Book introduction
The book of 2 Peter
2 Peter is a farewell letter warning against false teachers who mock the promise of Christ’s return. It calls readers to grow in faith and reminds them that God is patient, not slow.
Who wrote 2 Peter?
The letter names Peter. It is the most debated letter in the New Testament: most scholars think a later writer used Peter’s name, partly because it draws on Jude and treats Paul’s letters as Scripture. Some still accept Peter.
When was it written?
About AD 64–68 if by Peter; about AD 80–120 on the other view.
Main themes
- Grow
- Add goodness, knowledge, self-control, and love to faith.
- Beware false teachers
- They promise freedom and are slaves themselves.
- God is patient
- He does not want anyone to perish.
Outline of 2 Peter
Key verses
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and goodness.
But do not overlook this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not delaying what he promised, as some consider it delay. Rather, he is being patient with you, because he does not want anyone to perish but wants everyone to come to repentance.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Three chapters. Read 1:3–11 first.
Ask about this book
Questions about 2 Peter?
Lumin answers in a few sentences and shows each verse it cites in full.
Keep going
Keep asking in the Lumin app.Keep this conversation going on the web.
The same short answers with the verse beside each one, plus your saved questions, prayer, and the whole Bible to read in.
Make a free Lumin account and this conversation opens in Ask, ready for your next question. Your saved questions, prayer, and the whole Bible come with it.
All 66 books· Bible map· Search the Bible· Ask
Each introduction gives the traditional view and the main views scholars hold today. Where Christians disagree, it says so.
Report an error in this introduction. If we agree, we fix it and add a dated note.
This inbox is for corrections. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 in the US and Canada, call 116 123 in the UK and Ireland, or find your country’s line at findahelpline.com.