Overview of the Book of 2 Peter

The Setting and Theme of 2 Peter

The overview of the week for this Sunday is the book of 2 Peter, written around 66 AD. The theme of this letter is the last days. First off, there are some parallels between 2 Peter, written by the Apostle Peter, and 2 Timothy, which was written by the Apostle Paul.

They are similar in these ways. Both are the last letters these apostles ever wrote. Both apostles wrote shortly before their deaths. According to tradition, Paul was beheaded by the Romans, and Peter, we know, was crucified by Rome.

Scripture Authority, False Teachers, and the Falling Away

Both apostles made clear statements in these letters about the authority of scripture, and both gave serious warnings against false teachers. And also, both spoke of the falling away that would happen in the last days.

And Peter even recognizes Paul in this letter. In chapter three, verse 15, Peter calls Paul his beloved brother. But 2 Peter begins with these words. Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by glory and virtue.

Peter's Approaching Death and the Source of Scripture

Peter, in chapter one, recognizes his approaching death in verses 12 through 15. Also in chapter one, he tells his readers, he tells us that God is the source of scripture, not man. Then in chapter two, he addresses false doctrine and those who spread it.

And if you compare what Peter wrote to some of the things that are in Jude's book, Jude likely took some of the content from Peter and put it in his own letter. Some of it's almost identical. And then in chapter three, Peter gives some important information about the last days with Christ's return, the day of the Lord, and then finally the new heaven and the new earth.

The Day of the Lord and God's Patience

And I'll close with this. These are some of the most well-known statements in the New Testament. Second Peter 3, eight and nine says, but beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, in a thousand years as one day.

So this is in the context of people who are wondering, why hasn't Jesus returned yet? Well, the Lord's working on a completely different timetable. But then Peter says in verse nine, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.