2 Peterstorage.cloversites.com/journeythruthebiblesunday...Like the first letter, the author of this second letter is self-identified in v.1 as [Simon] ... and Jerome [347-420 AD]

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Introduction to 2 Peter Klaus G. Schiessel Copyright © January 2019

2 Peter

The Believer's Consolation in the “Last Days”

INTRODUCTION

AUTHORSHIP:

Like the first letter, the author of this second letter is self-identified in v.1 as [Simon] Peter.

In the Introduction to Peter’s first letter we addressed the argument in which liberal scholars have

disputed the fact that Peter wrote the two letters ascribed to him because they are skeptical that a

“crude” and “illiterate” fisherman could have written letters of such exquisite quality in Koine

Greek1.

But what they don’t understand is that Peter did have an “education”— he spent approximately 3½

years at the best seminary of the day—personally experiencing and witnessing the teaching,

preaching and correction of the Son of God—Jesus Christ!

What’s ironic is that even the educated religious leaders2 of his day recognized this:

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.—Acts 4:13-14

It is also apparent that Peter used Silvanus as an amanuensis3 [a recorder] while dictating his first

letter; “By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I consider him, I have written to you briefly” {1 Pet.

5:12}; who wrote down Peter’s Spirit-inspired words in Koine Greek.

Furthermore, Peter and Mark, along with Paul and Barnabas, were all called to the Gospel ministry

{Acts 12:25} and it was to Mark’s house that Peter went after his miraculous release from prison

{see Acts 12:5-17}. Also, Peter calls Mark “his son” [i.e., in the Faith, having led him to salvation

in Christ] in the benediction of his first letter4 {1 Pet. 5:13}.

It is therefore highly probable that Peter again someone to record his spirit-inspired words while

writing his second letter. Since we know that Mark was with Peter in Rome when he wrote his first

letter {see 1 Pet. 5:13}; it is entirely possible that Peter dictated his spirit-inspired words to Mark

who actually wrote down his words verbatim in Koine Greek.

Therefore, there is no literacy issue and any objection to Petrine authorship based on this issue is

satisfactorily refuted.

However, although the literacy issue has been satisfactorily refuted, there was also another issue

with the second letter of Peter—it had a different literary style than the first letter.

1 Koine Greek was the most common [supra-regional] form of Greek spoken and written during the

Hellenistic Period [~320-30 B.C.], the Roman Empire [~30B.C.-395 A.D.] and the early Byzantine Empire [~395-600 A.D.]. 2 That is, the rulers, elders, and scribes, including Annas the high priest and Caiaphas, John, and Alexander,

and all those of the family of the high priest who were gathered together at Jerusalem heard Peter speak {see Acts 4:5-6}. 3 An amanuensis is a person employed to write or type what another dictates or to copy what has been

written by another, and also refers to a person who signs a document on behalf of another under the latter's authority. 4 Because of this association many Biblical scholars believe that the gospel of Mark is actually Peter’s gospel

account.

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It was well known that at an early period of the Christian history that 2 Peter was one of the books

“which were spoken against” and there were doubts respecting the canonical authority, that is the

scriptural authenticity, of the second letter of Peter.

The claim was made that since the literary style of this second letter is different than the first it must

have been written by a different person who assumed the name of Peter. In other words, this was a

pseudonymous book that was never divinely inspired.

It is important, therefore, to state briefly the evidence of the genuineness and authenticity of this

second letter attributed to Peter. In doing this, it is proper to regard the “first” letter as undoubtedly

genuine and canonical, for that was never doubted. That being stated, the authenticity of this letter

may be argued by citing both external and internal evidence.

EXTERNAL EVIDENCE FOR AUTHENTICITY

First, there is no historical record that the second letter of Peter was ever “rejected” by anyone; its

authorship was only held in “doubt” by a few early liberal Christian scholars.

Interestingly, only a few of the early church theologians and historians5 even mention this doubt in

their writings but they never express any personal doubts about the letter’s authenticity.

It should also be noted that these “doubts” were centered on the literary style only—not the content

of the letter; which is scripturally and doctrinally sound. This difference in literary style has already

been explained by the urgency and seriousness of the subject matter—false teachers who come

introducing doctrinal error to lead believers astray and undermine their faith.

So, although it’s true that the literary style of the Peter’s second letter is different than his first, this

can easily be explained by understanding the timing and subject matter of this second letter.

The timing of this letter coincided with the imminent execution of Peter by crucifixion at the hands

of the Romans. Peter acknowledges this at the very beginning of his second, and last, letter:

“For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know

and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent6, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.”—2 Pet. 1:12-15

So there is a sense of urgency in Peter’s writing style that isn’t the case in his first letter.

Secondly, because Peter was an “elder”; a shepherd of the sheep responsible for both feeding

[teaching] and protecting [warning] them but who would soon be leaving this world the subject

matter of this second letter primarily concerns the danger of “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. That is,

Peter warns believers [his “sheep”] of the serious dangers and destructive effects of apostates and

false teachers, that is, false shepherds in the absence of sound doctrinal teaching.

So the subject matter shifts to personal responsibility to protect the flock that he was entrusted with.

5 These theologians/historians are often referred to as “Church Fathers”. In this case Origen [184-253 AD]

who was a liberal theologian, Eusebius [260-340 AD] who wrote Ecclesiastical History, which covers the history of the church from the 1

st to the 4

th centuries, and Jerome [347-420 AD] who translated the Bible,

both the Old and New Testaments, into Latin [known as the Vulgate]. 6 In this context the term “tent” is a euphemism for the physical body. “For we know that if our earthly house,

this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” {2 Cor. 5:1}. See also John 1:14 in the context of Christ’s human body.

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Peter was rightly concerned—note what Jesus says about this:

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”—Matt. 7:15-16a

This was also the Apostle Paul’s concern after he is gone from the scene and his exhortations to the

elders at Ephesus:

For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.—Acts 20:27-31

In his first letter Peter’s primary motivation is encouraging believers to remain faithful under

conditions of persecution and oppression so they would continue living lives of holiness. His main

concern was for believers to maintain their Christian witness and integrity. But towards the end of

that first letter he hints of his concern that elders shepherd [teaching and protecting] the “sheep” [the believers] entrusted to them:

The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.—1 Pet. 5:1-4

In Peter’s second letter this exhortation becomes personal and practical. His entire purpose for

writing dramatically shifts from encouraging persecuted and suffering believers to remain dedicated

to their Lord and Savior to warning and forearming them about false teachers. This alone would

explain the change in literary style.

