2 Peter

2 Peter: A Letter of Hope and Warning

Imagine receiving a letter from someone you deeply respect, someone who has seen and experienced amazing things. That’s kind of what the book of 2 Peter is like. It’s a letter written by Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and followers, to a group of Christians who were facing challenges.

What’s 2 Peter About?

Peter writes this letter to encourage these Christians to hold onto their faith, even when things get tough. He warns them about false teachers who might try to lead them astray, and he reminds them of the hope they have in Jesus Christ.

Key Themes in 2 Peter

• The Importance of Growing in Faith: Peter encourages the Christians to actively grow in their knowledge of God and Jesus, developing qualities like goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness, and love. He emphasises that these qualities aren’t just nice to have; they’re essential for a strong faith and a life that pleases God.
• The Danger of False Teachers: Peter warns about false teachers who twist the truth and try to deceive people. He encourages the Christians to be discerning and to hold onto the true teachings of Jesus.
• The Certainty of Jesus’ Return: Peter reminds the Christians that Jesus will return one day to judge the world and establish a new heaven and earth. This hope gives them a reason to persevere through trials and to live lives that are worthy of their calling.

Questions for Reflection

1. What are some of the challenges that young people face today that might make it difficult to hold onto their faith?
2. How can you actively grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus?
3. What are some qualities you can develop to strengthen your faith?
4. How can you be discerning and avoid being deceived by false teachings?
5. How does the hope of Jesus’ return impact the way you live your life?

The Bottom Line

2 Peter is a letter of encouragement and warning, reminding us of the importance of growing in faith, being discerning, and holding onto the hope we have in Jesus Christ. It’s a letter that can speak to us today, just as it spoke to the Christians who first received it.

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In his first letter Peter feeds Christ’s sheep by instructing them how to deal with persecution from outside the church; in this second letter he teaches them how to deal with false teachers and evildoers who have come into the church.

This epistle clearly is connected with the former epistle of Peter. The apostle having stated the blessings to which God has called Christians, exhorts those who had received these precious gifts, to endeavour to improve in graces and virtues. They are urged to this from the wickedness of false teachers. They are guarded against impostors and scoffers, by disproving their false assertions, ch. 3:1-7: and by showing why the great day of Christ’s coming was delayed, with a description of its awful circumstances and consequences; and suitable exhortations to diligence and holiness are given.

Matthew Henry