2 Peter is book 22 of the 27 books of the New Testament and belongs to the General Letters section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- New Testament · General Letters
- Genre
- Letter (farewell testament)
- Author (traditional)
- The apostle Peter, writing shortly before his death.
- Other views on authorship
- Many scholars regard 2 Peter as written in Peter's name by a later author, partly because of its style and its use of material similar to Jude; others defend Peter's authorship.
- Date (traditional)
- About AD 64–68, near the end of Peter's life.
- Other views on dating
- If pseudonymous, often dated AD 80–130.
- Chapters
- 3
- Verses
- 61
- Reading time
- About 8 minutes (1,530 words in the BSB)
What is 2 Peter about?
This letter is written as Peter's last testament. He knows his death is near, as the Lord had shown him, and he wants believers to remember the truth after he is gone. He begins by describing how God's power gives everything needed for a godly life and lists a 'ladder' of virtues — faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, kindness and love.
Peter then grounds his message in what he saw. He was on the mountain at the transfiguration of Jesus and heard God's voice. That eyewitness experience, together with the prophetic Scriptures, makes the Christian message trustworthy.
Chapter 2 warns sharply against false teachers who exploit people and deny the Lord, using examples of past judgment such as the flood in Noah's day and Sodom. Chapter 3 answers scoffers who say Jesus will never return: God's timing is not ours, and his delay is mercy.
Outline of 2 Peter
| ChaptersCh. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1 | Growing in grace and truth God's power and promises; a list of virtues to pursue; eyewitness testimony and prophecy. |
| 2 | False teachers Their methods, their judgment, and God's rescue of the righteous. |
| 3 | The day of the Lord Answering scoffers; God's patience; new heavens and new earth; grow in grace. |
Key themes
- Growth in godliness. Peter wants believers to make every effort to add virtue upon virtue, so they will not be ineffective or unfruitful.
- Reliable testimony. Christian faith rests on eyewitness accounts and Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, not on clever stories.
- Discernment. False teachers often look attractive and promise freedom while leading people into slavery to their desires.
- God's patient timing. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years. His apparent delay gives people time to repent.
Key people
- Peter — Apostle and eyewitness, writing his farewell.
- Jesus — The Lord and Saviour whose glory Peter saw.
- Noah — A preacher of righteousness rescued from the flood.
- Lot — A righteous man rescued from Sodom.
- Balaam — A prophet who loved the wages of wrongdoing.
- Paul — Peter calls him a dear brother whose letters are sometimes hard to understand.
Key verses in 2 Peter
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.”
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
How 2 Peter fits the big story
2 Peter looks back to the flood in Genesis and forward to the new heavens and new earth that Revelation describes in full. It follows 1 Peter, shifting from pressure outside the church to error inside it, and shares much material with Jude. Its mention of Paul's letters as Scripture-like shows the early church beginning to gather the writings that became the New Testament.
How to read 2 Peter
At 3 chapters a day you can read 2 Peter in 1 day — in one sitting. Read 1:5–8 and pick one virtue to focus on this week. Then read chapter 3 alongside Matthew 24 to see how the early church held hope about Christ's return.