ATTENTION BIBLE STUDENTS:

My translation of this book from the original languages is provided below. Everything inside brackets is commentary that is meant to assist the reader in understanding certain doctrines and concepts germaine to the context.

 

2 Peter 1:1 Simeon Peter, a bondslave and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those [the elect of God] who have obtained by divine appointment equal faith [by regeneration] with us [other apostles] through the just and equitable method of operation [salvation mechanics] of our God [deity of Christ] and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

2 Peter 1:2 Grace to you and prosperity [blessings of maturity] be multiplied [spiritual momentum] by means of the full knowledge [epignosis doctrine] of God, even Jesus our Lord.

 

2 Peter 1:3 Since His divine power has given to us all things pertaining to life [logistical grace support] and godliness [blessings of spiritual maturity] through the full knowledge of Him [Jesus Christ] Who called us [elect in eternity past] by means of His own glory and virtue [manifestation of His majesty and moral excellence],

 

2 Peter 1:4 He has given to us valuable [honorable] and exceedingly great promises because of these things [glory and virtue], so that you might become partakers of the divine nature [spirituality in the power sphere] through them [Bible doctrines learned and applied], having escaped from the corruption in the world [cosmos diabolicos] in the sphere of lust [power of the sin nature].

 

2 Peter 1:5 Indeed, for this cause [to exhibit glory and virtue as partakers of the divine nature], also [alongside of divine power], having brought to bear all diligence [believer’s responsibility: forward momentum in the spiritual life], provide by means of your faith [application of doctrine], virtue, and alongside of [functional] virtue, knowledge [gnosis as building material in the soul],

 

2 Peter 1:6 And alongside of knowledge [teachability], self-control [genuine humility], and alongside of self-control, patient endurance [faith rest drill], and alongside of patient endurance, holiness [filling of the Spirit],

 

2 Peter 1:7 And alongside of holiness, capacity for brotherly kindness, and alongside of brotherly kindness, virtue love [relaxed mental attitude in agape love].

 

2 Peter 1:8 For these things [spiritual fruit] should be in your possession [at your disposal] and should exist with increasing abundance [continue to abound as you mature spiritually]. They confirm that you are by no means idle [inactive in the spiritual life] nor unfruitful [unproductive] with reference to the full knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

2 Peter 1:9 But to the person in whom these things [spiritual fruit] are not present [at his disposal], he is spiritually blind [in reversionism], short-sighted [completely disoriented from the plan of God], having long ago [due to locked-in negative volition] received forgetfulness [unable to use even the most basic problem-solving device] with reference to the cleansing of his sins [refuses to acknowledge temporal sins to God].   

 

2 Peter 1:10 For this reason, now more than ever, brethren [members of the royal family], be zealous to keep on confirming the dependability of your calling [state] and election [standing], for by repeated confirmation of these things [state and standing], you will never, ever become spiritually ruined [fall into reversionism].

 

2 Peter 1:11 For in this manner [confirming the reliability of your calling and election], an abundant entrance [for winner believers] will be supplied to you into the eternal kingdom [New Heavens and New Earth] of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

2 Peter 1:12 Therefore [because I want you to have an abundant entrance into the eternal kingdom], I intend to keep on reminding you from time-to-time concerning these things [doctrines], although you know them [already metabolized in their souls] and have become mentally stabilized by means of doctrine which is at your disposal [on the launching pad ready for application].

 

2 Peter 1:13 Indeed, I consider it my duty [responsibility], as long as I am in this tent [alive in this body], to keep on stirring up your mind by way of remembrance [teaching doctrine by repetition],

 

2 Peter 1:14 Knowing that it is imminent, the laying aside of my tent [physical death], even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me [prophesied Peter’s violent death].

 

2 Peter 1:15 Indeed, I will also make every effort for you to have it [Bible doctrine at your disposal] after my departure, to recall these things [doctrinal principles] for the purpose of continual application [in daily life].

 

2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow on an authoritative basis craftily devised [skillfully invented] fables, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ [1st advent], but having become eyewitnesses of His majesty [Peter, James and John at the transfiguration].

