Commentary on 2 Peter

Hilary of Arles

In his second letter Peter describes himself both as Simon and as a servant, in order to show that he was humble and obedient. In his first letter he confined himself to the name Peter, which had been given to him by the Lord himself and signified that he was the chief of the apostles, but here he reverts to his original name Simon in order to show those who preferred to forget his Jewish origins that he had not rejected them.

Here Peter is talking about the Scriptures, the miracles which Christ did in the flesh, the work of baptism and the doctrine which was preached, all of which bring us into the enjoyment of eternal life.

Just as God stepped out of his nature to become a partaker of our humanity, so we are called to step out of our nature to become partakers of his divinity.

If these virtues are present, we can see God, but if they are absent, we are blind.

Peter is telling us that we should not be content with our baptism but should go on and grow in our faith.

Here Peter reminds us that the entrance into heaven is the narrow way of following God's commandments.

See also

• More works by Hilary of Arles

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