This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
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:
They “willingly are ignorant” they choose to not believe that God made all we see as Hebrews 11:3 says “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
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.
The Meaning of “Any”
The key question in interpreting this passage is: Who does the word “any” refer to?
The Greek word translated “any” is Strong's G5100 (tis) is connected to the preceding phrase “us-ward” (Strong's G2248, hēmas). Therefore, the central question is not whether “any” refers back to “us,” but rather who Peter means by “us” in this context. Several interpretations have been proposed.
The “Any” Refers Only to the Elect Who Have Not Yet Been Saved
Some teach that the elect include people who have not yet been born or who have not yet heard the gospel. According to this view, God's patience is directed toward these future believers rather than toward humanity in general.
However, this interpretation creates significant difficulties. According to this theology, the elect are certain to be saved because God will irresistibly bring them to faith. If their salvation is guaranteed, then God's delay cannot be explained as patience toward them, since their salvation does not depend upon additional time. God could save them instantly whenever He chooses.
Furthermore, if some of these elect individuals have not yet been born, they cannot presently be in danger of perishing. Peter's statement that God is patient because He is "not willing that any should perish" loses its force if the people in view are neither capable of perishing nor capable of ultimately being lost.
The “Any” Refers Only to Believers
Others argue that the passage refers exclusively to believers.
This interpretation is also problematic. God is not delaying His return so that believers may repent and avoid perishing. Believers have already repented and trusted in Christ. As Jesus states in John 3:16, those who believe in Him "shall not perish." Therefore, it makes little sense to interpret Peter as saying that God is waiting for believers to repent lest they be lost.
Although God’s patience is described as “longsuffering toward us/you” (directed to the believing readers), this does not require the “any” and “all” to be limited only to them. In the New Testament, apostles frequently explain broader truths about God’s character toward all mankind to the church for their encouragement (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4). Peter is reassuring the beloved in the face of scoffers: God is patient with humanity as a whole, which is why judgment has not yet come. This fits the context perfectly, because the current believers have already repented, so “all should come to repentance” cannot refer only to them.
The Context of the Passage
Context is essential in understanding Peter's meaning. Earlier in the chapter, Peter speaks about unbelievers. In verse 3, he mentions "scoffers," and in verse 5 he describes those who are "willingly ignorant." He then addresses the apparent delay of Christ's return. Some wonder why the Lord has not yet come, but Peter explains that God's perspective on time differs from ours. What seems like a long delay to humanity is insignificant to God.
More importantly, Peter explains the reason for the delay: God is patient because He does not want people to perish. If Christ were to return today, there would be unbelievers who would perish in their sins. Yet if He delays, some of those same individuals may hear the gospel, repent, and be saved. Throughout history, people continue to come to faith, but eventually God's patience will reach its appointed end and Christ will return.
Notice also that in verse 5 the responsibility is placed upon the unbelievers themselves. Peter says they are "willingly ignorant." The emphasis is on their own choice and refusal, not on an inability imposed upon them.
The most natural understanding of God's patience is that it is directed toward those who have not yet repented. Patience only makes sense if there remains a genuine opportunity for repentance. When Peter says "toward us," he is writing to believers, as verse 8 makes clear. However, this does not require the phrase to be limited exclusively to believers. Peter is communicating God's gracious disposition toward humanity and explaining why judgment has not yet fallen. He is relaying this truth to the beloved, but the reason for the delay concerns those who still need repentance.
Simply stated, God loves mankind and patiently delays judgment so that people may come to repentance.
God's Character and Other Scripture
This understanding is consistent with the character of God revealed throughout Scripture.
God is love.
"God is love." (1 John 4:8)
Love seeks the good of others.
Scripture describes love as patient, kind, selfless, hopeful, and enduring (1 Corinthians 13:4–7). Since God is love, His desire that all come to repentance reflects His loving and selfless nature.
God's patience toward sinners is therefore not surprising but entirely consistent with who He is. He delays judgment because He genuinely desires repentance rather than destruction, salvation rather than perishing.
Paul teaches the same truth elsewhere
”Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Both passages reveal the same divine desire: that people repent, come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved rather than perish.
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.