 

2 Peter 1:17 For even though He [Jesus Christ] received honor and glory from the presence of God the Father, when there came forth to Him from glory [heaven] a voice of a majestic nature: “My Son, My beloved One, He is the One [which the spectators were observing] in Whom I am well pleased,”

 

2 Peter 1:18 And we [James, John and Peter] heard this voice which came forth from heaven when we were together with Him [Jesus Christ] on the holy mountain [of transfiguration],

 

2 Peter 1:19 We still [nevertheless] have a more reliable prophetic Word [the written Word is more reliable than experiences], concerning which [doctrinal truth] you do well by studying regularly, like a lamp which shines in a dark place [OT Scriptures give a measure of knowledge], until daylight dawns [the prophesies are fulfilled] and a morning star [Jesus Christ] arises in the mentality of your soul [full perception of the true meaning of the OT prophesies concerning Christ],

 

2 Peter 1:20 Knowing this first [from considerable study], that all prophecy from Scripture [the written Word in the OT] did not originate from a private unfolding [from human imagination or ingenuity as opposed to the Spirit’s],

 

2 Peter 1:21 For prophecy [in the OT] did not come forth by the design of man [human origin], but men from God [selected agents] communicated as they were led by the authority of the Holy Spirit [divine inspiration].

 

2 Peter 2:1 But there came into existence [at various times throughout history] false prophets [pretending to be originators of canon] among the people, even as there will be [in your time] false teachers [who contradict and twist the existing canon] among you, who will be of such a character [sweetness and life] as to introduce secretly and maliciously [alongside of true doctrine] destructive heresies [harmful to particular individuals and society in general], even repeatedly repudiating [by embracing grey areas of the relative instead of absolute truth] the sovereign Lord [Jesus Christ] Who bought them [reversionistic believers] out of the slave market of sin [definite atonement, particular redemption], bringing upon themselves [due to negative volition towards true doctrine] swift destruction [sin unto death].

 

2 Peter 2:2 And many [converts to reversionism] will follow their [false teachers] insolence, by means of whom the way of truth [protocol plan for the Church Age believer] shall be maligned.

 

2 Peter 2:3 And in the sphere of a frantic search for happiness [insatiableness], with fabricated teachings, they will exploit you, whose divine discipline [judicial sentence] will not be delayed for long; indeed, their ruin [loss of everything worth living for] is not sleeping [it’s already in motion].

 

2 Peter 2:4 For example, God did not spare the angels who sinned [by cohabiting with the daughters of men], but when incarcerating them in Tartarus, He committed them with chains of darkness for the purpose of being reserved for judgment [to be cast into the Lake of Fire forever].

 

2 Peter 2:5 Likewise, He did not spare the ancient [antediluvian] world [corrupted by the Nephilim], but preserved Noah, the eighth person, a communicator of imputed righteousness [not a herald of mere morality, but of a relationship with God], when He brought the flood [deluge] upon the world of the ungodly.

 

2 Peter 2:6 Likewise, by reducing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes, He condemned them [judged by divine norms and standards] by means of catastrophic destruction [capital punishment], appointing them as permanent examples to the ungodly who would come in the future.

 

2 Peter 2:7 Moreover, He delivered [dragged-out] righteous Lot [positionally righteous only], who was continually worn out [overwhelmed] by their lawless behavior patterns [anti-establishment mentality] in the sphere of insolent debauchery.

 

2 Peter 2:8 For the righteous one [justified Lot], having settled down among them [living in a city overrun by insolent, anti-establishment, lawless sexual deviants], by seeing and hearing them [social life with God ignored in favor of social life with sexual deviants], day in, day out [constant exposure to their sinful lifestyle], tormented his righteous soul [conscious of his bad choices] because of their lawless production [sinful thoughts, words, and behavior].

