A book was not canonical until after the date of its first citation. Thus in 1 peter silass greek may be seen, while in 2 peter it may be peters rough greek that appears. In 2 peter perhaps more than any other new testament book, the identity of the named author has been challenged, and many scholars do not believe the apostle peter is the author of the book. Nov 19, 2015 peter wrote 2nd peter due to infiltration of false teachers into the church bringing destructive teachings contrary to the gospel of repentance and faith brought by jesus christ mark 1. He warns that false teachers promise freedom but are themselves slaves to depravity. However, several references point to a gentile audience, such as the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors 1.
Other objections arise from a secular reconstruction of early christian history or. However, the early church fathers found no good reason to reject it. There are four possible explanations for this close resemblance. Introduction to 2 peter bible exposition commentary. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of second peter is its emphasis on the scriptures, both old and new testament. The fact is no other book is as much like 1 peter as 2 peter with the exception of jude. Peter probably wrote this letter from prison in rome see 2 pet. Simeon the hebrew for peters original name acts 15.
From one perspective, this short epistle is the most disputed book in the nt. The goal of 2 peter is to restore confidence and order to. Gcbi is a one year bible program designed to give students the tools and knowledge required to understand the bible and form a biblical worldview, with the g. When the city of rome burned, the romans believed that their emperor, nero, had set the city on fire, probably because of his incredible lust to build. The spirit will shine on the truth we have in our minds to give us the correct concept of god.
First peter was most likely written just before or shortly after july, a. In my perspective, though 2 peter is extremely problematic, it should not. Peter is not mentioned after this in the book of acts. Along with jude, 2 peter was regarded as of doubtful value if not spurious altogether eusebius 260340 lists 2 peter as a disputed book. That peter, the head of the twelve, was the author of this letter is not only strongly supported by the external and internal evidence, but is more logical than any of the objections raised against it a. On the similarities between 2 peter 2 and jude, see introduction to jude. The indwelling holy spirit produces virtuous qualities in followers of christ 1. This section includes james, t he petrine epistles, the johannine epistles, and jude some would classify hebrews here as well. There have been various conjectures over the years that another disciple of christ named john may have been responsible for this letter. To distinguish it from peters first epistle, it was given the greek title petrou b, or 2 peter. The book of 2 john is an urgent plea that the readers of johns letter should show their love for god and his son jesus by obeying the commandment to love each other.
They are to remain faithful in times of distress, knowing that god will vindicate them and that they will certainly enjoy the salvation that the lord has promised. The occasion of the epistle is found in the harm being done to the church by false teachers, who were of two classes, the libertines and the mockers about whom he warns. Peters authorship of 2 peter has been challenged more than that of any other book in the new testament. Unlike most of the other epistles, there are no specific persons addressed. Its purpose was to warn against the increasing number of false teachers attacking the truth of the gospel of jesus christ. And with the notation that it was his first inspired letter. The nt had four different names for this individual. The second epistle of peter, often referred to as second peter and written 2 peter or in roman. The letter has always been identified as are most general epistles, like james, john and jude, with the name of the author, peter. Peter praises god, who caused people to be born again into a new family with a living hope through jesus resurrection and the spirits power. Since peter was martyred during the reign of nero, his death must have occurred prior to a. Persecution upon members of the body of christ and the death of peter are the only dates we.
If not a gross imposture, its own internal witness is unequivocal in its favor. Background study of 1 peter first peter belongs to that section of the new testament known as the general epistles or catholic epistles. Gods grace in christ truly transforms and empowers christians to live righteously, despite opposition. The author presents himself as peter the apostle, and, following catholic tradition, the epistle has been held to have been written during his time as bishop of rome or bishop of antioch, though neither title is used in the epistle. I have posted all of my notes on the background and introductions to 1 peter. We find no good reason to reject peters authorship of 2 peter. Dec 09, 2016 watch our overview video on 2 peter, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In the book, peter challenges jesus followers to continue growing in their faith, love and service to god. Paul wrote his letter to the romans in the winter of ad 5657, and peter is in rome immediately after this time. Peter s theme in his second letter is a simple one. It is just as difficult to place a date on ii peter as it is to date his first. The goal of 2 peter is to restore confidence and order to the. The first epistle of peter, usually referred to simply as first peter and often written 1 peter, is a book of the new testament. Commentaries and reference books have placed 2 peter in almost every decade from ad 60 to 160.
