1. Could an Apostle also be an elder?

Yes, Peter was both:

1. An Apostle (Matthew 10:2-4, Acts 2:37, and II Peter 1:1).
2. An Elder (I Peter 5:1).

The word “divine” means “having the nature of God”.  Verse 3 ties into verse 2.  Verse 2 tells us the who: “…through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord”.  Jesus is divine (Colossians 2:8-9).  The word “power” is from the Greek word “dunamis” Strong’s # 1411.  The word means “inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth.”  Christ has the power of God to provide what verse 2 discusses “Grace and peace” through knowledge.  Without knowledge of the word of God we have no peace and we certainly would not know about the grace that Jesus Christ has brought (John 5:39).  See next question for continuation of these thoughts…

We are completely supplied with all things pertaining to our spiritual well-being and how to maintain that godly life to preserve that spiritual well-being.  In simple terms: God has supplied us with information on how to be saved and how to remain saved.  When we enter into Christ we become “new creatures” (II Corinthians 5:17).  Notice what we are taught (Titus 2:11-14).  As we continue to read on in verse 3 we find how we get to know all things that pertain unto life and godliness: “…through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.”  This word knowledge is the same as in verse 2 and points to what Jesus said in John 17:3. Destruction awaits the ignorant (Acts 17:30, Hosea 4:6, and Romans 1:28 [reprobate mind in Romans 1:28– one that pursues evil rather than good].)  Verse 4 continues to talk about how through this knowledge we are given exceeding great and precious promises.  The Bible is all-sufficient so study it (II Timothy 2:15).

Again, the word “divine” means “having the nature of God”.  Through our knowledge of how to live godly lives we will be more like God [not in deity, but in purity] (Colossians 3:10 and Ephesians 4:24).

Through the precious promises (Titus 1:2).

Notice the fruit of the Spirit in relation to what we are going to discuss here (Galatians 5:22-25).  Verses 5-7 – “And beside this, giving all diligence [work hard at]”.  In essence, because we have been given all these precious promises do this:

a. Add to your faith virtue: It is already figured that brethren have faith.  Faith is a requirement before obedience (Romans 10:10;17, John 8:24, and Hebrews 11:6).  To faith we are to add virtue [moral power or energy to do what is right].  We are called to glory and virtue (II Peter 1:3).  Putting God first (Matthew 22:26-38), and leaving not room for sin in your life.
b. To virtue knowledge: To our desire to do what is right we need the proper knowledge to carry out that desire (John 8:32 and Hebrews 5:14).
c. To knowledge temperance [self-control]: Restraint and ability to say no.  Resistance accompanied by the proper submission (James 4:7).
d. To temperance patience [endurance]: II Timothy 2:3 and James 1:2-4.
e. To patience godliness [Strong’s # 2150 in humble reverence]: James 4:10 
f. To godliness brotherly kindness:  John 15:17, I Peter 1:22, I John 3:14-18, and I John 4:18-21. 
g. To brotherly kindness charity [love]: I Corinthians 13 and Colossians 3:14

Verse 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.”

--If a Christian does all the aforementioned things then they will bear fruit for the Lord.  That is our purpose in the Kingdom (Matthew 25:14-30).

Verse 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.”

--The Christian that lacks in these things is failing to grow.  The have blinded themselves by not seeing the truth.  They have forgotten who they are, what they are, and who died to make them that (Christians).  Similar problems were at the church in Ephesus as they left their first love and had to go back and do the “first works” (Revelation 2:1-7).

Verse 10: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”

--Christians are to work hard at making sure they are right with God!

He would remind them of these things.  He would preach like he needs to (II Timothy 4:2 and Acts 20:26-27).

Yes, verse 14 as Christ told him it would come swiftly (John 21:18-19).

The “Transfiguration” (Matthew 17:1-8).

The prophesy (word of God) as the verb “is” shows us that the word of God does not at any time [did not say was or will] come into existence by private (personal) interpretation.  It is not men’s words, it is the word of God (Galatians 1:10-12 and I Corinthians 2:10-13). 

As the Holy Spirit moved them (v. 21 and John 16:13).

By speaking as the oracles of God (I Peter 4:11).

