PETER AND HIS READERS Some have said that the use of both names, Simon, which was his own original name (Matthew 4:18; Matthew 16:17), and Peter, which was the name Christ gave him (Mark 3:16; John 1:42), shows this author is a copycat and is trying doubly hard to convince his readers that he is Pe... [ Continue Reading ]
GROWING IN GRACE AND PEACE IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST As in the first letter (1:2), Peter prays that they may have the great blessings of God's unmerited favor and the peace which it supplies. Grace and peace quickly grow when we continue to grow in our understanding of God and Christ (2 Peter 1:2)... [ Continue Reading ]
EACH CHRISTIAN MUST BRING IN HIS PART The A.S.V. translates this verse, "Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue, and in your virtue knowledge." Because of the promises belonging to those in Christ and the glory in which they share, they will quic... [ Continue Reading ]
SELF-CONTROL, PERSEVERANCE AND GODLINESS The fourth note is self-control, or as the King James has it, temperance (1 Corinthians 9:25-27; Acts 24:25; Galatians 5:23). As one grows in the knowledge of right and wrong, naturally he should try to control his fleshly appetites and direct them into the r... [ Continue Reading ]
BROTHERLY KINDNESS AND LOVE Immediately following one's respect toward God will be a love for his fellow man. Jesus said that was the second commandment. Particularly, here we have love for the brethren, which is a necessary outgrowth of love for God (1 John 4:19-21; 1 John 5:1; Romans 12:10; 1 Thes... [ Continue Reading ]
AVOIDING SPIRITUAL MYOPIA BY DEVELOPING ETERNAL VISION The graces of verses 5-7, must be in the Christian and multiply if he would not become idle (See K.J.V. margin) and without fruit in the knowledge of Christ. Peter uses the word "if" to show the great importance of having these in one's life. H... [ Continue Reading ]
PETER'S PERSONAL CONCERN Because Peter wanted his readers to receive the blessing of heaven, he wrote to remind them of some truths they already knew. It is the job of those proclaiming the truth to encourage their listeners in good works and urge them to constantly test themselves through examinin... [ Continue Reading ]
RELIABLE TRUTHS Peter has been talking about writing this epistle to them so they would remember the important doctrines he, and others, had previously taught them. Now, he tells the reason for wanting to do that as he begins with the word "For". Peter and the other apostles were not following afte... [ Continue Reading ]