2 Pedro 1:1

The writer could hardly have stated his identity more clearly than he did in this verse. "Simon" was Peter’s Hebrew name, and "Peter" is the Greek translation of the nickname Cephas ("Rocky," cf. Matthew 16:18). There is only one Peter mentioned in the New Testament.

"Double names like ’Simon Peter’ were common in the ancient Near East. Many people used both the name they were given in their native language and a Greek name, since Greek was so widely spoken." [Note: Moo, p. 33.]

This is the only New Testament epistle in which the writer identified himself with a double name. Peter may have done this to suggest the two aspects of his life, before and after discipleship to Jesus Christ. [Note: W. H. Griffith Thomas, The Apostle Peter: Outline Studies in His Life, Character, and Writings, p. 247.] Peter called for discipleship in this letter and referred to the changes that it produces in Christians (e.g., 2 Peter 1:4-11).

Peter regarded himself first as a bond-slave (Gr. doulos) of Jesus Christ and secondarily as His apostle (cf. Romans 1:1; Titus 1:1). "Bond-servant of Jesus Christ" is the New Testament equivalent of "servant of the Lord" in the Old Testament. Peter mentioned his apostolic authority in his salutation because in this epistle he dealt with false teachers. His readers needed to remember that what they were reading came from an apostle and was authoritative.

Peter referred to his audience in very general terms that could apply to all Christians. This reference does not help us identify exactly who the original recipients were. The faith of all believers is a gift from God. Other non-biblical Greek writers used the unique Greek word translated "same kind" (isotimos) to describe immigrants who received citizenship privileges equal to those of native inhabitants. The word "our" may be an editorial plural, but it is more likely a reference to the other apostles (cf. 2 Peter 3:2; 1 John 1:1-4; et al.). Some of the early Gnostic false teachers claimed a higher level of spiritual experience that they said only Christians who followed their teaching could attain. However, Peter here asserted that every Christian has the same essential faith, including all of its spiritual benefits, as the apostles did.

"Throughout this chapter St. Peter is thinking of the contrast between the doctrine of the apostles and that of the False Teachers. ’Your faith,’ he seems to say, ’is as honourable as ours, though you received yours from us and we received ours from Christ.’" [Note: Bigg, p. 250.]

The Christian’s faith, in both its subjective and objective aspects, comes to us through Jesus Christ’s uprightness. The Greek grammatical construction of the last phrase of this verse indicates that Peter believed Jesus Christ was both God and Savior (cf. Matthew 16:16; John 1:1; John 20:28; Titus 2:13). The single definite article governs both nouns, linking them together. This is one of many verses in the New Testament that explicitly calls Jesus God. Jesus’ role as Savior was one that Peter emphasized in this letter because of his readers’ need for deliverance (cf. 2 Peter 1:11; 2 Peter 2:20; 2 Peter 3:2; 2 Peter 3:18). Salvation is also a major theme of 1 Peter.