 

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knows when to deliver the godly [positive believers] out of temptations, but also when to reserve the unrighteous [reversionistic believers] for a day of evaluation [in His perfect timing] to be disciplined,

 

2 Peter 2:10 And particularly [the Lord especially knows how and when to discipline] those [false teachers] who continue to conduct themselves by pursuit of their corruptible [polluted] flesh in the sphere of the lust pattern [of the old sin nature], and who continually disregard and despise legitimate church authority [pastors & teachers]. Arrogantly presumptuous, they are not afraid to malign [slander] their [pastor’s & teacher’s] reputations,

 

2 Peter 2:11 Whereas angels [in heaven], being greater in inherent might and power [superior to mankind in creation], do not [arrogantly presume to] utter a maligning condemnation against them [legitimate pastors & teachers] in the presence of the Lord.

 

2 Peter 2:12 But these [false teachers], as irrational animals [without common sense], born uncontrollable creatures [ruled by their old sin natures] to be captured [arrested] and destroyed [capital punishment as due process of law], maligning things which they do not understand, shall be ruined [sin unto death] by means of their own corruption,

 

2 Peter 2:13 Receiving unrighteousness as their reward for unrighteousness [wrongdoing], regarding riotous living [partying] in the daytime a pleasure [no job, self-discipline or motive in life], moral blemishes [lowlifes], degenerates [disgraceful scum], carousing at your love-feasts [with ulterior motives] while feasting together with you,

 

2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery [sexual arrogance] and insatiable sin, enticing weak [frustrated and unstable] souls [those who have gone negative towards Bible doctrine], having a mentality of the soul which has been thoroughly exercised [trained reflexes] towards covetousness [greed and avarice], children of a curse [reversionism],

 

2 Peter 2:15 Abandoning the straight way of life [protocol plan of God], they wandered astray [into the cosmic system] by following Balaam’s way of life, the son of Bosor, who held in high regard the wages of unrighteousness [monetary reversionism],

 

2 Peter 2:16 But he [Balaam] obtained a rebuke for his lawlessness: a mute ass [silent donkey], speaking with a man’s voice, restrained [held back] the insanity of the prophet [monetary and psychotic reversionism].

 

2 Peter 2:17 These [false teachers] are fountains without water [no doctrine in the soul] and fog which is driven about by a storm, for whom the gloom [self-induced misery] of darkness [total blackout of the soul] has been reserved.

 

2 Peter 2:18 Indeed, by arrogant speaking from the source of emptiness [doctrinal vacuum], by means of lusts of the flesh, and by depraved debauchery, they [false teachers] lure those who barely escape [young believers with a little doctrine] from those [reversionistic believers] who continually live in the sphere of error [Satan’s cosmic system].

 

2 Peter 2:19 While they [false teachers] promise them [their deluded followers] freedom [no discipline for their antinomian lifestyle], they themselves [the false teachers] are in a state of slavery characterized by spiritual ruin [advanced stages of reversionism], for anyone who has been defeated [succumbed to the cosmic system], by this same one [false teacher], he has been brought into slavery.

 

2 Peter 2:20 For if, after escaping from the pollutions of the cosmic system by means of the full knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but becoming entangled again by them [previously rejected false doctrines], they are [now] steadily being defeated [overcome by false concepts], the last state [succumbing to false doctrine after having made substantial momentum in the spiritual life] has become more worse for them [more difficult to turn back, more severe divine discipline] than the first [when they barely knew doctrinal basics].

 

2 Peter 2:21 By all means, it would have almost been better for them [false teachers and their reversionistic followers] to have never fully known the way of righteousness [protocol plan of God for Church Age believers], than, having fully known it [having lived the Christian life for a considerable period of time], to turn away from [in reverse-process reversionism] the holy mandate [to walk in the Spirit] which had been delivered to them [by His legitimate teachers].

 

2 Peter 2:22 It is happening to them [the false teachers and their reversionistic followers] according to the true proverb: The dog returned to his own vomit and the sow which had cleaned itself to mud wallowing.

 

2 Peter 3:1 Beloved [members of the royal family], this is already the second letter I am writing to you, in which I am trying to stir up your pure [indoctrinated] mind by way of remembrance [repetition of some basic doctrines you may have forgotten]:

 

2 Peter 3:2 So that you may remember the words which were previously communicated by the holy prophets [Old Testament] and the mandates of the Lord and Savior by the apostles [New Testament],

 

2 Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that in the last days [of the Church Age dispensation], mocking mockers [scoffing scoffers] will come, conducting themselves according to their own lust patterns,

 

2 Peter 3:4 Even saying: Where is the promise of His coming [2nd advent]? For since the fathers died [when the promise was given], all things continue in the same manner [status quo] as from the beginning of the creation [human history is meaningless].

 

2 Peter 3:5 Indeed, because they [the scoffers] continually desire it [unchanging history with no prospect of future evaluation], this escapes their attention: that long ago, by the Word of God [Jesus Christ], the heavens [atmosphere] came into existence and the earth, existing as part water [before they were accumulated in one place], also [came into existence] by means of water,

 

2 Peter 3:6 Through which the world at that time, having been deluged by water, was ruined [waste & wild].

 

2 Peter 3:7 But now, the heavens [atmosphere] and the earth, being reserved by the same Word [Jesus Christ], are being closely guarded [for as long as it takes according to His divine plan] for a day of judgment by fire [future destruction of planet earth] and eternal misery for ungodly men [judgment of unbelievers at the Great White Throne].

 

2 Peter 3:8 But do not keep this one thing [point of doctrine] hidden [obscured, covered-up], beloved [members of the royal family], that one day in the presence of the Lord is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as one day.

 

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not delaying the promise [to discipline the reversionist], as some regard slowness [when they see nothing happening to the reversionist according to their time schedule], but is patient toward you [waiting for your acknowledgement of sin], not desiring any [believer] to be ruined [rendered useless in the spiritual life], but for all [believers] to make progress [forward momentum in the protocol plan of God] by means of repentance [confession of sin].

 

2 Peter 3:10 Now, the day of the Lord [at the end of the millennium] will come as a thief [taking you by surprise], in which the heavens [atmosphere and the rest of the universe] will be dissolved with a loud, roaring noise [similar to nuclear fusion], and the elemental substances [air, water, earth, fire] will be destroyed by great consuming heat [similar to nuclear fission]. In addition, the earth and the works in it [human good and other production] will be judged.

 

2 Peter 3:11 Since all these things are in the process of being destroyed in this manner, what sort of person should you become? In the sphere of a holy [spiritual] manner of life [function inside the divine system] and godliness [residence inside the divine system],

 

2 Peter 3:12 Keep on looking for and urging on with anticipation the coming of the day of God, during which time the heavens [earth’s atmosphere and the rest of the universe], being on fire, will be destroyed [some type of fission], and the elements [air, water, earth, fire], being consumed by heat, will be melted [some type of fusion].

 

2 Peter 3:13 Then [after the destruction of the old universe] we will be looking forward with great anticipation for the New Heavens and the New Earth [the Perfect Age] according to His promise, during which time righteousness [perfect capacity for happiness] will be permanently at home [no sin in out resurrection bodies].

 

2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved [members of the royal family], since you are eagerly looking for these things [signs of the coming of the day of the Lord], be diligent [by doctrinal inculcation] to be found by Him [Jesus Christ] spotless [supergrace A status] and blameless [supergrace B status], in prosperity [ultra-supergrace status].

 

2 Peter 3:15 Moreover, keep on regarding the longsuffering [patient endurance] of our Lord as deliverance [an opportunity for reversion recovery], just as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him,

 

2 Peter 3:16 As also in all the other epistles, speaking in them concerning these things [eschatological doctrines Peter just covered], in which [Pauline epistles] are certain hard to understand things [advanced doctrines], which ignorant [untrained] and unstable [emotionally weak] ones [believers without an edification complex of the soul] distort [twist from their proper meaning], in the same manner as the other Scriptures [Paul’s epistles counted as part of the official canon], to their own personal spiritual ruin.

