2 Peter 3

1. The Apostle declares that he wrote this second Epistle thereby to stir them up meditation of the Prophetical and Apostolically doctrine. 3. And warns them against mockers, who in the last time shall deny the coming of Christ to judgement, and the end of the world. 5. And confutes them by reasons taken from the creation and preservation of the world. 6. And from the flood. 7. And teacheth that likes as the first world perished by water, so this shall perish by fire. 8. That the coming of Christ to judgement is indeed deferred for the elect’s sake. 10. But that is shall come unawares. 11. From whence he draws an exhortation to the practice of true godliness. 13. And teacheth that there shall be a new heaven and new earth. 15. All which he confirms by the testimony of the Apostle Paul, whose Epistles some wrest. 17. Finally he concludes with a repetition of the exhortation to take heed of false Teachers and mockers, and with a thanksgiving unto Christ.

1. This second Epistle, beloved, I now write to you, in (both) which [This word must be added because the Apostle speaketh in the plural number of both Epistles] by admonition [Gr. In admonition, or putting in mind] I stir up your sincere [namely, in the doctrine of the Gospel] mind, [or understanding.]

2. That ye may be mindful of the words, which are spoken before by the holy Prophets, [Namely, concerning the Messiah and the State of this kingdom in the New Testament] and of our commandment, [that is, of our doctrine which we have taught you, not of our own opinion or authority, but as Apostles of the Lord Christ. See chapter 1. 21. Both these are very fitly put together, as being together the ground of the Christian doctrine. See the like, Ephes. 2. 20.] who are the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3. Knowing this first [That is, chiefly] that in the last days [that is, in the last days. See 2 Tim. 3. 1.] shall come mockers, [namely, who shall mock both at the predictions of God in his word, especially concerning the last judgement and of the end of the world; as also at those who believe the same, accounting them simple and over-credulous persons. See of the same, Psal. 1. 1. Isaiah 22:13.] who shall walk after their own lusts: [That is, following the sinful lusts of their flesh in all dissoluteness of life: as the Nicolaitans and the like of them did.]

4. And say [Namely, scoffingly] where is the promise [that is, where is the fulfilling of this promise and prediction. This asking is as much as denying] of his coming? [Namely, to judge the quick and the dead, and to renew the world] for from that (day) that the fathers [that is, the forefathers] fell asleep, [that is, died. See Matth. 9. 24. 1 Cor. 11. 30. 1 Thes. 4. 13. This word they seem also to use scoffingly, as if it were time indeed that the fathers should be raised up from sleep, if there should be a resurrection of the dead, and a last judgement] all things remain, so (as) from the beginning of the creation. [Or, so as it was even from the beginning of the creation. This is their reason which they oppose to the certainty of the predictions of the last judgement and end of the world, forasmuch as now so many years since the predictions were made, there appear no fulfilling of the same, but that all things remain even as they were always, that therefore it is not credible that the same shall ever be fulfilled.]

5. For this is willfully unknown to them, [That is, they will not know and observe this] that by the word of God [that is, by his power and command. See Genesis 1:3. Psal. 33. 9. Hebrews 1:3. Hereby Peter answers and confutes the pretence of these mockers, and proves that the standing and perishing of heaven and earth, stands only in the will, command and power of God: whereby even as he created them, so he also preserves them as long as it pleaseth him, and can also bring them to nothing by the same word when it pleaseth him, and can also bring them to nothing by the same word when it pleaseth him] the heavens were long ago, and the earth subsisting out of the water [namely, appearing forth wherewith it was covered at first, Genesis 1:9.] and in the water. [Gr. By, which signieth in also sometimes, as 1 Tim, 2. 15. So also here, seeing the waters are as the foundation wherein the earth is, and stands fast. See Psal. 24. 2.]

6. By which [Namely, heaven and earth; for they both contributed their waters to the flood, as is expressly testified, Genesis 7:11.] the world, which then was, [that is, the men and beasts, which then were and lived in the world: excepting those which were preserved in the Ark] being covered with the water of the flood, [namely, by the word and command of God. And the Apostle would thereby prove, that even as God when it pleased him by his power caused the first world to perish by water, he can and will also cause the second and present world to perish by fire, when it shall please him: as is declared in the following verse] perished.

7. But the heavens which are now and earth, are by the same word laid up as a treasure [That is, kept even as men lay up a treasure in a treasury, to be given forth and bestowed in due time, when it pleaseth us] and are kept unto fire [namely, to be burnt thereby. See Psal. 50.3. 2 Thes. 1. 8.] against the day of judgement, [that is, of the last general judgement: or of damnation, as the following words declare] and of the destruction of ungodly men.

8. But let not this one thing be unknown to you, beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [And that therefore we must not marvel that the Lord according to our thinking, tarrieth so long for the fulfilling of his promise, seeing he accounts not the times short or long according to our opinion, forasmuch as he is eternal, and is not bound to the times.]

9. The Lord delayeth not the promise [Or delayeth not concerning the promise, i.e. deferreth not the fulfilling of the promise beyond the time which he hath appointed for it] (as some account (it) slackness) [That is, delay beyond the appointed time] but is long-suffering towards us, [namely, who are called to the knowledge of Christ, and believe in him: such as according to the judgement of charity he accounts all to whom he writes: See chapter 1. 1.] not willing that any should perish, [namely, of us who are effectually called, and yet shall be. For seeing God can do, and also doth whatsoever he will, this cannot be understood of all and every man, seeing Scripture and experience it self testify that all men are not saved, but many perish] but that all [namely, the Elect, of whom he here speaks, Revelation 6:11.] should come to repentance. [namely, that for this cause time should be given them for this purpose.]

