2 Peter & Jude
by Eileen Poh
Peter knew that he would die soon when he wrote the letter we now know as 2 Peter (1:13–14). In this farewell letter, he reminded his readers of what he had taught them in the past so that they would always remember his teachings after his death (v. 15). New Testament scholars believe it was addressed either to Christians living in the five Roman provinces in Asia Minor (1 Peter 1:1), or Christians in Asia Minor, Macedonia, or Greece, whom Paul had ministered to and who had also received Paul’s letters (2 Peter 3:15–16). While most of Peter’s audience were Gentiles, there would have been some Jews too.
The Structure of 2 Peter
The letter by Jude is a letter like 2 Peter. The author identifies himself as “a brother of James” (Jude 1:1). His letter shares a number of similarities with 2 Peter, including his warning against false teachers. Jude’s readers were probably Jewish Christians who were familiar with the Jewish writings of the period between the Old and New Testaments (vv. 14–16).
Key Verse
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life 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, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. -2 Peter 1:3–4
