2 Peter 3:14 – 18 “Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace with Him, without spot or blemish. Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
Peter is winding up the second of his letters. Remember, Peter is sitting in Rome, wondering when the Roman soldiers are going to carry him off to prison. Peter is a plain – spoken working man with no time to waste. Why is Peter referring to Paul in this manner?
As an observant Jew, Peter certainly received a basic Torah education; however, it’s likely that once he was big enough to help with the fishing, he left school. Paul, on the other hand, was a scholar who had studied under Gamaliel, one of the foremost teachers of that time. Peter probably spoke one language well and a second language poorly, while Paul spoke and wrote Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek, and possibly Latin. Peter came from a blue collar background while Paul’s family were religious aristocrats. It’s true that Paul was a tent maker, but it was part of the rabbinic tradition for a rabbi to have another profession in addition to being a life – long student.
“Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.” Peter is concerned that his readers not become confused by “jargon jugglers,” that is, people who overwhelm their listeners with words while they espouse strange theories that have little or no basis in Scripture.
These days there are many people who prey on fears or uncertainties to gain influence over shallow thinkers. It was the same in Peter’s day. Conspiracy theories and strange philosophies abounded then just as they do now. How can we protect ourselves from being unduly swayed? Pray! If someone sends you a video or a link, pray about it! God has promised to send wisdom to all who seek it and He is a good Father who does not play charades with His children.
PRAYER; Father God, help us to truly grow in grace and not to get caught up in strange philosophies. Lord, help us to always seek wisdom from You first and to remember that if some new theory does not line up with Scripture, there is probably something wrong with it. Thank you for loving us and for sending Jesus to die for our sins. Help us to whole – heartedly follow you all the days of our lives. In the mighty and precious Name of Jesus. Amen.
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