2 Peter 3:1

2 Peter 3:1 ‘This is now, beloved, the second letter. am writing to you in which. am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,'

‘This is now' -lit., this epistle already. second one. write unto you. ‘Now'-‘implies that the interval between the two epistles was not long.' (P.P. Comm. p. 65)

‘beloved' -It is so important for brotherly love to continue, especially in times when the Church is facing trials from within and without. Peter didn't view these brethren with suspicion, and neither did he have the attitude, ‘I just don't think you will be able to resist the persuasiveness of the false teachers.' Peter loves these brethren and has confidence in them. Unfortunately, we often encourage people to fail, when we have the attitude, ‘I just know that you won't be able to remain faithful.' Demonstrates Peter's affectionate interest in his listeners. ‘Beloved' will be used five times in this chapter

‘the second letter. am writing to you' -‘Second letter'-Sadly, commentators just can't seem to accept that this second letter is the book of Second Peter and the first letter is the book of First Peter. Hamilton notes, ‘Expositors are divided as to what is the first epistle. Some say it is the book of Jude based on their assumption that Jude also wrote this epistle in the name of Peter….Others say that it refers to. lost letter about which nothing is known….Some even say that it refers to an earlier part of. Peter with chapter. having been separated from it….These views are really spun out of nothing, there being no evidence whatever for them…..The book of. Peter certainly had Peter as the author. It is perfectly natural for him, therefore, to say that this is his second epistle.' (pp. 197-198)

‘I am writing to you' -The same audience as is mentioned in the first letter.

‘I am stirring up' -Present tense, ‘I try to stir up'. ‘arouse the mind, stir up, render active' (Thayer p. 147). ‘awaken, by way of reminder' (Arndt p. 194) (2 Peter 1:13). ‘He believed in the value of repetition…There is something of significance here. It may well be that often we are too desirous of novelty, too eager to say new things, while what is needed is. repetition of the eternal truths.' (Barclay pp. 397-398)

‘your sincere mind' -‘Sincere'-‘pure, unsullied' (Thayer p. 175). ‘It is said of things which can bear to be judged in the sunlight, and so means “pure, clear” or according to another possible etymology, “unmixed” and so, “genuine, sincere”.' (P.P. Comm. p. 65) ‘denotes that which is clear, open, candid.' (Woods p. 179) ‘Mind'-‘a mind uncontaminated and unwarped by sensual passion.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 142) ‘keep your true minds awake' (Bas). ‘means pure, unsullied, undefiled, sincere, genuine. When one's mind is not filled with deceit, sinister motives, hate, or evil thoughts, it can be aroused to love and good works!' (Oberst p. 328) Consider the confidence that Peter has in his hearers. He is saying, ‘I know your minds are pure,. know that you want to do the right thing.' Let us never forget that the most valuable asset we possess is. honest and good heart (Luke 8:15).

‘by way of reminder' -Some erroneously think that only some ‘new' teaching can get people motivated. Note that Peter believed the Word of God could always stir up and stimulate any sincere mind. Which tells us something. If the preaching of the Word leaves us unmoved, then we are the ones with the problem, that is,. heart that is calloused. (1 Peter 3:1 ‘To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is. safeguard for you.')