3
2 Peter 3 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
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:
They “willingly are ignorant” they choose to not believe that God made all we see as Hebrews 11:3 says “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
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.
The Meaning of “Any”
The key question in interpreting this passage is: Who does the word “any” refer to?
The Greek word translated “any” is Strong's G5100 (tis) is connected to the preceding phrase “us-ward” (Strong's G2248, hēmas). Therefore, the central question is not whether “any” refers back to “us,” but rather who Peter means by “us” in this context. Several interpretations have been proposed.
The “Any” Refers Only to the Elect Who Have Not Yet Been Saved
Some teach that the elect include people who have not yet been born or who have not yet heard the gospel. According to this view, God's patience is directed toward these future believers rather than toward humanity in general.
However, this interpretation creates significant difficulties. According to this theology, the elect are certain to be saved because God will irresistibly bring them to faith. If their salvation is guaranteed, then God's delay cannot be explained as patience toward them, since their salvation does not depend upon additional time. God could save them instantly whenever He chooses.
Furthermore, if some of these elect individuals have not yet been born, they cannot presently be in danger of perishing. Peter's statement that God is patient because He is "not willing that any should perish" loses its force if the people in view are neither capable of perishing nor capable of ultimately being lost.
The “Any” Refers Only to Believers
Others argue that the passage refers exclusively to believers.
This interpretation is also problematic. God is not delaying His return so that believers may repent and avoid perishing. Believers have already repented and trusted in Christ. As Jesus states in John 3:16, those who believe in Him "shall not perish." Therefore, it makes little sense to interpret Peter as saying that God is waiting for believers to repent lest they be lost.
Although God’s patience is described as “longsuffering toward us/you” (directed to the believing readers), this does not require the “any” and “all” to be limited only to them. In the New Testament, apostles frequently explain broader truths about God’s character toward all mankind to the church for their encouragement (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4). Peter is reassuring the beloved in the face of scoffers: God is patient with humanity as a whole, which is why judgment has not yet come. This fits the context perfectly, because the current believers have already repented, so “all should come to repentance” cannot refer only to them.
The Context of the Passage
Context is essential in understanding Peter's meaning. Earlier in the chapter, Peter speaks about unbelievers. In verse 3, he mentions "scoffers," and in verse 5 he describes those who are "willingly ignorant." He then addresses the apparent delay of Christ's return. Some wonder why the Lord has not yet come, but Peter explains that God's perspective on time differs from ours. What seems like a long delay to humanity is insignificant to God.
More importantly, Peter explains the reason for the delay: God is patient because He does not want people to perish. If Christ were to return today, there would be unbelievers who would perish in their sins. Yet if He delays, some of those same individuals may hear the gospel, repent, and be saved. Throughout history, people continue to come to faith, but eventually God's patience will reach its appointed end and Christ will return.
Notice also that in verse 5 the responsibility is placed upon the unbelievers themselves. Peter says they are "willingly ignorant." The emphasis is on their own choice and refusal, not on an inability imposed upon them.
The most natural understanding of God's patience is that it is directed toward those who have not yet repented. Patience only makes sense if there remains a genuine opportunity for repentance. When Peter says "toward us," he is writing to believers, as verse 8 makes clear. However, this does not require the phrase to be limited exclusively to believers. Peter is communicating God's gracious disposition toward humanity and explaining why judgment has not yet fallen. He is relaying this truth to the beloved, but the reason for the delay concerns those who still need repentance.
Simply stated, God loves mankind and patiently delays judgment so that people may come to repentance.
God's Character and Other Scripture
This understanding is consistent with the character of God revealed throughout Scripture.
God is love.
"God is love." (1 John 4:8)
Love seeks the good of others.
Scripture describes love as patient, kind, selfless, hopeful, and enduring (1 Corinthians 13:4–7). Since God is love, His desire that all come to repentance reflects His loving and selfless nature.
God's patience toward sinners is therefore not surprising but entirely consistent with who He is. He delays judgment because He genuinely desires repentance rather than destruction, salvation rather than perishing.
Paul teaches the same truth elsewhere
”Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Both passages reveal the same divine desire: that people repent, come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved rather than perish.
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.