Yes — some of Paul's teachings are hard to understand because they present truths about salvation by grace that even Peter, steeped in Judaism, struggled to grasp.
Peter himself wrote that Paul's epistles contain 'some things hard to be understood' (2 Peter 3:16). Les Feldick shows that Peter was so shaped by legalism and temple worship that he could not easily accept the idea that God would save Gentiles without requiring the Mosaic system. Peter also warned that unlearned and unstable people twist Paul's writings, just as they do other Scriptures, which leads to destruction.
2 Peter 3:16 — This is the key verse where Peter directly says Paul's epistles contain things hard to be understood.
In 2 Peter 3:15–16, the apostle Peter refers to 'our beloved brother Paul' and says Paul wrote 'according to the wisdom given unto him.' Peter says Paul's letters speak 'of these things' — namely salvation — and that 'in which are some things hard to be understood.' He then warns that 'they that are unlearned and unstable wrest' these writings, 'as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.' The Bible also records in Galatians 2 that Peter withdrew from eating with Gentile believers when certain men came from James. This illustrates the practical struggle Jewish believers had with the new revelation of grace, a struggle that made Paul's message hard to accept.
Les Feldick explains that the difficulty Peter had with Paul's letters was rooted in his background. Peter was steeped in Judaism, legalism, temple worship, and the covenant promises of the Old Testament. When Paul brought the revelation that God was now saving the whole human race by grace without the Mosaic system, it was unthinkable for a man like Peter. Even after spending three years with Christ and being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter admitted at the end of his life that Paul's writings contained things hard to understand. Les also stresses that this difficulty continues today. People who are 'unlearned and unstable' twist Paul's words to fit their own ideas, just as they twist the rest of Scripture. Instead of understanding the Scriptures in their proper place, they mix them together, and the result is destruction. Les underscores that Peter had to agree Paul was on the right track, but the transition from legalism to grace was almost like pulling teeth.
Les Feldick says Peter was steeped in Judaism, legalism, temple worship, and Old Testament covenant promises. When Paul taught that God was now saving the whole human race by grace without the Mosaic system, it was unthinkable to Peter. Even at the end of his life, Peter admitted that Paul's writings contained things hard to understand.
In 2 Peter 3:15–16, Peter calls Paul's letters 'epistles' and says they speak of salvation. He writes that in them 'are some things hard to be understood,' and he warns that unlearned and unstable people wrest them, as they do other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Les Feldick observes that people have been twisting the Scriptures ever since Peter wrote his warning. They twist Paul's letters 'so that it fits what they think it should say.' Those who are unlearned and unstable handle Paul's writings improperly, and the end result is destruction.
Les Feldick explains that for almost two thousand years God had shown Israel that they were His separated people. It took a long time for Jewish believers, including Peter, to get that out of their system. Peter's withdrawal from Gentile believers in Galatians 2 shows how hard it was for him to accept that he could freely fellowship with Gentiles.
Peter's Letter to Jews
Les shows that Peter, writing to Jews near the end of his life, tied the Lord's longsuffering to salvation — the same subject Paul wrote about.
Peter's Legalism Background
Les says Peter was steeped in Judaism and legalism, which made Paul's grace message hard to understand, just as people today struggle to leave legalism.
Grace Plus Nothing
Peter could not comprehend God saving pagan Gentiles by grace plus nothing, without the Mosaic system — that's why Paul's letters were hard.
Twisting Paul's Letters
Even Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, admitted so much of Paul's message was beyond comprehension; people have twisted Paul's letters ever since to fit their own thinking.
Peter's Admission
Peter acknowledged Paul's epistles spoke of salvation, yet some things remained hard to understand even at the end of his life.
Peter's Jewish Mindset
Les lists Peter's background — Judaism, legalism, temple worship, covenant promises — as why the new truth of salvation to the whole human race was unthinkable.
Hard From the Beginning
If Peter still found Paul's writings hard to understand at the end of his life, it was even harder early on.
Peter's Separation Struggle
Les describes how Jewish believers, including Peter, had to unlearn two thousand years of separation; Peter's withdrawal from Gentiles in Galatians 2 showed this struggle.
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 connects the Lord's patience with salvation and recognizes Paul's wisdom.
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.
This verse directly says Paul's letters contain things hard to understand and warns about twisting them.
Galatians 2:12: For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
This records Peter's withdrawal from Gentile believers, showing the Jewish struggle with the new grace message.
In 2 Peter 3:16, Peter said Paul's epistles contain 'some things hard to be understood,' which unlearned and unstable people twist, just as they do other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
Peter was steeped in Judaism, legalism, temple worship, and covenant promises, so the idea that God would save Gentiles by grace without the Mosaic system was unthinkable to him.
Peter warned that those who are unlearned and unstable twist Paul's writings, and the end result is destruction, as Les Feldick emphasizes.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Gospels Aren't for the Church — 2 Corinthians 5