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Copyright © L. L. Griffith, 1996. ISBN 0-929554-15-9. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part provided that this copyright notice is reproduced on each copy made.
Email: <lelgee@voicenet.com>1. This, now, beloved, a second letter to you I write, in both which I stir up your pure mind in reminding [you],
This [5026].
Second [1208].
Epistle [1992].
Beloved [27].
I now [2235]. Already. Apparently this second letter soon followed after the dispatch of the first.
Write unto you [1125]. The first letter had been written to the Jewish aliens who lived scattered throughout the provinces of Asia Minor.
In which [3739].
Stir up [1326]. Diegeiro; to rouse up; to awaken as from sleep.
Your [5216].
Pure [1506]. Heilikrines; (from heile, the sun's ray and krino, to judge.) Sincere; with the sense of having an enlightened judgment.
Minds [1271]. Dianoia; of the mind; in understanding.
By way [1722]. En; in.
Remembrance [5280]. See 2 Pet 2:13. A reminder prompted by outward factors. Peter now explains what his motive is for this reminder which follows after the first Epistle.
2 to be mindful of the sayings said before by the holy prophets, and of the command of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour,
That ye may be mindful [3415]. Mnaomai; to have in memory.
Words [4487]. Rhema; all the words, the bulk of the O.T. writings.
Which were spoken before [4280]. Proereo; what was said beforehand.
By the holy [40]. The prophets set apart, in truth devoted to serving God.
Prophets [4396]. See 1 Peter 1:10-12. His reminder to appeal to the O.T. prophets is the theme of this letter's content.
There is no good reason to set aside the Writings of the Old Testament, and to hold only to the writings of the New Testament, (or to add other writings of men to these Holy Scriptures) for the Old Testament writings are the foundation upon which the Truth of the gospel of the kingdom of God is laid. Without a good knowledge of foundation material, the builder of his "house" endangers the right, full completion of the work before him. To their enlightened understanding as taught by the "new doctrine" of Jesus Christ, Peter appeals to the O.T. Scriptures of the holy prophets as a witness to the preaching of the Lord and of the apostles. It is from these Writings, not from the false prophets and the false teachers who, currently at work in the new "Christian" sect of the Jews, were undermining the gospel of the kingdom, that Peter produces the evidence of the truth.
Commandment [1785]. Entole; the orders or commandments. "Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine," 1 Timothy 4:13. Paul's letter to Timothy and to Titus are particularly full of the commandments which were also to be fulfilled upon the ecclesias among the Gentiles.
Apostles [652]. The twelve disciples who were chosen as the Lord's delegates, and messenger of his gospel of the kingdom.
Lord [2962]. Jesus Christ, their master.
Saviour [4990]. Soter; in the office as a savior. Peter is concerned with the salvation of lives and the safety of the people during the "last days" yet to come upon Israel at the Lord's coming.
3. this first knowing, that there shall come in the latter end of the days scoffers, according to their own desires going on,
Knowing [1097]. Ginosko; to have the knowledge of perception; so, to know.
This [5124]. This (thing). Peter is about to impart some of his knowledge concerning "the last days."
First [4412]. Proton; item number one; the first thing...
That there shall come [2064]. Erchomai. This is the verb which is much wrangled over, wherever it is used to describe the Lord's coming.
In the last [2078]. Eschatos; the end of a series. In this case, Peter wishes to remind the people of what the holy prophets spoke about concerning "the last days" antecedent to the establishment of the kingdom.
This phrase - "the last days" - is repeated numerous times in the O.T. Writings of the holy prophets, and always in the context of Israel's restoration as the kingdom of God.
Days [2250]. Hemera; days, literal days.
Scoffers [1703]. Empaiktes; mockers; those who jibe in disbelief.
Walking [4198]. Poreuomai; to walk along.
After [2596]. Kata; according to.
Their own [2398]. Idios; pertaining to one's self.
Lusts [1939]. The implant of desire.
4 and saying, `Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers did fall asleep, all things so remain from the beginning of the creation;'
And saying [3004]. Lego; to speak; to say. The saying is a taunt to be repeated during "the time of Jacob's trouble."
Where [4226].
Promise [1860]. Epaggelia; a message on, or added to another message.
