返回Preface
Preface
Preface
And this epistle the Apostle Peter writes to those who had already believed. He reminds them of what was previously written. Knowing that he would soon be released from the body, the apostle endeavored to remind everyone of the teaching by which they had been instructed. And first, he speaks about faith, showing that it was proclaimed by the prophets, and that the prophecies relating to the Savior were uttered not by men, but by God. Then, he urges them not to heed deceivers, saying that they will perish, as happened also with the angels who sinned. He foretells that a time will come when scoffers will go about everywhere and try to deceive some, saying that we preach the second coming of the Savior in vain, because we always speak of it, yet He still has not come. He especially commands to avoid such people, and teaches not to lose heart on account of the delay; for all time before the Lord is nothing, because with Him "one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). Moreover, he affirms and proves that the day of the Lord will come soon, and commands everyone to be prepared for it with good deeds and to value the writings of the Apostle Paul, and not to heed those who distort them, because they distort all of Holy Scripture as well. Having reminded them of this and taught everyone to take care of their own deeds, he urges them not to fall away from the goal of faith, and thus concludes the epistle.
And this epistle the Apostle Peter writes to those who had already believed. He reminds them of what was previously written. Knowing that he would soon be released from the body, the apostle endeavored to remind everyone of the teaching by which they had been instructed. And first, he speaks about faith, showing that it was proclaimed by the prophets, and that the prophecies relating to the Savior were uttered not by men, but by God. Then, he urges them not to heed deceivers, saying that they will perish, as happened also with the angels who sinned. He foretells that a time will come when scoffers will go about everywhere and try to deceive some, saying that we preach the second coming of the Savior in vain, because we always speak of it, yet He still has not come. He especially commands to avoid such people, and teaches not to lose heart on account of the delay; for all time before the Lord is nothing, because with Him "one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day" (2 Peter 3:8). Moreover, he affirms and proves that the day of the Lord will come soon, and commands everyone to be prepared for it with good deeds and to value the writings of the Apostle Paul, and not to heed those who distort them, because they distort all of Holy Scripture as well. Having reminded them of this and taught everyone to take care of their own deeds, he urges them not to fall away from the goal of faith, and thus concludes the epistle.