2 Peter 1-3 Questions Friday, December 6, 2013 2 Peter 1 young church to maintain the integrity of the true gospel? vv. 1-2 “Peter calls himself the servant of Jesus Christ. The How can I concretely apply his advice? word is doulos which really means slave. […] In the ancient world the slave had literally no time of his own, no holidays, 2 Peter 2 no leisure. All his time belonged to his master. The Christian vv. 1-3 “PETER'S WARNINGS ABOUT false teachers are, cannot, either deliberately or unconsciously, unfortunately, as appropriate today as they were in his time. compartmentalize life into the time and activities which Indeed, as we have seen, our Lord has warned us to expect belong to God, and the time and activities in which he does such deviations from the faith. The church will always have what he likes. The Christian is necessarily the man every to contend with both the outright opposition of those who 1 moment of whose time is spent in the service of God.” reject Christ entirely as well as the more subtle threats of those who claim the name of Christian but twist and distort What is the relationship between Peter’s view of himself as the Christian message. Indeed, precisely because they are “servant and apostle of Jesus Christ” and his view of our faith more subtle, the latter threat is often the more dangerous as “precious?” What is my attitude towards being a “servant” 4 of Jesus Christ? one.” What are some things the false prophets and teachers vv. 3-4 Notice the description in this text of the things given engage in, and what will some of the results be? Who might to me by God. What would it mean for me to respond be the “false teachers” in my life? What are some ways can I properly to these gifts? guard myself against them? vv. 3-4 What has been “given” to me by God, and for what vv. 1, 3-6 What are the consequences for leading others purpose? In what ways have I been responding to his gifts so away from the truth of God’s word? What is my response to that I am growing in my participation in the divine nature, the examples of God’s clear judgment in the Bible? and escaping “the corruption in the world caused by evil desires?” vv. 7-8 What are the lawless deeds that I see and hear in the world that I live in? How do sin and “filthy lives of lawless vv. 5-9 Think about each of the qualities listed in vv. 5-7. men” bring distress and torment to those who are trying to How can I “possess these qualities in increasing measure?” live righteous lives before God? Compare/contrast myself How is forgetting that I have “been cleansed from [my] past with Lot who “was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless sins” related to becoming “nearsighted and blind?” men” and “was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard.” vv. 10-11 “The Christian must earnestly seek to grow in Christian virtue in order to "validate" this calling of God. […] vv. 10-12 “God's wrath is especially certain to fall on the we must not evaporate Peter’s language of its seriousness false teachers of Peter's day. He characterizes them as and strength: striving for spiritual maturity is not an option in "those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature"--a 2 the Christian life.” reference to sexual profligacy. They also "despise authority." ‘Authority’ may refer to the rejection of angelic powers (cf. What paradox of Christian life is expressed in v. 10? Eph 1:21; Col 1:16), but more likely it refers to their rejection Think of the “rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our of the rule of the Lord Jesus Christ over them. The false Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” each believer will receive. teachers are "bold and arrogant"--i.e., presumptuous and Think of each word, and thank God that through Jesus you self-willed. They respect no one, and nothing restrains them. have “received a faith … precious” [v.1], that he has “given ‘They are not afraid to slander celestial beings’--probably us everything we need for life and godliness” [v.3], including referring to fallen angels. As to when they slandered or what “his very great and precious promises” [v.4]. kind of slander was involved, one can only surmise. Perhaps the false teachers were accused of being in league with vv. 12-15 What do “these things” refer to (cf. 1:1-11)? What Satan, and their reply was to disparage and mock him (cf. is the heart of Apostle Peter towards the young church as he 5 is about to depart? Why is it important for me to be Jude 8-9).” “reminded,” “refresh [my] memory,” and “remember these How does the world today “blaspheme in matters they do not things?”What steps do I need to take to remind myself of the understand” when it comes to Christianity? What is the basics of the gospel? relationship