Of his coming [3952] The coming of "the last days" is amply testified to in the Old Testament Holy Scriptures and Prophets. The "coming" Peter refers to the approach of the expected Jewish messiah to his own nation and people - by his own people. Only secondarily is the reference made to call attention to these things by the Christian convert - to the "adoption of sons" from the nations for their watchfulness. Supersessionists (and anti-semite Christians) who accept the doctrine of "replacement theology" are found among all these who ask the question, Where is the promise of his coming?, for they reject "the hope of Israel" and Christ's salvation in their own doctrinal beliefs. They are humanists in heart.
For since [3739].
The fathers [3962]. The fathers of Israel, not the "fathers" of Christendom!
Fell asleep [2837]. Koimai; to sleep (in death).
All things [3956]. Everything's...
Continue [1265]. (They all remain) the same... I.e., nothing has changed...
From the beginning [746]. Arche; the origination.
Creation [2937]. Ktisis; the formation of the present world's order.
The truth of this allegation remains to be proved by those who claim that "nothing has changed." At the Lord's first coming, according to tradition, the people expected that he would make himself their king; when he did not claim the throne, the leaders rejected him as a false Messiah. The Haredim in Israel today who look for their Messiah's coming also expect him to come by political means. God's promises to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob - and their faith - were grounded in the hope that the LORD Himself would act to restore the kingdom and the throne to the nation - but only when political conditions force the people to repent and to turn back to God to save them from complete destruction from their adversary and surrounding enemies.
The Lord, as Yahweh T'sabaoth, will bring His powers of the heavens to bear during the judgment of the nation, and of its enemies. Michael is named in Daniel. Michael is particularly named in The Revelation as acting on Israel's behalf; while Abaddon (Apollyon, i.e., Destruction) is named as the destroyer of all the ungodly.
5 for this is unobserved by them willingly, that the heavens were of old, and the earth out of water and through water standing together by the word of God,
For this [5124].
They willingly [2309]. Thelo; to will; desire to follow their own mind.
Ignorant [2990]. Lanthano; to ignore, to have no knowledge (about).
Word of God [3056]. What God has said in times past.
Heavens [3772]. Ouranos; the expanse of the skies.
Were [2258]. Have existed.
Old [1597]. Ekpalai; from a long, long time ago.
Earth [1093]. Ge; the planet earth.
Standing [4921]. Sunistao: was put together.
Out of the water [5204]. In the beginning the earth, shapeless and empty, was covered by a darkness which was upon the face its "deep." This fact is witnessed to in Genesis 1:2.
And in the water [5204]. This phrase probably belongs to the next verse.
6 through which the then world, by water having been deluged, was destroyed;
Whereby [3739]. Which
The world [2889]. All the things of the creation which were arranged upon the earth for its orderly working.
That then was [5119]. Tote, at that time, as it existed.
Being overflowed [2626]. Katakluzo; overwhelmed, submerged, deluged.
With water [5204]. In the "deep" waters.
Perished [622]. Appolumi; to destroy, to cause to perish. This was the flood which occurred in Noah's days. All the earthbound flora, fauna and fowl, with the humanity which was left behind, was brought to complete ruin.
The water, from which the earth was first taken out of, was then used as
the earth's own instrument of destruction.
...Keep this fact in mind as
Peter writes further along about "the fire," as to whence it comes
from and how it shall be used to reform the present order of things into the new
earth and the new heavens which are yet to come.
Paul spoke about "such a man" and the glories of his visions and revelation concerning the coming "third heaven..." See 2 Corinthians 12:1-5. Of this man, he said, "...he was caught away to (the) paradise and heard unutterable sayings - which it is not permitted a man to speak." The reader might compare Paul's text with Revelation 10:1-4, where it is recorded that another man, John, caught away in visions and revelations of the apocalypse of Jesus Christ, wrote of things that - in the present dispensation of time - which it was not permitted to the man, John, even to write about.
7 and the present heavens and the earth, by the same word are treasured, for fire being kept to a day of judgment and destruction of the impious men.
But [1161]. De; but, however, now.., (conjunctions).
The heavens [3772]. The skies; the starry expanse.
And the earth [1093]. The land masses of the planet.
