Book Study: Second Peter

Book Overview

The book of 2 Peter is a letter written to believers to strengthen their faith and guard them against false teaching. Peter begins by urging Christians to grow in grace and knowledge, adding virtues such as faith, goodness, self-control, and love to their lives. He reminds them that the apostles were eyewitnesses of Christ’s majesty and that prophecy comes from God, not human invention. Peter warns strongly against false teachers who exploit others with lies, comparing them to corrupt examples from history. He emphasizes that God knows how to rescue the righteous while judging the wicked. The letter concludes with a focus on the coming Day of the Lord, urging believers to live holy and blameless lives as they await Christ’s return. Peter exhorts them to remain steadfast, grow in grace, and hold firmly to the truth, assuring them of God’s ultimate justice and salvation.

Brief Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1

Peter urges believers to grow in faith and virtue, reminding them of Christ’s power and the reliability of prophecy, grounded in eyewitness testimony of His majesty.

Chapter 2

He warns against false teachers who exploit others, assuring that God will judge the wicked while preserving the righteous.

Chapter 3

Peter emphasizes the certainty of Christ’s return, urging holy living, patience, and growth in grace while awaiting the new heavens and earth.

Key Verses

2 Peter 1:3–4

“His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.”

2 Peter 1:20–21

“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

2 Peter 2:1

“But false prophets also appeared among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.”

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance.”1 Peter 1:3–4

2 Peter 3:13–14

“But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace.”

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