of dissolution, what kind of men ought you to be, in all holy living and piety;
Now since all things are in the process of dissolution, what kind of men ought you to be, in all holy living and piety;
Now since all things are in the process of dissolution, what kind of men ought you to be, in all holy living and piety; while you look for and hasten the coming of the Day of God. At its coming the heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat.
while you look for and hasten the coming of the Day of God. At its coming the heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat.
while you look for and hasten the coming of the Day of God. At its coming the heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat.
while you look for and hasten the coming of the Day of God. At its coming the heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat.
while you look for and hasten the coming of the Day of God. At its coming the heavens, being on fire, will be dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt with fervent heat. But according to his promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness makes her dwelling.
But according to his promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness makes her dwelling. And so, beloved, since you are looking for these things, continually give diligence that you may be found in peace, unspotted and blameless in his sight.
And so, beloved, since you are looking for these things, continually give diligence that you may be found in peace, unspotted and blameless in his sight. Regard our Lord's longsuffering as salvation; even as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you, according to the wisdom given to him. read more. It is the same in all his letters when he speaks of these things. There are indeed some things in his letters hard to understand, which the ignorant and the shifty wrest, as also they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
It is the same in all his letters when he speaks of these things. There are indeed some things in his letters hard to understand, which the ignorant and the shifty wrest, as also they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
It is the same in all his letters when he speaks of these things. There are indeed some things in his letters hard to understand, which the ignorant and the shifty wrest, as also they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
But grow continually in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and unto the Day of Eternity, Amen.
But grow continually in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and unto the Day of Eternity, Amen.
I know where you dwell, where the throne of Satan is; and yet you are holding fast my name, and you have not denied my faith, even in the days of Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was slain among you, where Satan has his dwelling. But I have a few things against you, because you have there some who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling-block before the sons of Israel, to eat food offered to idols, and to practise immorality. read more. So you have also some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent; if you do not I will very soon come to you, and will make war upon them with the sword of my mouth. He who has ears, let him listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To him that overcomes I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no man knows, but he that receives it. And to the angel of the Church in Thyatira, write. These are the words of the Son of God, who has his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet like burnished brass. I know your works and your love and faith and service and endurance; I know that your last works are more than the first. But I have this against you, that you are tolerating that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, and she is teaching and leading my slaves astray, leading them to practise immorality, and to eat food which has been sacrificed to idols. I have given her time for repentance; but she is determined not to turn from her immorality. Behold, I will lay her on a sick bed, and bring great distress upon those who have committed adultery with her, unless they turn away from her works. And moreover, her children will I kill with pestilence. And all the churches shall know that I am he who searches the hearts and souls of men. I will give to each of you according to his works. But to the rest of you in Thyatira, those who do not hold his teaching, and who do not know the "deep things" of Satan (as they call them),
Morish
The object of this epistle appears to be primarily the confirmation of the minds of Jewish believers in the certainty of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have in it the only record by an eye-witness of what took place on the Mount of Transfiguration. This vision made more sure the word of prophecy to which saints did well in taking heed, as to a light shining in a dark place, till the day dawned, and the day-star arose in their hearts.
But before the kingdom could be displayed, it was necessary that the corruption of Christianity, which had already set in, should be complete and the course and climax of this corruption are vividly portrayed in 2 Peter 2. It originated in false teachers privily bringing in destructive heresies, denying the Lord that bought them. The development of this evil is viewed in the light of wickedness (rather than of apostasy, as in the Epistle of Jude), as that which is specially obnoxious to the government of God. While in Jude the gainsaying of Core is shown to be the culminating point of apostasy, here the incitement to abominable wickedness by Balaam is before the mind of the Spirit, indicating how corrupting the influence of those who held the place of 'prophet' would become.
In the concluding part of the epistle (2 Peter 3) we have also the closing phase of unbelief (perhaps Jewish), namely, scepticism, built up on the assumed unchangeability of the creation, as to the coming of the day of the Lord. And this becomes the occasion of the apostle's leading the minds of the saints beyond the thoughts of the kingdom to that which, resting on perfect moral foundations, is eternal and unchangeable. The day of the Lord was a means to an and, and would make way for the day of God, and the fulfilment of His promise of new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness would reside, and in view of which the existing heavens and earth would pass away. Saints, knowing these things before, were not to fall from their stedfastness, but to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Smith
Peter, Second Epistle of.
The following is a brief outline of the contents of this epistle: The customary opening salutation is followed by an enumeration of Christian blessings and exhortation to Christian duties.
Referring then to his approaching death, the apostle assigns as grounds of assurance for believers his own personal testimony as eye-witness of the transfiguration and the sure word of prophecy--that is the testimony of the Holy Ghost. vs.
The danger of being misled by false prophets is dwelt upon with great earnestness throughout the second chapter, which is almost identical in language and subject with the Epistle of Jude. The overthrow of all opponents of Christian truth is predicted in connection with prophecies touching the second advent of Christ, the destruction of the world by fire, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. ch. 3. This epistle of Peter presents questions of difficulty. Doubts as to its genuineness were entertained by the early Church; in the time of Eusebius it was reckoned among the disputed books, and was not formally admitted into the canon until the year 393, at the Council of Hippo. These difficulties, however, are insufficient to justify more than hesitation in admitting its ,genuineness. A majority of names may be quoted in support of the genuineness and authenticity of this epistle. (It is very uncertain as to the time when it was written. It was written near the close of Peter's life--perhaps about A.D. 68--from Rome or somewhere on the journey thither from the East --Alford.)
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Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained an equally precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Grace and peace be multiplied to you by the God and Father of Jesus our Lord. read more. For his power divine has granted to us everything needful for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue. By these he has granted his promises to us, precious and splendid; so that through them you may become partners of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. For this very reason do your best to add to your faith manliness, and to manliness knowledge, and to knowledge self-control, and to self-control stedfastness, and to stedfastness piety, and to piety brotherly love, and to brotherly love, love itself. For if these virtues are yours in abounding measure, they render you not idle nor unfruitful, until you come into the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the man who lacks these virtues is blind, short-sighted, forgetful of his cleansing from his old sins. So, brothers, take diligent care to make your calling and election sure; for if you do this, you will never stumble. For so the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will be richly supplied to you. I shall therefore be always ready to remind you of all this, even though you know it, and are firmly founded in the truth which is with you. So I think it right, as long as I am in this "tent," to rouse you by way of reminding you, since I know that the time for me to strike tent comes swiftly on, even as our Lord Jesus Christ pointed out to me. So I will do my best to enable you, even after my departure, continually to call these things to mind. For we were not following cunningly devised fables, when we told you of the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eye-witnesses of his Majesty. For he did receive honor and glory from God the Father, when there was borne such a voice to him from the Majestic Glory, This is my Son, my Beloved, in whom I delight; and this voice we ourselves heard, borne to us out of heaven, when we were with him on the holy hill. And so we possess the word of prophecy made yet more sure. Unto this you do well to give heed as to a lamp shining in a dark place, till the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. But first be assured of this??hat no prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought by the will of man; but moved by the Holy Spirit, men spoke for God.