Which are now [3568]. Nun; now; present; at this time. There have been no cataclysmic changes made to the heavens and the earth since the days of Noah's flood. Peter, living prior to Jerusalem's destruction in A.D. 70-73, is compelled to state this notable fact; (for not only do volcanic islands rise and disappear, but there is evidence in ancient astronomical records that the heavens and the earth indeed have been changed since the patriarchs of Israel died. In King Uzziah's time, for instance, when Rome was founded.
By the same [846]. Autos; itself.
Word [3056]. Logos; word or utterance. By the conveyance of the Word of God through the holy prophets and as the apostles of the Lord then taught the Word.
Are kept in store [2343]. Thesaurizo; to gather into a storage place.
Reserved [5083]. Tereo; to guard over; to keep, as in a reservation.
Unto fire [4442]. Pur; fire.
Against [1519]. Eis; for, toward, to.
The day [2250]. Hemera; a day.
Judgment [2920]. Krisis; crisis, judgment. Although the teaching of the restoration of the kingdom to Israel has always been a first principle of the Christadelphian faith, the day of judgment is a topic that has been and is yet grossly neglected in the teaching and the preaching of the gospel's message. ...Probably because a "pioneer" brother did not discover the whole truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ before publishing his "mind"; or it may have meant retracting a number of ideas already published concerning the fulfillment of history. The "hot potato" factor works here.
Perdition [684]. Apoleia; (for) the perishing; (for the) destruction.
Ungodly [765]. Asebes; an impious world.
Men [444]. Anthropos; men, who are anthropoids; human beings.
This is the nature of the judgment yet to come upon the world of ungodly men. The present heavens and the earth will be subjected to the fire of God.
8. And this one thing let not be unobserved by you, beloved, that one day with the Lord [is] as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day;
But, beloved [27],
Be not ignorant [2990]. Lathano; something hidden, of which we (men) are not looking at; to be hiding.
Of this [5124].
One [1520]. The number one.
Thing, that one [3391]. A singular (day).
Day [2250]. Hemera; a day... Our day is measured by the length of time in which the earth rotates one time upon its axis.
With the Lord [2962]. With the LORD. Peter is careful to differentiate between the time table which governs "with the LORD" and the time arrangement appointed (pertaining to man's creation) for the rule of the earth.
As a thousand [5507]. One "day" with the LORD is equated with a thousand years of man's time.
Years [2094]. Etos; a year of men. Our year's length varies according to the time it takes the earth to revolve one time around the sun.
And a thousand [5507]. But a thousand of man's years is as one day with the LORD.
Years [2094]. As above. Time is a measure of the outward expanding compass of the heavens.
As one [3391]. A singular (day). There comes "a day" when earthly time is of necessity converted to the heavenly frame of time - when God is made "all in all" on this planet.
Day [2250]. Hemera; a day of man's chronology. Our day's length is governed by the time it takes the earth to rotate once upon its axis. Other planets of our solar system have various days and years as compared to earth's chronology. I have related "one day" and "a thousand years" here to the time of men, Peter is specifically relating this equation to a time which exists "with the LORD." The contrast between the heavenly and the earthly times remains valid for Peter's purpose in explaining "the day of the LORD" as it comes upon men at "the last day."
It is upon this single text of the Scriptures that Mede "interpreted the prophetic periods on the year-day principle" according to John Thomas, who adopted the same interpretation into his writing, EUREKA. Thus the 1,260 "days" of Daniel's prophecy were made to read as 1,260 "years" of history, irrelevant to both sound reason and sound Bible exposition.
9. the Lord is not slow in regard to the promise, as certain count slowness, but is long-suffering to us, not counselling any to be lost but all to pass on to reformation,
The Lord [2962]. Kurios; God, the Father.
Slack [1019]. Braduno; to be slow, to tarry.
Concerning [4314]. Pros; unto, toward.
His promise [1860]. See under v.4.
As (some men) [5100]. Any certain person.
Count [2233]. Hegeomai; to lead (themselves) to think.
Slackness [1022]. Bradutes; slowness.
Longsuffering [3114]. Makrothumeo; to have a long and consistent spirit of waiting.
To [1519]. Eis; into, to, toward.
Us [2248]. The sons of men.
Not willing [1014]. Boulomai; to have a plan or deliberated counsel of purpose.
That any [5100]. As above.
Perish [622]. Apollumi; to perish, to destroy completely.
