1 - 2 Peter

1–2 Peter: An Expositional Commentary offers a verse-by-verse exposition of the Apostle Peter’s two New Testament epistles, guiding readers through their teaching on suffering, holiness, submission, and hope in Christ.

Dr. R.C. Sproul adapted this book from a sermon series preached at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., following the ancient practice of lectio continua—continuous exposition through books of the Bible. Rather than providing an exhaustive technical commentary, Sproul focuses on the key themes and theological ideas that comprise the “big picture” of each passage, addressing both mind and heart as he explains God’s Word and shows how believers ought to live in light of it.

The book treats both epistles in sequence, attending to matters of authorship and historical context before moving through Peter’s pastoral instruction to suffering Christians in Asia Minor. Sproul draws on the testimony of the early church fathers, engages questions raised by higher criticism, and brings Reformed theological convictions to bear on the text. Throughout, he connects Peter’s first-century exhortations to the ongoing challenges of Christian faithfulness, including spiritual warfare, the danger of false teaching, the call to submission, and the believer’s hope in God’s promised redemption of all things.

Key Themes

• Christian suffering and perseverance under the providence of God
• The call to holiness, submission, and the mind of Christ
• The authority and apostolic witness of Peter as eyewitness of Christ’s glory
• Warnings against false teachers and the importance of sound doctrine
• The believer’s hope in new heavens and a new earth

Featured Quotes

“They knew that Christ would suffer, and out of that suffering, glories would follow.”

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God—in that simple phrase we have a microcosm of the entire Christian life.”