What is the context?
Peter ends with both a warning and a direction for growth. His readers have been told about the danger ahead, so they should guard against being carried away by the error of lawless people. Their secure standing is something to protect.
The closing direction is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. This returns to the letter’s opening emphasis on knowing Him and receiving what He gives for a godly life. The final praise gives Christ glory now and forever.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Calvin understands the warning as awakening believers to watchfulness while leaving their confidence in God’s promises intact. Growth in Christ is part of how they persevere. Wesley gives the closing call a stronger warning about the possibility of spiritual life declining toward death when growth and the putting away of sin are neglected. Both call for active growth, while differing over what a final failure to continue would mean.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
Ephesians 4:11–16 describes Christ giving people to equip His church so that it grows toward maturity. That growth protects believers from being carried about by deceptive teaching and builds the whole body in love. Peter’s closing direction belongs within that larger purpose: people who know Christ increasingly learn to stand together under His care.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.