Peter's warning against false teachers and the promise of Christ's return.
Key themes: false teaching, day of the Lord, patience, knowledge.
| Author | Peter the apostle |
|---|---|
| Date Written | c. AD 65–68 (shortly before Peter's death) |
| Original Audience | The church; all future generations |
2 Peter is written with the urgency of a man who knows he is about to die: 'I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside' (1:13-14). Peter's primary concern is the danger of false teachers who will 'secretly introduce destructive heresies' and lead many astray. Chapter 1 contains the famous passage on Scripture's divine origin: 'Prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit' (1:21). Chapter 3 addresses those who mock the delay of Christ's return with the profound explanation: 'With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.'
Read the Book of 1 John free online — no ads, no subscription, no account required. Available in King James Version, World English Bible, Geneva Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Translation, and American Standard Version.
Open the Book of 1 John on The Living Sword — with cross-references, word-by-word Greek/Hebrew study tools, and AI scripture companion.