2 Peter was widely circulated throughout the early church to warn people to watch out for the false teachers that were appearing in the church, leading to immorality and the loss of its witness.

Peter was very concerned that those who say that Christ will not return should not make the church feel that Christ has abandoned them. Jude's theme is similar and also points the church towards the evidence of believers who heard Jesus 'to fight on for the faith which once and for all God has given to his people'.