1. Will there be false teachers among us?

Yes, II Peter 2:1, Jude 3-4, I John 4:1, and Acts 20:28-31.  Just like among the people of Old Jeremiah 14:10-16 and Ezekiel 13:1-11.
(Notice how verse 1 starts out with “But”.  This ties us backwards.  Specifically verses 20-21 of chapter 1.

2. How do false teachers bring in “damnable heresies”?

V.1 “Privily” – in secret.  They sneak in. 

3. Do we need to fear that some would follow a false teacher?

Yes, II Peter 2:2 and Romans 16:18.

4. Explain verse 3.

These men through covetousness (unlawful desire for personal gain) make merchandise (treat them like goods) for their own gain.  They used “feigned” (fake) words to accomplish their goal.  – They serve their own bellies (Romans 16:18).  Titus 1:10-11 warns elders of these men who teach things for filthy lucre’s sake (gain).  We are to withdraw ourselves from such people (I Timothy 6:5 and Philippians 3:17-19).We need to be watchful for those seeking to use enticing words to fool us (Colossians 2:4).

5. What does verses 4-9 teach us?

Sinners always punished and righteous always delivered.  Peter teaches this through the following examples:

Verse 4: Angels are superior to man (Hebrews 2:7;9),but still subject to judgment (Luke 10:17-18).

Verse 5: Salvation for Noah, but damnation for the sinful world (Genesis 6:5-8, Hebrews 11:7, and I Peter 3:20-21).

Verse 6: God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha because of homosexuality while there were not even 10 souls found righteous (Genesis 18-19, Jude 7, Leviticus 18:22-23, Leviticus 20:13, and Romans 1:27).

Verses 7-8: Though living among the wicked, Lot was delivered.  Vexed means disturbed, oppressed, worn down.

Verse 9: Summary.  God delivers the just and punishes the wicked (Revelation 21:3-7).

6. What do those who walk after the flesh despise?

II Peter 2:10 “Government” (authority).  Parallel to Jude 1:8 “dominion” same word Strong’s # 2962.  False teachers want total liberty not a law to fall. 

7. What are those mentioned in verses 10-15 doing?

They have forsaken the right way and gone astray.  They loved the present world and left God (II Timothy 4:10).  Notice about those who love the world and worldly things (I John 2:15-17).

8. What passages of scripture does verses 15-16 refer to?

Numbers 22:1-38.  See also Jude 10-11 and Revelation 2:14.

9. Explain verses 17-19.

Verse 17: These men are wells that have no water compared to Christ who gives us a drink that cures our thirst (John 4:13-14 and John 6:35).  The clouds carried with a tempest refers to the promise of teachers [as these are not] and the truth [which they bring not] as a comparison with a storm that promises rain but blows over.  Notice the similarity in Jude 11-13.

Verse 18: They come with great swelling words (high-sounding, exaggerated, words used to impress).  Vanity (emptiness) is the type of speech used which shows us those words had no substance they were just empty words.  Like bait.  They use the bait of the flesh to gain their want.

Verse 19: Sinners are the servants of sin (Romans 6:16-18).  So, while they offer liberty they themselves do not even possess it, and their goal is not to be alone.

10. Why should verses 20-22 be heavily thought upon by all Christians?

Verse 20: Knowledge brings deliverance (II Peter 1:2-4).  Reference is made to a statement Christ made in Matthew 12:43-45).  Reference in that text is to a man whom had a demon leave his heart (demon possession) and that demon was out in the desert.  That demon sought a resting place and comes back to that man who has not filled his heart with a good spirit, but has left it empty.  So that demon not only reposes the man but brings seven other spirits with him.  Relative to out text because a man leaves the world and finds the truth, but when he falls the world grabs him that much more strongly.

Verse 21: Knowledge = heavier accountability Luke 12:47-48.  (Ignorance does not nullify accountability Acts 17:30, but greater is the punishment of an apostate).

Verse 22: The dog and swine are referenced as they are regarded as abomination (Matthew 7:6).  Reference to the dog is from Proverbs 26:11.  Returning to a detestable habit shows disgust.  The dog ejects that which is foul, but then turns and goes back to consume that which the body has already rejected.  This is to show the disgusting nature of an apostate Christian.