But that all [3956]. Pas; every one.
Should come [5562]. Choreo; to come forward to receive. The idea is somewhat the same as expressed in John 14:2 by Jesus, "In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you..." In the heavenly realm governed by the LORD, there is unlimited space - room - for dwelling places; many abodes. But these abodes are gotten by men only by a proper reception of the prerequisite terms.
Repentance [3341]. Metanoia; a change of mind. Literally, with understanding. A principle message of the Proverbs is, Get understanding. The serpent's lie destroyed man's understanding of God. Now man has to change his mind, and turn back to Him and to do His will (No. 1014 above) in order to secure a room in God's "house."
10 and it will come--the day of the Lord--as a thief in the night, in which the heavens with a rushing noise will pass away, and the elements with burning heat be dissolved, and earth and the works in it shall be burnt up.
But the day [2250]. The day which initiates the change.
Of the Lord [2962]. Kurios; God, the Father. This is the day about which the O.T. holy prophets often spoke as a day of anger and wrath. It is the day after which begins the millennial reign of Jesus Christ.
Will come [2240]. Heko; come. It shall come one "day."
As a thief [2812]. Kleptes; one who robs by stealth. When does the thief come in the night? Night ordinarily begins with the evening sunset; the gross darkness follows several hours thereafter and lasts until the day again dawns. In O.T. references there is both the early "darkness" and a "gross darkness" used to describe these portions of the night. Christ comes during the time when there is also a literal "gross darkness" upon both the people and the earth...
In [1722. En; in. The vials (bowls) of the LORD's wrath are poured out in accordance with Revelation 16.
Night [3571]. Nux; the time of the day after the sun sets... This night of "darkness" the O.T. prophets speak of often, but the texts are generally disregarded as literal in meaning; and instead are interpreted by the "symbolism" of another man's gospel - that of Spinoza. Confusion is worked by the unexercized minds of those who cannot discriminate between a literal meaning and the use of an analogy.
The day of the Lord cannot come silently - "as a thief in the night" - and at the same time, as Peter says, "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise," etc. Peter is thinking of the roaring fires which are ignited by the fire from the skies, exactly as John's prophecy speaks of the fire which will fall from the heavens in the apocalypse of the Lord Jesus Christ. A lake of fire then will burn up the tares while the harvest is being gathered to the threshing floor...
In the which [3739].
The heavens [3772]. Ouranos; the expanse of the sky.
Shall pass away [3928]. Parerchomai; passing by a coming and a going, to overtake by approaching near and then passing onward ahead. The skies continue to revolve past the earth. There is absolutely no thought here of the earth being burned up and disintegrating into nothingness! This passing of the old zodiac's order occurs during the tumultuous, disorderly days when the position of the earth and its present order are being changed to a new order of management under the rule of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
With a great noise [4500]. Rhoizedon; a whirring, literal noise.
Elements [4747]. Stoicheion; the elements of the Atomic Table over which God has the rule....
Shall melt [3089]. Luo; to loosen, to melt. A chemistry student will appreciate the picturesque language which Peter uses here to describe the mechanism of the change...
Fervent heat [2741]. Kausoo; to set fire to; to burn.
The earth [1093]. Ge; the earth, meaning the land surface...
Also [2532]. Kai; and, also.
Works [2041]. Ergon; all the business and employments (of evil men).
That are therein [846]. Related to its whole environment.
Shall be burned up [2618]. Katakaio; to burn with intensity, to utterly consume by fire. According to the gospel, we know that we look for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, and which will be governed by a new creation of king-priests. But, of the mechanism of that change, there is a great deal of ignorance, even though the O.T. Scriptures are full of clues regarding the mechanism.
This passage of Peter's letter about the "wrath to come" is not often touched by Christadelphian teaching or preaching. Primarily, because there was no doctrine developed - by the pioneers - to take Peter's account of God's day of wrath and judgment against ungodly men of the present world order as an important and persuasive part of the gospel. Although Christendom has succeeded to nullify its power and force by accepting Grecian and Roman myths and fables, what excuse can the Daily Bible Companion reader offer for being unaware of the concept, and the method of God's judgment of the world? The Jews, who have all the O.T. Writings, still maintain the day of judgment by the LORD as a fearful teaching.
