Yes, Peter refers to Paul's writings with respect, acknowledging them as Scripture but noting they contain some things hard to understand.
In 2 Peter 3:15-16, Peter calls Paul a beloved brother and says he wrote according to the wisdom given unto him. He includes all of Paul's epistles, from Romans through Hebrews, and states that in them are some things hard to be understood, which unlearned and unstable people twist.
2 Peter 3:15-16 — This is the direct passage where Peter speaks about Paul's writings.
In 2 Peter 3:15, Peter refers to Paul as 'our beloved brother' and states that Paul wrote according to 'the wisdom given unto him.' He then affirms that Paul's epistles contain discussions of salvation. In verse 16, Peter acknowledges that in all of Paul's epistles there are 'some things hard to be understood,' and he warns that unlearned and unstable people twist these scriptures to their own destruction, just as they do other scriptures.
Les emphasizes that Peter, even at the end of his life after years of ministry and being filled with the Holy Spirit, still found some of Paul's writings hard to understand. He attributes this difficulty to Peter's deep roots in Judaism and legalism, which made it hard for him to fully grasp the grace revealed through Paul. Les also highlights that Peter recognized Paul's epistles as Scripture, grouping them as 'Romans through Hebrews' and affirming their wisdom.
Les teaches that Peter, though a close follower of Christ for three years and a leader in the early church, was steeped in Judaism and legalism. This background made it difficult for him to fully comprehend the radical grace that Paul brought. Thus, even after many years, Peter acknowledged that some of Paul's teachings were hard to understand.
Peter called Paul 'our beloved brother' and acknowledged that Paul wrote with wisdom given to him. He said Paul wrote about salvation, and these teachings are found in all his epistles, which Peter recognized as Scripture.
Peter warned that unlearned and unstable people twist Paul's difficult passages to their own destruction, just as they do other scriptures. Les notes that this warning has been relevant since Peter's time, as people continue to distort Paul's grace teachings.
Why Acts 2 Is NOT the Birth of the Church — Explained
First Corinthians 15, the first four verses where Paul says, "...and I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received." How that? Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures. First Corinthians 15, that's the Gospel. But see, you don't see that in here. You don't see a word that Christ died for them, but rather it was what? You killed Him.
Peter's acknowledgment of Paul's wisdom
Les explains that Peter referred to Paul as a beloved brother and noted Paul wrote according to given wisdom, as recorded in 2 Peter 3:15.
Paul's epistles as all his writings
Les clarifies that Peter's phrase 'in all his epistles' refers to Paul's letters from Romans through Hebrews, showing Peter included them all.
Peter's late-life acknowledgment
Les notes that even shortly before his martyrdom, Peter still struggled to fully comprehend Paul's gospel, yet he affirmed its connection to salvation.
Hard to understand
Les highlights that Peter admitted some of Paul's teachings are hard to understand, even years after his earthly ministry with Jesus.
Why Peter had difficulty
Les explains that Peter's background in Judaism and legalism made Paul's grace-centric teachings challenging for him to grasp.
Peter's difficulty with law and grace
Les connects Peter's difficulty to the allegory of law and grace, showing why he found Paul's writings hard to understand.
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Alright, now I know some people may think I make too much of Paul, and I leave Peter in the shadows, but now let's go back and see what Peter said. After, of course, the revelations of Paul have been around for a long, long time, now Peter can write in 1 Peter 2.
2 Peter 3:15: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
Peter calls Paul a beloved brother and acknowledges his wisdom in writing about salvation.
2 Peter 3:16: As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Peter affirms Paul's epistles as Scripture but acknowledges they contain difficult passages that are often twisted.
Yes, Peter says Paul wrote in all his epistles about salvation, and he refers to them alongside 'the other scriptures,' indicating he viewed them as Scripture. Les emphasizes this grouping of Romans through Hebrews.
Peter admitted that some things in Paul's epistles were hard to understand. Les explains this was because Peter was rooted in Judaism and legalism, making it difficult to grasp the grace-oriented revelation given to Paul.
Peter warned that unlearned and unstable people twist Paul's deep teachings to their own destruction. Les notes this has continued throughout church history as people distort Paul's grace message.
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