In his second letter Peter’s heartfelt concern was for the “flock” [i.e., congregation of believers] that

God entrusted him with would be protected from ravenous predators, false teachers, so we would

expect the literary style to be different.

The difference in literary style can be explained by Peter’s sense of urgency and his concern over

false teachers and that believers might be led astray by their erroneous doctrines. These false

teachers may actually have been the Gnostics with whom the apostle Paul and Jude also refuted.

INTERNAL EVIDENCE FOR AUTHENTICITY

In the first verse of this letter Peter identifies himself as the author. If this is the case we would

expect the letter to contain characteristics unique to Petrine authorship—and this is what we find.

This second letter has all the internal earmarks of authenticity which we should expect.

[1] In 2 Peter 1:14 there is a reference to something which Peter only could appropriately make,

and which an impostor, or forger of an letter, would hardly have thought of introducing. The author

states; “knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me.”

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Here, there is clear reference to Jesus’ prediction of the manner of the death of Peter as recorded in

the gospel of John:

“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish”. This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me”.—John 21:18-19

In other words, when Peter grows old he will be crucified; that is, he will have his hands stretched

out, his clothes will be removed and he will be clothed by another [i.e., Roman soldier] and carried

where he doesn’t wish to go. That is exactly how Peter died. Refer to the section entitled,

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SETTING.

It is possible that a clever forger might have introduced such a reference, but the conclusion that it is

a genuine statement that Peter makes from personal experience is much more probable.

And wouldn’t a forger more likely have simply mentioned the crucifixion, the kind of death that

was prophesied by Jesus, explicitly, without resorting to figurative language?

[2] In 2 Peter 1:16-18 there is another reference of a similar kind. The writer claims to have been

one of the “eye-witnesses of His majesty”; that is, of the LORD Jesus when he was transfigured on

the “holy mountain” {Matt. 17:1-13}.

It would have been natural for Peter to refer to this as he does—without much detail or fanfare.

Why? Because he was actually with Jesus. Peter was writing from personal recollection and had

nothing to “prove”. But Peter was with Jesus together with James and John who are not mentioned

in this reference.

In an effort to gain acceptance a forger would have been more likely to embellish the event by

providing more details, “over-playing his hand” as-it-were, describing the scene in more detail. For

example attempting to name the mountain where the event occurred and explicitly mentioning the

names of the other two disciples.

But for the real author there would have been no need to do this.

[3] In 2 Peter 3:1, it is stated that this is a second letter written to the same persons, implying that a

previous letter exists. Also the writer’s intent was focused on substantially the same objective in

both letters; namely, “in which to stir up your pure minds by way of reminder”. Here the plain

reference is to the first of Peter’s letters, which has always been acknowledged to be genuine.

It may be said that someone who would forge such the letter might have made a reference to a

previous letter. This is true, but for what purpose? A forger would have no reason to provide such a

connection to the first letter. How and why would he even think of doing so? He would not have

had the same motivation or concern as Peter and probably would not have thought of harkening

back to the first letter.

[4] The authorship of other books, or sections of books, of the Bible have been disputed on the

same basis of differences in literary style [e.g., Isaiah, Daniel]. However, in the end well-reasoned

counter-arguments have shown these books to have been authored by the claimed author. In the end

this “higher, liberal criticism” had to give way to the scriptural and historical facts.

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[5] One of Peter’s earmarks is his preferential use of the term “beloved7” [rather than “saints”] to

refer to fellow believers in his first letter. The apostle Paul uses both “saints” and “beloved” to refer

to believers, but Peter exclusively used only the term “beloved” in his first letter. And whereas in

his first letter [which is less controversial than the second] Peter uses this term only twice {1 Pet.

2:11; 4:12}, in the second letter he uses the term 6 times.

[6] See the APPENDIX: “HAPAX LEGOMENA” CONFIRM THE AUTHENTICITY OF PETER’S AUTHORSHIP.

In light of all these unique and exclusive Petrine characteristics it would have been impractical and

very difficult for a writer of the first or second century to have imitated Peter so thoroughly as to

have escaped detection. Add to this the fact that, in general, it is fairly easy to detect the books that

were forged in imitation of, and in the name of, any one of the apostles.

These considerations should remove all reasonable doubt as to the propriety of admitting this letter

into the canon of scripture as having been authored by the apostle Peter.

Though Peter’s second letter has been the subject of heavy critical attack, because of the external

and internal evidence its authenticity has withstood the test of time. No argument against Petrine

authorship was ever conclusive and no new evidence has successfully refuted Peter’s claim to

apostolic authorship.

Historically, all doubt on the question of authenticity disappeared as early as the third and fourth

centuries, and this second letter was accepted as being unquestionably the production of Peter by

that time8.

Thus, objections to Petrine authorship of the second letter due to a change in literary style are

simply and easily answered by understanding the shift in purpose of letter: the subject matter had a

sense of urgency and focused on protection from false doctrine.

Peter, under the influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit was indeed more than capable of

writing both letters he claims to have written!

THIS IS A WONDERFUL LESSON TO ALL CHRISTIANS—DON’T EVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE

HOLY SPIRIT WORKING THROUGH THOSE WHO SPEND TIME WITH THE LORD THROUGH PRAYER AND

READING, STUDYING AND CONTEMPLATING HIS HOLY WORD!

As in his first letter, Peter skillfully handles deeply theological/spiritual subjects. But in his second

letter he skillfully handles both theology and eschatology, his focus is primarily on false teachers—

exposing them and refuting their false doctrine.

As the apostle Paul was the evangelist sent to the Gentiles, Peter’s ministry seems to have

concentrated on spreading the Gospel message to the Jews and strengthening the faith of the Jewish

Christians who were scattered abroad by persecution [the “DIASPORA”; 1 Peter 1:1].

The apostle Paul has been called the “apostle of Faith” and the apostle John has been called the

“apostle of Love”.

But in his two letters Peter makes himself known as the “apostle of Hope”.

7 “Beloved” is an intimate term of endearment as the Father applies it to His Son {see Matt. 3:17; 12:18;

17:5; Mark 1:11; 9:7; 12:6; Luke 3:22; 9:35; 20:13}. 8 It should be noted that the fact that 2 Peter was eventually accepted and that the Apocalypse of Peter, the

Gospel of Peter, and the Acts of Peter were rejected as being pseudonymous books [books authored by someone claiming to be Peter] clearly indicates that pseudonymity was not tolerated. The early church recognized the distinctive character and authority of 2 Peter, as opposed to works of lesser quality that merely copied Petrine thought and mixed in later Jewish and Greek ideas, and added a distinctly Docetic view of the person of Christ [the false doctrine that Jesus only seemed to have a human body].