1. What was Peter seeking to do in verses 1-4?

Peter was seeking to: 
V.1 “stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.”  Peter was going to remind them of things they have been taught.  Their pure minds where ones that were ready to receive teaching like those in Berea (Acts 17:10-11).  Repetitive teaching was a normal thing for the Apostles (Philippians 3:1).   

V.2 Here Peter reminds them who taught them.  Prophets and Apostles were responsible for their teaching (Ephesians 2:20; 3:3-5).

V.3 Here we are taught that in “the last days” there will be those who mockers who walk according to their own lusts.  The last days refers to the New Testament dispensation (Acts 2:16-17).  Hebrews 1:1-2 defines the Christian dispensation as the last days. II Timothy 3:1 gives a similar warning of II Peter 3:3. 

v.4 This identifies what these mockers will be saying.  This shows doubt in what they say.  They are challenging if Christ will come.  Man must remember that God does not think or act on our level of understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Man must also remember that God promised the Second Coming of Christ and it would be unexpected (Matthew 24:35-39 and I Thessalonians 4:13-17).  Man must remember that God does not lie (Titus 1:2). 

Verse 5 says they “willingly are ignorant of…”

3. What event does verses 5-6 talk about and how does that fit into the Second Coming of Christ?

Peter is showing that there was a period of time in which the water of earth and the water of the firmament were separate and then that water came together to destroy life and the original formation of things as they were (Genesis 1:6-7, Genesis 7:10-24, and Psalms 24:1-2).  “By the word of God” goes back to Hebrews 11:3.

V.7 God keeps in place the world and reserves it unto the judgment to come explained in the context to follow this passage. 

5. Does verse 8 mean that the Day of Judgment will actually be a 1,000 year period?

No, this passage is defined by context. It answers the skeptics timetable that the Lord’s coming is overdue.  The judgment will be instant (II Timothy 4:1).  Verse 9 explains the reason for delay as God being long-suffering not wanting any to perish.  God is giving man time to repent.

No, verse 9

Vs. 10-12
a. A surprise “thief in the night” (Luke 12:36-40 and I Thessalonians 5:1-3)
b. The sky, earth, and the works therein will be destroyed with fire and great noise (Matthew 24:35-36)
This description should make us think about what type of people we are.

Isaiah wrote of this (Isaiah 65:17), and John had a vision of (Revelation 21:1).  We are simply told here that we will have a new dwelling place.  Just like if a physical house burned down we would get a new one.  That does not mean this earth will be made new.  This earth, as established in verses 10-12, will be no more.  We will be taken to Heaven with Christ and there [up] shall we ever be (I Thessalonians 4:17).  See Hebrews 11:16.

Verse 14: We need to look for [have hope in – Romans 8:24] the coming of Christ and the new dwelling place of Heaven.  We must be diligent [hard working – I Corinthians 15:58] when the Lord comes and in so doing we will be found prepared and free from sin.

Verse 15: Again, we find reaffirmation that the world’s need for salvation is why the world continues to remain and not yet be destroyed.  Paul testified also of God’s longsuffering (Romans 2:4).  The wisdom Paul had was revealed wisdom (I Corinthians 2:12-13). 

Verse 16: Here Peter’s acknowledges that some scriptures are not easily understood.  Notice that he is not saying impossible, but some things take studying not just reading.  We have to lay out the word to “rightly divide” it (II Timothy 2:15).  Paul did say that we read and understand (Ephesians 3:4). 
He goes on to talk about those who are unlearned and unstable.  It goes to show us how many take the scriptures and abuse them leading themselves and others to destruction much like we see when denominations and some of our own brethren teach on things such as the book of Revelation.  Some handle the word of God deceitfully (II Corinthians 4:2). 

Verse 17: Peter here expresses his concern that some might be led away.  Chapter 2 discussed how many would follow false teachers (2:1-3), and now we see this concern remind us of that.  Notice Colossians 2:8.

Verse 18: Here Peter exhorts them to grow in grace and knowledge.  This will obviously help prevent them being mislead. Knowledge of the truth allows us to be able to identify error and teach truth. 

2002 by Brian Yeager may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.