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The Second Epistle to Peter.
No.1.
1: 1, 2.
pp. 179, 180
This epistle was written to the same people as his first epistle namely Christian Jews
of the dispersion (see 3: 1). As with all the Word of God whilst it is essential to note to
whom a letter is addressed, yet all Scripture is useful and necessary for us. God's dealing
with and treatment of Israel provides a wealth of knowledge of God, His wisdom, love,
righteousness and longsuffering amongst many other attributes. It is fitting and profitable
therefore that we come to this short letter from Peter to his compatriots expecting to find
much that has relevance to today's conditions and needs.
Some of the words that we find in Scripture fail to convey all their meaning if by
frequent everyday use they carry only a fleeting and shallow impression to our minds. If
however when we find them in the Scriptures we give them a patient and quiet
consideration with a concordance and a dictionary they will yield much richer knowledge
and help to us.
"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like
precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
(II Pet. 1: 1).
Peter opens his letter by acknowledging and recognizing on behalf of himself for those
believers to whom he writes the righteousness of God's salvation of mankind through the
work of His Son on the cross. Paul could write of this event ". . . . . Christ crucified, unto
the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness". This was a reaction of
misunderstanding by two large groups then. Today many fail to see the need or
understand what took place at that time. Peter had been brought to see God's plan as
correct, needful, and all-sufficient, or by God's standards, utterly righteous. We shall see
that man's willing recognition and acceptance of the righteousness of all God's acts and
dealings with men is a necessary concomitant of unity and harmony with the Father. The
Greek's summary of the Cross as being foolishness finds its counterpart in the minds of
many today who see no need for the shed blood or the life poured out.
"Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus
our Lord" (1: 2).
Knowledge here is the word meaning precise, mature or acquired knowledge. The
Word and commands of God, understood and acknowledged by the believer in his way of
life bring in their turn blessing and inward comfort and confidence, for we are aware that
we have the backing and guidance of God through His Son.