2 PETER is an intense, passionate farewell speech addressed to the same messianic church communities as 1 Peter. In the book, Peter challenges Jesus' followers to continue growing in their faith, love, and service to God and be ready for Jesus' return.
Verses 1-2
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
1 To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Commentary
Verses 1-2
---1. Peter identified himself as Simon Peter, instead of just Peter as he did in 1 Peter.
---2. He changed his identifiers to a servant and apostle, but in 1 Peter it was only an apostle.
---3. He did not call specific recipients as in 1 Peter. He merely says, "To those..."
---4. The entire Trinity was mentioned in 1 Peter. The Holy Spirit was not mentioned in 2 Peter.
---5. Unlike 1 Peter, he referred to "Savior Jesus Christ" first.
---6. Unlike 1 Peter, he referred to "Jesus our Lord."
---7. He blessed recipients with the words "Grace" and "peace" at the beginning of both letters.
Verses 3-5; Confirming One’s Calling and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Commentary
Verses 3-5
Notice that Peter tells his audience that God has given them everything they need for a godly life.
Verses 5-11
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Commentary
Verses 5-9
These verses shed light on what recipients should do. Notice the qualities Peter tells people to add to other qualities. Also, notice how he described those who do not have the qualities he mentioned.
Verse 10
Notice the keyword of conclusion. Also, notice the direct address.
Verse 11
Notice the result of doing what is mentioned previously.
Verses 12-15; Prophecy of Scripture
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
Commentary
Verses 12-15
Peter uses keywords: remind, refresh memory, and remember in the above passage. He doesn't want people to forget what he has taught them in previous verses.
Verses 16-18
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
Commentary
Verses 16-18
Peter was an eyewitness, along with Jesus' inner circle, on Mount Transfiguration. Not only did he see Jesus transfigured before his very eyes, but he also heard the voice of God on what he calls "the sacred mountain."
Verses 19-21
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Commentary
Verses 19-21
Again, Peter uses a string of keywords to make his point clearer: prophetic message, prophets, and prophecy of Scripture.
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