According to Peter, why is Paul really hard to understand?

STATEMENT:

Is it just me or does anyone else think it’s funny that “Paul is hard to understand sometimes” can be directly backed by scripture (2 Peter 3:16)?

ANSWER:

Let’s look at the whole verse,

2Pe 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.

One must remember that we are dealing with two distinct programs, and both happened to be running at the same time in Peter’s day (ie: the Acts period). Peter serviced the Jewish church, under prophecy, the law, and the Kingdom program and doctrine. Paul serviced the Body of Christ, under mystery, and under the Grace program and doctrine. The epistle that Peter wrote was addressed to the Jewish church. Since they were under a different doctrine, it is natural to expect that the Jews found it hard to receive ‘the mysteries’, a doctrine that was so different and contrasted to theirs.

It is interesting to note that Peter never said that they rejected Paul’s doctrine. The greater part of the Jewish church understood its content and God’s purpose for it, though it was hard to understand, being so different to what they practiced. What Peter does tell us is that it was the unlearned and the unstable Jews that perverted the mysteries. It was these individuals, and sects, that were blinded to the divine apostolic calling of Paul, and it is they who opposed his writings, to their own destruction.

Today, there is only one program currently active, Paul’s mystery program. The content of this program is the doctrine that we learn and apply in our lives to be approved unto God, 2Tim.2:15. It is this doctrine that provides us the grace gospel for our salvation. It is this doctrine that teaches us God’s will and judgements for this age. It is this doctrine that helps us grow from carnal babes to spiritual sons in God’s household. It is this doctrine that prepares us for our future vocation in the heavenly realm.

When the 7-year Tribulation begins, after the Body of Christ is caught up, God will resume with the suspended Kingdom program and the Millennial reign of Christ which will reintroduce the prophetic doctrine to fulfil all outstanding prophecy and bring God’s redemption plan to a close. It is both the prophetic and mystery programs that works sequentially, and according to God’s will, to bring both heaven and earth back under the reign and glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord.