2 Peter

The historical context for 2 Peter is a matter of debate among many biblical scholars. Those holding that the letter is authentic and written by the Apostle Peter assert it was likely written in the mid-1st century AD, around the same time as 1 Peter, to address similar concerns of persecution and false teaching. The letter would have been written from Rome, where Peter is believed to have been martyred.
Of debate is whether these false teaching would have been related to an early form of Gnosticism, a heretical movement that emerged in the 2nd century and claimed to possess secret knowledge about God and the universe.
Regardless of the exact historical context in which 2 Peter was written, the letter is primarily concerned with combating false teaching and encouraging believers to remain faithful to the true teachings of Christ. It emphasizes the need for moral and ethical living, as well as the importance of sound doctrine and the authority of Scripture.

In 2 Peter chapter two, the contrast between Peter's two letters becomes most apparent. In both letters, he is writing to the churches scattered throughout Asia (1 Pet 1:2, 2 Pet 3:1). First, of hope in the anticipation of the return of Christ to those persecuted, while in Babylon (aka Rome, 1 Pet 5:13). Now here in 2 Peter, likely in prison just prior to his imminent execution, he warns against the threat of false teachers within the church, explaining that the Lord is not accountable to man for the day or hour of His return. In 1 Peter, we read of a victorious Christian life whereby through obedience under duress, we can actually evangelize our hostile world. In 2 Peter, our clearer picture is that of Satan seeking to discredit the church by use of Christians whose lives are not consistent with the Word of God. By parading them to the world, the credibility and integrity of the church is shown to be a sham to unbelievers and weaker Christians. Peter delivers a general characterization of false teachers as he was just as concerned to show their immoral character as he was about exposing their teaching. Wickedness is the product of destructive heresies and will result in swift destruction (v2:1). The solution is plain to see as Peter uses the word "knowledge" 16 times in these three short chapters. The answer to false teaching is the Word of Knowledge. We must remain intimately vigilant, abiding in Christ, allowing His Word to abide in us (John 15:7).

How full a passage are these 18 verses! They include the admonition to remember Scripture, a condemnation of those mocking Scripture, a citation of their foolishness, what they fail to note of the greatness God has already shown, their coming judgment, what it is that we should not fail to note, the coming destruction of the earth, how we should be because we know this, and what we should look for that God has promised to come. If this weren't enough, Peter even adds references to the end of his letter, noting that we should consider his letter just as what "also our beloved brother Paul" wrote (v15). Be encouraged reading the closing verses of this letter (vv16-18). Peter had already stated that the interpretation of Scripture is only accessible "by men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Pet.1:21). Peter even specifically states that there are things in Paul's letters that are hard to understand - "as also in all his letters...are some things hard to understand" (v16). Nonetheless, the accursed children referred to in 2:14 are here again in 3:16, distorting all the Scriptures, to their own destruction. But because we know this now, here is the whole message Peter has been writing to deliver - There is a specific way to guard yourself against false teaching - Be Steadfast in Your Pursuit of the Knowledge of Christ and Grow in the Grace of our Lord. "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest you, having been carried away by the error of unprincipled men, fall from your own steadfastness, 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." 2 Peter 3:17–18.