As we start our brief study of the book of 2 Peter, a bit of context: This book is intended to be a response to false teaching in the church, a warning to hold fast to the confidence in the eventual return of Jesus, and a testament for future generations. In contrast to the pastoral letter of 1 Peter, this letter is polemic and apocalyptic in nature; we will discuss this further in upcoming weeks.
2 Peter 1:1-2 Greeting Simeon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ: To those who have received a faith equal to ours through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. May grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
- Who is the author? Why do you think the greeting has both the Hebrew variant of his name along with the Greek sobriquet?
- What is implied by the phrase “a servant and an apostle”?
- Who is the audience of this letter? What do you find striking about the greeting to them?
- What role does knowledge play in “grace and peace”?
2 Peter 1:3-4 Thanksgiving (Implied) His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.
- What do we need for life and godliness?
- What are some of the “very great and precious promises” that we have been given?
- What is the goal of life, according to this passage?
2 Peter 1:5-11 Discipleship Defined For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with endurance, endurance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being useless or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The person who lacks these things is blind and shortsighted and has forgotten the cleansing from his past sins. Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election, because if you do these things you will never stumble. For in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you.
- There is, as some authors have put it, a “golden chain” leading from faith to heaven. What are the links in this chain, and what do each of these look like when lived out?
- What is the goal of the “effort” mentioned in this passage?
- Is this teaching a “works salvation” approach? If not, how would you explain what the author is saying?
2 Peter 1:12-15 Farewell & Purpose of Letter Therefore I will always remind you about these things, even though you know them and are established in the truth you now have. I think it is right, as long as I am in this bodily tent, to wake you up with a reminder, since I know that I will soon lay aside my tent, as our Lord Jesus Christ has indeed made clear to me. And I will also make every effort so that you are able to recall these things at any time after my departure.
- What is the purpose of this letter, as stated here?
- What significance does the language referring to the “bodily tent” have?