The Key of the Bible, Biblical commentary · Part 2 · Section 2 · Subsection 17
II Peter:
THe II. Catholique Epistle of PETER the Apostle. The Apostle himselfe cals this his Second Epistle. He writes it to the same people, to whom he wrote his first, viz. To the believing Jews dispersed, and in effect to the same end, 2 Pet. 3.1, 2. and 1.12, 13, 14, 15.
Some few writers have doubted of the Authority of this Epistle, (as also of that of Iames, of the second and third of Iohn, and of the Epistle of Iude,) as Eusebius intimates, Eccles. Hist. l. 3. c. 22. Hieronym. in Catal. vir. illustr. in Petro. Nor is it found in the Syriack version.
B…t divers cogent Arguments perswade us that this is an Apostolicall Epistle, and written by Peter, As 1. The inscription mentions the same Penman of this Epistle with the first, viz. Simon Peter a servant and an Apostle of Iesus Christ. 2 Pet. 1.1. He that wrote this Epistle, testifies, that he must shortly put off this his Tabernacle, as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewed him, 2 Pet. 1.14. to whom did Christ shew this but to Peter? Iohn 21.17. 3. He that wrote this Epistle, was with Christ upon the Mount at his transfiguration, beheld his majesty, —and heard that voice of the father from heaven, when he was with Christ on the holy Mount, This is my beloved sonne in whom I am well pleased, 2 Pet. 1.16, 17, 18. Now there were only three, viz. Peter, Iames and Iohn in the Mount with Christ, at his transfiguration, Matth. 17.1, 2. therefore it must be written by one of them three, (and by whomsoever of them, it is of Apostolicall, yea of divine Authority,) but unto Iames or Iohn none ever yet ascribed it, nor is there any reason so to do, but many to the contrary: therefore it must needs be confessed to be written by Peter. 4. He that writes this Epistle, cals it his Second Epistle, and intimates he wrote them both to the same persons, viz. the dispersed believing Jews. compare 2 Pet. 1.1. and 3.1. with 1 Pet. 1.1. 5. He that wrote this Epistle cals Paul his beloved brother, commends him, and approves the Authority of his Epistles, 2 Pet. 3.15, 16. which were too much for any, but for an Apostolicall pen. 6. An holy Apostolicall spirit breathes throughout this whole Epistle, both in his exhortations to holy duties, monitions against false-teachers and Apostacy, and predictions of things to come. 7. The stile and phrase Apostolicall and consonant enough to that of Peters first Epistle. Hist. Magd. Cent. 1. l. 2. c. 4. 8. To all these may be added the consent of ancient Writers, that count this Epistle Canonicall and Apostolicall, Concil. Laodicen. Can. 59. Carthaginens. 3. Athanas. in Synops. Damascen. l. 4. c. 18. Epiphan. Heres. 76. August. l. 2. De Doctrin. Christian. c. 8. And Beda in Comment. wonders how any should doubt of the Authority of this Epistle, when the Penman hath put his name in the beginning, and testifies he was with the Lord in the holy mount.
So that this Epistle is of unquestionable authority.
Peter made this Epistle a little before his death, 2 Pet. 1.14.
Occasion & Scope. Peter considering, that shortly he must put off the Tabernacle of his body 2 Pet. 1.14. that some were too negligent of making their calling and election sure; that there then were, and afterwards would be false teachers and seducers in the Church, and scoffers against the second comming of Christ; Therefore Peter wrote this Epistle to stirre them up, by putting them in remembrance of those things which had been preached among them, 2 Pet. 1.12, 13, 14. & 3.1, 2. specially inciting them to progresse in grace, to watchfulnesse against false teachers and scoffers, and to a preparednesse for the comming of Christ, as the whole current of the Epistle evidences.
Principall parts.
I. Inscription of the Epistle, c. 1, 1, 2.
II. Substance of the Epistle, which is 1. Hortatory, exhorting them to progresse and perseverance in grace and piety, c. 1. 2. Monitory, warning them to take heed of those hereticall and blasphemous seducers which should creep into the Church, threatning destruction to them, c. 2. 3. Propheticall, foretelling of sensuall scoffers against Christs comming in the last days: and of the day of judgement, the new heavens and new earth; whereunto they should prepare themselves by piety, c. 3, 1. to 17.
III. Conclusion of the Epistle, with a summary recitall of his former exhortations, and with a doxology unto our Lord Jesus Christ, c. 3, 17, 18.