Three Things to Know About 2 Peter

Ligonier is running a “Three Things You Should Know” series about each book of the Bible. I was asked to contribute the “Three Things” for 2 Peter

1. The Apostle Peter warns the churches of the dangers of false teaching and the ungodliness that it produces.

Peter does not name these false teachers, but from his comments in 2 Peter 2:1–3, it is clear that they were once professing Christians who have since departed from the faith. Peter describes them as introducing destructive heresies, denying the Master who they claim “bought them,” while attracting a large number of followers who blaspheme the Lord. False doctrine inevitably leads to sinful conduct. Because of their apostasy, God’s judgment upon them is certain.

Based on several hints given to us by Peter, it may be the case that these people misused the letters of Paul to justify antinomian (lawless) behavior. In 2 Peter 2:19, Peter writes, “They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption.” The Apostle goes on to say in 2 Peter 3:15–16 that there are some things in the letters of Paul “that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.” Apparently, the content of Paul’s letters was distorted in the Apostolic age, even as it is in our own.

To read the rest of “Three Things You Should Know About 2 Peter,” click here:

To see my exposition of 1 & 2 Peter, click here (scroll down):