2 Peter Flashcards
2 Peter Chapter 1
Growing in Christlike Character
Peter begins by encouraging believers to diligently add virtues to their faith, such as goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. He underscores the importance of active growth, warning that without these qualities, believers can become ineffective or unproductive in their knowledge of Christ.
The Apostle assures believers that cultivating these character traits guarantees a place in God’s eternal kingdom. Peter emphasizes the trustworthy nature of the Gospel message, which he himself witnessed in Christ’s transfiguration, and the divinely inspired nature of Scripture.
2 Peter Chapter 2
False Teachers: Corrupt and Condemned
Peter warns against the deceptive influence of false teachers who would introduce destructive heresies within the church. He illustrates their immoral character and greedy motives, contrasting them with the righteous examples of the past, like the angels who sinned and Noah’s generation, which were both condemned by God.
Peter highlights the false teachers’ arrogant boasting and their empty promises of freedom while themselves being enslaved by corruption. He also emphasizes the certainty of their judgment and destruction.
2 Peter Chapter 3
Living in Light of the Day of the Lord
Peter confronts scoffers who would mock the promise of Christ’s return, intentionally ignoring the evidence of God’s past actions like the Flood. He affirms that the day of the Lord will indeed arrive, bringing about the dissolution of the present cosmos.
In light of this impending judgment, Peter exhorts believers to live with expectant readiness in purity and godliness. He acknowledges the difficulty in understanding Paul’s letters and warns against distortions by the unstable.
Finally, Peter issues a final call to continued growth in grace and a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.