counsel shows, and how far short do the clergy of Christendom come from following it!​—1 Pet. 5:2, 3.

There are two other subjects that Peter repeatedly mentions. One of these is Christian brotherly love: “Love one another intensely from the heart.” Yes, Christians are to be “showing fellow feeling, having brotherly affection, tenderly compassionate, humble in mind, not paying back injury for injury . . . but, to the contrary, bestowing a blessing.” Yes, “above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”​—1 Pet. 1:22; 3:8, 9; 4:7-9.

The other matter Peter repeatedly stresses is that of being a witness by one’s conduct and by word of mouth. Christians have been called out of darkness to show forth God’s excellencies. By fine conduct Christian wives may win over their unbelieving husbands. And at all times Christians are to be “ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of [them] a reason for the hope in [them], but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.”​—1 Pet. 2:9, 12; 3:1, 2; 3:15.

Truly, in his first letter Peter showed himself obedient to Jesus’ command to him to strengthen his brothers!

Peter Champions God’s Truth and Principles

THE apostle Peter in his second letter, even as in his first, wrote much to ‘strengthen his brothers.’ (Luke 22:32) However, rather than doing so by encouraging them to endure persecution he strengthens his brothers by boldly championing God’s truth and principles.

Because of the great difference in style of writing, as well as in subject matter, Bible scholars in Christendom argue that he did not write this second letter. If that were so, this would mean it is a forgery, for 2 Peter 1:1 plainly states: “Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith.” He also writes that he was an eyewitness to the transfiguration scene (Peter was one of the three apostles that witnessed this), that Jesus had foretold his death, and that this is his second letter.​—2 Pet. 1:16-21; 3:1; Matt. 17:1, 2; John 21:18, 19.a

Though the theme and thrust of his second letter differs from that of his first, Peter begins it by calling to mind the glorious hope set before those called to “become sharers in divine nature.” (2 Pet. 1:3, 4) Continuing, Peter champions God’s principles by telling Christians to ‘supply to their faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godly devotion, brotherly affection, love.’ What a great deal Peter here gives Christians to work on! If they do these things to their utmost ability they will never fall but will gain an entrance to God’s kingdom. And although they knew these things, Peter was disposed to remind them always of these. Championing God’s truth, Peter notes that he was not following “artfully contrived false stories” in preaching Jesus, for he had witnessed the transfiguration scene in which God himself spoke from heaven, saying about Jesus: “This is my Son, my beloved, whom I myself have