2ND PETER
The Opening Statements
A. The purpose or scope of this introduction is not to discuss in detail the problems connected to the authorship of 2nd Peter. Three sources have been helpful in thinking through this issue.
1. Bruce M. Metzger’s article “Literary Forgeries and Canonical Pseudepigrapha” in The Journal of the Society of Biblical Literature, 1972, pp. 3 – 24.
2. Michael J. Kruger’s article “The Authenticity of 2 Peter” in The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 645 – 671.
3. E. M. B. Green’s book 2nd Peter Reconsidered, Tyndale Press, 1961.
B. Who wrote 2nd Peter? Authorship affects hermeneutics, not inspiration, which is a faith presupposition and a documentable historical process.
C. Why bother with pseudonymity? Apparently the first century Greco-Roman world was accustomed to it.
D. Are we unwilling to allow it because of our own preferences or are we able to honestly evaluate the historical and textual evidence ourselves? Has tradition predisposed us to a certain conclusion?
E. The ancient church questioned Peter’s authorship, but not the book’s message (except the Syrian church). It is an orthodox message in theological unity with other New Testament books with many affinities to Peter’s sermons in Acts.
F. Eusebius used three categories to describe Christian writings:
1. accepted
2. disputed
3. spurious
He included 2nd Peter along with James, Jude, 2nd and 3rd John in category 2 (disputed). Eusebius accepted 1st Peter; had doubts about 2nd Peter, and rejected as spurious other supposed writings of Peter (1) the Acts of Peter; (2) the Gospel of Peter; (3) the Preaching of Peter; and (4) the Apocalypse of Peter.
1. Bruce M. Metzger’s article “Literary Forgeries and Canonical Pseudepigrapha” in The Journal of the Society of Biblical Literature, 1972, pp. 3 – 24.
2. Michael J. Kruger’s article “The Authenticity of 2 Peter” in The Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Vol. 42, No. 4, pp. 645 – 671.
3. E. M. B. Green’s book 2nd Peter Reconsidered, Tyndale Press, 1961.
B. Who wrote 2nd Peter? Authorship affects hermeneutics, not inspiration, which is a faith presupposition and a documentable historical process.
C. Why bother with pseudonymity? Apparently the first century Greco-Roman world was accustomed to it.
D. Are we unwilling to allow it because of our own preferences or are we able to honestly evaluate the historical and textual evidence ourselves? Has tradition predisposed us to a certain conclusion?
E. The ancient church questioned Peter’s authorship, but not the book’s message (except the Syrian church). It is an orthodox message in theological unity with other New Testament books with many affinities to Peter’s sermons in Acts.
F. Eusebius used three categories to describe Christian writings:
1. accepted
2. disputed
3. spurious
He included 2nd Peter along with James, Jude, 2nd and 3rd John in category 2 (disputed). Eusebius accepted 1st Peter; had doubts about 2nd Peter, and rejected as spurious other supposed writings of Peter (1) the Acts of Peter; (2) the Gospel of Peter; (3) the Preaching of Peter; and (4) the Apocalypse of Peter.
The Authorship
A. This is the most disputed New Testament book as to traditional authorship.
B. The reasons for these doubts are both internal (its style and content) and external (its late acceptance).
INTERNAL CONCERNS...
1. Style
a. The style is very different from I Peter. This was recognized by Origen and Jerome. (1) Origen acknowledged that some rejected Peter’s authorship, yet he quoted from 2nd Peter six times in his writings (2) Jerome attributed this to Peter’s use of a different scribe. He also acknowledges that some in his day rejected Peter’s authorship. (3) Eusebius addresses this concern in Eccl. His. 3:3:1: “but the so-called second Epistle we have not received as canonical, but nevertheless it has appeared useful to many, and has been studied with other Scripture.”
b. The style of 2nd Peter is very distinctive.
c. It is possible that Peter attempted to write in a language (Koine Greek) in which he was not fully functional. His mother tongue was Aramaic.
2. Genre
a. Is this a typical first century letter? (1) it has a typical opening and close (2) it, however, seems to be a cyclical letter to several churches, like Galatians, Ephesians, James, and I John
b. It may be a specialized Jewish genre called “testament,” which is characterized by (1) a farewell discourse –Deuteronomy 31 – 33, Joshua 24, the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, John 13 – 17, Acts 20:17 – 28 (2) a prediction of imminent death (2nd Timothy) (3) an admonition of his hearers to keep on in his tradition.