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RECIPIENTS:

Since 2 Peter 3:1 [“Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle .....”] refers back to the same

group as in his first letter, then Peter was writing to the same Christians to whom he had written

before; those who were “the elect pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus9, Galatia

10, Cappadocia,

Asia11

, and Bithynia” {v.1}. These then were Christians [the elect] who lived in the five listed

Roman provinces, which encompassed all of Asia Minor [modern Turkey].

Please refer to the map shown in FIGURE 1.

We also previously know they were primarily Christian Jews because Peter uses the word

“Diaspora”, which is a specific term used to describe Jews who were dispersed after the destruction

of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and his army in 586 BC. For example, refer also to John 7:35

and James 1:1.

They had fled to the region after the Babylonian conquest and remained there. Many people living

in the various provinces of Asia Minor were saved through the preaching of Paul and the other

apostles {Acts 6:9; 13:1, 14-42, 51; 14:1-20; 15:36-41; 18:23; 19:10, 22, 26; 20:16; 1 Cor. 16:19;

2 Cor. 1:8; 2 Tim. 1:15}. Additionally, many Christian Jews had probably fled to these provinces

after their expulsion from Rome [~51-52 AD] by order of Emperor Claudius {mentioned in Acts

18:2} and also because of the religious persecution [64-68 AD] under his successor, Emperor Nero.

It is interesting to note that many of those who heard the disciples speak “in their own language” on

the Day of Pentecost are specifically mentioned as having come from Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia

[as well as Phrygia and Pamphylia] {see Acts 2:9-10}.

However, although this second letter is also explicitly directed to Jewish Christians {see 2 Peter

1:12; 2:1,4-9; 3:5-8}; its serious subject matter [warnings against false teachers] appears to be more

generally intended for ALL believers, Jews and Gentiles alike.

9 Aquila, the tent-maker that Paul stayed with at Corinth, was born in Pontus. He, along with his wife Priscilla

had evidently emigrated to Rome and then fled to Corinth because of the expulsion of Jews around 51-52 AD {Acts 18:1-3}. 10

Paul wrote the letter of Galatians to the Jewish Christians living here. 11

This is the region that the seven churches referenced in the book of Revelation were located.

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FIGURE 1. ROMAN PROVINCES IN ASIA MINOR AT THE TIME OF PETER’S WRITING.

PURPOSE:

In his FIRST letter Peter’s primary motivation is encouraging believers to remain faithful under

conditions of persecution and oppression so they would continue to lives of holiness.

But in his SECOND letter, the entire purpose shifts dramatically. Peter’s primary motivation is to

warn and forearm believers about false teachers. This is itself motivated by a sense of urgency

because Peter considered his time on earth as short. This purpose is clearly stated by Peter himself

in at least two places:

For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.—2 Pet. 1:12-15

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”—2 Pet. 3:1-4

Peter makes sure that Christians understand that what they have come to believe in is the Truth and

not some made-up stories:

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For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.—2 Pet. 1:16-18

Thus, Peter, previously a hardened fisherman, now humbled and commissioned to be “a fisher of

men” knowing that he will soon be martyred for his faith {see 2 Pet. 1:12-15} by crucifixion wants

to make sure, before he dies, that the believers that were entrusted to him are warned and fore-

armed about false teachers who scoff at the divine inspiration of scripture.

They needed to remain steadfast in their testimony of the Gospel knowing that the Word of God can

be trusted to mean what it says.

This letter opens and closes with the theme of the grace and knowledge of God and our LORD and

Savior Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.—2 Pet. 1:2-4

.....but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.—2 Pet. 3:17-18

Also prominent in both the opening and closing portions of this letter are the present and future

Christian victory and triumph. Refer to 2 Pet. 1:1-4; 3:10-13.

But within the letter Peter focuses primarily on how a Christian is to live when surrounded by

external pressures to compromise their faith by allowing themselves to be led astray by the false

teaching of the wicked. This is wonderfully summarized by Peter at the very end of this letter:

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.—2 Pet. 3:17-18

MAJOR THEME: WARNINGS ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS; WHOM RESIST WITH STEADFAST FAITH.

SETS FORTH: REMINDERS:

• The importance for believers to live out Christian virtues • The importance of prophetic word • Christians do not follow after “cleverly devised fables” • The characteristics of false teachers and warnings about them • The 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ • The coming new heavens and new earth • Don’t be led astray by the erroneous false doctrine of the wicked • Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord & Savior,

Jesus Christ

KEY VERSES: 2 PETER [1:3-8; 15-18, 21]; [2:1-3, 9-10]; [3:1-3, 9-12, 17-18]

KEY WORDS: JESUS CHRIST, SALVATION, HOLY, ESTABLISHED, GRACE, KNOWLEDGE, FAITH,

GLORY, PROPHETIC WORD, LIGHT, JUDGMENT.

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KEY TEACHINGS:

• Living a life of Christian integrity

• Warnings about false teachers & their characteristics

• Importance of prophetic scriptures

• Second Coming of Jesus Christ

• Coming new heavens and new earth

• Maintaining a steadfast faith by not being led astray by the error of the wicked

• Growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

DATE OF WRITING:

The city of Rome burned in July of 64 AD and afterward Nero blamed the Christians for starting the

fire. Note that most of the Jews had already been expelled from Rome by Nero’s predecessor,

Claudius [41-54 AD]; an event is mentioned in passing in Acts 18:2 [“.....(because Claudius had

commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome)”].

After most of Rome was destroyed by fire, Nero earnestly began his persecution of Christians in the

latter half of 64 AD. He had them (a) crucified, (b) sown up in animal skins and thrown into the

coliseum arena to be torn apart and eaten by wild animals and (c) set up on wooden poles and

burned alive as human torches. This persecution spread to other regions of the Roman Empire,

eventually coming to the regions mentioned by Peter in the first verse of his letter.

Note especially that Peter alludes to his impending death12

and writes:

“Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.”—2 Peter 1:13-15

The Greek word rendered “shortly” is [tachinee] and comes from the Greek word, [tachos], from

which we derive the English word “tachometer”; an instrument used to measure the speed of an

engine or motor. Thus, it carries with it the idea of speed or an impending event. How impending

is difficult to determine because we simply don’t have enough Biblical or historical facts.

At the end of His earthly ministry Jesus did not state to Peter when his death would occur, only that

it would be when he was be old and would have to be carried to his death; i.e., by crucifixion {see

John 21:18-19}. Since Peter was growing old [probably in his 70’s] and he probably sensed the

Roman government closing in on him, he knew that he was soon going to die.

Therefore, if we allow a little time, perhaps several months to a year, after his first letter, then Peter

probably wrote his second letter sometime in early 66 AD.

Shortly after writing this letter the Roman persecution of Christians caught up with Peter and he was

martyred in Rome, probably sometime in late 66 AD; about two years before Nero’s death and four

years before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

12

Ecclesiastical history informs us that Peter died at Rome, 66 A.D., in the 12th year of the reign of Nero. From 2 Pet. 1:12-15 it can be supposed that this second letter was written not long after the first, as there he says that he “For this reason I will not be ‘negligent’ to remind you always of these things…..knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me”. Therefore, Peter probably wrote his two letters sometime either in the year 64 AD or 65 AD; or at the very latest 66 AD.

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PLACE OF WRITING:

From 1 Peter 5:13 it appears13

at first glance that like his first, this second letter was written from

BABYLON and the geographical references just north of Babylon mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1 are

consistent with such a conclusion. This would mean that an active, perhaps even large, church was

located in BABYLON.

However, there are three items worth mentioning which mitigate against this being the case.

FIRST, the LORD pronounces a curse on Babylon that it will be as when God destroyed Sodom and

Gomorrah and the prophet Isaiah proclaimed that it will remain uninhabited—pretty much as it is to

this day14

. Babylon was destroyed15

by the Medes/Persians in 539 BC [about 150 years after Isaiah

prophesied it], by the armies of Darius the Mede and the Persian king, Cyrus the Great. Note16

:

“And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there. But wild beasts of the desert will lie there, and their houses will be full of owls; ostriches will dwell there, and wild goats will dance there. The wild beasts will speak in their citadels, and dragons in their pleasant palaces. Her time is near to come and her days will not be prolonged.”—Isa. 13:19-22

SECOND, this name can also be understood as being a term symbolizing ROME since the apostle

John uses the name this way. Rev. 14:8; 16:19; 17:5; 18:2, 10 all mention “BABYLON”, which is

identified in Rev. 17:9; “Here is a mind of wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which

the woman [i.e., BABYLON] sits”; and Rev. 17:18; where Babylon is referred to as “...that great city

which reigns over the kings of the earth”.

Rome was famously known as “the city of seven hills” and, at the time John wrote the Apocalypse

of Jesus Christ, Rome did reign over the kings of earth17

. (Refer to Figure 2). A Roman coin minted

under the Roman Emperor Vespasian [69-79 AD] in 71 AD, about one year after the Roman army

destroyed Jerusalem, depicts Rome as a woman sitting on seven hills! (Refer to Figure 3).

THIRD, the apostle Paul places [John] Mark in Rome on an earlier occasion {during his first

imprisonment; Col. 4:10} and Peter mentions that Mark [now released from prison] was with him

when he wrote this letter {1 Pet. 5:13}.

Additionally, the writings of the 1st century Church Father Ignatius of Antioch18

refer to Peter and

Paul giving admonitions to the Romans, indicating Peter's presence, along with Paul, in Rome.

13

If one takes the geographical reference in the expression, “She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son”; literally, then the “she” refers to a church located in Babylon. 14

In May 2009, the provincial government of Babil re-opened the site of ancient Babylon to tourists, but not many have come. An oil pipeline runs through an outer wall of the city. 15

See Dan. 5:17-31. 16

Refer also to Jeremiah 51:36-44. 17

It is also interesting to note from an eschatological viewpoint, all of the pagan and evil influences which Babylon was the “fountain” of were transferred to Rome, representing the Roman Empire. Thus, the Roman Empire is the fourth beast in Daniel’s prophecy of the four great kingdoms; but which lies “dormant” today but will be “revived” under the leadership of the anti-Christ—“the desolator”. See Dan. 7:7-8, 23-25; Rev. 13:1-8. 18

Ignatius of Antioch (c.35-c.107 AD) was an early Christian writer and bishop of Antioch. En route to Rome, where he met his martyrdom, Ignatius wrote a series of letters. This correspondence now forms a central part of the later collection known as the Apostolic Fathers. His letters also serve as an example of early Christian theology. Important topics they address include ecclesiology, the sacraments, and the role of bishops. See Ignatius of Antioch, “The Epistle of Ignatius to the Romans”; newadvent.org.; retrieved 15 August 2016.

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Thus, Peter probably wrote this letter from ROME19

to the Christian Jews living in the geographical

regions mentioned in 1 Peter 1:1 [essentially, modern Turkey]. He wrote his letters during a time

of extreme persecution under the Roman Emperor Nero20

[54-68 AD]. Because of this 1 Peter has

been called “a handbook written for ambassadors [missionaries] in a hostile, foreign land”.

FIGURE 2. GEOGRAPHICAL FOOTPRINT OF ROME SHOWING THE LOCATION AND NAMES OF THE SEVEN HILLS.

FIGURE 3. ROMAN COIN MINTED IN 71 AD BY EMPEROR VESPASIAN TO COMMEMORATE VICTORY IN

THE JEWISH WARS. NOTE THAT ROME IS DEPICTED AS A WOMAN SITTING ON SEVEN HILLS.

(Source: https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=184449)

19

Although J. Vernon McGee is one of the reputable Bible commentators that believe Peter was too practical to use a metaphor here and in his commentary McGee says that Peter was literally referring to Babylon. But Peter was probably using the term this way because of the persecution of Christians in Rome at this time. 20

Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus. Lived 37-68 AD [age 30] and reigned from 54 to 68 AD; his death [some believe by suicide]. His step-father and adoptive father, Claudius, was also his grand-uncle.

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HISTORICAL & CULTURAL SETTING 21

:

The Great Fire of Rome erupted on the night of 18 July to 19 July, 64 AD and started on the slope

of the Aventine overlooking the Circus Maximus. The fire is reported to have burned for over a

week and destroyed three of the fourteen Roman districts and severely damaged seven more22

.

Tacitus23

, the main ancient source for information about the fire, wrote that countless mansions,

residences and temples were destroyed. He also wrote that some ancient accounts described the fire

as an accident, while others had claimed that it was a plot of Nero's to get rid of the slum district

and old buildings so he could replace the old with new construction.