.....Peter has said that Paul in all his letters made reference to these very same things!
And Paul magnified his office as the apostle to the Gentiles! Now Peter has given examples of the prior executions of judgment by the LORD against the prior ungodly world, and these examples were confirmed by the Lord as truth - where, in the Gospel accounts concerning his preaching, he makes reference to the day of judgment which shall come upon this present world at the end of its age. His words are warnings to be taken seriously by the godly person, rather than to take the attitude of those who mock and say, Where is the promise of his coming?
11. All these, then, being dissolved, what kind of persons doth it behove you to be in holy behaviors and pious acts?
[Seeing] then [3767]. Therefore...
All [3956]. Pas; every one of (them).
These things [5130]. Touton; these.
Shall be dissolved [3089]. Luo; to loosen, to melt. Peter has described the previous destruction of judgments as catastrophe and cataclysm; judgments which certainly dissolved those prior orders and all the creations of men's hands.
What (manner) [4217].
Ought ye to be [1163]. Dei; under a necessity, an obligation.
Holy [40]. Hagios; set apart as devoted to the service of God.
Conversation [391]. Anastrophe; Habit; manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment.
Godliness [2150]. Piety - the "must have" trait - is our manners which show in our respect, in our reverence and in honor toward God, manners which are seen by others who note a "report" of them as "good" or evil. See 1 Timothy 3:7, both bishops and deacons absolutely must have this trait if the ecclesia of God is to be rightly governed by the exemplary conduct of those elders.
12 waiting for and hasting to the presence of the day of God, by which the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements with burning heat shall melt;
Looking for [4328]. Prosdokao; to look forward to.
Hasting [4692]. Speudo; to earnestly desire, to hurry in mind.
Coming [3952]. Parousia; the presence, the arrival, the actual sight.
Of the Day [2250]. The one day; of which no man neither knows the day or hour.
Of God [2316]. Theos; beings carrying the Name of the Father; the elohim: the workers of the LORD's judgment.
Wherein [1223]. Dia; through, or by which.
Heavens [3772]. The skies, the heavens.
Being on fire [4448]. Puroo; to make to burn with fire.
Shall be dissolved [3089]. Luo; to loosen, to melt. God loosens, and God binds things both in the heaven and in the earth. Peter understood this one "key" point of His wisdom.
And the elements [4747]. Stoicheion; the elements of the Atomic Table over which the Heavenly Father rules. With these elements He may from them create a man, or he may use them to bring a fire from the heaven to burn up a sacrifice!
Shall melt [5080]. Teko; to make liquid, to make molten.
Peter has described how the loosening of the elements will appear. They will liquify and cause a burning where they touch. In Revelation 8:7, these molten elements are described as a "fire, mingled with blood..." The reader ought to also compare this description of the destructive mechanism of the LORD's day with the missiles or projectiles which are spat forth by the heads and tails of Abaddon's "horses," per Revelation 9:1-21, of "fire and smoke and brimstone." Peter's testimony is a faithful witness to John's prophecy of the day of the LORD. Continuous history philosophy is not.
Fervent heat [2741]. Kausoo; to set fire to; to burn furiously, with a whirring noise; the hissing and crackling sound of the burning.
This is the stange work of God which destroys all the ungodly from among mankind, when the LORD visits upon the earth in His wrath and fury against all whom are destroyed from His presence. When the work of "the day" is finished, the redeemed from mankind and the saved of the Lord emerge into a new creation in which righteousness dwells.
13 and for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise we do wait, in which righteousness doth dwell;
Nevertheless [1161]. But... I.e., despite the impending fierceness of the "great and dreadful day."
According to [2596]. Kata; in accordance with the Word of God. Peter appeals only to the writings of the holy prophets of the LORD.
Promise [1862]. God has promised us a new world to live in.
Look [4328]. Prosdokao; to look forward to.
New [2537]. Kainos; new, as to form and substance.
Heavens [3772]. Skies.
And a new [2537]. Kainos; new, as to form and substance.
Earth [1093]. Land.
Wherein [1722].
Dwelleth [2730]. Katoikeo; to dwell in, the dweller being..,
Righteousness [1343]. Dikaiosune; the conditions which are acceptable and pleasantly agreeable to God.
