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What is the design of 2 Peter?


Introduction. Peter unquestionably reveals himself as the author of Second Peter (2 Pet. 1: 1, cp. 3: 1). Second Peter was sent to the same people as First Peter (2 Pet. 3: 1, 1 Pet. 1: 1, 2). All we know relative to the time of the writing of 2 Peter is that it followed 1 Peter.

The design of Second Peter. The original goal of Second Peter was, first of all, to "Stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance" and "I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance" (2 Pet. 3: 1; 1: 12-14; 1: 15). Another manifest purpose of Second Peter was to warn those addressed about false teachers. These errorists denied Jesus' deity; made use of the brethren for personal gain; despised rule; and were corrupt (2: 1; 2: 3; 2: 10; 2: 19). Second Peter, therefore, is an excellent study regarding false teachers and their modus operandi.

The subject matter. In chapter one, Peter mentions salvation; provisions for personal growth; and the reliability of the source of their knowledge (vs. 1, 2; 3-11; 12-21). Chapter two is given to a detailed description of false teachers. Peter continues his discussion of false teachers in chapter three and provides teaching regarding the end of the world; exhortations are then offered based on the end; and Peter closes with the following warning: "Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness" (vs. 1-10; 11,16; 17, 18).

Conclusion. Second Peter contains the famous warning: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Pet. 2: 1). Peter also stressed that "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" have been provided by God (2 Pet. 1: 3). Second Peter, then, has all the vestiges of inspiration and is a vital study.
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