New Testament Study Guides - ElectronicGospel

THEMES
The Christians who received Peter’s first letter are described as pilgrims
of the Dispersion in regions that today are identified with Turkey or Asia
Minor. There are certainly indications that at least a significant portion of
them were Gentiles (1:18, 2:10, 4:1-4). No matter–this first Petrine letter is a
reminder that all Christians are pilgrims upon the Earth, whose ultimate
home is with God in heaven.
Persecution is a major theme of First Peter and is envisioned as a
refining fire that helps to prove and improve the faith of every saint.
Christians should be prepared to suffer for their convictions.
Holiness in lifestyle is another major theme. Peter urges his readers to
drink the pure milk of the word and to grow to a point that they can truly
imitate the holiness of their savior and share his message with seekers and
scoffers alike. Peter pictures fleshly lusts as warring against the souls of
men. A number of virtues are outlined in the first chapter of the second
letter, which prove necessary to ensuring one’s election to salvation.
The pattern of Christ is that of a suffering servant, so that even those
who find themselves in less than ideal circumstances should honor their
rulers and masters–even those who hardly seem to deserve it. Likewise,
believing women are taught how to endure unbelieving husbands with the
hope of winning them to Christ as well. The will of the Gentiles is the
antithesis of a holy lifestyle, including the use of alcohol in different
amounts, wild parties and sexual immorality.
The heavenly citizenship of these Christians is stressed and the church
becomes their mutual county. Some of the final nails in the coffin of the
Law of Moses are hammered when Peter refers to all believers as priests,
rather than perpetuating the Mosaic custom or creating a new clergy system
such as the one adopted in the Roman church through disregard of this letter.
Peter, although never given the title “Pope” did serve as an elder in a
local congregation, and so he addresses others of that rank in their duties. In
the same context, he urges the young and all to be sober and watchful
because of the power of temptation in the world. His apostleship is evident
in the second letter in which he indicates his life is growing short and he
sees a need to preserve his insight for future generations (1:120-15).
If First Peter seems to indicate the return of Christ was imminent, (4:7)
Second Peter explains why it had not yet come (3:1-9). The delayed return
of Jesus would occasion much scoffing among the weak and skeptical, but
would also give more time for repentance to the soft of heart.
Almost all of Jude’s message finds its way into Peter’s second letter, in
which both men deal with the problem of false teaching. The motives and
methods of such men are exposed and deemed worthy of rejection.
Peter adds a word about the writings of Paul as he closes his second
letter, calling Paul’s writings “Scripture” but indicating that some of them
are hard to understand.