10. But the day of the Lord [That is, the utmost or last day, when the Lord shall come to judgement] shall come as a thief in the night, [that is, unawares. See the annotate. On 1 Thes. 5. 2.] in which [namely, day of the Lord] the heavens shall pass away [How this passing away or perishing of heaven and earth shall come to pass, there are divers opinions both of Old and New Teachers. Some think that the substance or essence itself of the world, shall wholly perish and be annihilated. Others, that only the qualities thereof shall perish and be changed, and the substance or essence remain. Which opinion indeed is the most common and most probable. See Psal. 102. 26, 27. Romans 8:19, & c.] with a noise, [namely, such as is heard in a great tempest, or great pouring out of water] and the elements [namely, of which all bodily creatures consist, i.e. the fire, air, water and the earth] shall burn and perish, [Gr. Be loosed or dissolved] and the earth, and the works which are therein [namely, by that fire whereof is spoken, ver. 7.]

11. Seeing then all these things perish [that is, shall perish. See ver. 10.] what manner of persons ought ye to be [that is, what great diligence ought ye then to use, to be such in true godliness, that in that dreadful day ye may stand, and find a place in the world to come] in holy conversation and godliness:

12. Looking for [Namely, with patience] and hasting [namely, with longing] unto the coming of the day of God, [that is, of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Titus 2:13. Or of God the Father, who shall hold his judgement by the Son, Acts 17:31.] in which [or by which, namely, coming of the day of God] the heavens being inflamed by fire shall perish, [See hereof, ver. 7. And 10.] and the elements burning shall melt?

13. But we according to his promise expect new heavens and a new earth, [Namely, either of a new substance and essence, or adorned with new qualities, and thereby as it were renewed. See the annotate. On ver. 10.] in which [namely, new heavens and earth. For he speaks in plural number] dwelleth [that is, shall dwell, i.e. where righteous men shall have a firm place, and always continue therein, and exercise righteousness, rom. 6. 12.] righteousness. [that is, men who are justified from sin, and shall practice nothing else but righteousness. Whereas this earth is full of wicked and unrighteous men.]

14. Therefore beloved, looking for these things, give diligence that ye may be found [Namely, when he shall come to judgement: for even as any one shall then be found, so shall he be judged, Eccles. 11. 3. Matth. 24. 46.] of him [namely, of the Lord Jesus Christ] unspotted, [namely, of the sins and defilements of the world. For otherwise no man lives without any spot, 1 Kin. 8. 46. Psal. 19. 13. Proverbs 20:9. James 3:2. 1 John 1:8. But to believers the unspottedness of Christ is imputed as their own, Ephes. 5. Ver. 25. 26. And they take heed that sin have not dominion over them] and unreproveable, in peace: [that is, having a quiet mind and a good conscience before God, and living in peace with men.]

15. And account the long-suffering of our Lord, [namely, which he useth, in deferring his coming to judgement, to give men time for repentance] salvation: [that is, for a thing which is very serviceable for the furthering of your salvation] even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom which is given unto him, hath written unto you: [namely, believing Jews, which he did by the Epistle to the Hebrews. See Hebrews 6:2. And chapter 10. 26, 37.]

16. As also in all Epistles, speaking therein of these things: [Namely, of which I have now instructed and admonished you, namely, of the coming of Christ to judgement, of the end of the world, of the false Teachers and mockers which shall arise, & c.] in which things [or, among which things] some are difficult to be understood, [namely, things or speeches. He saith not then that all that is taught in the Scripture; especially those that speak of things to come, or of the counsel of God concerning things to come: which although they be hard to be comprehended, notwithstanding are propounded clearly enough, so much of them as is necessary for believers to know to salvation: even as all things also which are necessary to be known for salvation are clearly enough taught and expressed in the holy Scripture. See Deuteronomy 29:29. And chapter 30. Ver. 11. Psal. 19. 8, & c. and 119. 105. Proverbs 6:23. 2 Cor. 4. 3. 2 Pet. 1. 19.] which unlearned [or inexpert. Namely, in divine things] and unsteadfast (men) [or unconfirmed: which are not confirmed in the true ground of Christian doctrine] wrest [namely, by making false interpretations upon it: and drawing evil sequels or consequences out of it. See Romans 3:5, 8. And 9. 19 and 11. 1.] even as also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. [Whereby is showed not the scope which they aim at thereby, but the issue which will follow thereupon.]

17. Ye therefore beloved, knowing (this) before, [Namely, that such seducers and mockers shall arise, and their followers end shall be such] take heed [Gr. Keep] that by seducing of abominable men [namely, of the false Teachers and mockers, who will be subject to no Laws] ye be not also pluckt away [or led away] and fall off [namely, forsaking the sound doctrine and embracing such errors. For although it be sure that it is impossible that the elect can be so seduced, that they should wholly fall away, Matth. 24. 24. Yet they have need of such exhortations and warnings, that by the same, as ordinary means, they may be stirred up, and kept standing that they fall not away. See 1 Cor. 10. 12, 13.] from your firmness: [that is, from the firm ground of your faith, which ye have once laid.]

18. But grow up in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ [That is, increase daily more and more in Christian doctrine. A similitude taken from children which by little and little grow up to full growth and man’s estate. See of the same, Ephes. 4. Ver. 13. 14.] to him be glory [namely, to the Lord Jesus Christ. And seeing this praise giving belongs only to the only true God; this is a clear proof of the Godhead of Christ] both now [namely, in this life] and in the day of eternity. [namely, in the time after this life, which shall endure for ever.]