II Corinthians 1, My Hardships for You

Most of this letter is a defense of Paul's ministry which has apparently been under attack. Paul is very concerned about the continued growth of the Corinthians; they have disciplined a member and have done what Paul has asked, but apparently doubts remain.

In this letter Paul details the suffering he has experienced and his deep love for the Corinthians. As the NIV Student Bible says, "it reads ... like a personal letter and [not] a public document." Paul's emotional intensity comes through clearly.

In this first chapter Paul discusses suffering and explains why he did not visit the Corinthians recently

II Corinthians 1:1-2,  Greeting
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a standard greeting for a letter, identifying the writer and his audience.  The audience is the "saints" (ie., believers, followers of the Savior Messiah) who live in the Achean region around Corinth.

II Corinthians 1: 3-7, Suffering leads to comfort of others
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Out of suffering often comes ministry of comfort since empathy is an important part of ministry. But we still deeply need Gods comforting during that time.

II Corinthians 1: 8-11, We suffered greatly
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Paul and his party suffered greatly in their missionary journeys, enduring stonings and physical beatings. Now that that is in the past, Paul is proud of their suffering for Christ and for the Corinthians.

II Corinthians 1: 12-14, We have acted correctly, with clear conscience
Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace. For we do not write you anything you cannot read or understand. And I hope that, as you have understood us in part, you will come to understand fully that you can boast of us just as we will boast of you in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Paul is proud of his conduct regarding the Corinthians and wishes to continue in good relations with them (despite some conflict over his recent letter.)

II Corinthians 1: 15-17, I did plan to visit you
Because I was confident of this, I planned to visit you first so that you might benefit twice. I planned to visit you on my way to Macedonia and to come back to you from Macedonia, and then to have you send me on my way to Judea. When I planned this, did I do it lightly? Or do I make my plans in a worldly manner so that in the same breath I say, "Yes, yes" and "No, no"? But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not "Yes" and "No." For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by me and Silas and Timothy, was not "Yes" and "No," but in him it has always been "Yes."

Paul apparently had said he would visit the Corinthians but did not. This was not because his words were casual, without thought, but because events forced otherwise. Implicit in this paragraph is a statement about the importance of honest commitment.

The Greek word translated here as "Silas" is apparently Silvanus, a variant of Silas.

II Corinthians 1: 20-22, God's promises are "Yes"
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Paul is convinced that God had a plan in preventing his trip to Corinth and that the Holy Spirit is continuing to work in both him and the people of the Corinthian churches.

II Corinthians 1:23-24, Why we did not return to Corinth as planned
I call God as my witness that it was in order to spare you that I did not return to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm.

Paul's concern is ever with the growth of the church.

In the next chapter Paul continues to describe his concerns for the Corinthians, along with defending his travels.

II Peter 3, The Lord's Return

Peter has denounced recent false prophets who, like false prophets of old, teach for their own gain and glory, without concern for God or spiritual truth.

2 Peter 3: 1-2, Recall the prophets
Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Presumably this letter follows the earlier letter of Peter, stimulated by concerns about the false teachings, most likely related to first century gnosticism.

2 Peter 3: 3-7, Where is the second coming?
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this `coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and  destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved  for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

One concern late in the first century was the fact that the apostles had taught that the return of Jesus was imminent.  So where was he?  Peter's answer is essentially that God has a plan and its timeline is a long one.  If the delay in Jesus's return was a question for the late first century, it is certainly one for today, two thousand years later!

2 Peter 3: 8-10,
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed  by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 

If a thousand years is a mere 'day' to God, argues Peter, then our own small perspective is very short and we do not see the even a small part of the great picture.

Peter suggests that God delays the Return so as to reach out to all mankind.  This is a missional statement for the early church.

2 Peter 3: 11-13,
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

See the revelation of John for more details on this new heaven and new earth!

Throughout the New Testament, the future kingdom is viewed as a truly physical kingdom, with a new universe replacing the current one.  It is not a kingdom of angels sitting on clouds up in 'heaven' but a re-creation, a renewal, by God.

2 Peter 3: 14-16, Patient living (& Paul)
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own  destruction.

Until Jesus returns, we are to live blameless, holy lives, presumably engaged in our world and community.

This mention of Paul's letters is unique and indicates that this letter is very late, that Paul's letters have widely circulated.  Peter then goes on to call Paul's letters "Scripture", equating them with the statements of the Old Testament prophets.

