2 Peter 1–3; Jude
Common Theme
Both letters urgently call believers to contend for the true faith in the face of false teachers while grounding their hope in God’s certain judgment and promises. They emphasize spiritual maturity, remembrance of apostolic truth, and confidence in God’s final justice and redemption.
Questions
- How do these passages challenge you to discern truth from distortion in teaching and belief?
- What does remembering God’s promises and warnings shape about how you view the present and the future?
God Shot
God is revealed as perfectly just and never indifferent to rebellion, patiently delaying judgment while still ensuring it will come at the appointed time. He is also faithful and powerful to preserve His people, keeping His promises and securing them for eternal glory.
Deeper
2 Peter 1
In the greeting, Peter addresses believers who share a faith equal to his, wishing them grace and peace through knowledge of God and Jesus. He emphasizes that God’s divine power provides everything needed for life and godliness, encouraging believers to develop virtues such as knowledge, self-control, and love. These qualities ensure effectiveness in knowing Christ and confirm one’s calling and election. Peter intends to remind them of these teachings, especially as he nears the end of his life. He asserts that their faith is based on eyewitness accounts of Christ’s glory, not myths, and highlights the importance of prophecy, which is divinely inspired and not of human origin.
2 Peter 2
The text warns about the rise of false prophets and teachers who will introduce destructive heresies, leading many astray and blaspheming the truth. It emphasizes that their greed will exploit believers, and their condemnation is inevitable. The passage references God’s past judgments on angels and the ancient world, illustrating His ability to rescue the righteous while punishing the ungodly. It describes false teachers as bold and ignorant, destined for destruction, and highlights their immoral behavior and deceitful nature. They entice vulnerable individuals with promises of freedom while being enslaved by corruption themselves. The text concludes by stating that it is worse for those who, after knowing righteousness, turn back to their former ways, likening them to a dog returning to vomit.
2 Peter 3
In this second letter, the author reminds believers to recall the predictions of the prophets and the commandments of the Lord. He warns that scoffers will arise in the last days, questioning the promise of Christ’s return. They ignore the historical evidence of God’s judgment through the flood. The author emphasizes that God’s timing is different from human perception; He is patient, desiring all to repent. The Day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, leading to the destruction of the current heavens and earth. Believers are encouraged to live in holiness, awaiting new heavens and a new earth. They should remain steadfast in faith and grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Jude
Jude addresses believers, urging them to contend for their faith against false teachers who have infiltrated the community. He warns that these ungodly individuals distort God’s grace and deny Jesus Christ. Jude recalls historical examples of judgment, such as the Israelites who disbelieved after being saved from Egypt, the fallen angels, and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, emphasizing the consequences of immorality and rebellion. He describes the false teachers as self-serving and destructive, comparing them to hidden reefs and fruitless trees. Jude reminds the faithful of the apostles’ predictions about scoffers in the last days and encourages them to build their faith, pray, and remain in God’s love. He calls for mercy towards those who doubt and urges believers to save others from destruction. The letter concludes with a doxology, praising God for His ability to keep believers from stumbling and presenting them blameless before His glory.