61 - 2 Peter

TLDR: Peter's "second letter": remember the truth; be on guard against false teachers who deny the Lord's return. "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise." Grow in grace and knowledge; the day of the Lord will come.

Overarching Storyline

Growth in knowledge (ch. 1). Prophecy; false teachers (ch. 2). Scoffers; the day of the Lord (ch. 3).

Bible Project: 2 Peter overview.

Pegs for Memorizing This Book

• Person: Peter; false teachers; scoffers.
• Image: Transfiguration, dog returns to vomit, new heavens and new earth.
• Number: 3 (chapters).
• Phrase: "Make every effort to add to your faith" (1:5); "The Lord is not slow" (3:9); "New heavens and new earth" (3:13).

Highlights

• 2 Peter 1:5–7 — Add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, love.
• 2 Peter 3:9 — The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise; he is patient, not wanting anyone to perish.
• 2 Peter 3:13 — We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth.

(Link to verse entries and meditations as added.)

Before and After

• Before: 1 Peter; 2 Peter is shorter; focus on false teachers and the return of Christ.
• After: 1 John; 2 Peter and Jude overlap in content (false teachers); John emphasizes love and assurance.

Place in the Overarching Biblical Story

Truth and the last days. Hold to the apostolic message; the Lord will come. The letter anchors hope in the promise of new creation and warns against license and denial of the Parousia.

Interesting Facts

• Relationship to Jude — 2 Peter 2 and Jude share much material; one may have used the other.
• New heavens and new earth — Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1; Peter looks forward to the same hope.