The opening verse of the epistle claims it was written by peter, who was clearly the leader among christs apostles. In this way, 1 peter might be called the job of the new testament, providing encouragement for the true believer to continue on in the way that jesus has laid out for all his followers. In 1 peter 2, peter seems to be interacting with romans 910. First peter focuses on the importance of believers bearing up under unjust suffering yet continuing to live well 1 peter 2.
Though weak, the arguments for the priority of 2 peter are as follows. The key personalities are the apostles peter and paul. Watch our overview video on 2 peter, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. We find no good reason to reject peter s authorship of 2 peter.
These old testament themes are repeated throughout the book. The book of 2 nd peter is a general epistle apostolic letter. Intro to 1 peter biblica the international bible society. Thus the epistle forms one connected whole, the parts being closely bound together by mutual relation, and the end corresponding with the beginning. The author of 2 peter is the apostle peter see introduction to 1 peter. Most critical biblical scholars have concluded peter is not the author, considering the epistle pseudepigraphical. Intro to 2 peter biblica the international bible society. Peter begins with a call to diligence in good works, reminds the reader that they can count on the prophets, and then warns that false prophets will arise. Book of first peter overview insight for living ministries. The second epistle of peter, often referred to as second peter and written 2 peter or in roman numerals ii peter especially in older references, is a book of the new testament of the bible, traditionally held to have been written by saint peter. All of it is summaryquotation from the sources listed at the bottom of the page. Peter then assures them that the old prophecies are true, and finishes with a call to be diligent and on guard.
They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign lord who bought them bringing swift destruction on themselves. The book of 2 john does not directly name its author. Peter s authorship of 2 peter has been challenged more than that of any other book in the new testament. The second epistle of peter is a brief letter of reminders for firstcentury christians. But the socalled second epistle we have not received as canonical, but nevertheless it has appeared. There is a close relationship between 2 peter and jude. We are to worship god in spirit and in truth for we must know the person we are worshiping.
Outline of ii peter introduction peter is the author of ii peter see ii pet. Peter calls for faithfulness and confronts corrupt teachers who distorted the message about jesus and lead others astray. Peter urges his readers to make every effort to grow in their faith, to remember that the promises of god spoken by the prophets and apostles are trustworthy, and to beware those who teach otherwise. Peter had an important part in the first church council in acts 15 ad 50. The situation that occasioned 1 peter is suffering.
Peter wrote 2nd peter due to infiltration of false teachers into the church bringing destructive teachings contrary to the gospel of repentance and faith brought by jesus christ mark 1. Eusebius 265340 placed it among the questioned books, though he admits that most accept it as from peter. Peter is writing to encourage his readers to endure suffering and persecution 1. When false teachers begin to whisper their sweet words into the ears of immature christians, the body of christ. Hundreds of public buildings were burned to the ground, hundreds of acres were blackened in the city, and thousands of homes were.
The early church universally acknowledged the authenticity and authority of first peter. Some also maintain that the book reflects a situation that did not exist until after peters death, suggesting that the persecution referred to in 4. Ad 185254 provides our first clear evidence that the church fathers knew and used 2 peter. He specifically mentions that he was an eyewitness of the transfiguration 1. Jan, 2017 gcbi is a one year bible program designed to give students the tools and knowledge required to understand the bible and form a biblical worldview, with the g. Peter identifies himself as an apostle of jesus christ. The tradition from the earliest days of the church states that the author was the apostle john.