Sunday, February 27, 2011

Does Peter acknowledge Paul's apostolic authority in 2 Peter 3:14-16? No!

Any contention that Peter acknowledges Paul’s apostolic authority isn’t only premature, it’s wrong!

True, 2 Peter 3:14-16 refers to “our beloved brother Paul” or, “ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἡμῶν ἀδελφὸς Παῦλος.”

However, 2 Peter 1:1 situates Paul within the general fellowship of believers (“to them that have obtained like precious faith” -- “τοῖς ἰσότιμον ἡμῖν λαχοῦσιν πίστιν”). Furthermore, neither Petrine epistle recognizes that Paul has any apostolic authority, whatsoever.

Consider that 1 Pet 5:12 addresses “Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you” (“Σιλουανοῦ ὑμῖν τοῦ πιστοῦ ἀδελφοῦ”).

By virtue of 2 Peter 1:1 - or 1 Pet 5:12 – is it justifiable to say that Peter ascribes apostolic status to the general fellowship of believers or to Silvanus, a “faithful brother,” as some might  claim he does to Paul, a “beloved brother”? If so, please justify…

--ez