10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. – 1 Peter 5:10 NIV

In a world that would have you go at a reckless pace to survive or thrive, I enjoy seasons like Lent or Ramadan as periods to slow down before speeding Godward. Considering what is going on around the world, the ongoing wars, famine, and injustices that prevail in society, I lean on faith and test it for its veracity.  Last time I wrote to you, I doubled-down on my take against Sunday Services, appealing to Scriptures in the Bible that clearly draws our attention away from the local church and towards the mystical perfect church. I use ‘mystic’ and ‘perfect’ as substitutes for the word ‘catholic’ or ‘universal’ as the latter two words carry connotations that are either offensive or unobjective. I also made postulations online, suggesting that a Final Revival would happen across the globe, where God’s Disciples would perform many miracles, including raising those that are dead. (Mat 10:1-8) Being compelled by the hope these Scriptures give, I write to you and don <once again> the teaching mantle. We’ll be going through the Second Epistle of Peter, sometimes teaching line upon line, doing a word study, or doing a summary of what the scriptures are saying. Let’s get right to it:

An Imitation or Pseudonym

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ. - 2 Peter 1:1 NLT

Many scholars rightfully debate whether this letter was written by Peter. With only two letters by Peter canonized, this second Letter starts off using language similar to the Apostle Paul.

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. - Rom 1:1 NLT

This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. - Titus 1:1 NLT

It’s not like Peter physically wrote his 1st Epistle alone either: 

I have written and sent this short letter to you with the help of Silas, whom I commend to you as a faithful brother. My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace. – 1 Peter 5:12 NLT

This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. – 1 Peter 1:1 NLT

Symbiotic Servitude

…a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

The word ‘slave’ is the better translation. It is the Greek word ‘doulos’ which means slave, bondman, or anyone of servile condition. It is from this definition that we can denote meanings of service, servitude, servant, and attendant. ‘Slave’ and ‘servant’ were interchangeable in Greco-Roman times. Slavery was a widespread institution where enslaved individuals, often prisoners of war or those sold into servitude, were considered property and maybe subjected into harsh treatment. Unlike chattel slavery, slavery in those times was not founded on racism. Like chattel slavery, many people were stolen, oppressed, abused or overlooked. 

I also made postulations online, suggesting that a Final Revival would happen across the globe, where God’s Disciples would perform many miracles, including raising those that are dead. (Mat 10:1-8)

It’s important as a Black man to put these facts into perspective. I’ve said online a few times that Christianity ‘is’ a White Man’s religion not because Jesus is historically ‘White’, but because historically, white theology has prevailed in evangelicalism, regardless of how incorrect, harmful, or ‘holey’ their theology is. Much of Christianity in American History is ‘White Theology’ led by a White Man’s Christianity. Blacks who were made slaves in America were banned from learning how to read and write, and for those who could learn, they were still often discriminated against. The Slave Bible was given to Blacks in America, omitting many New Testament Scriptures that would prevent the Negro of having any hope of being free in America. Furthermore, many Blacks were banned from worshipping in White churches, so Black churches were formed. It’s amazing how deep cultures clash against each other due to hierarchy, ethnic hatred, and dominance.

white theology has prevailed in evangelicalism regardless of how incorrect, harmful, or ‘holey’ their theology is. 

If the Second Epistle of Peter is debated by scholars today, imagine how many authentic letters from the apostles, whether written by hand or by a learned scribe would have been rejected because they use different language, talk about things that looks inconsistent with the rest of the Biblical canon, or seemingly have been written at a later date? Seems consistent with the way slaves would have been treated, past and present, right? 

Going back to the Greco-Roman customs, Jewish law about slavery, and even Jesus’ own words, we can get better theology around the word ‘slave’.  We’ll examine the first part of this verse again and give and idea-for-idea translation to get the most truth from the author’s intent.

Simon Peter, yoked and chained as an apostle of Christ. – TPV <The Prototype Version>

Which doesn’t diminish the weight or offensiveness of the verse, but gives essential background on the nature of servitude in this letter.  When Jesus invited those who were 'weary and heavy-burdened' to take His yoke upon them (Matthew 11:25-30), His audience likely included many slaves. This imagery echoes the principles of servitude found in Jewish law (Leviticus 25:39-55; Deuteronomy 15:7-18), which established specific rights and provisions for those in service. Additionally, these words could be universally applied to scientific and spiritual thoughts around atoms; the physics, chemistry, astronomy, and spectroscopy of matter. (Mathew 4:14-17; Matthew 11:25-30). Finally, this speaks to Jesus’ fulfilling the ministry of Moses and Joshua, filing out the plot holes from Exodus through Joshua. (Matt 20:20-28; Php 2:6-9).

Equality of Faith

Getting a small glimpse of the ministry of Jesus and what Peter is getting at in the first sentence makes the second sentence follow Divine logic:

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior. - 2 Peter 1:1 NLT

Now if a person who reads this epistle in good faith would probably ask a few questions: 

1. Did Simon Peter write more than 2 Epistles? 
2. Were there more than one Simon Peter who became a follower of Jesus?
3. Were there women writing Epistles using Peter’s name? And
4. Could future religions like Islam, Sikhism, Ba’hai, and Theosophy attain the faith Peter mentions?

Those are good questions, considering Peter has been checked twice already on the issue of grace in contrast to his Jewish traditions. The first time after receiving a vision from God (Acts 10:9-48), the second time through the Apostle Paul (Gal 2:11-21). There is a good probability that the answer to all of those questions is ‘Yes’.  Paul writes a powerful message to the Ephesians about how the church grows through truth (Eph 4:9-16) in many ways dispelling the belief of cessationism and at least showing continuance, though not in full accordance with charismatic leaders and the history of religious fanaticism and psychosis they have left behind.

The Marvel of Grace and Peace

Which leads to the second verse, and where I will stop for this blog in particular. 

2 May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. – 2 Peter 1:2 NLT

The two words we’ll hone in on are grace and peace;  both loaded with many connotations. 

"If you’ve been to a church service and listened to a pastor preaching on grace, they likely summed it up with the phrase ‘unmerited favor.’ Grace is understood as goodwill from God that cannot be earned, isn’t deserved, and is freely given regardless of status or merit. In some Reformed circles, it is described as ‘irresistible’—a concept we will see is not necessarily the case as we move through Peter’s Epistle. While grace is taught in many ways, one thing is certain: it is a gift from God for those humble enough to receive it (James 1:16-18; 4:3-7).

The peace to which Peter refers is multifaceted. On one hand, Paul further explains this peace through the lens of reconciliation to God; on the other, it is a prophetic inner tranquility attained through prayer and meditation (Isa. 26:3; Phil. 4:6–7). As a gift from God, it serves as evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer's life (Gal. 5:22). Peter uses the Greek word eirēnē, the equivalent of the Hebrew šālôm (Ps. 34:14; 1 Pet. 3:10–11). Within šālôm, one finds more than just a lack of conflict; it implies wholeness, completeness, safety, and harmony—a state many Jews and Christians believe will be fully realized when the Messiah reigns on earth.

So whether we are talking about Peter Parker or Pietro Maximoff, we know that Divine grace will empower us in every way, including similarities with these heroes, yet with a peace that nullifies the need for these heroes in the first place. We’ll explore that more in the next blog, going over the next two verses 3-4. Until next time, may you be established and persuaded by more than just the grace and peace of God, but His lovingkindness and mercy, the type that exists as a chasm between you and I. Unlike others, the love I have cannot cease in growing towards you. I love you.

As Always,

James