Books of the Bible

The Book of 2 Peter

New Testament · General Epistles · Genre: Epistle · Author: Traditionally the apostle Peter, though some scholars question this · Chapters: 3

Second Peter warns believers against false teachers and scoffers, and calls them to grow in the true knowledge of Christ. It urges them to remember the certainty of God's word and promises, and to live holy lives as they await the day of the Lord.

Start reading: 2 Peter chapter 1

A key verse

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

The setting and background of 2 Peter

Second Peter is one of the General Epistles, reading like a farewell message written as the apostle senses that the time of his departure is near. It is traditionally attributed to Peter, though some scholars have questioned this on grounds of its style, and its concern is to warn believers against false teachers and to root them in the truth before he goes.

The letter calls believers to grow in the knowledge of Christ, warns sternly against false teachers who deny the Lord and exploit the church, grounds the gospel in the eyewitness testimony of the apostles and the inspired prophetic word, and answers the scoffers who mock the delay of Christ's return by explaining that the Lord is patient, not willing that any should perish.

Second Peter was written to guard the church against error and cynicism and to root it in the certainty of God's word and promises. In the sweep of Scripture, its explanation of the Lord's patience toward sinners and its vision of a new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells have shaped Christian hope and holiness across the centuries.

The story and structure of 2 Peter

Second Peter reads like a farewell message, written as the apostle senses that the time of his departure is near, to warn and strengthen believers before he goes. It is traditionally attributed to Peter, though some scholars have questioned this on grounds of its style, and its concern is to guard the church against error and to root it in the truth.

Peter opens by reminding believers that God's divine power has granted them everything they need for life and godliness, and that they have been given precious promises so that they may share in the divine nature. On this basis he urges them to add to their faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, and love, so that they will be fruitful and will never fall.

The heart of the letter is a stern warning against false teachers who have crept into the church, denying the Lord, exploiting believers with made-up stories, and leading many into sensuality and greed. Peter assures his readers, drawing on examples from the past, that such deceivers will not escape judgment, and that God knows how to rescue the godly and to hold the unjust for the day of reckoning.

Peter grounds the truth of the gospel in the reliability of its witnesses. He and the other apostles did not follow cleverly devised myths but were eyewitnesses of Christ's majesty, and the prophetic word is made even more sure, a light shining in a dark place, for no prophecy ever came by human will but by the Holy Spirit.

To scoffers who mock the promise of Christ's return, asking where it is, Peter answers that the Lord is not slow as some count slowness, but patient, not willing that any should perish but that all should reach repentance. The day of the Lord will come, and since all things will be dissolved, believers should live holy and godly lives, looking for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The great themes of 2 Peter

Key passages in 2 Peter

2 Peter in the sweep of Scripture

Second Peter stands as the New Testament's warning against false teaching and against the cynicism that mocks the promise of Christ's return. It calls believers to grow in the true knowledge of Christ and to root themselves in the reliability of God's word, both the eyewitness testimony of the apostles and the inspired word of the prophets. Its explanation of the Lord's patience, not willing that any should perish, and its vision of a new heavens and a new earth, have shaped Christian hope and holiness across the centuries.

Where Christ is in 2 Peter

Second Peter roots hope in Jesus, whose promised return is certain and whose patience gives time for repentance, so that none who trust him need perish. He is the Lord and Saviour whose majesty the apostles witnessed and whose divine power grants everything needed for life and godliness, and the day of his coming is the sure hope toward which believers grow in grace and knowledge.

How to read 2 Peter well

Read Second Peter to grow discerning against error and cynicism, letting its warnings sharpen your judgment about what you believe and whom you follow. Take to heart its call to add to your faith a growing store of virtue and love, so that your faith is fruitful and secure. And when the return of Christ seems delayed, let its assurance of God's patient purpose keep you living in hope and holiness, looking for the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells.

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