2 Peter 3 - Printer Friendly

What does 2 Peter 3 mean?

Chapter Commentary:

Second Peter 3 focuses on dismantling the arguments of the false teachers. Peter's purpose is urging Christians not to waver in their beliefs, but to continue to live out what they know to be true.

One specific claim being made by false teachers is that that Christ would never return. In some cases, it was also rejecting the idea that God would judge the sins of humanity. These deceivers mocked those ideas by asking, "Where is the coming of Jesus?" According to their challenge, it had been too long. Since time—too much time, in their opinion—has passed, but the world seems to be going along as it always has, they think nothing will change. This is a suggestion that God would never alter the course of the natural, physical world to enforce His will.

Peter's answers: God made the world, so He can alter it whenever He desires. The laws and patterns of the universe are His to override if He so chooses. These false teachers are also forgetting about Noah's flood. In that event, God brought catastrophe on the earth as judgment of the sins of humanity. This was a supernatural act through physical means, and an intervention by God in the natural world. For that judgment, God used water. For the next, ultimate judgment, He will use fire.

Peter also points out that God is not bound by time as we mere humans are. For Him, what people perceive as a day and a thousand years are alike. Just because we don't understand or agree with God's timing doesn't mean He is not acting. Or, that He won't act at all. God's delay, as we see it, should be considered evidence of God's patience and mercy. He longs for as many people as possible to come to repentance and to place their trust in Christ. The additional time is an opportunity for more to be saved.

However, Peter reminds us, the judgment will come eventually. The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly. Christ will return. And then the heavens and elements will burn; the earth and everything on it will be laid bare; everything will be destroyed.

Peter then asks an essential question: Because the prophecies of Scripture are true and the false teachers are wrong, how should Christians live right now? Instead of indulging in sin without fear of consequence, as the false teachers suggest, we should lead holy and godly lives. We should live as people looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth. That means we should keep working to set aside our sin and to live in peace with God.

Peter indicates that Paul has made the same point about the apparent delay in God's judgment. The fact that we are waiting for the day of the Lord is due to God's patience and mercy. In saying this, Peter also affirms that Paul's words were Scripture: his wisdom was from God.

False teachers, on the other hand, twist Scripture. Christians who know God's Word are responsible to resist being led away from the truth. Instead, we must keep working to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus.

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.

2 Peter 3:14–18 concludes Peter’s letter. Because Christians are looking forward to the new heavens and earth, we should be working now to set aside sin and live in peace with God. Peter acknowledges that Paul is a writer of Scripture. False teachers twist the words of God. Since Christians know God’s Word, though, we are responsible not to be misled by the false teachers. Instead, we should continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus and to give Him glory.

Chapter Summary:

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.

Chapter Context:

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.

Accessed 5/18/2024 10:00:02 PM