Lesson IV
2 Peter
Chapter 1...v1
Introduction:
1. This book/letter was written because of the dangers that the church faced, which was a result
of false teaching, taught by individuals who professed to be leaders in the church.
a. The false teachings caused doubt, and
b. The false teachings caused error.
2. Peter wrote to remind the recipients of this letter that they had been taught the truth.
a. 2 Peter 1:12
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
b. 2 Peter 1:13
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
c. 2 Peter 1:16
For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
d. 2 Peter 3:1
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
3. This truth centers around the theme “Knowledge.” and the church (we as the church) needs
a. A knowledge of Jesus:
1. Of who He is;
2. Of who we are;
3. Of who we are in Him
b. A knowledge of the results of forgetting who Jesus is, .
c. A knowledge of the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus.
I. Salutation or Greeting (2 Peter 1:1)
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
A. The writer identifies Himself in verse 1 as “Simon Peter”
1. He refers to himself as a servant
a. The Greek for Servant is “doulos”
1. The meaning is “a slave.”
2. It Also means “one who has subjected himself to another,” and thus Peter is
saying that he is “one” who is “Subject” to Jesus as a “slave” or “Servant”
would be subject to his master.
b. We should all be “servants,” “Slaves,” and “Bondmen” of Jesus. We should all
be subjected to Jesus.
2. Peter also describes himself as “an Apostle of Jesus Christ,” for he desires that the
readers of this letter understand that he has the authority to write it.
a. The Greek Word for Apostle is “apostolos” which means
1. A delegate
2. An ambassador of the Gospel
3. Officially a commissioner (representative) of Christ. He, Peter, was an “apostle”
with miraculous powers
4. Messenger
5. One that is sent
b. Peter is saying that He is a delegate of Christ; an ambassador of the Gospel of
Christ; a messenger of Jesus; He is one who has been sent with miraculous
powers.
1. “One who has been especially chosen or commissioned by the Lord.”
2. We usually use the word Apostle to refer to the original twelve with a
special Apostolic anointing upon Paul to go to the Gentiles.
Note: Let me say that we all are delegates, ambassadors, officially commissioned with
miraculous powers through the work of the Holy Spirit, and that we are messengers who
have been sent by God.
B. Peter next identifies those to whom he is writing.
1. To them that have obtained like precious faith with us
a. It is the same faith that the writer has
b. Obtained (lagchano) means received.
c. Like precious (isotimos) means of equal value or honor
d. Faith (pistis) means persuasion, conviction, salvation, and belief.
Note: Peter is writing to those who have received a faith of equal value or honor to what he has,
or in essence, he is writing to those who have believed in the same Jesus that Peter is
following.
C. He also identifies from where we get our faith.
1. Our “faith” or belief comes “through the righteousness of God and our Saviour
Jesus Christ:”
a. Righteousness (dikaiosune) means “Justification of God.”
Note: Peter is telling us that “the faith that they had, the faith that we have,” depends on God’s
righteousness and not on human (our) achievement. This scripture discredits the false
prophets.
b. Ephesians 2:8-10
KJV
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
“Not of works, lest any man should boast.” “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
NIV
8) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--9) not by works, so that no one can boast. 10) For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
8) For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9) Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] 10) For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
Note: Righteousness is “Justification of God.” It is God’s work that has given us Salvation, or
our belief or faith in Him. Not our work.
1. “By grace are you saved”
Amplified
(8a) “For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through (your) faith.”
a. Grace is from the Greek “charis” which means “graciousness of God.”
1. By God’s “gift” are you saved.
2. By God’s “pleasure” are you saved.
b. Saved is from the Greek “sozo” which means
“deliver or protect, or be made whole.”
Amplified
(delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation)
2. “Through faith”
Amplified
“through (your) faith”
a. Through is from the Greek “dia” which means
1. The channel of an act (faith)
2. By occasion of (faith)
3. By reason of (faith)
b. Faith is from the Greek “Pistis” which means
1. Persuasion of a religious truth.
2. Persuasion of the truthfulness of God.
3. Reliance upon Christ for Salvation
3. “Not of Yourselves”
Amplified
(8b) “...And this (salvation) is not of yourselves (of your own doing, it came not through your own striving), but it is the gift of God;”
Amplified
not...(of your own doing, it came not through your own striving),
4. “It is the Gift of God”
a. “Gift” is from the Greek “doron” which means “present or sacrifice”
5. “Not of works”
NIV
v9) “not by works, so that no one can boast.
Amplified
v9) “Not because of works (not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands), lest any man should boast. (It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.)”
a. “Works” is from the Greek “ergon” which means “an act or deed.”
6. “Lest any man should boast.”
v10) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (KJV)
v10) “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)
v10) “For we are God’s (own) handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, (born anew) that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live).
7. “We are His”
a. “Workmanship” which is from the Greek “poiema” and it means
“For we are God’s (own) handiwork (His workmanship)” (amp)
1. Product
2. Fabric
3. Thing that is made
b. “Created in Christ Jesus unto good works”
“recreated in Christ Jesus, (born anew) (amp)
1. “Created” is from the Greek “kitzo” which
a. Gives the idea of the ownership of the manufacturer.
b. also means “made”
2. “unto good works”
NIV “to do good works”
“that we may do those good works” (amp)
8. God has ordained that we walk in good works
“Which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)
“that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us (taking paths which He prepared ahead of time), that we should walk in them (living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live).” (amp)
a. “ordained” is from the Greek “proetoimazo” and it means
“to fit up in advance, or ordain before, or prepare before”
b. “walk” is from the Greek “peripateo” and it means
“to tread all around, to live, to follow, be occupied with, and or follow.”
Note: God has prepared in advance for us to have (live) (follow) (be occupied) (tread, or walk
all around) with/in a life of good works, because we are made, created, recreated by
God.
We are His workmanship, so therefore, we are to give glory to the one who make us.
2. “Through the righteousness of our Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 1:1
a. “Saviour” is from the Greek and it means “deliverer.”
