Reading for April 8th

Read 2 Peter 3.14-18. In 3.14-18: Letter closing. Once more, the true tradition about the coming judgments yeilds pastoral results in the reform of human lives. In verse 14: We are to be without spot or blemish, just as Paul regularly announced to his churches (1 Thess 3.13; Phil 2.15). In verses 15-16: The reference to Paul indicates that some of his letters are known, possibly even collected by this time. Our author admits that Paul's letter are hard to understand; yet he cites them as support for God's patience or delay of judgment (Rom 2.4-5), Christian belief in the final judgment (Rom 14.10), the consequent need for spotlessness (1 Thess 3.11-13), and the coming of Christ like a thief in the night (1 Thess 5.2). In verses 17-18: The letter end with a final exhortation to shun the erroneous doctrine, which leads to lawlessness. The final doxology is addressed to Jesus, not God, which is very unusual. Comments or Questions..