14 wherefore, beloved, these things waiting for, be diligent, spotless and unblameable, by Him to be found in peace,
Wherefore [1352].
Beloved [27]. Those held in affectionate favor.
Seeing that ye look [4328]. Prosdokao; to look forward to.
Such things [5023]. These conditions which are acceptable and pleasantly agreeable to God; righteousness.
Be diligent [4704]. Spoudazo; hurry up, be diligent in mind; somewhat like No. 4692 in v.12. Keep in mind; remember...
Found [2147]. Heurisko; to be found, to be discovered.
Peace [1515]. Eirene; in a state of harmony with God.
Without a spot [784]. With not mark or stain on the person.
Blameless [298]. Amometos; having no cause for rebuke at the judgment.
15 and the long-suffering of our Lord count ye salvation, according as also our beloved brother Paul--according to the wisdom given to him--did write to you,
And account [2233]. Hegeomai; to lead (themselves) to think.
Longsuffering [3115]. Makrothumia; the long and consistent spirit of waiting.
Of our Lord [2962]. Kurios; the LORD, the Almighty God.
Salvation [4991]. Soteria; safety, deliverance, preservation.
Even as [2531]. Kathos; just as.
Our beloved [27].
Brother [80].
Paul [3972]. Saul of Tarsus, the Pharisee, his name on becoming a Christian.
Also [2532]. Kai; and; or, also.
According [2596]. Kata; in accordance with.
Wisdom [4678]. Sophia; wisdom.
Given [1325]. Didomi; to give; to grant, to produce.
Hath written unto you. [1125]. Grapho; to write. Paul was a prolific writer, and also a scribe well instructed toward the kingdom of heaven. In Romans and in Hebrews both the skill in the writing and in the exposition are exceptional. In Romans, Paul deals fully with the subject of "the wrath to come," see 1:18; 2:5,8; 3:5; 4:15; 5:9; 9:22,22; 12:19; and 13:4-5. "The wrath" - the topic of his letter is long, but wrested by the "unlearned and unstable," per 2 Peter 3:16.
Speaking as the truth of the gospel, the nature of "the wrath" as referred to by Paul is most illuminating to "every scribe instructed toward the kingdom of heaven, who brings forth out of his treasure, new and old," (as Jesus said in Matt. 13:52).
16 as also in all the epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, among which things are certain hard to be understood, which the untaught and unstable do wrest, as also the other Writings, unto their own destruction.
As also [2532].
All [3956]. Pas; all, every one!
Epistles [1992]. Epistole; a letter.
Speaking [2980]. Laleo; talking or speaking in (his) "voice."
These (things) [5130].
Which [3739].
Some (things) [5100]. Tis; certain, some of the things spoken about.
Hard to be understood [1425]. Dusnoetos; having a difficulty to
perceive with the mind.
Understanding in "the mind of Christ" does not come easy to the
slothful worker in the vineyard, who does not exercise his senses to discern the
good fruit from the evil.
Which [3739].
Unlearned [261]. Amathes; not taught. I.e., not having been a student of the Writings. This word properly refers to the person who simply does not know the facts, whatever his natural level of intelligence and understanding may be. He is uninformed because he is uneducated in the basic knowledge of the Old Testament Writings; he is not a true disciple.
Unstable [793]. Asteriktos; without stability. He may have all the facts; but the teaching he opposes is not firmly gathered together in his mind.
Wrest [4761]. Strebloo; to wrestle; to twist and to torture in a negative sense.
Also [2532].
Other [3062]. The other; the rest of the Writings...
Scriptures [1124]. Graphe; the writings.
Own [2398].
Destruction [684]. Apoleia; perdition, perishing, destroying.
When Peter writes, like a good scribe, saying that Paul was, "as even in all his letters, speaking in them about these things," you may well believe that Paul wrote some warning about the fiery day of judgment and wrath in all of his letters!
Where is the learned scribe who can prove that Peter is not in fact a faithful witness concerning "the wrath to come," of which Paul wrote about in all his letters? There is none, no, not one...
