The Second Letter of Peter must be read holistically. To strengthen the faith and hope of the believers, especially in view of the presence of false teachers and false claims concerning the return of the Lord, Peter develops a carefully structured logic.
1:1-4. In a brief introduction, the author reminds that the plan of God for salvation has been accepted by the readers so that their faith is every bit as precious and valid as that of the apostles. God has powerfully acted in their lives to provide everything needed, everything associated with life and godliness. God has made possible knowledge, God has called to glory and viirtue, God has given incredibly grand and precious promises. In this way, God has made it possible for believers to participate in the divine nature, escaping and separated from the corrupt life of the world. This is the foundation summary of the possibilities of the Christian life.
1:5-21. Remembering these truths is the key to Christian virtue and Christian living, and these truths are remembered only through the message of God, a message not of human origin but of God, a faithful declaration of his power and the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian life is possible only in knowing and standing firm in the declared truth. This prophetic word is certain.
2:1-22. Remember the truth–God’s work in the life of the Christian for salvation–is the only antidote to false teachers. Further, it is essential to combat false ideas because they lead to corruption, even while promising liberty. Such false teachings lead nowhere–in fact, they send people backward so that the end state is even worse than the former.
3:1-10. This is a second attempt to deal with this danger. A clear understanding, remembering the words of the (Old Testament) prophets and the commandments of Jesus himself passed on through the apostles, will recognize that there have always been scoffers, doubters, and those who question. God’s patience is in evidence, but the end of all things is nonetheless certain.
3:11-17. In a brief conclusion, the point is reemphasized. In view of the certain message, Christians live holy pure lives, anticipating the coming of the Lord. The certainty of this truth does not depend on knowing and understanding every detail of God’s wisdom. Some making efforts to understand every detail of God’s wisdom are actually twisting the message. Stand firm, growing in grace and knowledge.