ACC ~ 2 Peter 1 v1 - 2

OVERVIEW:

The Fathers all recognized that there are great differences between the first and second letters attributed to Peter, but they explained these variations in different ways. Some of them rejected the authenticity of the second letter and refused to accept it as part of the canon, but the majority were unwilling to go that far. They recognized that although there were differences between the two letters, they were not as great as the differences between the letters, on the one hand, and other writings attributed to Peter that were known to be spurious, on the other. Perhaps the strongest argument in favor of this letter’s authenticity was its remarkably personal style. In his opening salutation Peter reverts to his original name, Simon, in order to show those who preferred to forget his Jewish origins that he had not rejected them (HILARY OF ARLES). Whether Gentiles or Jews, all who are baptized share a faith of equal standing (ANDREAS, OECUMENIUS). Peter prays for the peace of the church, which comes from knowing God (OECUMENIUS). Peace is the mother of all good things and the foundation of our joy (CHRYSOSTOM).

1:1 | A Servant and an Apostle of Jesus Christ

SIMON PETER. HILARY OF ARLES: In his second letter Peter describes himself both as Simon and as a servant, in order to show that he was humble and obedient. In his first letter he confined himself to the name Peter, which had been given to him by the Lord himself and signified that he was the chief of the apostles, but here he reverts to his original name Simon in order to show those who preferred to forget his Jewish origins that he had not rejected them. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER.

THE GRACE OF BAPTISM THE SAME. ANDREAS: Notice how right from the start Peter encourages the souls of the believers by raising them up to the same spiritual level as that of the apostles. For the grace of baptism is the same in every believer. CATENA.

A FAITH OF EQUAL STANDING. OECUMENIUS: Simon may also be written as “Simeon,” of which it is the diminutive form. Compare Metras and Metrodorus, Menas and Menodorus, Theudas and Theodosius. Right from the beginning, Peter lifts up the hearts and minds of believers, encouraging us also to share in the apostles’ zeal for preaching. For it would be unjust to suggest that those who have received this gift a little later in time are somehow inferior to them, when they have officially been declared to be their equals in honor. COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER.

1:2 | Grace and Peace in the Knowledge of God

PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF THE CHURCH. CHRYSOSTOM: There is nothing to equal this, which is why we pray and seek after the angel of peace. Everywhere we pray for peace in the churches—in the prayers, in the supplications and in the sermons. And the Guardian of the church gives it to us not once or twice but many times over: “Peace be unto you.” Why? Because peace is the mother of all good things and the foundation of our joy. For this reason Christ taught his disciples that when they entered people’s houses they were to say: “Peace be unto you.” Without peace everything else is useless. CATENA.

IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. OECUMENIUS: This is not the peace of the world but the peace which comes from knowing God. For the only true peace is the one which delivers us from our transgression and enmity against God. It is the same peace which Christ gave his disciples when he was about to go to the Father, and when he rose again from the dead. COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER.