The Second Letter of Peter
Title: Both authorship (1:1) and the
number (3:1) can be attested from the letter itself. The fact that he presents
himself as Simeon Peter brings up the memories of the First Jerusalem counsel
(Acts 15:14).
Date of
writing: Apparently,
this is one of the later writings. There are few factors to consider: he never
says anything bad about gentiles (unlike in the First Epistle); he mentions St.
Paul – our beloved brother Paul (3:15) – and his writings; regularly he goes to
the theme of Parousia (eminent and soon-to-be second coming of Christ). The
idea of suffering is not dominant (thou present, cp. 2:9), while the notes on
behavioral godliness can be found throughout the letter. Therefore, it should
be dated around 64-65 AD.
Structure:
a. 1:1-4 Greetings.
b. 1:5-12,
godly qualities
c. 1:13-16,
I send you a reminder.
d.
1:17-21, glory of Christ and truth of the Biblical prophecy.
e.
2:1-3, False prophets.
f.
2:4, angels
g.
2:5-10, salvation of the fallen world
f’.
2:11, angels
e’.
2:12-16, prophetic madness, like irrational animals.
d’.
2:17-22, knowledge of Christ and the truth of the parable.
c’. 3:1-13,
this is the second letter.
b’. 3:14-16,
be without spot or blemish.
a’. 3:17-18, conclusion.
Main themes:
Getting ready for the Second Coming of Christ. This theme has two important
parts: (1) the coming is imminent; (2) the evildoers will be judged.
The second important theme is the false teachers who
deny the security of Second Coming. It can include the false prophets (old and
new), disobedient angels, and preachers of lawlessness (those of propagate
anti-nomism).
Assurance is the divine nature of the Scriptures – the
words of godly man (authors of Old and New Testaments) were guided by the Holy
Spirit.
Main
Characters: Peter;
Jesus Christ (he refers both to the experience of Transfiguration [“we” should
include also John and James (Mt. 17:1)] and his own deep understanding of
Lord’s glory); Noah; Lot; Balaam, son of Beor, and his donkey; “our beloved
brother Paul”.
Reflection
in other parts of the Bible: Old Testament – Noah, Lot, and Balaam (all three stories have moral
degradation component); Proverbs 26:11 does not give a “wise saying” on a dog,
but also delivers a teaching on foolish behavior.
Gospel texts
– Transfiguration (Mt. 17:1-8; Mk. 8:2-8; Lk. 9:28-36).
Other NT:
reference to St. Paul; morning star (cp. Rev. 22:16).
Lutheran
teaching:
The hallmark
of the Lutheran church is salvation only by God’s grace without any of human
works (Ap. XX:12-13; FC SD IV:1-22,33) based on 2 Pet. 1:10.
The Doctrine
of Free Will and Election (FC Epitome XI:14; SD II:49; XI:28, 83-84) is heavily
based on the epistle.
Lutheran
hymnody:
LSB 873 – Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
LSB 416 –
Swiftly Pass the Clouds of Glory
Relevancy
of the Book: The
letter has at least two important messages for a modern man. The course of the
world’s history sooner or later will come to its end. Christ will come to
evaluate the deeds of people: righteous will be transformed into His glory and
evil doers (especially false teachers) will reach their ugly end. The knowledge
about this is based on written, inerrant, and inspired Word of God.
Memory
verses:
2:19-21: And
we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to
pay attention as to a lamb shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
morning star rises in your heart, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy
of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever
produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along
by the Holy Spirit.
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