2 Peter 1 - A Study Guide By Mark A. Copeland

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                     "THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER"

                              Chapter One

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To note the value of growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ

2) To understand what is involved in growing in the knowledge of Jesus

3) To appreciate the importance of being reminded of things we already
   know

4) To see that our faith relies on both eyewitness testimony and
   prophetic fulfillment

SUMMARY

Peter addresses his second epistle to those with like precious faith,
evidently the same recipients to whom he wrote his first epistle (3:1;
cf. 1Pe 1:1). His benediction of grace and peace is bestowed in
connection with the knowledge of God and Jesus, hinting at one of the
main themes of this epistle. Reference is then made to God's divine
power as the source of all things that pertain to life and godliness,
including precious promises by which those who have escaped worldly
lusts may now be partakers of the divine nature (1-4).

In view of such blessings, Peter exhorts his readers to diligently
abound in graces that will render them fruitful in the knowledge of
Christ. Failure to do so would be indicative of grave spiritual malady,
while diligence in doing so will ensure their calling and election,
resulting in an abundant entrance into the heavenly kingdom of Jesus
Christ (5-11).

Peter then explains why he would write such things when he knows they
are well established in them. In light of his impending death, he wants
to stir them up and make sure they will always be mindful of these
things after he is gone (12-15).

He also reminds them of the nature of his testimony concerning power and
coming of the Lord. He was an eyewitness, not a deceiver with cunningly
devised fables. As an example, reference is made to the events he
witnessed on the Mount of Transfiguration (16-18; cf. Mt 17:1-9).

Peter then exhorts them to give careful heed to the prophetic word made
sure, for it will serve as a light in a dark place until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in their heart. Such prophecies are to be
heeded because they come from men who were moved by the Holy Spirit
(19-21).

OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION (1-2)

   A. THE AUTHOR (1a)
      1. Peter
      2. A bondservant and apostles of Jesus Christ

   B. THE RECIPIENTS (1b)
      1. Those who have obtained like precious faith
      2. By the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ

   C. GREETINGS (2)
      1. Grace and peace be multiplied
      2. In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

II. GROW IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE (3-21)

   A. WITH PRECIOUS GIFTS FROM GOD (3-4)
      1. His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life
         and godliness
         a. Through the knowledge of Him
         b. Who called us by glory and virtue
      2. His glory and virtue has given us exceedingly great and
         precious promises
         a. Through which we may be partakers of the divine nature
         b. Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
            lust

   B. ABOUNDING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST (5-11)
      1. Diligent to add to our faith:
         a. Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance
         b. Godliness, brotherly kindness, love
      2. Diligent to make our call and election sure
         a. Abounding in these graces, neither barren nor unfruitful in
            the knowledge of Christ
         b. Not lacking in these graces, neither shortsighted nor
            forgetful of our cleansing
         c. Ensuring that we do not stumble, but have an abundant
            entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord Jesus
            Christ

   C. STIRRED UP BY CAREFUL REMINDER (12-21)
      1. By one who knows his death is imminent
         a. Who desires not to be negligent in reminding them
         b. Even though they know and are established in the present
            truth
         c. Who thinks it right to stir them up by way of reminder
         d. Knowing he will shortly put off his tent, as Jesus showed
            him
         e. To ensure they will always have a reminder of these things
            after his death
      2. Whose eyewitness testimony along with the prophetic Word we
         should heed
         a. He did not offer cunningly devised fables
            1) When proclaiming the power and coming of the Lord
            2) But was an eyewitness of His majesty
            3) Such as when Christ received honor and glory from God the
               Father on the Mount of Transfiguration
         b. We also have the prophetic word confirmed
            1) Which we do well to heed
               a) As a light in a dark place
               b) Until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our
                  hearts
            2) Knowing the prophetic nature of Scripture
               a) It was not of private interpretation (origin), or by
                  the will of man
               b) But holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the
                  Holy Spirit

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - Introduction (1-2)
   - Grow In Grace And Knowledge (3-21)

2) To whom does Peter address this epistle (1)
   - To those who have obtained like precious faith

3) In what way are grace and peace multiplied for the Christian? (2)
   - In the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord

4) What has God's divine power given to us?  How? (3)
   - All things that pertain to life and godliness
   - Through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue

5) What else has been given to us?  Why? (4)
   - Exceedingly great and precious promises
   - That we might be partakers of the divine nature
   - Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust

6) What spiritual graces are we to diligently add to our faith? (5-7)
   - Virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly
     kindness, love

7) What will be our condition if we abound in these graces? (8)
   - Neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
     Christ

8) What will be our condition if we lack these graces? (9)
   - Shortsighted, even to blindness
   - Forgetful of being purged from our old sins

9) What benefit will there be in doing these things? (10-11)
   - We will make our calling and election sure
   - We will never stumble
   - We will have an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of
     our Lord Jesus Christ

10) What was Peter careful to ensure concerning these things? (12,15)
   - To remind them always, even though they know them and are well
     established
   - To leave them a reminder of these things after his decease

11) What did Peter hope to accomplish?  What did he know would soon
    happen? (13-14)
   - To stir them by reminding them
   - He would put off his tent (i.e., die), just as Jesus showed him

12) In making known the power and coming of the Lord Jesus, what did
    Peter claim? (16)
   - He did not follow cunningly devised fables
   - He was an eyewitness of the Lord's majesty

13) What experience in Jesus' life does Peter refer to as an example of
    witnessing the Lord's honor and glory? (17-18)
   - The transfiguration on the mount (cf. Mt 17:1-9; Mk 9:2-9; Lk 9:
     28-36)

14) In addition to apostolic testimony, what else do we have to which we
    should give careful heed? (19)
   - The prophetic word made more sure

15) How does this word serve us? (19)
   - As a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the
     morning star arises in our hearts

16) What should be remembered regarding the prophetic word? (20-21)
   - No prophecy of Scripture is of private interpretation (i.e.,
     origin)
   - Prophecy did not come by the will of men, by holy men of God spoke
     as they were moved by the Holy Spirit
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