Grace Institute: General Epistles & Revelation: 1 & 2 Peter: 2 Peter

2 Peter Survey of the New Testament: General Epistles & Revelation Winter 2007

Special Issues 2 nd Peter

Of all the New Testament documents more doubt is cast upon the authenticity of 21~~ Peter. The issue is whether Peter wrote this letter. Some of the objections include

1. There is a strong difference in vocabulary, style, and grammar between l~ and 2'~” Peter.

2. 2 nd Peter begins with “Simon Peter” which is a different salutation than 1 st Peter.

3. The reference to Paul's letters seems forced to some scholars

4. In 2 nd Peter, the author makes many references to personally seeing Jesus.

Even with these objections I believe Peter is the author of 2 nd Peter. The external evidence is weak when compared to other New Testament letters. This letter is quoted by some 2 nd century Christians and alluded as to as early as 95 A.D. Several authors say the book disputed but not spurious.

Objections about the quality of writing, seems to be answered by the presence of an amanuensis for 1 st Peter. The reference to Paul's letters should not be a surprise. Peter is writing after Paul's death. The collection of his writings would have been ongoing. As to the difference in salutations, this actually strengthens the case for Peter as the author. A pseudo author would have made the same introduction. In the end, Peter is the author of this letter.

• Paul's Letter to Timothy: 537
• Paul's Letter to Titus: 399
• Common Words: 161 Words

• Words Peter's 1 st Letter: 543 Words
• Words Peter's 2 nd Letter: 399 Words
• Common Words: 153 Words

Most scholars date this letter around 65 A.D. It is composed in Rome toward the end of Peter's life. In one sense, this is his farewell address and the personal reflections fit the context. Peter confronts false teaching which may have included Gnosticism.

Outline of 2 nd Peter

I.  Introduction (1:1-2)

A. The salutation (1:1)

1. The author (l:la)

2. The audience (1: 1b)

B. The blessing (1:2)

II. The Christian's Nature: The Work of God (1:3-11)

A. The fact of the divine nature (1:3-4)

1: Divine power (1:3)

2. Divine promises (1 :4a)

3. Divine participation (1 :4b)

B. The function of the divine nature (1:5-9)

1. Characteristics of the function (1:5-7)

2. Consequences of the function (1:8)

3. Contrasts of the function (1:9)

C. The finality of the divine nature (1:10-11)

1. Experiential finality (1:10)

2. Eternal finality (1:11)

III. The Christian's Nurture: The Word of God (1:12-21)

A. Memory of God's Word (1:12-15)

B. Majesty of God's Word (1:16-18)

C. Meaning of God's Word (1:19-21)

IV. The Christian's Warfare: The Attack of False Teachers (chap. 2)

A. Deliverance from false teachers (2:1-9)

1. Exposure of false teaching (2:1-3)

2. Examples of historic judgment (2:4-6)

3. Explanation of divine deliverance (2:7-9)

B. Description of false teachers (2:10-16)

1. They are rebellious (2: 10-12a)

2. They are animalistic (2: l2b)

3. They are deceitful (2:13)

4. They are chronic sinners (2:14)

5. They are mercenary (2:15-16)

C. Destruction by false teachers (2:17-22)

1. The targets of destruction (2:17-18)

2. The techniques of destruction (2:19)

3. The termination of destruction (2:20-22)

V. The Christian's Hope: The Lord's Return (3:1-16)

A. Believers remember it (3:1-2)

B. Scoffers laugh at it (3:3-7)

C. God guarantees it (3:8-9)

D. Peter describes it (3:10-13)

E. Behavior is changed by it (3:14-16)

VI. Conclusion (3:17-18)