2 Peter 3: 17-18, Be alert and keep growing
Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

The letter ends with a final reminder to the young church about error and the importance of growing in Jesus's grace.

I have found this letter a little strange in it view of heavens, hell, angels and false prophets.  It merits more study.  But now, tomorrow, we will move on to a letter of Paul's, the "second" letter to the Corinthians.

II Peter 2, False Prophets

In this passage the author takes on the false prophets (Gnostics?) who have been denying Jesus's role as God and Savior.

2 Peter 2: 1-3, Warning about false prophets
But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way  of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

The author is especially worried about "prophets" denying the sovereignty of Jesus.

2 Peter 2: 4-9, Judge and rescuer

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed  by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)-- if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men  from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

The word translated here as "hell" is the word tartarus,  a word for the abyss in Greek mythology.

It is easy to miss the fact that this passage is one long "if-then" statement: if all these things happened to ancients then ... God will rescue the godly.  The passage is a promise more than a warning.

2 Peter 2: 10-11, Slanderous accusations

This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels, although they are stronger and more powerful, do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord.

I'm not quite sure of the background for this passage. The false prophets have freely slandered others... including "celestial beings"?  (I'd look at a commentary on this ... but I'm traveling this morning.  William Barclay's commentary links this to two popular Jewish stories relating angels -- I need to dig that up.)

2 Peter 2: 12-13, Beasts at our love feasts
But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand.  They are like brute beasts, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like beasts they too will  perish. They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you. 

This might be a description of some gnostics who, claiming that the material universe, including their bodies, was irrelevant, might then consider themselves free to engage in any sensual activities they wished, "carousing" in their feasting and partying.  Some manuscripts call the feasts "love feasts", a term that appears in the letter of Jude.

C. S. Lewis, at the end of the seventh book in The Chronicles of Narnia, has intelligent talking beasts denying Aslan's kingship and as a result, changing back into mere brute beasts, losing the divine gift of speech and thought.

2 Peter 2: 14-17, Balaam and a donkey's speech
With eyes full of adultery, they never stop sinning; they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed--an accursed  brood! They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey--a beast without speech--who spoke with a man's voice and restrained  the prophet's madness.

The word "adultery" need not refer to a sexual acts but a general watering down of morality and ethics.  Peter's words here are sharp and strong, equating this attitude with ancient examples of wickedness.  I am again reminded of C. S. Lewis's play with animal speech in Narnia.

2 Peter 2: 17-19, Slaves promising freedom
These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of sinful human nature, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered  him.

Again, Peter harshly condemns these false prophets as deliberate dishonest manipulators. While promising freedom from any ethical restraints, they are themselves slaves.

2 Peter 2: 20-22, Worse off at the end
If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn  their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud."

The quote in verse 22 about a dog and its vomit is from Proverbs 26:11.

Peter, like the author of Hebrews, has the strongest condemnation for those who understand who Jesus is but then still turn their backs to that knowledge.

II Peter 1, Precious Promises

The so-called "second" epistle of Peter is an interesting and unusual letter.  Its authenticity was challenged in ancient times for a number of reasons, as its style and tone are different from that of the first letter. Some have suggested that Peter simply had a different amanuensis, that is, a different secretary to wrote the letter into Greek. 

2 Peter 1: 1-6, Power for life

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter, not just "Peter", and also identifies himself as an apostle. This is a strong statement. The writer emphasizes that Jesus, the Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), is all we need for life.

2 Peter 1: 7-9, The results of faith
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his  past sins.

We see a litany of good characteristics, a ladder where each rung is a good attribute based on a previous rung, all based on confirmation of Jesus as Savior.

2 Peter 1: 10-15, Some final teachings
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things. 

Peter anticipates soon leaving his "tent" behind but wants to remind his readers of the most important pillars of the faith, before he moves on from this life.  Some suspect Peter is preparing for martyrdom.

2 Peter 1: 16-18, Eyewitness to the Transfiguration
We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you  about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 

The author of the letter was an eyewitness of Jesus, seeing his majesty, present at the transfiguration scene in which both Elijah and Moses appeared. The quotation in verse 17 is from the New Testament: Matt 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35.  (This is one of the few cases in which a New Testament letter quotes the New!)

2 Peter 1: 19-21, Following the Prophets
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

God has a planned described in the prophets, guided by God, "carried along" by the Holy Spirit.

I Peter 5, Shepherds Under a Shepherd

Peter continues to give advice regarding persecution.