 

2 Peter 3:17 Therefore, you, beloved [members of the royal family], knowing beforehand [advanced warning from Peter as well as Paul], be constantly on guard, so that if you happen to be carried away by the error of unprincipled men [without virtue], you do not drift off course from your own steadfastness [residence and function inside the divine system],

 

2 Peter 3:18 But [rather] keep on growing [forward momentum in the spiritual life] by means of the grace [logistical] and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now [during the Church Age dispensation] and to the day of eternity [which begins after the Perfect Age]. Acknowledge it.

 

 

Resources

 

 

James and Peter, William Baker, 2004, AMG Publishers

 

The Second Epistle of Peter and the Epistle of Jude, Tyndale NT Commentaries, Michael Green, 1979, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

 

New Heavens, New Earth: A Commentary on First and Second Peter, Gordon H. Clark, 1972, The Trinity Foundation

 

Epistles of Peter, Simon J. Kistemaker, New Testament Commentary, 2007, Baker Academic

 

2 Peter, B.C. Caffin, J.R. Thomson, C. New, U.R. Thomas, R. Finlayson, The Pulpit Commentary, 1962, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

 

Class notes on 2 Peter, Dr. Dennis Wretlind, Western Theological Seminary

 

Commentary on 2 Peter, Matthew Henry, 2001, Hendrickson Publishers

 

2 Peter: Word Pictures in the NT, A.T. Robertson, 1931, Baker Book House

 

2 Peter, John Calvin, 2003, Baker Books

 

2 Peter: Word Studies in the NT, Marvin R. Vincent, 1980, Charles Scribner’s Sons

 

2 Peter: The New Bible Commentary Revised, D. Guthrie, David Wheaton, 1970, Eerdmans Publishing

 

Peter and Jude, Charles Bigg, The International Criticial Commentary, 1975, T&T Clark

 

2 Peter, Richard C. Lenski, 1937, Augsburg Fortress Publishing

 

2 Peter, A.E. Knoch, 1968, Concordant Publishing Concern

 

2 Peter, Frederick F. Bruce, 1984, New Intl. Commentary, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

 

2 Peter: Through the Bible, J. Vernon McGee, 1983, Thomas Nelson Publishers

 

2 Peter: The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Kenneth O. Gangel, 1983, Chariot Victor Publishing

 

2 Peter, W. Robertson Nicoll, The Expositor’s Greek Testament, 2002, Hendrickson’s Publishers

 

A Commentary on the Epistles of Peter and Jude, J.N.D. Kelly, 1987, Thornapple Commentaries, Baker Book House

 

2 Peter: Bible Commentary, Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, 2002, Hendrickson Publishers

 

The Epistles of James, Peter and Jude, Bo Reicke, The Anchor Bible, 1964, Doubleday & Company, Inc.

 

First and Second Peter, George H. Cramer, 1967, Moody Press

 

Simple Studies in James, Peter, John and Jude, William L. Pettingill, Fundamental Truth Publishers

 

First and Second Peter, Louis A. Barbieri, 1977, Moody Press

 

1 and 2 Peter, Jude, Norman Hillyer, New International Biblical Commentary, 1992, Paternoster Press

 

The Message of 2 Peter and Jude, John R.W. Stott, 1995, InterVarsity Press

 

2 Peter 1: Adding to Your Faith, John MacArthur, 1987, Word of Grace Communications

 

Second Peter and Jude, D. Edmond Hiebert, 1989, BJU Press

 

2 Peter: Word Meanings in the New Testament, Ralph Earle, 1984, Baker Book House

 

2 Peter, Duane F. Watson, The New Interpreter’s Bible, 1998, Abingdon Press

 

The Divine Outline of History, Tapes on 2 Peter, Christian Integrity, Christian Suffering, The Integrity of God, Reversionism, Freedom Through Military Victory, R.B. Thieme, Jr., 1989, Berachah Church Houston, TX

 

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth, C.I. Scofield, 1982, Zondervan Books

 

Pattern For Maturity, J. Dwight Pentecost, 1966, Moody Press

 