Pliny the Elder24

, Suetonius25

and Cassius Dio26

all wrote that Nero was responsible for the fire,

although Tacitus writes that he is “unsure”. These accounts give several reasons for Nero's alleged

arson. For example, it was claimed that Nero envied King Priam’s more modern city and disliked

the ancient construction of the buildings in Rome.

Suetonius wrote that Nero started the fire because he wanted the space to build a new palace

complex known as the Domus Aurea [i.e., Golden House].

In the wake of the fire, Nero devised a new urban development plan and built houses of brick that

were spaced out, and were faced by porticos on wide roads. Nero also built his new palace complex,

the Domus Aurea [Golden House], in an area cleared by the fire. This complex [100 to 300 acres]

included lush artificial landscapes and a 90-foot-tall statue of himself, the Colossus of Nero.

21

Source material taken mainly from (1) F.W. Clayton, "Tacitus and Christian Persecution", (2) The Classical Quarterly, pp. 81–85; (3) B.W. Henderson, Life and Principate of the Emperor Nero, p. 437; (4) Edward Champlin, Nero, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003, pp. 36–52; (5) "Nero | Roman emperor". Encyclopedia Britannica. 22

The Roman historians, Suetonius and Cassius Dio, alleged that Nero sang the "Sack of Ilium" in stage costume while the city burned. The popular story that Nero played the fiddle while Rome burned "is at least partly a literary construct of Flavian propaganda [...]”; which looked with suspicion on the failed Neronian attempt to change Augustan rules of governing. 23

Publius/Gaius Cornelius Tacitus [~56-120 AD) was a senator and a historian of the Roman Empire. The surviving portions of his two major works—the Annals and the Histories—examine the reigns of the Roman emperors Tiberius, Claudius, Nero, and those who reigned in the Year of the Four Emperors (69 AD). These two works span the history of the Roman Empire from the death of Augustus, in 14 AD, to the years of the First Jewish–Roman War, in 70 AD. There are substantial missing segments in the surviving texts, including a gap in the Annals that is four books long. 24

Pliny the Elder [born Gaius Plinius Secundus, 23 – 79 AD] was a Roman author, naturalist and natural philosopher, a naval and army commander of the early Roman Empire and friend of the emperor Vespasian. Spending most of his spare time studying, writing, and investigating natural and geographic phenomena in the field, Pliny wrote the encyclopedic Naturalis Historia (Natural History), which became an editorial model for encyclopedias. He apparently died in the sixth and largest pyroclastic surge during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius while his ship was trapped at the port city of Stabiae in the gulf of Naples. 25

Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus commonly known as Suetonius [~69 – after 122 AD] was a Roman historian who wrote during the early Imperial era [27 BC – 284 AD] of the Roman Empire. His most important surviving work is a set of biographies of twelve successive Roman rulers, from Julius Caesar to Domitian, entitled De Vita Caesarum. Other works by Suetonius concern the daily life of Rome, politics, oratory, and the lives of famous writers, including poets, historians, and grammarians. A few of these books have partially survived, but many have been lost. 26

Cassius Dio or Dio Cassius [~155–235 AD] was a Roman statesman and historian of Greek origin.

Written in Greek over a period spanning more than 22 years, he published 80 volumes of history on Ancient Rome; documenting the founding of Rome (753 BC), the formation of the Republic (509 BC), and the creation of the Empire (31 BC) and its expansion up until 229 AD. This is a period covering approximately 1,000 years of history. Many of his 80 books have survived intact, or as fragments, providing modern scholars with a detailed perspective on Roman history.

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The cost to rebuild Rome was immense, requiring funds the state treasury did not have. To find the

necessary funds for the reconstruction, tributes were imposed on the provinces controlled by the

Empire and, for the first time in the Empire's history, Roman currency was significantly devalued.

Tacitus wrote that Nero accused Christians of starting the fire to remove suspicion from himself 27

.

According to this account, it is the reason that many Christians were arrested and brutally executed

by "being thrown to the beasts, crucified, and being burned alive" [i.e., sown up into animal skins

and thrown into the coliseum arena with lions; or they were fashioned on poles as torches and then

set on fire].

Both apostles, Paul and Peter, were put to death in Rome during the reign of Nero [54-68 AD].

Peter was probably executed first [~65 AD] by the means of crucifixion. Then afterwards, perhaps

2-3 years later, Paul was executed by beheading, since he was a Roman citizen on his father’s side

and therefore was not subject to death by crucifixion.

In a manuscript [i.e., the Vercelli codex] entitled, the Acts of Peter [written in Greek during the

second half of the 2nd century], it is said that Peter requested to be crucified upside-down because

he felt unworthy to be crucified in the same upright manner that Jesus Christ was. The account ends

with the apostle Paul still alive. But this manuscript contains many highly questionable accounts

and should be viewed with some skepticism28

.

The ancient historian Josephus [~37-100 AD] does describe how Roman soldiers would amuse

themselves by crucifying criminals in different positions29

, and it is likely that this would have been

known to the author of the Acts of Peter.

Peter of Alexandria, who was bishop of Alexandria and died around A.D. 311, wrote a letter on

Penitence, in which he says: “Peter, the first of the apostles, having been often apprehended, and thrown into prison, and treated with ignominy, was last of all crucified at Rome”.

Jerome describes that “At his Nero's hands Peter received the crown of martyrdom being nailed to the cross with his head towards the ground and his feet raised on high, asserting that he was unworthy to be crucified in the same manner as his Lord.”

The position attributed to Peter's crucifixion is thus plausible, either as having happened historically

or as being an invention by the author of the Acts of Peter. Death, by crucifixion head down, is

unlikely to be caused by suffocation, the usual “cause of death in ordinary crucifixion”. Blood

loss, dehydration and fatigue would be the likely causes of death in such a situation.

But the fact remains that Peter was executed in Rome by means of crucifixion because the apostle

John tells us that after Peter is graciously restored by Jesus after His resurrection and prior to His

ascension he is told:

Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish”. This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”—John 21:17-19

27

Perhaps in an additional effort to remove suspicion from himself, Nero returned to Rome to organize a relief effort, which he paid for from his own funds. Nero's contributions to the relief extended to personally taking part in the search for and rescue of victims of the blaze, spending days searching the debris without even his bodyguards. After the fire, Nero opened his palaces to provide shelter for the homeless, and arranged for food supplies to be delivered in order to prevent starvation among the survivor 28

At best the manuscript should be considered unverified history and at worst Gnostic mysticism. 29

Josephus Flavius; “Jewish War, Book V, Chapter 11”.

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BACKGROUND:

We need to get to know the author of these two letters more intimately.

