1. 2 Peter 3:15 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

Why does Peter refer to Paul’s letters?

2 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

Paul’s letters are mentioned because false teachers have distorted the message of his writings and used his epistles to support their heresy (2 Peter 3:16b).1 The mention of wisdom given by God marks Paul’s writings as being inspired and not simply of human origin. Paul also said that he taught in all wisdom (Colossians 1:28) and that his wisdom was not merely human (1 Corinthians 2:3–5) but divine wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6–7). That wisdom is the gospel, the proclamation of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18–31).2