2 Peter 3:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,

NIV: Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

NASB: Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

CSB: Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness

NLT: Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live,

KJV: Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

NKJV: Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

In prior verses, Peter has declared that God's judgment will come in His perfect timing, with massive and catastrophic destruction. Here, Peter asks his readers to consider what that means for their lives right now. The false teachers had been saying Christ would not return, so no judgment was coming. If that is true, they suggest, why not indulge in immorality? Why resist our passionate desires? If God does not really care, then there will be no consequence for our sin.

Peter insists, though, that God's fiery judgment will arrive. The day of the Lord will happen. Everything will be destroyed. If that's true, how should we live right now? How should we live while the sky remains blue and the sun continues to shine? Who should we be today? Peter says there's only one answer and it is the opposite of the one the false teachers were offering: We ought to lead holy and godly lives.

By this, Peter means that we must be set aside—or continue to set aside, or continue working to set aside—every kind of sinful or immoral lifestyle. It's not just a question of what we do with our bodies; it's a question of who we are. It's a matter of what kind of people we should be.

As revealed in 1 Peter, Christians are "holy," meaning "set apart." We should live accordingly. We have been set apart by God for His specific purposes. That's why we must live holy lives, making different choices than the unbelievers in what we do with our bodies, our words, even our thoughts. It's not about self-improvement or religious rule-keeping. It's about living as God's people on a fallen planet with limited time before God's destruction arrives.

2 Peter 3:1–13 includes Peter’s dismantling of the arguments of the false teachers. They will scoff because Christ’s promised return has not yet happened, and the world continues on as if nothing will ever change. Peter reminds Christians that God made the world and Noah’s flood is evidence that He is willing to alter it in order to bring judgment on the sins of humanity. In the coming judgment, everything will be destroyed and laid bare with fire. Christians look forward to the new heavens and earth which will come after.

Peter dismantles the arguments of false teachers working to mislead Christians in the early church. He counters their idea that since Jesus has not yet returned, He must not be coming. Peter reminds His readers that God created the world. The flood of Noah's day is evidence that He is willing to bring judgment on the earth for sin. God is not late, He is patient and merciful. But the day of the Lord will come eventually. Everything will be destroyed. A new heaven and earth will be established. Christians should live as if that’s true.

After thoroughly condemning the false teachers in chapter 2, Peter now dismantles their arguments. These deceivers scoff that Christ has not returned as promised. We should doubt Christ's return, they say, since the world goes along as it always has and always will. Peter reminds his readers that God is the one who made the world. Noah’s flood is evidence of His willingness to alter the course of nature in order to bring judgment on humanity for sin. Christians should be looking forward to the new heavens and earth, rejecting false teaching, and leading holy lives.

Apparently written shortly before his death in the AD 60s, 2 Peter may have been written to the same audience as 1 Peter, which was Christians scattered by persecution. Peter writes this letter to encourage Christians to live out the purpose of their lives in Christ. He warns readers to beware of teachers who claim to be believers, but present a false version of Christianity. And, Peter calls on all Christians to eagerly watch and wait for the return of the Lord.