Peter’s name is listed first in the lists of the disciples {i.e., Matt. 10:2; Mark 3:13; Luke 6:14}.

But this was not because Peter was more important than any of the other disciples; although he was

one of the “inner three” disciples of Jesus, along with James and John {e.g., Mark 5:37; Luke

8:51; see also Matt. 17:1; 26:37; Mark 9:2; 14:33; Luke 9:28}. It was because Peter, along with

his brother Andrew, were the first two disciples chosen by Jesus {Matt. 4:18} to follow Him.

Therefore, we also see Andrew’s name listed second {Matt. 10:2; Luke 16:14}.

Peter was also known as “Simon” and Jesus changed his name to “Peter”; which is the Greek

diminutive for “rock”, Petros: a piece of rock. He was one of several fisherman fishing on the Sea

of Galilee {Matt. 4:18; 10:2}; along with James and John [sons of Zebedee] who were his partners

in his fishing business {Luke 5:10}. Jesus tells Peter and his brother Andrew that He will make

them “fishers of men” {see Matt. 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10}.

It is interesting to note that in the New Testament scripture the apostle Peter is mentioned 210

times, the apostle Paul is mentioned 162 times and the other apostles combined are mentioned 114

times. Peter made a very powerful impact in furthering the Gospel message!

The Gospels record that Peter was brash and impulsive, but nevertheless, Jesus Christ never stopped

loving him!

Peter was the disciple who initially refused to have his feet washed by Jesus {John 13:8}, but then,

after Jesus explains things to him {John 13:7, 8b}, wants his whole body washed {John 13:9} and

Jesus has to explain that is not necessary {John 13:10}!

It was Peter who walked on the water with Jesus. When Peter and the other disciples were in the

boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, a storm came up and they were tossed by the waves. Early

in the morning as Jesus came walking to them on the water Peter asked Jesus for permission to

come out and walk on the water with Him. He did so but when the physical conditions became

fierce [the wind increased], Peter’s faith turned to fear he began to sink and he cried out, “Lord,

save me!” Jesus reached out His hand and caught him and as soon as they got into the boat the wind

ceased! Jesus reprimanded Peter for his doubt yet all those in the boat began worshipping Jesus

saying, “Truly You are the Son of God”. Refer to Matt. 14:27-33.

Peter was also the first of the disciples to recognize the deity of Jesus and that He was the

MESSIAH30

{Matt. 16:13-17; Mark 8:27-29; Luke 9:18-20} for which Jesus commended him. He

also received special insight from the Savior related to the “rock” (confession) of faith upon which

Jesus’ Church was to be built upon {Matt. 16:18-19}.

Although the Roman Catholic Church claims that immediately after this, when Jesus told Peter he

would be given the “keys of the kingdom of Heaven”, Peter received a divine unction directly from

Jesus Christ giving him the authority of being the first Pope31

; there is a different, and correct,

scriptural interpretation of this incident. Let’s look at the passage of scripture in question:

30

Meaning “Anointed One Who Saves”. 31

The Roman Catholic concept of a sovereign “Pope” ruling from Rome was actually derived from the pagan office of Pontifex Maximus [the religious name given to the Romans Emperor] and not until after the time of Constantine the Great [272-337 AD]. Early “popes” were nothing more that “bishops” that were chief elders in such places as Rome, Alexandria, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Damascus, Antioch and Ephesus. Eventually, in the centuries after Constantine, the bishop of Rome appropriated more-and-more power until Christian religious power resided there.

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Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”—Matt. 16:17-19

The key to understanding what Jesus meant is in v.18 and the Greek words rendered “Peter” and

[this]“rock” for there are two different words used here. The first, petros, a masculine noun means

a mass-of-rock. This is the name assigned to Peter. The second, petra, is the feminine noun for a

mass of rock. It is noted here that the Greek word for a little rock, i.e., a stone, is “lithos”.

Peter has just made a profound, and spiritually discerned, confession. By faith and supernatural

revelation, he had confessed that Jesus was “the Christ” [the anointed One who saves; the

MESSIAH] and “the Son of the living God”. Another word used throughout both the Old and New

Testaments for the MESSIAH is “the ROCK” {e.g., Deut. 32:4, 15, 18, 31; 2 Sam. 22:47; 23:3;

Psalms 18:46; 28:1; 42:9; 61:2; 62:2, 6-7; 71:3; 78:35; 89:26; 94:22; 95:1; 144:1; Isa. 17:10;

44:8; Hab. 1:12; Matt. 7:24; Luke 6:48; Rom. 9:33; 1 Cor. 10:4}.

Thus, the “ROCK” that Jesus was speaking of to Peter was both (a) the confession of faith that Jesus

is the Messiah-Savior and (b) Jesus Himself!

Note that Peter recognizes this because in his first letter he writes:

“Coming to Him as to a living stone [“lithos”], rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and

precious, you also, as living stones [“lithoi”], are being built up a spiritual house,…..‘The Stone

[“Lithos”] which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’ and ‘A Stone

[“Lithos”] of stumbling and a Rock [“Petra”] of offense’.”—1 Peter 2:4-5, 7-8

Jesus is the Chief Corner-Stone and Rock of offense. It was that “Rock” that Jesus was referring

to—not Peter!

It should also be noted that later Jesus says a similar thing when addressing all of His the disciples

{Matt. 18:18}; so Peter’s authority is not being singled out as something “special”.

Yet, immediately after this, Peter has a serious dispute with the MESSIAH after He tells the Disciples

that He must go to Jerusalem, suffer at the hands of the religious rulers and be killed but be raised

on the third day. Not a very appropriate reaction from the future Pope of Christ’s Church. For his

strenuous objection to this taking place Peter is sternly rebuked by the LORD in sobering terms:

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying; “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men”.—Matt. 16:21-24

Peter had previously understood, via divine revelation from the Holy Spirit, that Jesus was the Son

of God and MESSIAH [the Christ]—but he didn’t accept Jesus’ divine purpose for His death to

happen. Even though it came from the mouth of Jesus Himself! So Jesus compares his attitude with

that of Satan! Evidently, Satan did not want the LORD to die on the cross either.

Peter didn’t understand [and perhaps had forgotten] that the Messiah needed to suffer and die for

people’s sin and that this was the LORD’s intention {ref. Isaiah 53:1-12; especially vv.10-11; see

also Psalms 22:16; Isaiah 9:6-7; Zech. 12:10}.

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Afterward, Peter was the one who was adamant that he would never deny Jesus and would die with

Him {see Matt. 26:35; Mark 14:29; Luke 22:33} but then denied him three times {Matt.