3. The relation between 2nd Peter 2 and Jude
a. There has obviously been some literary borrowing.
b. The allusion to non-canonical sources has caused many to reject both Jude and 2nd Peter, yet even 1st Peter makes allusion to 1st Enoch and Paul even quotes Greek poets.
4. The book itself claims to be from Peter the Apostle
a. He is named in 1:1. He is called Symeon Peter. Peter is the name given to him by Jesus (Matthew 16). Symeon (not Simon) is rare and unusual. If someone were trying to write in Peter’s name the choice of this Semitic spelling is very surprising and counterproductive to pseudonymity.
b. He claims to be an eye-witness to the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1 – 8; Mark 9:2 – 8; Luke 9:28 – 36) in 1:16 – 18..."For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"--and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain." (NASB)
c. He claims to have written a first letter (3:1), which implies 1st Peter.
5. Orthodoxy
a. There is nothing in this letter which contradicts New Testament Apostolic teaching.
b. There are a few unique items (world destroyed by fire and Paul’s writings seen as Scripture), but nothing Gnostic or obviously heretical.
EXTERNAL CONCERNS...
1. Eusebius lists Christian writings of the first and second centuries in three categories
a. accepted
b. disputed...2nd Peter, along with Hebrews, James, 2nd and 3rd John are listed in the disputed category.
c. spurious
2. 2nd Peter does not appear in the Marcion canon (154 A.D.), but Marcion also rejected many other New Testament books.
3. 2nd Peter does not appear in the Muratorian Fragment (180 – 200 A.D.), but the list seems to be damaged and it also does not list Hebrews, James, or 1st Peter.
4. It was rejected by the Eastern (Syrian) church
a. not in the Peshitta (first half of the fifth century)
b. was included in the Philoxeniana (507 A.D.) from Iraq and the Harclean version (616 A.D.) from north Africa
c. Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia (leaders of the Antiochian school of interpretation) rejected all the catholic epistles.
5. 2nd Peter seems to be quoted in “the Gospel of Truth” and “the Apocryphon of John” found in the Nag Hammadi gnostic texts. These writings in Coptic are translations of earlier Greek texts. If 2nd Peter is alluded to then it is impossible for it to have been written in the second century.
6. It is included in P72, dated by the UBS4 (pg. 8) as third or fourth century.
7. It is alluded to or quoted by Clement of Rome (95 A.D.)
a. 1 Clement 9:2..."Let us look steadfastly at those that have ministered with perfectness to his excellent glory."
2nd Peter 1:17..."For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"..." (NASB)
b. 1 Clement 23:3..."Let not that scripture be applicable unto us which saith, Wretched are the double-minded, even they that doubt in their heart and say, We have heard these things in the time of our fathers; and lo, we have grown old, and none of them hath happened unto us. "
2nd Peter 3:4..."...and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For {ever} since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." (NASB)
c. 1 Clement 35:5..."And how will this be, beloved? If our mind be established by faith toward God; if we seek out what is pleasant and acceptable in his sight; if we perform such things as harmonize with his blameless will, and follow in the way of truth, casting from us all unrighteousness and lawlessness, covetousness, strife, malice and fraud, whispering and evil speaking, hatred of God, pride and insolence, vainglory and churlishness."
2nd Peter 2:2..."Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned..." (NASB)
8. It may be alluded to in Justin Martyr’s (115 – 165 A.D.) Dialogue with Trypho 82:1 – 2nd Peter 2:1. These are the only two places in ancient Christian writings where the Greek term pseudoppophetai is used.
9. Irenaeus (130 – 200 A.D.) possibly alludes to 2nd Peter (he is quoted by...
Eusebius’ His. Eccl. 5:32:2..."Hegesippus, whose words we have already quoted in various places, is a witness to this fact also. Speaking of certain heretics he adds that Symeon was accused by them at this time; and since it was clear that he was a Christian, he was tortured in various ways for many days, and astonished even the judge himself and his attendants in the highest degree, and finally he suffered a death similar to that of our Lord."
