second letter of Peter

The Second Epistle of Peter is one of the least studied texts of the New Testament. It is usually compared with 1 Peter and/or Jude and indeed shows some similarities and some differences with these texts. But little attention is paid to the originality of 2 Peter both in its interpretation of texts from the Jewish tradition and in the application of intertextual strategies to elements of Greek philosophy. 2 Pet 1:5-7 is undoubtedly one of the most Hellenized passages of the epistle. Not only did the narrator use a hierarchical catalog of virtues popular in Greek literature, but also terms that are commonly associated with ethics, especially the stoic ethics (faith-πίστις; virtue-ἀρετή; knowledge-γνῶσις). This article aims to present the manner in which the narrator in 2 Pet 1:5-7 enters into dialogue with Greek ethical texts and how he transforms, innovates, and reinterprets these texts. In other words, what intertextual strategy he uses.

The author of the Second Letter of St Peter wrote at a time when there were false prophets and teachers among Christians, whose erroneous learning seemed very attractive to many, and therefore became a serious threat to the young Church. Because of their strong influence and the danger that many who were unstable in faith and morals would follow their example, Peter sharply denounced their teaching and scandalous conduct. Above all, however, he wrote his letter to remind Christians of the apostolic teachings they once gave them. This article presents the main theological topics that are the content of the teaching of the author of the Second Letter of St Peter: the divine authority of Jesus Christ (Christology), the salvific will of God and Jesus Christ (soteriology), the promise of the Lord’s second coming (eschatology), the authority of the Holy Scriptures and its proper interpretation, and moral life based on the Gospel.