2 Peter 1 Peter’s second epistle was written shortly (3 years) after his first letter (as also Paul to Corinth, Thessalonika, and Timothy). It was probably written after Paul’s death, somewhere between a.d. 64-68; Peter mentions “all his epistles” as being in circulation already. This epistle has had a rough passage through the centuries. It was considered second-class Scripture by Luther, rejected by Erasmus, and regarded with hesitancy by Calvin. Despite some scholastic controversies (which we won’t bother to detail) by the 4th century it was well accepted throughout most of the world. In Cave 7 at Qumran a papyrus fragment, 7Q5, appears to be part of Mark’s Gospel, comprising 6:52-53. A tiny fragment (only 2 cm), 7Q10, found in the same cave has on it 6 letters in two lines which could come only from 2 Peter 1:15, if they come from the NT at all. [Source: Jose O’Callaghan, “Los papiros griegos de la cueva 7 de Qumran,” Madrid, Biblioteca de Autores Cristianos, 1974, pp. 74-75, plate v.] It has been conjectured that this letter might have been a covering document to Mark’s Gospel to the Qumran community shortly before the Jewish War in a.d. 68 when the cave was closed. Like all “second” epistles, it is corrective: it is the prophet or exhorter who speaks. In his final message just prior to his martyrdom, Peter gives us some specific warnings concerning the oncoming apostasy that will sweep over Christendom. The Two Epistles of Peter
“...add” = in the imperative, translates epichoregeo, from which come the English words “chorus,” “choreograph,” and “choreography.” Like an orchestrator adds/furnishes harmonies and instruments to a melody epichoregeo In ancient Greece the state established a chorus but the director, the choregys, paid the expenses for training the chorus. Then the word came to be used of one who provides for or supports others or supplies something for them in abundance. A believer is to “furnish, supply, or support” his faith in life with these virtues. “...virtue”: This is more than merely chastity: it is really valor, as a soldier. “...knowledge”: There can be no growth without a deepened understanding of spiritual realities. “...temperance”: Self-control. Faith, goodness, and spiritual knowledge are not enough for a Christian’s walk. He must also make every effort to practice self-control (egkrateia ; used only two other times in the NT: Acts 24:25; Gal 5:23 This means to have one’s passions under control. It contrasts sharply with the anarchy and lack of control on the part of the false teachers whom Peter will expose in Chapter 2. “...patience”: To endure without complaining. Murmuring is a sin (!) “...godliness”: God-likeness; true piety. “...charity”: Love (Gal 5:6; 1 Cor 13). 8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful
10] But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. “Presumptuous are they, selfwilled”: These also make sport of the Second Coming in Chapter 3. Self-willed, his world contracts until the only thing he has left is the self he has corrupted. Rejecting (all) authority. 11] Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. “...railing accusation”: “Railing”: blasphemos, blaspheme, insult, slander. Jude’s parallel example of Michael has to be about the most bizarre (Jude 9). Jud 1:9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" There, Michael was on a mission for the Lord which Satan was obstructing! Still, Michael left it in the Lord’s hands. 12] But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; The “Jesus Seminar” is a dismal example. The false teachers are willfully blind to what the Bible teaches 2Pe 3:5 For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, They call evangelical Christians “uneducated” and Biblical theology “old-fashioned”!
The great tragedy is, that after the entire panorama of redemption, God doesn’t get what He wants out of the deal! Not all will repent. Time is our most inelastic (and thus, precious) resource. Teach us to number our nanoseconds (Ps 90:12). 10] But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. “...as a thief in the night”: A term from Paul’s Epistle to the Thessalonians (cf. 1 Thess 5:2-5). “...day of the Lord”: [Cf. 1 Thess 4:13f (“bring with Him” v.14)] “As a thief in the night” only to those who are in darkness: (1Th 4:18 introduces). “Behold I create a new heavens and new earth.” (Isa 65:17). “...in the which”: The Day of the Lord closes at the end of the Millennium when the destruction of the heavens and the earth (Rev 20:11; 21:1). “...a great noise”: rhoizēdon. It is the word used for the swish of an arrow, the rush of wings, the splash of water, the hiss of a serpent. “...elements”: stoicheia—basic building blocks. “...melt”: luo to untie, loose. 11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, “...ought ye to be”: So how then shall we live? Does the realities of all this impact our priorities? 12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat! “Looking for and hasting unto”: You can hasten the Day of God!