Hilary of Arles — Commentary on Scripture

Peter is telling us that we should not be content with our baptism but should go on and grow in our faith.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

Here Peter reminds us that the entrance into heaven is the narrow way of following God’s commandments.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

The people to whom Peter is writing already know what he has to say because they have read his first letter. The truth which he has to share with them is the New Testament, for as Paul said: “The old has passed away, and all things are made new in Christ.”

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 1:13

Peter thought that it was right to call Gentiles to faith, but the Jews did not. This is why he expresses himself like this here.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 1:14

The Lord Jesus showed Peter that his end was near either by a revelation through the Holy Spirit or by his response to Peter when he said: “Get behind me, Satan” or perhaps by dreams and visions in the night.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 1:15

By writing to them often Peter hoped to leave something behind him after his death.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 1:17

The one who received glory and honor was not inferior to the one who bestowed these things, because it was in his human flesh that the Son received them, not in his eternal divinity.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 1:18

Tradition says that the transfiguration took place on Mt. Tabor.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 1:19

The light which shone on them was the light of Scripture.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 1:20

You must take care when interpreting the Scriptures not to be too greatly fixated upon the places, times and people who wrote them down, as if they were merely human compositions. Rather you ought to rely on the clarity and sufficiency of the Spirit.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:1

It is typical of false teachers that they cannot accept the full equality of the persons of the Trinity.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:2

They revile the way of truth because they have turned orthodox doctrine into heresy, or because they have rejected the rule given to them at their baptism, or because they have abandoned the way of truth.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:3

The destruction of these people comes from none other than the God of Israel, who is never idle or asleep.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:4

The angels sinned in three ways, by their pride, by their envy and by their lust. In this verse it is made clear that sin can occur even if it is not done overtly in the flesh. It is obvious that the essence of sin is consent to do evil.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:5

The ungodliness of those who lived in the time from Adam to Noah was what caused the flood.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:14

These people even greeted one another with kisses which were full of lust. What was meant to be a sign of peace was transformed into adultery by those who had turned away from God.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:15

The right way is the way of Christ, who said: “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:16

The ass spoke with a human voice so that Balaam would understand what God was saying to him. He had become a madman because of his disobedience to the commandments of God, and dumb animals are wiser than that, since they observe the law of nature.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:17

These people are empty wells of the kind that animals fall into and die in, because there is no water at the bottom.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER

2 Peter 2:18

Pride is always vain because it makes people stupid, as they are without God insofar as they are proud.

INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER