II Peter

II Peter

Historical Background

During the time that II Peter was written, there were various false doctrines being spread around the empire. The apostles were concerned about the abundance of false doctrine and were attempting to ensure that the churches knew the truth. The lives of the apostles would have been coming to a close and they wanted to ensure that solid, clear doctrine was given to the churches before all eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life had disappeared (1:12-20). 

Character and Nature of God

II Peter states that God is patient (3:15). Despite the abundance of false doctrine and wicked people that were spreading during this time, Peter reminds the church that God is patient to delay His return because He wants to give people time to be saved. You see God’s heart come through at the end of this book. God has so much patience and love for people who have strayed from Him. He could choose to end all evil in the world whenever He wants but chooses to hold back because He desires to give people time to repent so that they will be spared from a greater evil.

Reason Written

II Peter was written to warn the church about false doctrines that were arising. Peter feels compelled to write this letter because he knows he is about to die and wants to remind the church of everything he, as an eyewitness of Christ’s life, had previously told them (1:12-19). He warns them that false teachers will arise to teach destructive heresies and provides them with a description of what these people are like (2).

Main Idea

II Peter was written so that the church would be reminded of what they had been previously taught about Christ and the gospel (1:12; 3:1-2). Peter is wanting them to think about everything they had been taught. He knew that false teachers will come in to deceive them and he is once again telling them to remember what they have been taught and not to forget it. He closes the book by reminding them that people will in the last days question whether Christ is returning. He reminds them that Christ will eventually come back. Yet, He will come in an unexpected way. He instructs them to live pure and blameless lives in the mean time while they are awaiting Christ’s return (3:4-14).