2nd Peter Chapter 1
Originally posted Wednesday November 12, 2008
2nd Peter,
Chapter 1:1-2 Salutation
In addition to the interesting theological content of
this small letter is its late date of writing. Written near 130 CE it is
the latest of all New Testament writings. As such it serves as a bridge between
the end of the apostolic period and the developing "Catholic"
Church. The recipients are probably the same as for 1st Peter, the major
provinces of Asia Minor. They, like Peter, are blessed with a "precious faith"
from "God and of the Savior
Jesus Christ." He evokes both grace and peace "in abundance" as
given in and through their knowledge of God and Christ which each received
when they became believers.
One of the key issues of the time was the delay of the
Parousia. Paul thought it would occur during his life time. The people of 1st
Thessalonians needed reassurance because some of their fellow believers
had died and Christ had not yet returned. Later writers continued to offer
reassurance that the last days were very near. Decade after decade the waiting
expectation continued. In the middle of the 9th decade Revelation tapped
the anxiety of the churches of western Asia Minor, proposing that the
violent end of the world of evil was on the horizon. In every case
there was disappointment. 2nd Peter will do its best to continue to point
to the Parousia as an inevitable event of history, but with a much lower
emphasis on its imminent appearing.
The author, writing from and with the authority of Peter as
a servant and apostle of Christ, uses the Greek form of his Hebrew
name, Symeon. This is the name used by Jesus' brother James when
he accepted Peter's suggestion that Gentiles be permitted to become
Christians without the need for circumcision (Acts 15:13-14). The name is derived from Symeon, one of the
twelve sons of Jacob. It is also the name of the righteous old
man who blessed Jesus in the Temple where he had been brought for
circumcision (LK. 2:25-34).
2nd Peter,
Chapter 1:3-15 The Christian's Call and Election
In preparation for the later warning about false prophets,
the writer puts forth three essential elements in a brief homily. They
are God's role in salvation history; exhortation to godly behavior in
preparation for the future; salvation and judgment on the last day.
Salvation
History: Just as grace and peace in abundance
comes through the believers' knowledge of God and Christ who called them
to faith, so does all that is necessary to sustain the godly life. By faith the
believers have received God's "precious and very great" saving
promises in Christ. By faith in these promises they have abandoned
their corrupt past and exchanged sinfulness for the hope of sharing in the
divine nature of Christ (their promised heritage with the glorified Christ).
Godly
Behavior: Invoking the divine imperative, "must," the
writer uses a typical progressive series of exhortations (efforts) to be
engaged by believers in support of their faith. With faith at
the summit, the writer gives a series of virtues, each supporting the
one before. Seen collectively they are descriptive of the
Christian life. Beginning with faith at the summit, the entire
supporting structure is undergirded by love ("...for the greatest of these
is love (1st Cor. 13:13). Living
these virtues and nurturing their growth within the community of faith will
keep the believers effective and fruitful Christians. Remaining firm in the
knowledge of Christ (which has taught them this life) will keep the
believers mindful of God's sanctification. At their baptism their sins were forgiven and
they were welcomed into the household of God.
The Future
Kingdom: The first two elements serve to confirm the
possibility of the third. Through knowledge of God who brought the promised
future in Christ and with willing fulfillment of the virtues of the Christian
life, the believers confirm God's call and election. Remaining firm
in their faith built upon love they will realize the promised kingdom of
Christ.
The writer stresses the importance of what he has written,
promising to continue his exhortations on every occasion even though
his readers know them and live by their truth. Writing as Peter,
he promises to "refresh [their] memory" as long as he lives. Even
after his death and by this letter the community will be able to have his words
as reminders of the way to Christ.
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Verses 16-21 are connected by context to Chapter 2
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