Second Epistle of Peter
BY WAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:1 (KJV)
In this chapter, Peter turns from speaking scathingly of false licentious teachers to warning Christians of those who scorn and ridicule Christian truths, especially the coming of the Lord and judgments which were to follow.
The first verse of this third chapter brings to our attention that this is Peter's second letter and indicates that he wrote them both to the same Christians. He also tells the purpose of both epistles, namely, to stir them up in the ways of the Lord. He did not necessarily mean to bring new truth to their attention, but to impress them with the importance of truths they already knew.
"This second epistle"
Peter's first epistle was written principally to encourage and exhort the Christians of Asia Minor in time of great suffering and persecution. There was danger of them becoming disheartened and questioning whether they were on the right path. Perhaps the messenger who delivered Peter's first epistle brought back a report which caused him to write this second one. Peter may have learned that discouragement was not their only danger, but that they were also in danger from within by false teachers who were drawing Christians into loose living. There was also danger from those who mocked the coming of our Lord Jesus. Enemies of the Lord's people are always near at hand and we must always be on guard.
"beloved"
This third chapter is so different from the second that one might think a different man wrote it. In the second chapter, Peter almost thunders denunciations against false teachers; in this chapter, writing to the loyal and true, he uses many terms of endearment. More than once he calls them "beloved." He knew when to be severe and sharp and when to be kind and tender – would that all Christians knew as much. Servants of the Lord must be serious and straightforward in their dealing with sin, but kind and tender dealing with saints. In our verse, it is "beloved" be mindful; in verse 8, be not ignorant; in verse 14, be diligent; in verse 17, beware.
"I now write unto you"
The word "now" in our verse seems to indicate that Peter hurried to write this second epistle, and that it was probably written soon after the first. It has the sense of the word "already." When he heard that other dangers beside suffering and persecution beset these Christians, he hurried to write them, that he might be a help to them in these matters – would that we were in a hurry to help those who are in trouble or danger.
"I stir up"
It was Peter's purpose in both epistles to stir up Christians. When trials or difficulties come it is easy to become despondent and consequently inactive. He would arouse Christians to vigilance and diligence. Today, there are far too many Christians who are despondent, inactive, or asleep. Pray that somehow, someway, they may be stirred to new life. Here and we hear of a stirring, an awakening, a revival. May the Lord be praised.
"your pure minds"
"Sincere minds" as in the Revised Version is better than "pure minds." It was nice that Peter could testify to the sincerity of their minds. If he were here today, could he say the same of us? They were open-minded and earnest regarding their convictions and were ready to receive the truth. However, with such people there is always the danger of being deceived and led astray by false arguments made to seem plausible. However, the Lord highly esteems godly sincerity in mind and heart. There is much of half-hearted luke-warmness, which we read the Lord will soon spew out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16). "That ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ" (Phil. 1:10). "Let us keep the feast...with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Cor. 5:8).
"by way of remembrance"
As in 1:12, 13, Peter is explaining that he is not trying to bring new thought, but trying to impress upon his readers truth which they already knew. Some are always looking for new things to being the people and by so doing they forget to stress the all-important fundamental truths. It is always to be remembered that young converts rising up need the milk of God’s Word, as well as the older ones need the meat. Peter reminded his readers of the things coming in the last days, concerning which he speaks in this chapter (refer back to wonders of the memory in 1:12, 13). Memory is like a golden thread upon which are hung varied facts and experiences like pearls which link youth with old age.
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:2 (KJV)
The purpose of this verse is to show that the words of both the apostles and prophets were of equal authority – equally inspired by the Lord. Also, that the words of the apostles were the very words commanded by Jesus Himself.
"be mindful of the words"
In Peter's day there would have been a tendency, especially by Jewish believers, to think very highly of what prophets said and wrote, i.e., to believe more in their inspiration. However, in our day we are likely to think more highly of the words and writings of the apostles. Peter puts both on the same plane and would not have us neglect either. We should cultivate the habit of meditation on both the Old and New Testaments. As New Covenant people, we of course read Holy Scripture first and foremost to find what it reveals about Jesus Christ. He is both its Central Character and Ultimate Treasure. Therefore, we should seriously study the old law because according to the New Testament book of Hebrews it is the schoolmaster to bring us to Christ.
"the words...spoken by the holy prophets"
Some might ask, "Is there anything in the words spoken by the prophets which have an application to us? Were they not written for the people of their time?" Many of their words did indeed have a special message for the people of their time, but they often went far beyond that. True, much of their work was to exhort and warn their own generation, but much of it is applicable to all times.
The prophets prophesied a great deal regarding the Lord's first coming. All of this is now literally fulfilled. To truly know and too grasp this gives us great confidence in the truth of their prophecies. They prophesied of His birth (Is. 7:14; Mic. 5:2); they prophesied of His life (Is. 42:1-7; 50:4); they spoke of His suffering and death (Ps. 22; Is. 53); they spoke of His resurrection (Ps. 16:9-11; 40:1, 2). Perhaps more often than any of these, they spoke of His coming again and the judgment. That the Lord Jesus Himself understood all these things is evident from Luke 24:25-27, "Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself" (also Luke 24:44, 45; 1:70; Acts 3:18, 24-26; 1 Pet. 1:10-12).
In verse 4, Peter brings in the coming again of the Lord and in verse 10 the day of the Lord and no doubt it is especially in connection with these events that Peter would have his readers heed the voice of the prophets. Zechariah 14 tells of His coming again. His coming is beautifully pictured in Psalm 72 (see also Is. 11; etc.). The day of the Lord especially speaks of the Lord's judgment (Joel 2:11; Is. 13:6; Jer. 46:10; etc.).
"the holy prophets"
In chapter 2, Peter speaks of false prophets and teachers; here it is of true prophets and teachers. He calls them holy prophets, not only because they were clean men, but because they were set apart by the Lord to reveal His will to His people. They were commissioned of the Lord and spoke with authority. In the first chapter Peter says, "Holy men of God spake as they were moved of the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:21).
"the commandment"
In the Revised Version the last part of this verse reads, "and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles." Thus, Peter is speaking of the commandments of Christ as given through the apostles. Neither the apostles nor the prophets spoke in their own name. The prophets continually said, "Thus saith the Lord." The apostles continually come "in the name of the Lord." We are not told that Peter had any special command of the Lord in mind. Let us remember that commandments are given to be obeyed. Let us be "doers of the word, and not hearers only" (James 1:22).
"the apostles"
Here, as in 1:16-21, Peter links the prophets and apostles together. Paul does the same thing in Ephesians 2:20, "Ye...are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." By linking them together, Peter is advocating the same inspired authority for each. Both spoke out the commandments of the Lord. Peter was a leader among the apostles and he indicates that his letters were inspired by the Spirit of God. Notice how the Revised Version says "your apostles." Since Paul was the one most used in connection with the Christians of Asia Minor to whom Peter is writing, Peter is hereby also acknowledging the apostleship of Paul. Because Paul was not numbered with the twelve while Christ was on earth, some questioned his apostleship, but Peter did not seem to (see v. 15). These are what marked out one as an apostle: he must have seen the Lord Jesus and been personally commissioned by Him (1 Cor. 9:1). Both of these things happened to Paul on the Damascus road (Acts 9).
"Lord and Savior"
"Lord and Saviour" seems to be Peter's favorite title for our Lord in this second epistle. Besides our verse, we have it in 1:11, 2:30 and 3:18. If we are happy to have Christ as our
Savior, we should also be happy to have Him as our Lord. "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do" (Acts 9:6).
