A 1:1-4. Introduction. Benediction.
B 1:5-11. Exhortation.
C A 1:12-15. Peter.
B 1:16-21. Apostles and Prophets.
C 2:1-22. The Wicked.
C A 3:1. Peter.
B 3:2. Prophets and Apostles.
C 3:3-13. The Wicked.
B 3:14-18-. Exhortation.
A 3:-18. Conclusion. Benediction.
1. Authorship. In spite of much divergence of opinion, we conclude that the apostle who wrote the 1st Epistle wrote this one also. While there is some difference between the tone of the 2, this difference has been exaggerated by those who deny that Peter wrote the 2nd letter. And a comparison of the language used shows close resemblance between the 2 epistles.
2. Written to the same readers as was the 1st Epistle [see 3:1].
3. Subject. The apostle continues the practical teaching of the earlier letter, exhorts, and warns, illustrating again from the Old Testament history, while himself foretelling the conditions of "the last days", "the day of judgment", "the day of the Lord", and "the day of God". The similarity to the teaching in Jude should be noticed.
4. Time of writing. This is generally placed between 61 and 65 A.D., but the year is conjectural, although it may reasonably be presumed that this epistle was written within a comparatively short period after the 1st.
2 Peter 2)
1 Simon (= a hearing. Gr. Sumeon, as in Acts 15:14) Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus (Gr. Iesous is the same as the Hebrew Yahshua, and means [the] Salvation of Yahaveh, or Yahaveh [the] Savior) Christ (Gr. Christos, from chrio, to anoint, corresponds with Heb. Messiah), to them that obtained (see Acts 1:17) like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God (Gr. Theos., corresponds with the Heb. Elohim, denoting Creator) and our Savior Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied (cp. 1 Pet. 1:2 and Jude 2) to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord (Gr. Kurios, corresponds with Heb. Yahaveh),
3 According as His divine (see Acts 17:29) power has been given to us [as to] all things for life and godliness (see 1 Tim. 2:2), through the knowledge of Him that called us to His own glory and virtue: (See Phil. 4:8.)
4 By which are given to us the exceeding great and precious promises: in order that by these you might become partakers (see 1 Cor. 10:18) of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption (see Rom. 8:21) that is in the world through lust. (Rise above it. Do the best that you can. The divine nature is the Holy Spirit. Are you a partaker? How do you escape the corruption you witness on the evening news? You escape by establishing yourself in God's Word.)
B a 5-7. Exhortation. Diligence.
b 8,9. Reasons. Positive and Negative.
a 10- Exhortation. Diligence.
b -10. Reasons. Negative and Positive.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence (care. See Jude 3), minister (or, supply. See 2 Cor. 9:10) to your faith virtue (resolve); and to virtue knowledge (intelligence);
6 And to knowledge self-control (see Acts 24:25. Don't unload it all on one person); and to self-control patience (steadfastness); and to patience godliness; (Diligence means you care. Virtue is resolve. Godliness is the divine nature you posses, if you do these things.)
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness (see Rom. 12:10); and to brotherly kindness love.
8 For these things existing in you, and abounding, they render you that you shall not be barren (or idle) nor useless (see Matt. 12:26) in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he to whom these thing are not present, and being short-sighted, and having received forgetfulness of the cleansing of his sins of long ago.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, be diligent (care) to make your calling (see Rom. 11:29) and election (see Act 9:15) sure (see Rom. 4:16):
for doing these things, you shall by no means at any time stumble (See Rom. 11;11. Firm, solid. You are going to have bad days, you will be persecuted by some, so what?! You will never fall because God is with you.):
11 For so an entrance (big gate) shall be ministered to you abundantly (see Col. 3;16) into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things (see John 4:26s), though you know them, and be established (cp. 1 Pet. 5:10. Set up, set in place, solid, immovable) in the truth which is present (i.e. which is your possession. Be patient with those who have tender ears. Are you solid in the truth? Are you immovable from the truth?).
13 Yes, I think it just, for such time as I am in this tabernacle (see Acts 7:46), to stir you in remembrance (see 2 Tim. 1:5. Call all of it to mind, not just the good parts);
14 Knowing that shortly is the putting off of this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ also declared to me. (See 1 Cor. 1:11. Cp. John 21:18,19. Many of the great teachers of the New Testament often brought those they were teaching to remembrance. Biblically, they were saying, "You already know these things. Let me remind you". Peter knew he would soon be leaving the tabernacle of his flesh body and wanted to remind the elect of the dispersion of a basic truth.)
15 Moreover I will endeavor that you may be able after my decease (see Luke 9:31) to make remembrance of these things. (This is where rigidity comes in.)
B D c 16-. What the apostolic was not. A myth.
d -16. What is was. A vision of the coming of Christ.
E 17,18. How it came. Voice borne from heaven.
D d 19. What the Prophetic Word is. A light till Christ's coming.
c 20. What it is not. Not of it own revealing.
E 21. How it came. Brought by power from on high.
16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables (see 1 Tim. 1:4. 2 Tim. 3:15),
when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but became eyewitnesses (cp. Luke 1:2)> of His majesty. (This is the key. If you keep the truth always in remembrance, you will be able to stand against the enemies of God steadfastly. He will give you power over your enemies. There are many who would like to mislead you with cunningly devised fables. They are false teachers. Peter is urging us to hold onto the truth. Peter, James and John had witnessed the transfiguration of Christ described for us in.)
17 For he received from God the Father (Gr. Pater) honor and glory, when there was born such a voice to Him by the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (See Matt. 3:17; 12:18; 17;5. Many of the disciple witnessed this glorious event, when Jesus was baptized. The event was also witnessed by the Holy Spirit as that dove descended on Jesus.)
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with Him in the holy mount. (Because, and while, the Lord was there. Peter heard the voice of God on the mount of transfiguration.)
19 We have also the prophetic word more sure; to which you do well taking heed [in your hearts], as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (Peter was speaking of two events. He was speaking of the second coming of Christ, or anytime someone recognizes the light and is drawn to Christ. It will be a fulfillment of Num. 24:17. Mal. 4:2. There are two day stars. The first one that appears is antichrist. You are going to wait on the second day star, that is to say Jesus Christ. Cleverly devise to separate falsehoods from truth.)
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture comes of its own interpretation. (This shows that the meaning is that prophecy is not self-originated by the speaker)
21 For the prophecy came not at any time by the will of man: but men of God spoke as they were borne along by the Holy Spirit (Divine power. The scriptures was not written by man. The Bible was written by men as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit speaks, the prophecies always come to pass. This isn't something new.).