¹⁸. . . Amen.

Peter finishes his letter with one of the most common words in the NT and in the Christian vocabulary. The term “amen” carries a sense of conclusion, affirmation, and agreement. The psalmist encourages us:

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting even to everlasting. And let all the people say, “Amen.” Praise the Lord! (Ps. 106:48)

Jesus often began His profound teaching with it and sometimes doubled it up: “Amen and amen” or “Amen, amen.” (Note: some English translations render the word as “truly”.) The apostle Paul used it liberally in his teachings. Many biblical prayers end with “amen.” Often it is added to pronouncements about the return of Christ and end-time prophecies. In fact, Jesus is “The Amen, the faithful and true Witness . . .” (Rev. 3:14a).

And so, we believers often conclude our prayers with “amen” or express our enthusiastic affirmation of what others say by proclaiming a confident, “Amen!” Sometimes, we invite a response of agreement when we conclude a statement of biblical truth, with “Amen?” To which others affirm with, “Amen!” Using this word is like using a uniquely Christ-centered glue that bonds our fellowship more tightly with our agreement in the Lord. Paul wrote:

[I]f there is . . . any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. (Phil. 2:1–2)

Agreeing with truth, affirming it, or coming to the same conclusion strengthens the body of Christ. And so Peter invites us to join him, after reading his letter, to express our affirmation of the truth, with a hearty, “Amen!” And not just Peter’s letters, but the entire Bible. The word “amen” is the last word recorded in our Bibles:

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. (Rev. 22:20–21)

What a glorious day it will be when this life on earth is over, with all its struggles, suffering, conflicts, temptations, and false teachings, when God will bring a conclusion with the final judgment and then usher all believers into eternity to be with Him forever. So Peter concludes his teaching with “Amen.”

Amen! Preach it, Peter!