In 2 Peter Chapter 1, the apostle Peter makes an effort to prepare Christians with the necessary tools that they would need to combat fake religious teachers in the church.
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Peter’s Message
The first chapter of Peter’s second epistle was directed at those who were like-minded in how they viewed Christianity and the Lord. His message of mercy and peace was combined with his teachings of obtaining knowledge.
Peter taught in 2 Peter Chapter 1 that those who truly sought to know the Lord would be blessed. In addition, those who studied the Word and put it into practice in their lives were walking a path towards enlightenment.
Peter Discusses God’s Promises
He wrote in the first chapter that the Lord has given Christians everything that they need to live a blessed life. The Lord has also made many promises that He will keep if the believer is living his life in accordance with the Word of God. One promise that Peter mentioned was being allowed into the gates of Heaven when the time comes to be judged for our sins.
Peter Defends His Reputation
Peter also wanted to remind his audience in 2 Peter Chapter 1 that he was a man that spoke the truth. He was not a false teacher that had come to mislead them. He was a true believer in the power of the Lord because he was a witness to it.
Peter spoke of the events that took place on the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus changed His form right in front of his eyes. Jesus showed His heavenly power to Peter and a couple other apostles, thus solidifying his faith and obedience.
Peter’s Words are Important
Peter warned that the people should listen to his word because he spoke as a man blessed with the Holy Spirit. His word holds a heavier weight over others because, according to him, he spoke the exact truth. Peter said this truth could prove to be lifesaving in the face of travesty and gloom.
2 Peter 1 (King James Version)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.