New Testament · General Epistle · Book 61 of 66
Book of 2 Peter
Peter’s farewell letter: grow in the knowledge of Christ, beware of false teachers, and wait with patience for the Lord’s return.
3 Chapters
2 Peter 1–3
Author
Peter
Written
c. A.D. 64 – 68 (debated)
Written To
Believers generally
Overview
Book of 2 Peter Summary
Second Peter reads like a farewell. The author knows that he will soon lay aside his body (1:14) and wants believers to remember what he has taught after he is gone (1:15). He writes to protect them from false teachers and to strengthen their hope in the promise of the Lord’s return.
Chapter 1 explains that God’s power has given believers everything they need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ, and urges them to build on their faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love. The author grounds this in what he saw himself on the mountain, when Christ’s majesty was revealed, and in the trustworthiness of the prophetic word.
Chapter 2 gives a sharp warning against false teachers who secretly bring in destructive heresies and who live in greed and immorality. Chapter 3 answers scoffers who ask where the promised coming of the Lord is. The delay is God’s patience, because He does not want anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance, and so believers should live holy lives and keep growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.
About the Name
Title
The letter is named for its author. The traditional Greek title is Petrou B, “Of Peter, second.” It is one of the General Epistles, addressed to a broad audience of believers rather than to a single church.
It describes itself as the second letter Peter has written to its readers (3:1), and it addresses those who have “received a faith as precious as ours” (1:1). Many take this to mean the same churches as in 1 Peter.
Who Wrote It
Author Details
The letter opens with “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ” (1:1). The author says he was an eyewitness of the transfiguration (1:16–18) and he refers to “our dear brother Paul” and his letters (3:15–16).
When It Was Written
Date of Writing
On the traditional view, Peter wrote shortly before his death, about A.D. 64–68, during Nero’s reign. He says that the Lord had made clear to him that he would soon die (1:14). The place of writing is not stated; early tradition places Peter’s last years in Rome.
Study Guide
2 Peter Outline
3 chapters in three parts. Tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it at BibleGateway.
Part II
Warning Against False Teachers
Chapter 2 · Destructive heresies and God’s judgment
Part III
The Promise of the Lord’s Return
Chapter 3 · God’s patience and our hope
Continue Your Study
Verse references link to the NIV at BibleGateway.