Bible Study: Peter's Second Letter

Knowledge, but Not Gu... uh... Nosticism?
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Pop Quiz

A good definition of gnosticism is …

a) A philosophy built upon the premise that spirit is superior
to matter.
b) The medical term for common nasal congestion.
c) A ghostly sect within first century Judaism.
d) The name of Microsoft’s latest software encyclopedia.

If you picked a) you’re correct. Ten points! Gnosticism was a philosophy of religion built upon the premise that spirit is superior to matter. To the Gnostics, death proves that the two cannot endure together indefinitely, so the spirit must escape this base mortal realm to find salvation.

In Gnostic thought, the chief means of escape for the human spirit was gnosis, or knowledge. As you might imagine, the Christian doctrine of the incarnation—that Christ was fully man and fully God—was completely inconceivable in Gnostic thought. The idea of a bodily resurrection was also foreign to Gnostic thinkers.

Second Peter: Knowledge is King

Considered by some interpreters to be his last will and testament (1:14), Peter’s second epistle expounds the theme of true knowledge versus false knowledge (1:12). A quick count reveals that the Apostle Peter used the words know, knowing, known, and knowledge of Christ over a dozen times.

The Gnostics advanced their philosophy of salvation through man’s upward pursuit of knowledge. Peter’s second epistle advances the same theme—but with a surprising twist. True knowledge says Peter, descends from above. It is a gift from God and salvation centers in his incarnate Son, Jesus Christ.

According to Peter, personal knowledge of Christ brings:

• conformity to his character
• usefulness for his service
• a secure hope for eternity

Peter's Theme: Relationship With Christ

In this epistle, Peter gives his readers a compelling eye-witness account of Christ’s transfiguration—perhaps the apostle’s most significant memory of Jesus’ earthly ministry (1:16-18).

Based on this sure testimony, Peter states that men can know God personally through the gift of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ (1:2). Peter also says that knowledge of the Savior is fully sufficient to produce Christ-like character in the life of each believer (1:3).

Peter reminds his readers that each person will be productive in his relationship with Christ if he demonstrates growth in several qualities (1:8). Peter’s list includes faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (1:5-7).

The apostle warns that if believers terminate their relationship with the Lord, they will end up in a worse state than they were before they knew him (2:20). According to Peter, it would be much better for apostates if they had not tasted salvation in the first place (2:21).

Finally, Peter reminds his readers to be on their guard against false teachers who will arise in their midst (3:2-43). Believers are not to be seduced, but are to remain steadfast in their secure position of grace and knowledge of the Lord (3:17).

Peter Echos Paul

To summarize, the language of Peter’s second epistle reveals a recurrent theme: knowledge. Since he was acquainted with the learned Apostle Paul’s writings (3:15-16), perhaps he intended to echo Paul’s words from 1 Corinthians: “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. But the man who loves God is known by God” (1 Cor 8:1-3 NIV).

How to Know God

According to this final testament of Peter’s, the knowledge of God has been made possible through a personal relationship with God’s own Son, Jesus Christ. A pure gift, the knowledge of Christ produces the abundant fruit of salvation including holiness, service, and a sure hope for the world to come.

Just three short chapters, you can read 2 Peter online.

I'm indebted to Craig S. Keener's The IVP Bible Background Commentary "New Testament" and Merril C. Tenney's The New Testament Survey, Revised for the information above.

Related

1. Meet Peter, the man. “The Apostle Peter: A Fragile Stone”
2. "Why I Think Women Should Study Theology"
by Parchment & Pen
3. You can find more food for thought at this week's Christian Carnival

Photos: Prio & Sacred Destinations (Flickr)

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The Mind of God.
How would you describe it?