Although the Concordia
Self-Study Bible maintains the author of this letter is the Apostle Peter, most
other texts concur it is a pseudonymous letter. Two major reasons are: (1) 2
Peter incorporates Jude, weakening its claim for authenticity (compare 2:1-8
with Jude 4-16). (2) It also alludes to a “collection” of Paul’s letters
(3:15-16), which did not exist until the end of the first century. There is no
sure evidence that the Church accepted it into the canon before the 3rd
century, and some, according to Origen, Eusebius and St. Jerome, refused to
accept it. That said, this does not mean that the letter is not the inspired or
inerrant. It is, and for the sake of our discussion, we will refer to the
author as Peter.
Its style differs
dramatically from 1 Peter. Absent are the references to family, strangers, or
“exiles of the Diaspora.” …
Because no church is
identified, 2 Peter is listed among the “catholic” or universal letters. From
the 2nd and 3rd chapters, we can surmise that the
congregation is not homogenous, but a mix of Jewish-Christian and Greek
converts. He also seems to be refuting those who attacked church teaching
around God’s judgment, which would have been a popular debate among Epicureans
and Jewish heretics who argued that there is no providence/judgment in God, no
afterlife, and no post-mortem rewards and punishments. He also used technical
intellectual terms familiar to Greeks, such as “divine nature” (1:4),
“eyewitnesses” (1:16), and “Tartarus” (2:4), which is a term used by Greeks to
designate the place where the most wicked spirits were sent to be punished.
(See note on 2:4 in Concordia Self-Study Bible.) 2 Peter’s arguments regarding
God’s just judgment resemble those of Greek writings and Jewish Midrash (on
Cain and Abel). The descriptions of cosmic fire and renewal would sound
congenial to the ears of a Stoic (3:10). The most likely setting of this church
would have been a city where such a letter would fit well, given the mixed
population of Jews and Greeks where intellectuals could gather for
philosophical debate.
The purpose of the
letter is twofold: to warn against false teachers (chapter 2), and to allay
anxiety due to the delay of the Parousia,
Christ’s Second Coming (chapter 3). – write “parousia” on board.
Greeting (1:1-2)
1Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of
Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by
the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:2May grace and
peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
The sender is
identified as Simon Peter, joining the old name, Symeon (Greek term for Simon)
of Acts 15:14, with the new name, Peter, which Jesus gave to him in Mt 16:18.
He also identifies himself as a servant, an obedient, legitimate agent of God,
such as Moses (Dt 34:5) or David (2 Sam 7:5-29). He is also a premier apostle
by virtue of Christ’s commission (Mt 16:16-19; Jn 21:15-19). Later he highlights
his eyewitness presence at the transfiguration (2: 16-18).
The
recipients are identified only as “those who have obtained a faith of equal
standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.” It
is an odd phrase and most likely was used to solicit goodwill, for in doing so;
the author can more easily persuade his listeners to adopt his view of the
truth about Christ’s Second Coming.
Verse
2 uses the dynamic phrase “knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” This will
be repeated in verses 3 and 8; 2:20 and 3:18. He uses it purposefully to state
that Christ is the object of the Christian’s knowledge. Our purpose in learning
more about our faith is to increase our knowledge of Christ. Here, the author prays
that those who come to know more and more about our Lord experience “more and
more grace and peace” (Jerusalem Bible translation).
God’s Deeds (1:3-4)
3His divine power has granted to us all
things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who
called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted
to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in
the world because of sinful desire.
God has given us everything
necessary to live a life of holiness. There is no secret knowledge to gain
salvation and express faith through love. John 1:14 (The Word became flesh and dwelt
among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.) reminds us that we have seen his glory. Here,
Peter calls readers to live in this glory in order to be prepared for the Parousia
and to escape corruption. Again, he uses the phrase knowledge.
Given the popular philosophical
and religious debates among Greek and Jewish intellectuals regarding the
absence of divine providence or judgment, the call to cling to Christ would
further Peter’s argument for believers in the public square.
Discussion Question: “Knowledge
of God and of Jesus our Lord” is repeated throughout 2 Peter. Dynamic spousal
and familial relationships require me to come to a greater knowledge about the
people I love. Within the last month or week, what have I come to know about my
spouse or closest family members? What have I come to know about my Lord? How
have I experienced grace and peace through this knowledge?
Confirm Your Faith in
God’s Goodness (1:5-11)
5For this very reason, make every effort
to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and
knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and
steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly
affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8For if these
qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever
lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that
he was cleansed from his former sins. 10Therefore, brothers, be all
the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice
these qualities you will never fall. 11For in this way there will be
richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
This section reminds
readers to strengthen the faith they received when they became Christians. If
they remain true to that calling, they will enter the kingdom of Jesus
(vv.10-11). Discipleship to the kingdom, Confidence in God’s goodness is
Peter’s promise that those who maintain this zeal for the faith will not fall.
Those who do not
supplement their baptismal forgiveness of sin with the practice of virtue will
end up being blind (v.9). Here, and in 2:22, Peter attacks the false teachers
and those who follow them. By contrast, those who follow Christ will strive to
imitate him. An ancient Greek practice was for the disciple to imitate the teacher
or one’s patron. Blind followers of false teachers will end up with no
self-control, whereas, those who know Christ will practice self-control and the
other virtues listed.