2nd Peter 1:15..."And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind." (NASB)
2nd Peter 3:8..."But do not let this one {fact} escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day." (NASB)
10. Clement of Alexandria (150 – 215 A.D.) wrote the first commentary (though it is now lost) on 2nd Peter.
11. It appears in Athanasius’ Easter letter (367 A.D.), which was a current list of canonical books.
12. It was accepted as canonical by the early church councils of Laodicea (372 A.D.) and Carthage (397 A.D.).
13. It is interesting that other supposed writings of Peter (the Acts of Peter, the Acts of Andrew and Peter, the Acts of Peter and Paul, Passion of Peter and Paul, the Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, the Apocalypse of Peter, and the Preaching of Peter) were all rejected by the early churches as spurious (non-inspired).
B. The reasons for these doubts are both internal (its style and content) and external (its late acceptance).
INTERNAL CONCERNS...
1. Style
a. The style is very different from I Peter. This was recognized by Origen and Jerome. (1) Origen acknowledged that some rejected Peter’s authorship, yet he quoted from 2nd Peter six times in his writings (2) Jerome attributed this to Peter’s use of a different scribe. He also acknowledges that some in his day rejected Peter’s authorship. (3) Eusebius addresses this concern in Eccl. His. 3:3:1: “but the so-called second Epistle we have not received as canonical, but nevertheless it has appeared useful to many, and has been studied with other Scripture.”
b. The style of 2nd Peter is very distinctive.
c. It is possible that Peter attempted to write in a language (Koine Greek) in which he was not fully functional. His mother tongue was Aramaic.
2. Genre
a. Is this a typical first century letter? (1) it has a typical opening and close (2) it, however, seems to be a cyclical letter to several churches, like Galatians, Ephesians, James, and I John
b. It may be a specialized Jewish genre called “testament,” which is characterized by (1) a farewell discourse –Deuteronomy 31 – 33, Joshua 24, the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs, John 13 – 17, Acts 20:17 – 28 (2) a prediction of imminent death (2nd Timothy) (3) an admonition of his hearers to keep on in his tradition.
3. The relation between 2nd Peter 2 and Jude
a. There has obviously been some literary borrowing.
b. The allusion to non-canonical sources has caused many to reject both Jude and 2nd Peter, yet even 1st Peter makes allusion to 1st Enoch and Paul even quotes Greek poets.
4. The book itself claims to be from Peter the Apostle
a. He is named in 1:1. He is called Symeon Peter. Peter is the name given to him by Jesus (Matthew 16). Symeon (not Simon) is rare and unusual. If someone were trying to write in Peter’s name the choice of this Semitic spelling is very surprising and counterproductive to pseudonymity.
b. He claims to be an eye-witness to the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1 – 8; Mark 9:2 – 8; Luke 9:28 – 36) in 1:16 – 18..."For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"--and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain." (NASB)
c. He claims to have written a first letter (3:1), which implies 1st Peter.
5. Orthodoxy
a. There is nothing in this letter which contradicts New Testament Apostolic teaching.
b. There are a few unique items (world destroyed by fire and Paul’s writings seen as Scripture), but nothing Gnostic or obviously heretical.
EXTERNAL CONCERNS...
1. Eusebius lists Christian writings of the first and second centuries in three categories
a. accepted
b. disputed...2nd Peter, along with Hebrews, James, 2nd and 3rd John are listed in the disputed category.
c. spurious
2. 2nd Peter does not appear in the Marcion canon (154 A.D.), but Marcion also rejected many other New Testament books.
3. 2nd Peter does not appear in the Muratorian Fragment (180 – 200 A.D.), but the list seems to be damaged and it also does not list Hebrews, James, or 1st Peter.
4. It was rejected by the Eastern (Syrian) church
a. not in the Peshitta (first half of the fifth century)
b. was included in the Philoxeniana (507 A.D.) from Iraq and the Harclean version (616 A.D.) from north Africa
c. Chrysostom and Theodore of Mopsuestia (leaders of the Antiochian school of interpretation) rejected all the catholic epistles.
5. 2nd Peter seems to be quoted in “the Gospel of Truth” and “the Apocryphon of John” found in the Nag Hammadi gnostic texts. These writings in Coptic are translations of earlier Greek texts. If 2nd Peter is alluded to then it is impossible for it to have been written in the second century.
6. It is included in P72, dated by the UBS4 (pg. 8) as third or fourth century.
7. It is alluded to or quoted by Clement of Rome (95 A.D.)
a. 1 Clement 9:2..."Let us look steadfastly at those that have ministered with perfectness to his excellent glory."
