2Peter 1:1

I. Authorship
The author of this book is Peter, one of the twelve disciples of our Lord.

The book has been one of the more challenged of the New Testament, with some
expressing doubts of it as late as the fourth century AD.  Some of the reasons
why the book was debated are:
    1. Some felt that the level of Greek used in 2 Peter was too sophisticated
        for Peter.  Most all accept as a fact that the Greek used in 2 Peter is
        more "polished" than 1 Peter; however, it is possible that Peter, like
        Paul, used a scribe to pen 2 Peter.
    2. Some felt that Peter dealt with a problem, Gnosticism, which did not
        develop until after the life of Peter.  Gnosticism is the belief that
        you can achieve a state of enlightenment through knowledge.  However, the
        roots of Gnosticism date back far before the church, and it is likely
        that some Gnostic seeds were present during Peter’s lifetime.
    3. Some felt that 2 Peter was somehow related to Jude’s epistle because of
        the strong similarities between the two in dealing with false prophets.
        Yet, it is not possible to know whether Peter borrowed from Jude, or Jude
        borrowed from Peter, or the same Holy Spirit gave both a common
        understanding of how to deal with a common problem.

Regardless of the reasons some have given for their doubts, the manifestation of
the Holy Spirit upon this book has always been evident to the majority of
believers.  Even today, some express doubts over parts of the Bible, but they need
to be reminded that the Scriptures are not for us to pick and choose. If the first
line of this epistle is not trustworthy, neither is the remainder.

II. Date
The date for the book is estimated to be between 64 and 66 AD.

III. Recipients
The book was apparently written to the same people as the 1Peter for Paul
mentioned this was his second epistle to them.

2Peter 3:1  This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I
stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

This would mean both epistles were written to the churches scattered through Asia.

1Peter 1:1  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,

IV. Theme
The book of 2Peter has several important subject matters, each one being a chapter
or so long.  However, the overall purpose of Peter’s writing was to prepare the
church for the future \\#2Peter 1:12-15\\.  The theme, then, is BE PREPARED.

V. Outline
    I. \\#2Peter 1:1-21\\ Christian Character
        A. \\#2Peter 1:1-2\\ Salutation
        B. \\#2Peter 1:3-11\\ Growth in Christ
        C. \\#2Peter 1:12-15\\ Goals of Peter
        D. \\#2Peter 1:16-21\\ Grounds of Belief

   II. \\#2Peter 2:1-22\\ Condemnation of False Teachers
        A. \\#2Peter 2:1\\ Danger of False Teachers
        B. \\#2Peter 2:2-3\\ Deception of False Teachers
        C. \\#2Peter 2:3-9\\ Destruction of False Teachers
        D. \\#2Peter 2:10-22\\ Description of False Teachers

 III. \\#2Peter 3:1-10\\ Confidence in Christ’s Return
        A. \\#2Peter 3:1-10\\ Mockery in the Last Days
        B. \\#2Peter 3:11-18\\ Maturity until the Lord Returns
(Adapted from Nelson’s Teaching Outlines of the Bible. 1997, c1986. Nashville:
Thomas Nelson.)

<Home>  <Close Window>