Discussion Question: To
maintain excellent health, many people supplement their diet with vitamins or
minerals that may be lacking in processed foods. Share with the group what you
do to maintain a strong spiritual life by supplementing the grace of God’s
forgiveness of sins that occurred when you were baptized into Christ’s death
and resurrection with Christian virtues? (Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
Peter’s Farewell Address (1:12-15)
12Therefore I intend always to remind you
of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that
you have. 13I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir
you up by way of reminder, 14since I know that the putting off of my
body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15And
I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time
to recall these things.
It was common practice
for a dying leader or patriarch to make a testament of last remarks (Jacob in
Gen 49; Moses in Deut 32-34; Joshua in Josh 24; Jesus in Jn 13-17; Luke
22:14-36; Paul in Acts 20:17-35). Verse 14 indicates his awareness of death. He
bequeaths to the church his legacy of accurately remembering the doctrine of
God’s judgment and Jesus’ Second Coming, recalling the debates and the false
teachings prominent in their world. Recalling John 21:18-19, Jesus’ prediction
of Peter’s death, he employs terms familiar to Paul, i.e., putting off the
earthly tent.
For we know that if the tent that
is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens. … For while we are still in this tent, we
groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be
further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
(2 Cor 5:1, 4)
Death, however, does
not separate the readers from Peter. Today, more than 2,000 years separate us
from the last days of Peter and the other apostles. The passage may have less
of an impact for us today than it did for the first generation of Christians.
Discussion Question:
What Christian, who is no longer alive, continues to influences your life today
because of his/her faithful witness? Who was that person and what words of
encouragement to be faithful to Christ do you remember him/her saying?
Christ’s Glory and the Prophetic Word
(1:16-21)
16For we did not follow cleverly devised
myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For when he received
honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the
Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18we
ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the
holy mountain. 19And we have something more sure, the prophetic
word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark
place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20knowing
this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own
interpretation. 21For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of
man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
The phrase cleverly
devised myths in verse 16 is another warning against Gnostics who had a
doctrine of the Second Coming based not on logical proofs, but on an elaborate
mythological system (see 3:4f). What Peter and the other apostles proclaimed
was eyewitness testimony to God’s revelation from heaven at the time of the
Transfiguration, acknowledging Jesus as the divine Son. The reference to the
Transfiguration is 2 Peter’s understanding and use of 1 Peter 5:1, where Peter
describes himself as “a sharer in the glory that is to be revealed.”
Why does Peter refer to
the Transfiguration rather than the Resurrection appearances? Is it because (as
we will read in 3:3-4) that this better refutes those who scoff Christ’s
promised return? Was this kind of appearance more in line of what they were
expecting at the Second Coming as opposed to the Resurrection appearances (Lk
24:34). Or is it because Peter wants to forcefully reject the Gnostic
visionaries who frequently used the risen Christ as the source of speeches
establishing their doctrine?
By establishing himself
as a faithful witness, Peter is preparing to knock down the false teachings not
only of those outside the Church, but also those false teachers within it. In chapter
2, we read of the “false teachers among you.” It is important to discredit the
teachings of your opponent. Paul urges Timothy: “As I urged you when I was going
to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not
to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless
genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from
God that is by faith.” (1 Tim 1:3-4)
And while the phrase “This
is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” is not the exact
wording of Mark, the point is made. Peter witnessed this glory, and used the
episode to exhort Christians to remain faithful to the Gospel and wary of popular
false teachers.
True prophecies (vv.
19ff.) when rightly understood are uncomfortable or threatening. The prophets
Jeremiah and Ezekial demonstrated this when they said: “They have healed the wound of my
people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jer 6:14). “Precisely
because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace,
and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with
whitewash” (Ezek 13:10).
Paul repeats this when
he writes, “For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come
like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “There is peace and
security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon
a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness,
brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief” (1 Thes 5:2-4).
The false teachers whom
Peter censures are like those of the Old Testament or those repudiated by Paul
in that they twist words. Peter, an eyewitness, can claim authenticity. His prophecy regarding Christ’s Second
Coming is not subject to some new, charismatic interpretation. While some would
reinterpret verses to benefit their teaching, such as John 14:26 or 16:12-14 (“But
the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will
teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to
you.” … “I still have many things to say
to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but
whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are
to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to
you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what
is mine and declare it to you.”), Peter is more suited to the task of
teaching because he is an eyewitness who received and interpreted that which he
has received. The account of Acts 3:18-26 counters any claim that Peter did not
understand what he saw or heard (Luke 9:32-33).
“But what God foretold by the mouth
of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent
therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing
may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ
appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring
all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long
ago. Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from
your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. And it shall
be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from
the people.’ And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who
came after him, also proclaimed these days. You are the sons of the prophets
and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in
your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’ God, having
raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one
of you from your wickedness.”(Acts 3:18-26)
“Now Peter and those who were with
him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory
and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter
said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents,
one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.”
(Luke 9:32-33)
Discussion Question:
The number of “Christian” churches and the amount of “Christian” literature over
the years has multiplied exponentially. When presented with an attractive
teaching that comforts your soul, what questions do you pose to determine if
the teaching is authentic?
No comments:
Post a Comment