1 & 2 Peter and Jude Commentary

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These three commentaries by Zane Hodges are encouraging, enlightening, and energizing.

In his first epistle, Peter shows how believers can save their souls — or lives — by persisting in faithful service to Christ even amidst suffering for Him: “Just as Christ triumphed in glory through suffering, so can we through our own. If we endure it as He did, we save our souls” (p. 9).

In his second letter, Peter urges believers to shun error in anticipation of the Savior’s imminent return, thereby ensuring a bountiful entrance to His kingdom:

This [eternal reward] is equally true of 2 Pet 1:11-12. Salvation from hell is not in view.  Heavenly reward is the real theme. The holy and fruitful lifestyle of vv 3-8 can be a demonstration — a verification — that an individual Christian has not only been “called,” but actually “chosen,” for great reward in Christ’s future kingdom.  As he or she diligently pursues this pathway, doing the things that Peter has enjoined, he will be able to avoid any serious spiritual fall (you will never stumble).  Thus his pathway can climax in a rich entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Everlasting wealth, or treasure, can be his in an everlasting kingdom (p. 83).

Jude, one of the Lord’s brothers, tells his readers how to deal with apostates in the Church. God gives us the power to stand even the internal attacks of apostates: “Jude is superlatively confident that, however great the moral dangers around, God’s power to keep one from stumbling into the abyss of sin is sufficient.  God can give to such ones a fully commendable life in which He can exult in a future day” (p. 212).

Zane C. Hodges (BA, Wheaton, Th.M., Dallas Theological Seminary) taught New Testament Greek and exegesis for twenty-seven years at Dallas Theological Seminary. He is the author of many books including The Hungry Inherit, The Gospel Under Siege, and Six Secrets of the Christian Life. He went to be with the Lord on Nov 23, 2008.