2 Peter 1:2

1:1 Simon was one of the most common Jewish names in the first century. Jesus gave him the name Peter (Matt 16:17-18). Many people in the Greco-Roman world would use both their given name in their native language and also a Greek name, since Greek was the lingua franca (see study note on Acts 7:58). • a slave . . . of Jesus Christ: In the Old Testament, important leaders of God’s people are called servants of the Lord (Josh 14:7; 24:29; 2 Kgs 10:10). The title underscores Peter’s submission to Christ and suggests that he had an important role in God’s plan. • We probably refers to Jewish Christians; the recipients were mostly Gentile Christians. In the new covenant, Gentile and Jewish Christians share the same precious faith and are on an equal footing as God’s people (see Gal 3:26-29). • This is one of the few places in the New Testament where Jesus Christ is called God (see also John 1:1; 20:28; Rom 9:5; Titus 2:13; Heb 1:8; 1 Jn 5:20).