·
The human author is Peter (1:1). The first letter was actually written by
Silvanus at Peter’s instruction (1 Pet. 5:12).
It appears that Peter actually wrote this letter himself. He calls himself Simon Peter rather than just Peter
as in the first letter. Perhaps this use
of his birth name (Jesus added “Cephas/Peter,” Jn. 1:42) shows humility; or
perhaps it is just the way Peter normally introduced himself. In terms of humility this second letter adds bondservant to the title apostle which he used in the first
epistle. Peter learned servanthood from
Christ (Mark 10:35-45) and was, of course, called to be an apostle by Christ
(Mark 3:13-19). [Note our use of Mark’s
gospel for references to Peter. Many
believe Mark wrote that gospel with Peter as his primary source.]
·
The recipients of 2 Peter are the same as 1
Peter (2 Pet. 3:1-2). However we should
also note that whereas he specifically noted pilgrims in a specific part of the
world in 1 Pt. 1:1 in 2 Peter 1:1 he simply describes them as those of like precious faith, making it clear the
letter is for all believers including us.
·
The purpose of the letter is to remind these
believers of something they already knew (2 Pt. 1:12). “Reminders” are a good thing. Peter says that failure to do this would be negligent. Paul did the same with the Philippian
believers (Phil. 3:1). Reminders are essential to renewing the
mind. What we are trying to do is change
our way of thinking, from what was common to us from our birth to something
that is brand new. It makes sense: we
will need to hear these truths more than once.
If we could keep this in mind it might deliver us from the tendency of
some preachers to think they always have to be new. Or it might deliver us who hear the preacher
from the thought that a sermon or church is not that great because it’s always
the same thing.
·
The occasion of the letter seems to reflect the Gnostic problem that afflicted the
church in the later-middle years of the first century. 2 Peter 2 is where we see this as Peter deals
with false teachers, noting their secret knowledge and mysteries. These were key terms when dealing with
Gnostics. The problem is adding to the Scriptures (which of
course is the surest way to subtract from the truth of God). Gnostics sought to build something additional
to the Apostolic Doctrine.
·
The theme of the letter is the knowledge of Christ.
This is very clear if you read the beginning (1:2-4) and end (3:17-18)
of the letter. It is clear that Peter
knew what Paul knew: nothing surpasses the excellency of knowing Christ (Phil.
3:7-11). But of course they would agree:
that is the driving motivation of the entirety of Scripture, the need to know
Christ! [See this theme also in 1:5-6,8;
2:20-21.]
As we come to Peter’s second epistle let us cry out: I want to know Christ!
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