“Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder)…”
Chapter three introduces the subject of the Lord’s return in the light of false teaching. Three times Peter uses the word for “looking forward.” Peter wants his readers to look forward to the rapture of the church to be with Jesus Christ because apostasy will not prevail in the end.
Beloved
Peter employs the word “beloved” four times in this chapter (vv. 8,14,17). Peter loves his readers. We are objects of Peter’s love because Peter was the object of God’s love (1 John 3:1,2; 4:7). Each and every believer has the same amount of love from God.
Peter calls his readers “beloved” four times in this chapter because he treats a subject that has to do with God’s own. That subject is the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some Christians evidently are not aware that Jesus is coming back.
We answer to one name in public but we may answer to another name in private, such as “sweetie” or “honey.” Our spouse calls us by different names than our colleagues at work. (I hope that name is not “jerk!”) God’s term for His own is “beloved (Ephesians 1:6).”
I now write to you this second epistle
Peter now explicitly states his purpose for writing a second epistle. He wants Christians to know that at the end of this age many apostates will come to deceive Christians. They also need to know that there is hope at the end of the day — Jesus will return to resolve apostate issues.
Principle:
The reality of Jesus’ return keeps us on the tiptoe of expectancy.
Application:
Jesus may come momentarily. We might meet Jesus at any moment. This should keep us at peak spiritual vigilance moment by moment.
I appreciate the way Dr. Richison opens each passage and, not only comments on the verse, but gives insight to each word in the passage. I find his method of opening the Scriptures most helpful and refreshing. He gets to the point and does not enter into a discussion of endless boring opinion. Laying out the principles and making application offer added insight to the text.
Thanks Dr. Richison for providing these great commentaries on line!!
I would like to see these commentaries in book form. They would be an asset to my library.
Parnell, you can download entire books by going to the home page and then to books at the top. You can download most books from there.
Parnell, you can also purchase Verse-by-Verse in Logos format by going to the right sidebar on the home page.