between “blasphem[ing] in matters they do not understand” and living as “brute beasts, creatures of vv. 16-21 “After affirming the reliability of the OT Scriptures, instinct?” How is the description of “men blasphem[ing] in Peter exhorts his readers to continue to pay careful attention matters they do not understand” consistent with the to the prophetic message. He compares it to ‘light shining in description of being “bold and arrogant” and men who a dark place’ (cf. Ps 119:105). The ‘dark place’ is the whole “despise authority?” In what ways have I been confidently world, which has turned from God the Light to darkness (cf. criticizing, if not outright blaspheming, “in matters [I] do not Isa 9:2; Eph 6:12; Jn 3:19). Christians are to ponder and keep understand?” the word of God ‘until the day dawns.’ The ‘day’ is the day of the Second Coming (cf. Ro 13:12). The ‘morning star’ is a v. 13 “In Peter’s day, as in ours, indulgence of sinful pleasure reference to the Messiah (see Nu 24:17; cf. also Lk 1:78; Rev usually took place under cover of darkness. Practicing such 3 22:16).” hedonistic activities ‘in broad daylight’ is therefore a sign that the false teachers are completely shameless about their What proof does Apostle Peter give to show that he is not indulgence...It is likely that Peter here rebukes the false following “cleverly invented stories” and to establish the teachers for indulging their own sinful pleasures even as validity of his teachings? How is the word of God like “a light they continue to join with other Christians in celebrating the shining in a dark place, until the day dawns?” How have I 6 personally experienced this in my life? How do people treat atoning work of Christ at the church’s fellowship meals.” the Bible as if it had “its origin in the will of man” rather than What’s the significance of Apostle Peter mentioning that “men [speaking] from God as they were carried along by the these people “carouse in broad daylight?” How do people Holy Spirit?” What advice does Apostle Peter give to the shamelessly display sin in today’s society? What does their

1 Barclay, William, The Daily Study Bible Series: The Letters of James and Peter, Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster Press, 1976, 292-293. 4 Moo, Douglas J. “2 Peter 2:1 - 3” In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 2 Moo, Douglas J. “2 Peter 1:1-11” in NIV Application Commentary, New Peter and Jude. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1996. 90-120. Testament: 2 Peter and Jude. By Douglas J. Moo, 33-40. Grand Rapids: 5 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, Zondervan, 1996 1992) note on 2 Peter 2:10. 3 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand Rapids, 6 Douglas J. Moo, The NIV Application Commentary: 2 Peter, Jude, (Grand Rapids, MI:Zondervan, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes on 2 Peter 1:19. 1996) 125. 2 Peter 1-3 Questions Friday, December 6, 2013 lack of shame reveal about their boldness and arrogance In what ways have I “escaped the corruption of the world by before God? knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?” How is the saying “A dog returns to its vomit” an apt picture of those who “turn “As Cardinal Newman, the nineteenth-century Roman their backs” on God’s word and return to their old life of sin? Catholic theologian, put it, ‘Our great security against sin lies Why are they “worse off at the end than they were at the in being shocked at it.’ When we are shocked at something, beginning?” we avoid it at all costs. The sight of a person dying of lung cancer is as potent an argument against smoking as we are vv. 20-22 In what ways have I “escaped the corruption of the ever likely to see. So the sight of sin and the ravages it world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?” How is creates should shock us into avoiding it at all costs. But when the saying “A dog returns to its vomit” an apt picture of sin loses its ‘shock value,’ it can too easily become those who “turn their backs” on God’s word and return to 7 their old life of sin? Why are they “worse off at the end than something we tolerate and then fall prey to ourselves.” they were at the beginning?” Are there sins in my life that I no longer am “shocked at” or that I am tolerating? How can I begin to repent for these 2 Peter 3 sins? vv. 1-2 “The ‘words spoken in the past’ are the prophetic oracles with special reference here to the day of the Lord. v. 14 “They are experts in greed.” Here again the NIV The "command" is a way of referring to the moral demands rendering is accurate but loses some of the force of the of the Christian faith and primarily to the command of love. original, which, literally translated, is “having a heart that These prophecies