Key word: Knowledge (known, knowing) 11x
Peter’s second epistle is addressed to the same audience as his first, but now, three years or so later, he has shifted from the subject of suffering to warning. Chapter two rivals Jude as the most intense warning against false teachers, and teaching, found anywhere in Scripture (see 2:1-3). The word destructive, destruction, and destroyed pops up here and will be used by Peter eleven times. What these false teachers teach leads to destruction of lives and to their own judgment from God. No wonder Peter is so concerned. Apparently, one of the false teachings being spread had to do with end times, and chapter three is devoted to that. It would seem that they were denying that at some point the present heavens and earth will cease and be replaced (3:12-13). Peter’s application was that the temporary nature of the present creation should incite us to holy and Godly living (3:11). Rather than live for that which will someday pass away, our goal should be to grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ (3:18).
But before Peter leaps into the warning section of his letter, he lays a foundation in chapter one. There are several planks comprising this foundation:
1. We have been supplied everything we need for life and Godliness through the true knowledge of Christ (1:3) (our key verse)
2. We are to be diligent about our spiritual maturity (1:5-11).
3. We have the certainty of the person and work of Jesus Christ (1:16-18).
4. We have the sure word of Scripture which guides into truth (1:19-21).
With this foundation in place we are equipped to defend ourselves against any false doctrines that might tempt to lead us astray.
Key verse: 2 Peter 1:3 – See that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
