The Initial Theme of 2 Peter.
The initial theme of 2 Peter is found in 2 Peter 1:1-4. It is that our God and Saviour Jesus Christ has come into the world, and that thereby:
· He has called us by His own glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:3)
· So that we may enjoy life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
· And thus escape the corruption of the world brought about by lust (2 Peter 1:4).
· As a result of becoming partakers of the divine nature, that is, by becoming a new creation (2 Peter 1:4; compare 2 Corinthians 5:17).
These themes are then expanded on as follows;
· For His glory manifested - see 2Pe 1:16-18; 2 Peter 3:18.
· For life and godliness - see 2Pe 1:5-9; 2 Peter 3:11.
· For the corruption that is in the world through lust that has to be escaped from - see 2 Peter 2:2-22.
· For final delivery through the destruction of the world and its lusts by fire, and the entry into the new creation, the new Heaven and the new earth of the godly as we become more and more partakers of the divine - see 2 Peter 3:7-13.
Introduction.
As was usual in those times the letter begins with and introduction of himself by the author.