and commands were given to the early has been trained in greed.” “Train” is a word drawn from the 11 realm of athletics; it suggests that long, hard, and disciplined Christians by the NT prophets and apostles (cf. Eph 2:20).” struggle to become proficient in a sport. These false What is Peter’s goal in writing to them and how does he teachers, Peter implies, are so devoted and consistent in propose to accomplish this? their greed that they must have worked very hard at it for a long time! … “greed” need not relate only to money; it can vv. 1, 3, 5-6 How does remembering that “by God’s word … also denote the desire for more sexual pleasure, power, food, the earth was formed … deluged and destroyed” and that and so forth. Since Peter has already used this word to depict “the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire” work the false teachers’ love of money (2:3), the “greed” here is as “reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking?” also probably mainly directed to financial gain. But we should What key events in my past and key events in the future do I 8 need to keep fresh in my mind that will stimulate me to probably not restrict the word to this sphere.” “wholesome thinking?” What sort of thinking or what specific How does a person get to a point where “with eyes of full of thoughts do I need put out of my mind? What sort of adultery, they never stop sinning?” How did these people wholesome thinking do I need to fill my mind with? become “experts in greed?” vv. 4-5 “The argument of the false teachers is essentially a vv. 15-16 “Peter gives a specific twist to this imagery, naturalistic one--a kind of uniformitarianism that rules out accusing the false teachers of following ‘the way of Balaam 12 son of Beor.’ Balaam is one of the interesting and enigmatic any divine intervention in history.” characters in the Old Testament. He appeared on the scene What do these scoffers say and how do they justify their as the Israelites were camped on the plains of Moab, view? preparing to enter the Promised Land (Num. 22 – 24). Balak, What is wrong with such logic? Why would these scoffers king of Moab, desperate to stop the Israelite invasion, sought “deliberately forget” certain truths? What truths are today’s to hire Balaam, who was some kind of prophet, to curse people “deliberately forget[ting]” when they live as if nothing Israel. Although Balaam consulted God about what he should unusual or cataclysmic will happen in their lives, i.e., that do, the text makes clear that he was still inclined to go his today will be like yesterday, this year, like last year? How do own way. For though the Lord himself sent Balaam to Balak, such attitudes affect a person’s depth of thought and he became angry with Balaam as he was going and sent “the seriousness about God? In what ways do I hold to such a angel of the LORD” to block his path. Apparently Balaam’s naturalistic and uniformitarian expectation of history and my motives in going were not what they should have been. life? Balaam could not see the angel, but his donkey did, refusing 9 vv. 4-5 “The argument of the false teachers is essentially a to move forward and eventually rebuking Balaam.” naturalistic one–a kind of uniformitarianism that rules out Why is it “madness” to pursue the “wages of wickedness?” 13 To what extent do I regard the word of God as a powerful any divine intervention in history.” source of restraint from being enticed to “wander off” in the What do these scoffers say and how do they justify their wrong direction? Think of a time when the word of God view? What is wrong with such logic? Why would these restrained me from “madness.” scoffers “deliberately forget” certain truths? What truths are today’s people “deliberately forget[ting]” when they live as if vv. 17-19 How do people of the world promise “freedom” to nothing unusual or cataclysmic will happen in their lives, i.e., others “while they themselves are slaves of depravity?” that today will be like yesterday, this year, like last year? What are the false messages of this world that “promise How do such attitudes affect a person’s depth of thought and freedom” while hiding the fact of enslavement? seriousness about God? In what ways do I hold to such a naturalistic and uniformitarian expectation of history and my vv. 20-22 “The "dog [that] returns to its vomit" or the sow life? that "is washed" portrays the person who has a religious profession or outward change without a regenerating inner vv. 8-9 In what ways do people mistake God’s patience as change that affects his or her nature. Such persons soon slowness? 10 What are some promises that I may think that the Lord is revert to their true nature.” “slow in keeping?” What are some aspects of God’s patience (or “slowness”) that has been a blessing and grace for me? 7 Douglas J. Moo, The NIV Application Commentary: 2 Peter, Jude, (Grand Rapids, MI:Zondervan, 1996) 118. 