2 Peter3
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance;
2that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
3knowing this first, that in the last days mockers shall come with mockery, walking after their own lusts,
4and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;
6by which means the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
8But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness,
12looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for these things, give diligence that ye may be found in peace, without spot and blameless in his sight.
15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you;
16as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
17Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Peter 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The design here is to remind of Christ's final coming to judgement. (1–4). He will appear unexpectedly, when the present frame of nature will be dissolved by fire. (5–10). From thence is inferred the need for holiness, and stedfastness in the faith. (11–18).
vv1-4
The purified minds of Christians are to be stirred up, that they may be active and lively in the work of holiness. There will be scoffers in the last days, under the gospel, men who make light of sin, and mock at salvation by Jesus Christ. One very principal article of our faith refers to what only has a promise to rest upon, and scoffers will attack it till our Lord is come. They will not believe that he will come. Because they see no changes, therefore they fear not God, Ps 55:19. What he never has done, they fancy he never can do, or never will do.
vv5-10
Had these scoffers considered the dreadful vengeance with which God swept away a whole world of ungodly men at once, surely they would not have scoffed at his threatening an equally terrible judgment. The heavens and the earth which now are, by the same word, it is declared, will be destroyed by fire. This is as sure to come, as the truth and the power of God can make it. Christians are here taught and established in the truth of the coming of the Lord. Though, in the account of men, there is a vast difference between one day and a thousand years, yet, in the account of God, there is no difference. All things past, present, and future, are ever before him: the delay of a thousand years cannot be so much to him, as putting off any thing for a day or for an hour is to us. If men have no knowledge or belief of the eternal God, they will be very apt to think him such as themselves. How hard is it to form any thoughts of eternity! What men count slackness, is long-suffering, and that to us-ward; it is giving more time to his own people, to advance in knowledge and holiness, and in the exercise of faith and patience, to abound in good works, doing and suffering what they are called to, that they may bring glory to God. Settle therefore in your hearts that you shall certainly be called to give an account of all things done in the body, whether good or evil. And let a humble and diligent walking before God, and a frequent judging of yourselves, show a firm belief of the future judgment, though many live as if they were never to give any account at all. This day will come, when men are secure, and have no expectation of the day of the Lord. The stately palaces, and all the desirable things wherein wordly-minded men seek and place their happiness, shall be burned up; all sorts of creatures God has made, and all the works of men, must pass through the fire, which shall be a consuming fire to all that sin has brought into the world, though a refining fire to the works of God's hand. What will become of us, if we set our affections on this earth, and make it our portion, seeing all these things shall be burned up? Therefore make sure of happiness beyond this visible world.
vv11-18
From the doctrine of Christ's second coming, we are exhorted to purity and godliness. This is the effect of real knowledge. Very exact and universal holiness is enjoined, not resting in any low measure or degree. True Christians look for new heavens and a new earth; freed from the vanity to which things present are subject, and the sin they are polluted with. Those only who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be admitted to dwell in this holy place. He is faithful, who has promised. Those, whose sins are pardoned, and their peace made with God, are the only safe and happy people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all men; follow after holiness as well as peace. Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work given us to do. Only the diligent Christian will be the happy Christian in the day of the Lord. Our Lord will suddenly come to us, or shortly call us to him; and shall he find us idle? Learn to make a right use of the patience of our Lord, who as yet delays his coming. Proud, carnal, and corrupt men, seek to wrest some things into a seeming agreement with their wicked doctrines. But this is no reason why St. Paul's epistles, or any other part of the Scriptures, should be laid aside; for men, left to themselves, pervert every gift of God. Then let us seek to have our minds prepared for receiving things hard to be understood, by putting in practice things which are more easy to be understood. But there must be self-denial and suspicion of ourselves, and submission to the authority of Christ Jesus, before we can heartily receive all the truths of the gospel, therefore we are in great danger of rejecting the truth. And whatever opinions and thoughts of men are not according to the law of God, and warranted by it, the believer disclaims and abhors. Those who are led away by error, fall from their own stedfastness. And that we may avoid being led away, we must seek to grow in all grace, in faith, and virtue, and knowledge. Labour to know Christ more clearly, and more fully; to know him so as to be more like him, and to love him better. This is the knowledge of Christ, which the apostle Paul reached after, and desired to attain; and those who taste this effect of the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, will, upon receiving such grace from him, give thanks and praise him, and join in ascribing glory to him now, in the full assurance of doing the same hereafter, for ever.
Key Words
ταύτῃ (taútēi): (towards or of) this
ἤδη (ḗdē): even now
δεύτερος (deúteros): (ordinal) second (in time, place, or rank; also adverb)
ἐπιστολή (epistolḗ): a written message
γράφω (gráphō): to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
ἀγαπητός (agapētós): beloved
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
ὅς (hós): the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
διεγείρω (diegeírō): to wake fully; i.e. arouse (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
2 Peter 3Peter's hope of a "new heavens and a new earth" directly echoes Isaiah's prophetic promise.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Direct prophetic foundation for the expectation of the new heavens and earth that remain before God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
The final fulfillment where the first heaven and earth pass away, replaced by the new creation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Peter's explicit self-reference to his persistent ministry of stirring up their minds by way of remembrance.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Verbal echo of the primary metaphor: "the day of the Lord... cometh as a thief in the night."
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter's prior emphasis on the reliability of the written word of the holy Old Testament prophets.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Moses' account of creation, specifically the division of waters, which the scoffers willfully ignore.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical destruction of the ancient world by water, serving as the prototype of fire judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
Peter's earlier mention of the flood as God's historical judgment on the world of the ungodly.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The scriptural basis for Peter's assertion that a thousand years are as a single day to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Pauline parallel showing that God's goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering are intended to lead to repentance.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
The joint authority of the Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles as the church's foundation.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Pauline warning of apostasy and departures from the faith in the latter times.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Paul's parallel warning that perilous times, marked by selfish lusts, will come in the last days.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
God's solemn declaration that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, desiring repentance.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament testimony that the heavens and the earth are temporary and shall perish.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Jesus' original parable of the thief coming unexpectedly, warning disciples to remain watchful.
Supported by JFB
Identifies the recipients of this "second epistle" as the same believers addressed in his first letter.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Prophetic assurance that though the vision seems to tarry, it will surely come and not lie.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects God's present longsuffering with His patience during the construction of Noah's ark.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Paul's teaching on God's endurance of vessels of wrath, showing His great longsuffering before judgment.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Reflects the wisdom given to Paul to preach and warn every man toward blameless presentation.
Supported by John Calvin
The unstable wresting of scripture matches Peter's warnings about false teachers bringing destructive heresies.
Supported by John Calvin
The character of fools and mockers who hate knowledge and delight in their scoffing.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Isaiah's declaration that the Lord waits that He may be gracious, illustrating divine longsuffering.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Christ's declaration that heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will endure.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Pauline exhortation to be rooted, built up, and established in the faith, preventing falling.
Supported by Matthew Henry