1 Peter 5: 1-5, Shepherds representing the one true Shepherd

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving  as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace  to the humble."

Peter makes an appeal to other elders as a fellow elder, not as an "apostle" or head of the church.

The quote in verse 5 is from Proverbs 3:34.

1 Peter 5: 6-7, Humble and dependent on God
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Humilitiy and trust are important characteristics of followers of the Good Shepherd.

1 Peter 5: 8-9, Alert and ready
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

This is similar to a statement of James.

1 Peter 5: 10-11, Eternal glory, short suffering
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Everyone enduring persecution relies on promises like this, that their suffering is "short" and is part of an eternal plan, with God still active overall.

1 Peter 5: 1-5, Greetings and final blessing
With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in  it.

She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

In verse 12 the Greek Silvanus is a variant of Silas.  Silas possibly wrote the letter under the guidance of Peter.  Mark is probably John Mark.

Where is Babylon?  Possibly Rome, the home of Nero, the one providing the current persecution? It is apparently clear to the readers but is not named here.

There are similar questions about "She" -- who is the woman described here? Two reasonable suggestions from two thousand years later: (1) This could be the church in Rome, since the church was identified by Paul as the bride of Christ or (2) this could be Peter's wife, who traveled with him. Either way, the readers of the letter don't need a description.

I Peter 4, Suffering & Honor

Peter has given guidance on living as a Christian.  The letter continues to base the guidance on theological principles about the identity of Jesus.

1 Peter 4: 1-6, Arm yourself with Christ's suffering.
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.

But they will have to give account to him who is ready to  judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Peter offers a difference: leave a life of hopelessness and focus on shortterm pleasure for a life of longterm purpose (including suffering), as a member of Christ's family.

This passage indicates that the readers of the letter are likely Gentiles. Peter makes no attempt to appeal to Jewish upbringing or morality.

1 Peter 4: 7-8, Prayer and love

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Peter believed the "end of all things" was near and that was 2000 years ago!

I love the proverb, "Love covers a multitude of sins", for it indicates a fundamental principle: focus on love and the rest begins to fall in place.

1 Peter 4: 9-11, Using our gifts
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve  others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be  praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The brief emphasis on spiritual gifts and appropriate use of them echoes Paul.

Some suggest that this epistle glues together two letters.  If so, this is the break, as the past paragraph ends with an announcement of praise and the next passage starts anew.

1 Peter 4: 12-18, Be proud & grateful of the name you bear
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to  you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of  Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will  become of the ungodly and the sinner?"

The quote in verse 18 is from Prov. 11:31.

William Barclay suggests that Peter is instructing Christians suffering under persecution from Nero.

1 Peter 4: 19, Suffering
So then, those who suffer according to God's will should  commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to  do good.

Suffering (according to God's will) is included in our training.

Peter concludes with final advice in the next chapter.

The Letters of Peter

It is Sunday, a time to reflect while moving through the chapters of the New Testament.

The two letters of Peter, towards the end of most modern versions of the Bible, are short pastoral letters intended to encourage Christians in strife and persecution and provide answers to a number of questions that would have arisen in the church late in the first century, questions such as "Is Jesus really going to return soon?"

The letters are apparently written in very different styles, with the first letter written in educated, sophisticated Greek.  Although both letters claim to be written by Peter, that authorship of the second letter has been disputed in various ways, over the centuries.  Both were late in being accepted into the New Testament canon.

One possible explanation for the Greek stylistic differences may be that the letters have different amanuenses, different secretarial scribes.  The first letter is written by a secretary, Silvanus, whose Greek is eloquent while the second letter, more hurried with sloppier Greek, might have been dictated to someone else or written by Peter himself, shortly before death.

I Peter, focuses on Christians, as aliens and strangers, living in the Roman Empire and their need to still live as citizens of an eternal kingdom.

I Peter has a strong emphasis on Old Testament passages, familiar to his readers, from Isaiah and Hosea and others. Even though his readers are probably Gentiles, they are surely familiar with the Old Testament passages and the passages are mentioned without reference.

An especially good reference is from overviewbible here.

Their are a number of online references on I Peter.  As always there are Wikipedia articles on I Peter and on the authorship of these letters (but note the alert at the top of that page.)

The second letter is from a man facing death, concerned about false prophets and the future of the church.  It is intended to confront falsehoods and reassure those who have given up on Jesus's return.

A good overview of the second letter is here.

Tomorrow we will continue with the chapters from those two letters.