8 Moo, Douglas J. “The False Teachers' Sensuality (vv. 13b - 16)” In NIV Application Commentary, 11 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand New Testament: 2 Peter and Jude. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1996. 125-127. Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) note on 2 Peter 3:2. 9 Moo, Douglas J. “2 Peter 2:1 - 3” In NIV Application Commentary, New Testament: 2 12 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand Peter and Jude. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, © 1996. 90-120. Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) note on 2 Peter 3:4. 10 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD, (Grand 13 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) notes for chapter 2. Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) note on 2 Peter 3: 2 Peter 1-3 Questions Friday, December 6, 2013 What are some aspects of God’s patience that I do not like or Reflect on Jesus to whom “be glory both now and forever!” am having trouble accepting? Reflect on God’s patient waiting for “everyone to come to repentance” and for none to perish. How does this encourage me to quickly repent? In what ways have I experienced this kind of patience from God? vv. 10-11 What implication does v. 10 have on how I should live my life today? What occupies my heart and what am I investing my life in? vv. 12-13 “Peter now makes the impending disintegration of the universe the ground for a personal challenge to his readers. In view of what is in store for the world, Peter asks his readers, "What kind of people ought you to be?" Since the day of the Lord will soon come to punish the wicked and reward the righteous, believers should live "holy and godly lives." Holiness entails separation from evil and dedication to 14 God; godliness relates to piety and worship.” Given that God wants everyone to come to repentance, what is one way in which I can “speed [the] coming” of the “day of God?” Am I “looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness?” What is the evidence? v. 14 What is the relationship between “looking forward” to the day of the Lord and “mak[ing] every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him?” How do the reality of heaven, eternity, and the day of the Lord have an effect on my daily life? v. 15 God’s patience is evident throughout the Bible (cf. Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15; Ro 2:4; 9:22). How has the Lord’s patience orchestrated salvation in my life? vv. 16-18 “The "lawless men" will attempt by their error to shift the believers off their spiritual foundation. The word translated "secure position" occurs only here in the NT, but the related verb and adjective are important in Peter's life (cf. Lk 22:32 of Jesus' command to Peter) and also in this letter. The Christians' guarding against false teachers includes (1) prior knowledge of their activities, (2) warning against their immoral lives (ch. 2; cf. Mt 7:16), (3) reminders of the historicity of the apostolic message (1:16-18), (4) the prophetic teaching of the past (1:19; 3:1-2), and (5) the warning of judgment (e.g., the Flood). Now Peter speaks positively: "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." In 1:3-11 he has already stressed the necessity for progress in Christian living. If Christians do not keep moving forward, they will regress or fall back. As Paul says, Christians never in this life attain all there is in Christ; so their goal is to know Christ in a fuller, more 15 intimate way (Php 3:10-13; cf. Eph 1:17).” Give examples of “ignorant and unstable people distort[ing]” Scripture “to their own destruction?” What does it mean to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?” In what ways am I growing in the grace and knowledge of Him?

“The closing doxology is notable for its direct ascription of "glory" to Christ. For a Jew who has learned the great words in Isa 42:8--"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another"--this doxology is a clear confession of Christ (cf. Jn 5:23: "that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father"). This supreme honor belongs to Jesus Christ today ("now") and "forever." So Peter finally points his readers to the new age, "the day of the Lord," when Christ 16 will be manifested in all his glory.”

14 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) note on 2 Peter 3:11. 15 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) note on 2 Peter 3:17-18. 16 Frank E. Gaebelein, Gen. Ed. Expositor’s Bible Commentary CD (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992) note on 2 Peter 3:17-18.