2:3 salvation. First mentioned in 1:14, this salvation includes inheritance of the world to come (v. 5; 11:16), entry into glory as God’s adopted sons (v. 10), purification from sins (1:3; 2:11, 17), freedom from the fear of death (vv. 14, 15), and the privilege of drawing near to God (4:16; 10:22) to offer worship that pleases Him (12:28; 13:15, 16).

those who heard. The apostles were witnesses of what Jesus said and did in His ministry, death, and resurrection (Acts 1:21, 22; 10:39–41; 1 Pet. 5:1; 2 Pet. 1:15). The writer and his readers have heard the gospel through them (Introduction: Author).