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Book 61 of 66 · New Testament

2 Peter

A warning against false teachers, and patience for the day of the Lord that will surely come.

3 chapters61 versesWritten in GreekSet To the church at large

Overview

2 Peter warns the churches against false teachers who deny the truth and live immorally, and against scoffers who mock the promise of Christ's return — "where is the promise of his coming?" Peter answers that God is not slow but patient, not willing that any should perish, and that the day of the Lord will come "as a thief in the night." Until then, grow in grace.

Book facts

Author
Peter (traditionally)Attributed to Peter; its authorship is among the most debated in the New Testament.
Date written
c. AD 65 (traditional)Traditionally near the end of Peter's life; many scholars date it later.
Original language
GreekA more elaborate Greek than 1 Peter.
Setting
To the church at largeGuarding against error and scoffing.

How it came to be

2 Peter is attributed to the apostle Peter. It reads as a farewell, written as Peter senses his death is near.

Its authorship is among the most debated in the New Testament, on grounds of style and content.

What is arguedWhether Peter wrote it. Differences from 1 Peter, and its overlap with Jude, fuel the debate.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

ChapterWhat this chapter covers
Truth against error — true knowledge, false teachers, and the day of the Lord, chapters 1–3
Chapter 1The precious promisesGreat and precious promises; make your calling sure, for the message rests on eyewitness testimony.
Chapter 2The false teachersA sharp warning against false teachers and their destructive ways.
Chapter 3The day of the LordScoffers doubt Christ's return; God is patient, but the day will come as a thief.

All 3 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

The apostle to whom the letter is attributed.

Known for

Some of the best-known verses in 2 Peter — tap the verse to read it.