New Testament Epistle circa AD 64-68
Introduction

About 2 Peter

The prophetic word is completely reliable - false teachers who deny judgment will face judgment, and the Day of the Lord is coming with certainty, so live holy and godly lives.

False TeachersKnowledgeDay of the LordGrowth

Written

circa AD 64-68

Author

Peter

Genre

Epistle

Position

22nd NT book - General Letters

Authorship

The Apostle Peter, writing his final letter before his death (1:14). He writes with particular urgency about false teachers who had infiltrated the church and about the certainty of Christ's return.

Historical Context

Peter faced imminent death and was deeply concerned about false teachers who denied the Second Coming, promoted immorality, and were leading believers astray.

Purpose

To urge believers to grow in godliness, to warn against false teachers who deny the Second Coming, and to reaffirm the certainty of God's word and Christ's return.

Key Message

The prophetic word is completely reliable - false teachers who deny judgment will face judgment, and the Day of the Lord is coming with certainty, so live holy and godly lives.

Book Structure

1
Growing in Grace and Confirming the Prophetic Word Ch. 1
2
Warning against False Teachers Ch. 2
3
The Day of the Lord and Holy Living Ch. 3

Interesting Facts

1

2 Peter 1:20-21 - No prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit - is the clearest NT statement of prophetic inspiration.

2

Peter references Paul's letters as Scripture (3:15-16) - one NT author explicitly canonizing another.

3

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow... but patient, not wishing that any should perish - is a key text for understanding God's purposes in delaying judgment.

Old Testament Connections

Genesis 6-7 - Noah's flood is used as evidence of God's pattern of judging the world while saving the righteous
Genesis 19 - Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed is used as the second example of God's judgment (2 Pet 2:6)

New Testament Connections

Jude - 2 Peter 2 and Jude contain very similar content about false teachers
1 Peter - The companion letter, setting up the issues that 2 Peter now addresses more urgently