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      Peter Deals With Justice / Judgment / Righteousness

The whole purpose of Peter in his two epistles, is to bring Jesus more powerfully into every life. HIS Lordship and HIS Salvation are presented by Peter to bring ‘righteousness’ into each life. Peter was the disciple who often stepped out and met the judgment of Christ face to face. The result was damaging to his flesh but mercy met Peter and brought life into his Spirit and purity into his soul.

The suffering of the saints is often on display in Peter’s Letters. Suffering is shown to be part of the Christian life. There is a battle between righteousness and unrighteousness, and God supports His beloved saints in the midst of suffering. (See the Notes: for verses at the end of this paper.)

One of The Important Concepts Peter deals with is JUSTICE (or Righteousness in KJV)

1Pet 2:23, 24, 3:12,14, 4:18 (just)

 2Pet 1:1, 2:5, 2:7-8, 2:21, 3:13.

In First and Second Peter, he uses the Greek root word ‘dikai’ translated ‘righteousness’, etc. in the KJV. This word is better translated ‘justice’ as it is in Spanish versions ‘Justicia’....

In contrast, Peter uses ‘adikai’ as the root Greek word to show the ‘un-righteous’ nature of the fleshly world and the devil 1Pet 5:8. 1Pet 3:18, 5:8  2Pet 2:9,13,15

the root word ‘dike’ is used 20 times to reflect the justice or righteousness given:

           1Pet 2:14,19,23,24, 3:12,14,18x2, 4:18, 5:8

           2Pet 1:1,13, 2:5,7,8,9,13,15,21, 3:13

Peter looks into Heaven and shows us the true ‘Justice of GOD’ as HE deals with the ‘unjust’ or ‘unrighteous’ in this world. As Peter sees the future, he sees a fire which is dissolving this present world.... Finally Peter reveals this fire will bring forth a new Heaven and a New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness or ‘Justice.’ 2Peter 3:13  – Peter mentions Heaven quite often: 1Pe 1:4,  1Pe 1:12,  1Pe 3:22,  2Pe 1:18, ( 2Pe 3:5,  2Pe 3:7,  2Pe 3:10, 2Pe 3:12,  2Pe 3:13, 2Pe 3:7,  2Pe 3:10,  2Pe 3:12,  2Pe 3:13, 2Pe 3:5 – In 2Peter, the word is usually plural ‘heavens.’)

When we see Peter’s point of view, it fits with the view of John in Revelation. While John reveals the ongoing process of JESUS becoming the ‘True and Faithful One’, Peter is more brief and seemingly harsh in his presentation. Peter had been to the point and perhaps impatient in his personality. The end result is – This unjust world will yield to the justice and holiness of GOD. Wuest’s Word Study of 2Peter 3:11-12 shows the Greek indicates an ongoing process rather that the KJV which seems to show a future cataclysm.

Peter deals with the need for correct choices on our part.

  In Peter, we find a great summary of the out working of GOD’s ‘Justice’ in our lives – and the resultant “New Heavens and Earth” which are being formed within our new spiritual nature.

Peter refers to Paul’s writings as “hard to understand.... Which the unlearned twist to their own destruction.” 2Pet 3:15-16....

The end is the destruction of ‘injustice’ which results in a ‘new heaven and earth.’

 Lord, have Your way in me, but remember mercy please....