2nd Peter 1:17..."For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, "This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased"..." (NASB)
b. 1 Clement 23:3..."Let not that scripture be applicable unto us which saith, Wretched are the double-minded, even they that doubt in their heart and say, We have heard these things in the time of our fathers; and lo, we have grown old, and none of them hath happened unto us. "
2nd Peter 3:4..."...and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For {ever} since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." (NASB)
c. 1 Clement 35:5..."And how will this be, beloved? If our mind be established by faith toward God; if we seek out what is pleasant and acceptable in his sight; if we perform such things as harmonize with his blameless will, and follow in the way of truth, casting from us all unrighteousness and lawlessness, covetousness, strife, malice and fraud, whispering and evil speaking, hatred of God, pride and insolence, vainglory and churlishness."
2nd Peter 2:2..."Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned..." (NASB)
8. It may be alluded to in Justin Martyr’s (115 – 165 A.D.) Dialogue with Trypho 82:1 – 2nd Peter 2:1. These are the only two places in ancient Christian writings where the Greek term pseudoppophetai is used.
9. Irenaeus (130 – 200 A.D.) possibly alludes to 2nd Peter (he is quoted by...
Eusebius’ His. Eccl. 5:32:2..."Hegesippus, whose words we have already quoted in various places, is a witness to this fact also. Speaking of certain heretics he adds that Symeon was accused by them at this time; and since it was clear that he was a Christian, he was tortured in various ways for many days, and astonished even the judge himself and his attendants in the highest degree, and finally he suffered a death similar to that of our Lord."
2nd Peter 1:15..."And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind." (NASB)
2nd Peter 3:8..."But do not let this one {fact} escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day." (NASB)
10. Clement of Alexandria (150 – 215 A.D.) wrote the first commentary (though it is now lost) on 2nd Peter.
11. It appears in Athanasius’ Easter letter (367 A.D.), which was a current list of canonical books.
12. It was accepted as canonical by the early church councils of Laodicea (372 A.D.) and Carthage (397 A.D.).
13. It is interesting that other supposed writings of Peter (the Acts of Peter, the Acts of Andrew and Peter, the Acts of Peter and Paul, Passion of Peter and Paul, the Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, the Apocalypse of Peter, and the Preaching of Peter) were all rejected by the early churches as spurious (non-inspired).
The Date
A. This depends on authorship.
B. If one is convinced of Peter’s authorship then sometime before his death (1:14).
C. Church tradition asserts that the Apostle Peter died in Rome while Nero was Caesar. Nero instituted persecution towards Christians in 64 A.D. He killed himself in 68A.D.
D. If a follower of Peter wrote in his name, then a date as late as 130 – 150 A.D. is probable because 2nd Peter is quoted in the Apocalypse of Peter as well as The Gospel of Truth and Apocryphon of John.
E. The renowned American archaeologist W. F. Albright asserts that it was written before 80 A.D. because of its similarities to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
B. If one is convinced of Peter’s authorship then sometime before his death (1:14).
C. Church tradition asserts that the Apostle Peter died in Rome while Nero was Caesar. Nero instituted persecution towards Christians in 64 A.D. He killed himself in 68A.D.
D. If a follower of Peter wrote in his name, then a date as late as 130 – 150 A.D. is probable because 2nd Peter is quoted in the Apocalypse of Peter as well as The Gospel of Truth and Apocryphon of John.
E. The renowned American archaeologist W. F. Albright asserts that it was written before 80 A.D. because of its similarities to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Recipients
A. If 1st Peter is referred to in 2nd Peter 3:1 then the recipients would be the same (northern Turkey).
B. 2nd Peter may be a testimonial to encourage all believers to persevere under trial, resist false teachers, and live faithfully in the gospel tradition in anticipation of the Second Coming.
B. 2nd Peter may be a testimonial to encourage all believers to persevere under trial, resist false teachers, and live faithfully in the gospel tradition in anticipation of the Second Coming.
The Occasion
A. As 1st Peter addresses persecution and suffering, 2nd Peter addresses false teachers.
B. The exact nature of the false teaching is uncertain, but it may be related to antinomian Gnosticism (2:1 – 22; 3:15 – 18). This book uses technical vocabulary employed by both incipient Gnosticism and the mystery religions. This may have been a purposeful apologetic technique attacking their theology.
