2 Peter 3

1 your pure minds. Rather, as R.V., “your sincere mind.” The Greek adjective means “tested by the sun” or “flawless,” as of something through which the sun’s rays pass.

2 spoken before by the holy prophets. Cp. i. 19-21.

and of the commandment, etc. Rather, “and of the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through us the apostles”; or according to the best authorities, “of your apostles”; i.e., those who have taught you, probably referring to Paul (15) and Barnabas.

3 knowing this first. See note on i. 20; and cp. Jude, vers. 4-18.

4. Where is the promise? Implying that it has altogether failed.

5 this they willingly are ignorant of. Or, “this they wilfully forget.”

and the earth, etc. Or, “and earth compacted out of water and amidst water”; by which [by waters from above and beneath, Gen. vii. 11] “the world that then was,” etc. This is mentioned to show that all things have not continued as they were (4).

8. A thousand years. The same sentiment is implied in Psa. xc. 4.

9 longsuffering. The apparent delay of judgement, at which sinners mock, is really Divine forbearance, giving them “space to repent.”

10 as a thief in the night. Cp. Matt. xxiv. 43; Luke xii. 39; 1 Thess. v. 2.

11. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved. Properly, “Since then all these things are being dissolved. The destiny of dissolution is already inherent in them” (Winer).

conversation and godliness. The Greek words, rendered “conversation” (rather, behaviour) and “godliness,” are plurals, marking the various manifestations of true religion.

12 hastening unto the coming. Properly, “hastening the coming.” This is expressed in R.V. by the rendering, “earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God.”

wherein. Rather, “by reason of which.” In order that this “day” may come, the present scene of things must pass away."

13 according to His promise. Referring to the ancient prophecies, especially to Isa. lxv. 17-25, and lxvi.; on which see notes. Here the future glory of the Church is particularly meant: cp. Rev. xxi. 1, 27.

14 without spot, and blameless. Cp. 1 Pet. i. 19.

15 salvation. It is not slackness, as the scoffers say (9); nor is it only space given to them to repent, but it is to us also time for the working out of our “salvation” (Phil. ii. 12, 13).

even as our beloved brother Paul . . . hath written. See Rom. ii. 4; 1 Thess. iv. 13-v. 11; 2 Thess. ii. 1-12. It is clear, however, from ver. 16, that others of his Epistles were already widely known.

16 in which. That is, in which epistles. The reference afterwards to “the other scriptures” is important. “The word γρᾶξαι is used in the New Testament of the Old Testament Scriptures alone, except in this passage” (Professor Lumby, in Speaker’s Commentary). It indicates the early formation of a New Testament canon.

17 the wicked. The false teachers and scoffers (ii. and iii.).

18 grow in grace, and in the knowledge, etc. “Diligent progress is essential to perseverance” (Calvin).

both now and for ever. Lit., “both now and to the day of eternity.” This ascription of eternal glory to Christ clearly implies His supreme Deity. “The day of eternity” means “the day of God which marks the end of time and the beginning of eternity, or rather which is itself eternity, the endless day which shall never pass away” (Dr. Dawson-Walker in Devotional Commentary).

THE very opening of this letter arrests attention. There is no greeting or salutation of any Church or individual. The writer plunges at once into his subject. It is the confident statement of an eyewitness (i. 1-3). If we had no Gospels before us, nor any other New Testament writing, we should still have evidence here as to the existence of the Lord Jesus Christ; His Divine nature (i. 3; ii. 23; iv. 9, 15; v. 1, 5); His work as Mediator for sinful men by the shedding of His blood (i. 7; ii. 1, 2; iv. 10); His victory over the power of evil (i. 8); and His gift of life eternal to them that believe on Him (ii. 24; v. 11).