26:70,72,74; Mark 14:68,70,71; Luke 22:57,58,60; John 18:17,25,27} just as Jesus had

prophesied {Matt. 26:34; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34}.

But Jesus had also encouraged Peter by prophesying the fact that he would be restored and be an

example of faith and able to strengthen the other disciples {Luke 22:31-32}.

Peter was the one who cut-off the ear of the high-priest’s servant32

with a sword but was

reprimanded by Jesus for it {John 18:10-11}.

On a high mountain Peter was one of the three disciples [along with James and John] privileged to

get a personal preview of the glorious return [2nd

Coming] of Jesus Christ at his transfiguration

{Matt. 17:1-8; Mark 9:1-13; Luke 9:27-36}.

Peter actually refers to this in his second letter when he states:

“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’. And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”—2 Pet. 1:16-18

Peter uses this fact to authenticate and validate the prophetic and divine origin of scripture—God’s

Word; by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Near the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, Peter was restored and receives, from Jesus, a loving and

gracious tri-fold [one for each time Peter had denied Him] invitation [“feed my lambs”, “tend my

sheep”, “feed my sheep”] to teach and care for Christian believers {John 21:15-19}.

The frightful experience of Jesus Christ’s bloody death by crucifixion, his hiding with the other

disciples after devastating disappointment over Jesus’ death and then the thrill and joy of seeing the

resurrected Jesus humbled Peter and he, along with the apostle Paul, become one of the most

powerful voices of early Christian evangelism.

Acquainted with suffering, persecution and rejection, Peter now pens two wonderful letters to

believers who are “in the world” but “not of it”. The purpose was to encourage, comfort, guide and

empower them to continue persevering for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Oh, how many of us could identify with Peter. Spiritually in-tune one moment, and the next out-of-

order and disobedient; but loved by God, experiencing His grace and mercy in the worst of times

and continually learning and being fashioned into the messenger of the Gospel that God wants us to

be!

32

It is interesting to note that later, after Jesus had been arrested, on two different occasions, two of the servant girls of the high priest came and identified Peter as one of those who was a disciple of Jesus {Mark 14:66-69} and on a third occasion a servant girl who was a relative of the high priest identified Peter as a disciple of Jesus {John 18:26}. It was these three occasions in which Peter denied he know Jesus Christ.

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OUTLINES:

OUTLINE OF 2 PETER (from J. Vernon McGee)

I. Addition of Christian Graces Gives Assurance, “The full knowledge of God and of Jesus

our Lord” is the foundation on which Christian character is built. Chapter 1:1–14

II. Authority of the Scriptures Attested by Fulfilled Prophecy, Scriptures give light for obedience in dark days. Chapter 1:15–21

III. Apostasy Brought in by False Teachers, Church should beware of false teachers and not false prophets. Chapter 2

IV. Attitude Toward Return of the Lord—a Test of Apostates, Chapter 3:1–4

V. Agenda of God for the World, Chapter 3:5–13

A. Past World Chapter 3:5–6

B. Present World Chapter 3:7–12

C. Future World Chapter 3:13

VI. Admonition to Believers, Knowledge of God’s program is an incentive to grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Chapter 3:14–18

OUTLINE OF 2 PETER (from New Scofield Ref. Bible)

INTRODUCTION……………………………..……………………….………1:1-2

(I.) GREAT CHRISTIAN VIRTUES………………………………………………. 1:3-14

A. THE SEQUENCE OF SPIRITUAL ASSETS………..……………………..…..……………. 1:3-7

B. THE VALUE OF THE ASSETS ……………...………………..…...……………….……... 1:8-11

C. PETER’S PERSONAL APPEAL AS HE FACES DEATH..……….……..…………….…….. 1:12-14

(II.) THE TRANSFIGURATION RECALLED………………………………….…... 1:15-18

(III.) PROPHETIC SCRIPTURES EXALTED…………………………………........... 1:19-21

(IV.) WARNINGS CONCERNING FALSE TEACHERS……………………….....……2:1-3:3

A. THE PREDICTIONS ABOUT FALSE TEACHERS…………………….………………...….. 2:1-3

B. THE FATE OF DISOBEDIENT ANGELS……...…………………….…………………....... 2:4-5

C. THE FATE OF SODOM & GOMORRAH…………………………………………………….2:6-9

D. ANTI-AUTHORITARIAN NATURE OF FALSE TEACHERS……………………………………2:10-12

E. INFILTRATION BY FALSE TEACHERS………………………………………………………2:13-14

F. MARKS OF FALSE TEACHERS……………………………………………………………..2:15-22

1. Like Balaam……………………………………………………………………..2:15-16

2. Destitute of Spiritual Life……………………………………………………….2:17

3. Use Learned & Pretentious Words……………………………………………2:18

4. Pervert Christian Liberty……………………………………………………….2:19-21

5. Turn Away from the Faith………………………………………………………2:22

(V.) REASON FOR THE LETTER……………………………………………………3:1-3

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(VI.) THE 2ND

COMING OF CHRIST & THE DAY OF THE LORD…….………………3:4-16

A. THE RETURN OF THE LORD TO BE GENERALLY DISBELIEVED……………………..…….3:4-9

B. THE PURGING OF THE HEAVENS & EARTH……………………………………………….3:10-16

CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….3:17-18

OUTLINE OF 2 PETER (from Wycliffe Commentary)

I. PETER'S READERS URGED TO GO FORWARD IN GRACE. 1:1-21

A. Salutation and prayer for their spiritual advancement. 1:1,2

B. Reminder of the present reality of their spiritual inheritance. 1:3,4

C. Challenge to press into its full implications. 1:5-11

D. Peter's feeling of responsibility thus to challenge them. 1:12-21

1. Because of their need of intensified motivation. 1:12

2. Because of the imminence of his departure. 1:13-15

3. Because of the complete authenticity of the Gospel. 1:16-21

II. PETER'S WARNING AGAINST THE PERILS OF FALSE TEACHERS. 2:1-22

A. The inevitability of false teachers. 2:1-3a

B. The judgment of the false teachers. 2:3b-9

C. The characteristics of the false teachers. 2:10-22

1. Their fleshly self-indulgence and impudence. 2:10-12

2. Their perversion of Christian conviviality. 2:13

3. Their moral instability. 2:14

4. Their crassly selfish motivation. 2:15-16

5. Their spiritual barrenness and blight. 2:17-19

6. Their basic apostasy. 2:20-22.

III. CHRIST'S SECOND COMING AN IMPERATIVE TO SPIRITUAL CONQUEST. 3:1-18

A. Christ's coming in glory previously intimated to the readers. 3:1-2

B. The Second Coming an object of skepticism. 3:3-9

C. The Second Coming to be catastrophic. 3:10

D. An incentive to holy living. 3:11-18a

IV. THE APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION. 3:18b

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OUTLINE OF 2 PETER (from Holman Bible Dictionary)