C. This book, like 2nd Thessalonians, addresses the subject of a delayed, but certain, 2nd Coming, wherein God’s children will be glorified and unbelievers judged (3:3 – 4). It is interesting that 1st Peter characteristically uses the term apocalupsis to refer to Jesus’ return, while 2nd Peter uses parousia. This possibly reflects the use of different scribes (Jerome).
B. The exact nature of the false teaching is uncertain, but it may be related to antinomian Gnosticism (2:1 – 22; 3:15 – 18). This book uses technical vocabulary employed by both incipient Gnosticism and the mystery religions. This may have been a purposeful apologetic technique attacking their theology.
C. This book, like 2nd Thessalonians, addresses the subject of a delayed, but certain, 2nd Coming, wherein God’s children will be glorified and unbelievers judged (3:3 – 4). It is interesting that 1st Peter characteristically uses the term apocalupsis to refer to Jesus’ return, while 2nd Peter uses parousia. This possibly reflects the use of different scribes (Jerome).
Notes on 1st Peter by Tim Headley
2 Peter 1-3
Chapter 1
1-11...Diligently add good _________ traits.
12-15...I remind you of this, knowing that I will soon ___.
16-21...Because we were ____________ of the power of Jesus.
Chapter 2
1-3...______ false teachers will lead many to ___________.
4-11...God will deliver the righteous, but will punish the _______________, especially those who _________________.
12-17...Those false teachers are like ____________, blemishes, and wells without _____.
18-19...Through ________ they allure into bondage to ___ those who had previously escaped such bondage.
20-22...Like a dog that returns to its _____, their end is worse than their _________.
Chapter 3
1-4...__________________ will scoff at believers in the last days.
5-6...They choose to forget that God _______ the world, and _________ it with water.
7-9...God will destroy the world again with ____, but is patient and longsuffering.
10-18...Because the universe will burn with fire, be diligent to be ____ & _________!
Chapter 1
1-11...Diligently add good _________ traits.
12-15...I remind you of this, knowing that I will soon ___.
16-21...Because we were ____________ of the power of Jesus.
Chapter 2
1-3...______ false teachers will lead many to ___________.
4-11...God will deliver the righteous, but will punish the _______________, especially those who _________________.
12-17...Those false teachers are like ____________, blemishes, and wells without _____.
18-19...Through ________ they allure into bondage to ___ those who had previously escaped such bondage.
20-22...Like a dog that returns to its _____, their end is worse than their _________.
Chapter 3
1-4...__________________ will scoff at believers in the last days.
5-6...They choose to forget that God _______ the world, and _________ it with water.
7-9...God will destroy the world again with ____, but is patient and longsuffering.
10-18...Because the universe will burn with fire, be diligent to be ____ & _________!
The Outline
I. Introduction 1:1-2
II. The condition of the Christian 1:3-11
A. The believer's resources 1:3-4
B. The believer's needs 1:5-9
C. The believer's adequacy 1:10-11
III. The authority for the Christian 1:12-21
A. The need for a reminder 1:12-15
B. The trustworthiness of the apostles' witness 1:16-18
C. The divine origin of Scripture 1:19-21
IV. The danger to the Christian ch. 2
A. The characteristics of false teachers 2:1-3
B. The consequences of false teaching 2:4-10a
C. The conduct of false teachers 2:10b-19
D. The condemnation of false teachers 2:20-22
V. The prospect for the Christian 3:1-16
A. The purpose of this epistle 3:1-2
B. Scoffing in the last days 3:3-6
C. End-time events 3:7-10
D. Living in view of the future 3:11-16
VI. Conclusion 3:17-18
II. The condition of the Christian 1:3-11
A. The believer's resources 1:3-4
B. The believer's needs 1:5-9
C. The believer's adequacy 1:10-11
III. The authority for the Christian 1:12-21
A. The need for a reminder 1:12-15
B. The trustworthiness of the apostles' witness 1:16-18
C. The divine origin of Scripture 1:19-21
IV. The danger to the Christian ch. 2
A. The characteristics of false teachers 2:1-3
B. The consequences of false teaching 2:4-10a
C. The conduct of false teachers 2:10b-19
D. The condemnation of false teachers 2:20-22
V. The prospect for the Christian 3:1-16
A. The purpose of this epistle 3:1-2
B. Scoffing in the last days 3:3-6
C. End-time events 3:7-10
D. Living in view of the future 3:11-16
VI. Conclusion 3:17-18