The Apostle Peter has been writing about the certainty of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, urging his readers to await the Lord with faith and perseverance. Peter stresses the Christ is not unnecessarily delaying His return, but is working for the full gathering of His Church. When this major work has been completed, Christ will return without delay.

Peter has in this chapter twice emphasized this point of Christ's forbearance with respect to the salvation of all God's children. And in order to drive the point home once more, he refers to another source, quite unexpectedly, namely, the Apostle Paul, “So also our beloved brother Paul wrote you…”

This is a somewhat surprising reference which helps us better to understand the situation in those days. It shows us that Peter knew of various, if not all, letters of the Apostle Paul. Perhaps the letters of Paul had been sent around to the various churches, and also Peter in the course of time had read these letters. In any case, the apostles appear to be aware of each other's work and efforts and are able to refer to each other's works as well. From this we learn that they have maintained their unity and mutual responsibility as apostles and office-bearers.

This text clearly refutes the suggestion sometimes brought forward, that the churches (and the apostles) in those days had little or no contact with each other. Some modern explainers like to speak of “free churches,” with very loose ties and no federation of any kind. But it appears that there is a very close bond between Peter and Paul. Peter has carefully read the letters of his colleague and is in full, joyous agreement with them.

Peter even (in the next verse) defends the writings of Paul. He admits that sometimes the letters of Paul are not so easy to understand (“there are some things in them hard to understand…”) but this does not detract from their truth and value. Peter fully accepts the letters of Paul as the Word of God! He has great respect for the work which the Lord Jesus Christ is doing also through the ministry of Paul.

We notice this in the words, “our beloved brother Paul.” They are united in a brotherly relationship and bound by the love of Christ. Peter has learned to love his brother Paul. Some have tried to show that there was a deep and ongoing conflict between Peter and Paul in the early Christian Church and that this conflict surfaced at Corinth where certain groups favoured Paul, or Apollos or Cephas. The origin of this conflict would be found in Antioch where Paul and Peter came into public controversy. Paul has written about this in his letter to the Galatians, “But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned” (2:11). Strong language, no doubt. It was a public confrontation of no small consequence, for it kept the church from becoming Judaistic. So Peter is referring here perhaps to letters in which he himself is being described as once having been completely wrong! But this does not restrain Peter from now calling Paul “our beloved brother.” In that particular struggle in Antioch, Peter let himself be convinced by Paul; apparently no ill feeling or any grudge remains.

Peter could have criticized Paul's character, his method of operation, his “forceful” letters, and even questioned the right of his apostleship (as did some in Corinth). Peter could have pointed to Paul's background as one who persecuted the Church of Christ. But he does not do any of the above. There is between the two no rivalry, no struggle to be recognized as the most important. Rather there is a good measure of chivalry: a measure of respect and a code of honour which goes far above earthly admiration. We find here a respect and love which is rooted in the love of Christ, a unity in the truth of the gospel, and a full acceptance of one another.

Peter heartily recognizes the work which God is doing through Paul. Everyone has his own gifts and talents. And Paul is a very talented brother, with great wisdom and insight. Maybe that is why some of his letters go so deep. But Peter is not jealous or envious. For it is the Lord who gives to everyone as He wills for the benefit of all.

We discover here an exemplary respect between two office-bearers with important functions in the Church of Christ. An accepting of one another with the given talents and abilities. There is no trace of bitterness, no hint of friction. Peter does not “knock” his brother, but stands with him on the same foundation, doing the same work to build up the Church of the Lord.

We can learn from this. In church history there were many necessary battles for the sake of the Truth. But there were also many personal fights and rivalries between office-bearers, brothers, and believers. Personal conflicts have driven entire congregations apart. Often people oppose each other out of anger, envy and jealousy, for the sake of one's own name and supposed right. Then there is no chivalry, but everything goes. Then it is no longer a true spiritual struggle in the Lord for the upbuilding of His Church.

Peter teaches us a different attitude. We should not break down the faithful work of fellow office-bearers or fellow believers, when this is done in truth according to the Scriptures, but commend such work to the church. We must have an open eye for the work which the Lord is doing through others! This is true for professors, ministers, elders, deacons and other members of the church. If we stand together on the same foundation, our relationship must be characterized by mutual respect and recognition.

This does not mean that we cannot have our battles! Peter and Paul at one moment publicly opposed each other. And the one had to submit to the word of the other. But it could be done, and the Truth in Christ triumphed. We must let ourselves be convinced in the church by the Word of God and our accepted confession, especially as office-bearers who work together in the midst of the churches.

We should not “spare” each other at the cost of the truth. Neither should we operate out of personalistic motives. We must learn to deal with each other in a spiritual manner. This will benefit not only the office-bearers in their work together, but will build the church and reap glory for the Name of Christ.