2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:1 Initial Greeting. Peter’s greeting is short and to the point. He identifies himself and his audience, and offers a blessing. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:2 In his initial blessing of his readers, Peter mentions a common theme in the letter: true KNOWLEDGE OF GOD AND OF JESUS. This verse also points to the deity of Christ (see note on v. 1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.le... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:3 God’s Grace in Christ Is the Source of Godly Living. In this first main section, Peter emphasizes that God’s grace results in godliness. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:4 PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE. Believers never become part of God, yet they share in his nature as they become increasingly like him. The GREAT PROMISES include the promises Peter identifies in his Pentecost sermon in Acts 2:14. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in new p... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:5 SUPPLEMENT YOUR FAITH. Peter encourages Christians to confess faith in Christ and to live as he taught. All the virtues listed in vv. 2 Peter 1:5 are results of faith. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:6 GODLINESS means “piety, devotion to God” (also in vv. 2 Peter 1:3, 2 Peter 1:7; 2 Peter 3:11; see 2 Timothy 3:5). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:9 The one who LACKS THESE QUALITIES (vv. 2 Peter 1:5) IS spiritually BLIND and has FORGOTTEN THAT HE WAS CLEANSED from his SINS. Perhaps this describes a person whose “cleansing” was merely external and did not come from a truly changed heart. It could also describe a genui... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:10 Christians should be DILIGENT TO CONFIRM their CALLING AND ELECTION. God calls believers to faith through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14), but he has also chosen (elected) them “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Growing in the Christlike virtues ment... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:11 IN THIS WAY. That is, by doing the things Peter mentions in vv. 2 Peter 1:5. RICHLY PROVIDED. Some interpreters think “richly” indicates degrees of blessing and reward in this life and in heaven. Others think that eternal life is the reward in view. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = d... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:12 Peter’s Reminder to the Churches. Peter contrasts the truth about Christ and the falsehood of man-made myths. In light of this certain truth, the church should focus on living faithfully. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:14 AS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST MADE CLEAR TO ME. It seems that Peter has recently become aware of how soon he will be martyred. He may also be thinking about what Jesus told him in John 21:18. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.l... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:16 CLEVERLY DEVISED MYTHS. “Myth” here means “a story without basis in fact.” The gospel of Christ was no myth. The apostles WERE EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY at the transfiguration. Peter knew, at that point, that Christ had come in POWER. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getEl... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:17 MAJESTIC GLORY. A name for God the Father that emphasizes the power of his presence (see Exodus 33:12; Exodus 34:29; 2 Corinthians 3:12). BELOVED SON. Compare Psalms 2:7; Matthew 3:17; Mar [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:18 WE OURSELVES HEARD. Peter emphasizes that he and James and John were eyewitnesses to the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:19 THE PROPHETIC WORD MORE FULLY CONFIRMED. Some have understood this to mean that Peter’s experience of the Transfiguration provides confirmation of OT prophecy, making the already-sure prophecy of the OT even more sure as confirmed by the Transfiguration. Others have unde... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:20 NO PROPHECY OF SCRIPTURE COMES FROM SOMEONE’S OWN INTERPRETATION, that is, from someone’s individual understanding of events, visions, or other things. Rather, “all prophecy of Scripture” came about from the Holy Spirit’s leading (v. 2 Peter 1:21). Peter reassures his re... [ Continue Reading ]
2 PETER—NOTE ON 2 PETER 1:21 No biblical PROPHECY was ever PRODUCED merely because someone wanted to prophesy (BY THE WILL OF MAN). God gave the words of Scripture through men who “spoke” as they WERE CARRIED ALONG BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. The Holy Spirit worked within the OT prophets and through their l... [ Continue Reading ]