#099 - Welcome to Episode #099 of Way of the Bible podcast. This is our third of eight episodes in our thirteenth mini-series entitled, General Epistles | James to Jude. On this episode, Knowledge of the Truth, we’re going to overview the book of 2 Peter.
It is believed Peter wrote both of his epistles of 1 & 2 Peter something between 64 and 67 AD. He was martyred sometime between this period as well. Most scholars place the writing of 1 Peter in approximately 64 AD. They also believe 2 Peter was written shortly after his first letter and shortly before his death.
2 Peter is very similar to Paul’s final letter of 2 Timothy; their final letters knowing they were soon to see the glory of their hope immediately after their deaths. Both warn the church that the apostasy they warned about was soon to come, and in-fact had already begun. Much like the puff of a cloud Elijah’s servant noticed in the sky after the test between the god of Baal and the God of Israel on top of Mount Carmel. That puff was soon a torrential thunderstorm of lightening, thunder, and rain. Paul warned the members of the body, while Peter warned the Elders and teachers. As both in joyful adoration spoke of their impending deaths, they also noted the only defense against apostasy were the teachings found in sacred scriptures.
The tenor and language of 2 Peter is markedly different then his first. Much the same as Paul’s differential in 2 Timothy compared to Romans. Two passages in 2 Timothy correspond directly to the kernel of the matter of apostasy also highlighted in 2 Peter.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 – And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Notice the need for God to grant the hearer, repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Why would that be important?
2 Timothy 3:6-7 – For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Go back and read of this passage in context (3:1-9) and you’ll see the apostasy and affect. 7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Again, why would having knowledge of the truth be so important? We go refer back to verse 26 of the 2 Timothy 2 passage and discover the reason. 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
We discover the world is captured and held in bondage in the snare of the devil to do his will. And the only way to escape that bondage is by having a knowledge of the truth. But why is all of mankind since Cain, captured by the devil and held in bondage to do his will?
We learned the reason in a prior episode found in Hebrews 2:14-15 - Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Join DrZ as he overviews 2 Peter and the importance of possessing a Knowledge of the Truth, believing the scriptures, and not falling prey to false teachers.
Comments & Upvotes