Introduction – NIV Study Bible
a. Author: Peter –no Silas to help this time
b. Date: A.D. 64-68 (before he was put to death under Nero)
c. Place: most likely Rome again
d. Recipients: most likely same as 1 Peter – network of churches in Asia Minor (1:1- Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, Bithynia 5 provinces in the northwest quadrant of Asia Minor, or modern Turkey), Jewish and Gentile Christians (probably more Gentiles than Jews). Not stated at beginning this time, but refers to previous letter (3:1), aka 1 Peter
e. 2 Peter and Jude – similarities in 2 Peter 2 and Jude 4-18 suggest that one drew on the other or that they both drew on a common source. It is quite possible that Peter incorporated some of Jude as he wrote; such borrowing is fairly common in ancient writings.
f. Purpose: 1 Peter instructs Christians on how to deal with persecution from outside the church; this letter teaches them to deal with evildoers and false teachers inside the church. In particular, his purpose was to:
• Stimulate Christian growth (ch. 1)
• Combat false teaching (ch. 2)
• Encourage watchfulness in view of the Lord’s certain return (ch. 3)
Fee & Stuart (How to Read the Bible Book by Book), refers to this as Peter’s farewell speech. Watch for 2 interlocking concerns – the false teachers and their denial of the second coming of Christ.
The Bible Project
Peter, knowing he will die soon, writes again to the same network of churches, to give them a final challenge to never stop growing and a warning about corrupt leaders’ way of life and distortion of the gospel. He wants these Christians to restore order and inspire their confidence.
He calls them participants in the divine nature, with access to God’s divine power and tells them, for this reason, they should strive for these 7 traits, the crowning one being love.
Later in chapter 1, he gets to his purpose, a memorial of his own teaching, and he addresses the charge that the apostles made it all up. He gives account as an eyewitness of the transfiguration, and also cites how Jesus fulfills the Old Testament prophetic Scriptures ultimately from God via the Holy Spirit (1:21).
He then turns to answering objections and refuting false teaching. Some were denying that there would ever be a “final reckoning,” and so they viewed that as license to ignore Jesus’ teachings on money and sex.
Peter gives 3 ancient examples of divine justice:
• Rebellious angels
• The flood
• Sodom and Gomorrah
He also points out God is always faithful to save his own people, for example, Noah, Lot. So God will bring justice on those causing harm in the church.
They have twisted Paul’s teaching on freedom in Christ but Peter points out they are slaves to their sinful impulses. It is far worse because they knew Christ and were again entangled in the world.
In chapter 3, he turns to Jesus’ promised return, making points such as:
• The universe exists because of God’s intervening word
• Our concept of time is limited, and God is patient
When He does return, he will expose evil and remove injustice, bring about a new heaven and new earth—the true Christian hope.
Therefore, they should live holy and godly lives!
Peter mentions Paul and his letters, how some distort them, and equates them with Scripture.
Peter shows passionate conviction:
• God loves the world and is determined to rescue it
• He must confront and deal with evil, and He will on his own time opening a new future.
It is an expansive vision of hope and he challenges us to examine our everyday lives.
(if time, compare Jude 4-18 and 2 Peter 2; note, the heresy they both address was widespread, so they were not necessarily writing to Christians in the same region)