Still Sovereign, Thomas R. Schreiner & Bruce A. Ware, 2000, Baker Books

 

Major Bible Themes, L. Chafer & J. Walvoord, 1974, Zondervan Books

 

The Sovereignty of Grace, Arthur C. Custance, 1979, Baker Book House

 

Absolutely Free, Zane Hodges, 1989, Zondervan Books

 

The Reign of the Servant Kings, Joseph C. Dillow, 1992, Schoettle Publishing Company

 

Figures of Speech Used in the Bible, E.W. Bullinger, 1993, Baker Book House

 

The Holy Spirit, Gleanings From the Scriptures: Man’s Total Depravity, Arthur W. Pink, 1980, Baker Book House

 

Grace: The Glorious Theme, Lewis S. Chafer, 2002, Academie Books: Zondervan

 

Biblical Demonology, Merrill F. Unger, 1994, Kregel Publications

 

The Saviour’s Definite Redemption, The Most Neglected Chapter in the Bible, Regeneration and Conversion, W.E. Best, 1982, WEBBMT

 

Satan: His Motive and Methods, Lewis S. Chafer, 1964, Zondervan Books

 

Overrun By Demons, Thomas Ice & Robert Dean, Jr., 1990, Harvest House

 

Be Alert, Warren Wiersbe, 1984, Victor Books

 

An Introduction to the Non-Pauline Epistles, D. Edmond Hiebert, 1962, Moody Press

 

Three Central Issues in Contemporary Dispensationalism, Elliott E. Johnson, 1999, Kregel Publications

 

Millennialism: The Two Major Views, Charles L. Feinberg, 1982, Moody Press

 

Major Bible Themes, Chafer & Walvoord, 1976, Zondervan Publishers

 

The Grace of God, The Bondage of the Will, Thomas R. Schreiner & Bruce A. Ware, 1995, Baker Books

 

Pattern For Maturity, J. Dwight Pentecost, 1966, Moody Press

 

Basic Bible Interpretation, Roy B. Zuck, 1991, Victor Books

 

Gifts of the Spirit, Ronald E. Baxter, 1983, Kregel Publications

 

How To Enjoy the Bible, E.W. Bullinger, 1990, Kregel Publications

 

Definite Atonement, Gary D. Long, 2006, New Covenant Media

 

Epistolary Sermons on the Epistles of Peter, W.A. Criswell, 1976, Zondervan Publishing House

 

Studies in 2 Peter, Herman A. Hoyt, 1983, BMH Books

 

Peter’s Epistles, Tom Westwood, Wilson Foundation

 

The Life and Letters of Saint Peter, E. Schuyler English, 1945, Publication Office Our Hope

 

Peter in the New Testament, Raymond E. Brown, 1973, Augsburg Publishing House

 

A Commentary on 1 and 2 Peter: Born Anew To A Living Hope, Robert H. Mounce, 1982, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

 

2 Peter, Richard J. Bauckham, 1983, Word Biblical Commentary

 

Invention, Arrangement, and Style: Rhetorical Criticism of Jude and 2 Peter, Duane Frederick Watson, SBL Dissertation Series 104, 1988, Scholars Press

 

The Glory of the Atonement, Dan G. McCartney, 2004, InterVarsity Press

 

God the Redeemer, James M. Boice, 1978, InterVarsity Press

 

Balancing the Christian Life, Charles C. Ryrie, 1969, Moody Press

 

1 & 2 Peter, Donald Senior, 1980, Michael Glazier, Inc.

 

An Exegetical Study of 2 Peter 2:18-22, Duane A. Dunham, 1983, Bibliotheca Sacra

 

The Millennial Kingdom, John F. Walvoord, 1978, Zondervan Publishing House

 

New Testament Repentance: Repentance in the Epistles and Revelation, Robert N. Wilkin, 1990, Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society

 

Sin and Temptation, John Owen, 1983, Multnomah Press

 

2 Peter: The Grace New Testament Commentary, Zane Hodges, 2010, Grace Evangelical Society