Peter's other references to Paul's letters:*
1 Peter 2:13 1 Timothy 2:2-4
1 Peter 2:18 Ephesians 6:5
1 Peter 1:2 Ephesians 1:4-7
1 Peter 1:3 Ephesians 1:3
1 Peter 1:4 Romans 12:2
2 Peter 2:6-10 Romans 9:32,33
2 Peter 2:13 Romans 13:1-4
2 Peter 2:16 Galatians 5:13
2 Peter 2:18 Ephesians 6:5
2 Peter 3:1 Ephesians 5:22
2 Peter 3:9 Romans 12:17
2 Peter 4:9 Philippians 2:14
... Romans 12:13
... Hebrews 13:2
2 Peter 4:10 Romans 12:6-8
2 Peter 5:1 Romans 8:18
2 Peter 5:5 Ephesians 5:21
... Philippians 2:3, 5-8
2 Peter 5:8 1 Thessalonians 5:6
2 Peter 5:14 1 Corinthians 16:20
*Note that Hebrews appears as a letter of Paul. Peter's "beloved brother" Paul was the apostle specially chosen to serve in the ministry of the Lord's work among the nations.
17 Ye, then, beloved, knowing before, take heed, lest, together with the error of the impious being led away, ye may fall from your own stedfastness,
Therefore [3767].
Beloved [27].
Seeing ye know before [4267]. Proginosko: to know beforehand, to foreknow, i.e., to be warned [of a thing] expected to come. To this foreknowledge Peter himself had testified, according to Acts 3:12-4:4, in the temple at Jerusalem, and had been arrested for the sake of Christ! Now he looks forward to his execution and death for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Beware [5442]. Phulasso; to keep watch; to be on guard.
Lest [3361]. Unless being unqualified to meet the test... [of the knowledge and learning of the conditions required of the good servant].
Ye also [1601]. Ekpipto; to fall out of [the race for eternal life].
Being led away [4879]. Sunapago; to be led away [to a perversion of the gospel of Jesus Christ]. It is rightly said that Esau sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. The world offers a great variety of messes of pottage for the consumption of the men who tire of their spiritual obligation, and default on their "loan" of the "earnest." As long as we keep our Bible on "the table" we shall not falter or fail to foresee the glories to come!
Error [4106]. Plane; to err, to stray.
Wicked [113]. Athesmos; without a foundation.
Fall [1601]. Ekpipto; to fall out of; as above.
Your [3588].
Own [2398]. Idios; his own, their own belonging.
Stedfastness [4740]. Sterigmos; firm condition. Stability; the opposite of No. 793 above. One's house may be built upon the sand or it may be built upon the rock. It is the owner's responsibility to see where the construction that he anticipates having built is placed.
18 and increase ye in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; to him [is] the glory both now, and to the day of the age! Amen.
Grow [837]. Auxano; to grow, to increase - in volume and size.
Grace [5485]. Charis; grace, favor, a token of good will.
Knowledge [1108]. Gnosis; general understanding of a learning experience.
Lord [2962]. Kurios; the lord, the master, the teacher.
Saviour [4990]. Soter; the deliverer; the savior; the preserver.
Jesus [2424]. Christ [5547]. The anointed savior of Israel, and of the whole world, if any man chooses to seek salvation and safety from the wrath to come...
To him [be] Glory [1391]. Doxa; praise with word and acts of honor toward him.
Both [2532]. Even now.
Now [3568]. At the present time.
And for ever [165]. Aion; the age. For the age of his lordship.
Amen [281]. So may it be fulfilled.
Peter exhorts the reader, then, to grow in the favor and to grow in the
knowledge of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Only by growth does the implanted "seed"
come to its fruition. Peter has recommended that the O.T. Scriptures, in
addition to the commandments of the Lord and his apostles, are to be read and
studied in order to lay a good foundation for this growth. But the building upon
the foundation must be done according to the foreordained Word of God and His
promises.
...The commandments are not a burden; but they must be
continually maintained, day by day with prayer, in order to gain stability for
the structure. In so doing, the disciple of Jesus Christ will never fail to
win his salvation at the Lord's coming! In addition to being a disciple and a
chosen apostle, Peter was also a "bishop" and a "deacon" in
the body of Jesus Christ. His ministry was primarily served among the assemblies
of his Jewish brethren, but was by no means confined solely to them.
...Peter
well knew that God now calls no man unclean, but calls to all those whom He
has chosen from among the nations to repent and to respond to the report of His
Word.
The qualifications of the servants of the ecclesia of the Lord are appended in the next chapter.