The Purpose of Chapter 1

Peter does not immediately address the serious problems.  Rather, he prepares the way for the discussion of these problems by building up his readers' appreciation for what they received when they became Christians.  He reminds them of the wonderful promises of God and of the reliability of Bible prophecies.  He does  this by telling  about the transfiguration, the vision he personally had of Christ in Kingdom power. -Matthew 17:1-8; 2 Peter 1:3, 4, 11, 16-21.

Can we learn a lesson from Peter's introduction?  Is not counsel more acceptable if we first review with listeners features of the grand Kingdom hope that we  treasure in common? And what about  using a personal experience?Likely, after Jesus' death, Peter often told about seeing that vision of Christ in Kingdom glory. -Matthew 17:9.

Remember, too, that all probability, by the time Peter wrote his second letter, Matthew's Gospel and the apostle Paul's letter to the Galatians had been widely distributed.  So Peter's human feelings as well as his record of faith may have been well-known among his contemporaries.  (Matthew 16:21-23; Galatians 2:11-14)  This did not, however, take away his freeness of speech.  Indeed, it may have made his letter more appealing to those who were conscious of their own weaknesses. Therefore, when helping those who have problems, might it not be effective to admit that we too are prone to error? -Romans 3:23; Galatians 6:1.

Next time: A Strengthening Greeting

The Watchtower, 1997