INTRODUCTION (1:1-2)

I. RECOGNIZE THE GREATNESS OF THE WORD (1:3-21)

A. Its Power (1:3-11)

B. Its Application (1:12-14)

C. Its Truth (1:15-21)

II. RECOGNIZE THE ENEMIES OF THE WORD (2:1-22)

A. Their Presence (2:1)

B. Their Strategy. (2:2-3)

C. Their Judgment (2:4-10)

D. Their Description (2:11-16)

E. Their Converts (2:17-22)

III. RECOGNIZE THE PROPHECIES OF THE WORD (3:1-18)

A. By What They Predict (3:1-10)

1. False Teachers (3:1-7)

2. Judgment (3:8-10)

B. By What They Require: Holiness (3:11-18)

Bibliography

(1) New Unger's Bible Dictionary, Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. © 1988.

(2) Nelson’s Bible Dictionary; Thomas Nelson Publishers, © 1986.

(3) Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament, Cook Communications Ministries;

Copyright © 1983, 2000.

(4) Barnes Notes,

(5) Thru the Bible Commentary: Volume 5 (1Peter); J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson;

Nashville. ©1983.

(6) Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament, Hendrickson Publishers, Copyright © 1886.

(7) Wycliffe Bible Commentary, edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer, Everett F. Harrison, Moody

Publishers, Copyright ©1962.

(8) New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew

Dictionary, International Bible Translators, Inc; Copyright © 1994, 2003.

(9) The NET Bible, Copyright © 1996-2006; Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C., Dallas, Texas.

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APPENDIX

“HAPAX LEGOMENA” CONFIRM THE AUTHENTICITY OF PETER’S AUTHORSHIP

Although their have been doubts about the authorship of second Peter because of differences in

literary style, the similarities in style between the two books are just as striking as the differences.

Both letters are filled with words that uniquely occur only once in the New Testament, which are

referred to as “hapax legomena33

”. Of the 801 hapax legomena in the Pauline and Petrine epistles, 1

Peter contains 62 [~8%] and 2 Peter has 54 [~7%]; proportionately more than most New Testament

books their size34

.

It has been noted that the noticeable differences are not so much between Peter’s first and second

letters but between these letters and the rest of the New Testament35

. The relative prominence and

usage of hapax legomena in both letters tends to point to a common author who was inspired by the

Holy Spirit in the same way.

It should not be considered remarkable, then, that a number of words and phrases are found only in

these two letters. Both books include the unique salutation, “Grace and peace be multiplied” {1 Pet.

1:2; 2 Pet. 1:2}.

The Greek terms [aretas] (“praises”) in 1 Pet. 2:9 and [arête] (“virtue/excellence/goodness”) in 2

Pet. 1:3 are forms of the same unique word and refer to the moral excellence and goodness of God.

The Greek word [tachinee] is used in the New Testament only in 2 Pet. 1:14 and 2:1 where it is

rendered “shortly” and “swift”, respectively. This word is derived from the Greek word, [tachos],

from which we derive the English word “tachometer”; an instrument used to measure the speed of

an engine or motor. Thus, it carries with it the idea of speed or an impending event.

The word [apothesis] is used in the New Testament only in 1 Pet. 3:21 and 2 Pet. 1:14 and is

rendered “removal” and “putting/laying aside”, respectively.

The highly expressive Greek phrase [amomou kai aspilou], rendered “without blemish and without

spot” in 1 Pet. 1:19, used to refer to the sinlessness of Christ is skillfully rephrased in 2 Pet. 2:13 as

[spiloi kai momoi] and rendered “blots and blemishes” to refer to the character of the false teachers.

The phrase is revised again in 2 Pet. 3:14, [aspiloi kai amometoi] where it is rendered “without spot

and blameless” to challenge Christians to moral integrity and excellence in light of Christ's return.

Figure 4 plots the [word count] versus the [hapax legomena] epistles [letters] of the apostles Paul

and Peter. Some observations:

irst, if one compares the [word count] versus the [hapax legomena] of the two epistles of Peter

(red dots) with epistles written by Paul [with the exception of Romans and 1, 2 Corinthians],

they statistically look similar. They are not outside the expected results if the epistles had been

written by the same author—they fit in with where they would be expected.

33

Hapax legomenon is a transliteration of Greek ἅπαξ λεγόμενον, meaning “being said once”. 34

See Charles Bigg, “A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude”, pp. 224-225. 35

See Homer K. Ebright, The Petrine Epistles. Cincinnati: Methodist Book Concern, 1917, pp. 70-5, 121-123.

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FIGURE 4. WORD COUNT VS. HAPAX LEGOMENA OF THE PAULINE AND PETRINE EPISTLES.

econdly, if one compares just the pairs of epistles written by Paul [1,2 Corinthians, 1,2

Timothy and 1,2 Thessalonians) with the pair written by Peter [1,2 Peter] they follow the

same trend. The first epistle in each pair has a higher word count than the second epistle and

therefore proportionately also has a higher occurrence of hapax legomena [unique words that are

used only once].

hirdly, although 1,2 Peter have about the same word count as 1,2 Thessalonians, there is a

higher occurrence of hapax legomena. This similar when comparing 1,2 Timothy. Although 1

Timothy has about a 32% higher hapax legomena the statistical result of 2 Timothy is almost the

same as 2 Peter.

These results provide strong evidence to support the conclusion that 2 Peter was authored by the

same person as 1 Peter.

As discussed previously, the differences in literary style that exist between 1 and 2 Peter are

satisfactorily explained by recognizing that the distinct purpose of the second letter differs

significantly from the first [sense of urgency and warnings against false teachers], which should put

to rest any doubts that Peter was the author based on that issue.

n conclusion the similarity of the usage of unique Greek phrases and the statistical distribution of

hapax legomena in both epistles attributed to Peter provide strong evidence of their common

authorship—namely the apostle Simeon Peter!

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Documents

2 Peterstorage.cloversites.com/journeythruthebiblesunday...Like the first letter, the author of this second letter is self-identified in v.1 as [Simon] ... and Jerome [347-420 AD]