The Epistles · Chapter 3 of 3

2 Peter 3

Peter stirs believers to remember the prophets and apostles, warning that scoffers will mock the promise of Christ's coming. He answers that the same word that made and flooded the world keeps it now for judgment. The Lord is not slow but patient, not willing that any perish. The day of the Lord will come as a thief; so believers should live holy, looking for new heavens and a new earth, and grow in grace and knowledge of Christ.

What happens in 2 Peter 3

Peter writes to stir their pure minds by remembrance of the prophets and the apostles' commandment (v1-2). He warns that last-days scoffers will follow their lusts and mock, asking where the promise of Christ's coming is (v3-4). But they willfully forget that by God's word the heavens and earth were formed and once destroyed by water, and are now reserved for fire at the day of judgment (v5-7). With the Lord one day is as a thousand years; he is not slack but longsuffering, not willing that any perish but that all come to repentance (v8-9).

The day of the Lord will come as a thief (v10). Since all will dissolve, believers should live holy, looking for new heavens and a new earth where righteousness dwells (v11-13). He urges them to be found in peace, to count God's patience as salvation as Paul also wrote, and to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ (v14-18).

2 Peter 3 in context

In this closing chapter Peter addresses the specific error of the false teachers: their denial that Christ will return, mocking the delay. He answers with the doctrine of creation and judgment by God's word, and with God's merciful patience as the reason for delay.

Notably he refers to Paul's letters as Scripture that some twist, an early sign of how the apostolic writings were regarded. The letter ends with a call to steady growth rather than speculation.

Main themes of 2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3 (KJV)

1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, 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 men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16As 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. 17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Verses to carry from 2 Peter 3

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”2 Peter 3:9

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”2 Peter 3:13

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”2 Peter 3:18

Reflection

When God seems slow to act, consider that his delay may be mercy, room for someone, perhaps you, to turn. Let the certainty that this world is not the final word steady you. Ask what manner of person you are becoming, and take one step to grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ.

A prayer from 2 Peter 3