2 Peter: Grow in Grace

Peter's theme in his second letter is a simple one—pursue spiritual maturity through the word of God as a remedy for false teaching and a right response to heretics in light of Christ's promised second coming (1:3,16). When false teachers begin to whisper their sweet words into the ears of immature Christians, the body of Christ begins to break apart, to lose what makes it distinctive in the first place—faith in the unique person and work of Jesus Christ.

Peter repeatedly points to the word of God as the primary means of growth for the Christian (1:4,19-21; 3:1-2,14-16). Peter encouraged his readers to apply themselves to acquiring the true knowledge of God and living out the life of faith with "all diligence," so that they may "be found by [Jesus] in peace, spotless and blameless" (1:5; 3:14). And if believers did not follow his advice, they would be giving their Christian community over to the heretics, people who look to "exploit . . . with false words" (2:3).