2 Peter 3:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,

NIV: I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

NASB: to remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.

CSB: so that you recall the words previously spoken by the holy prophets and the command of our Lord and Savior given through your apostles.

NLT: I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

KJV: That 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:

NKJV: that you 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 Savior,

In the previous verse, Peter said he was writing to stimulate his Christian readers to sincere, or clear-minded and focused thinking. This verse continues that thought: Peter wants them to be thinking clearly for the purpose of remembering two things.

He wants believers to remember the words or predictions of the holy prophets. This refers to God's prophets, sent to Israel in the Old Testament. Also, Peter wants them to remember Jesus' command or teachings made through the apostles. In this way, Peter is giving the same status to Jesus' apostles, which includes himself and the rest of the 12, along with Paul, as to Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

The point of remembering these things is to keep from being deceived by false teachers. Those who know and understand the truth as revealed by God in the Old Testament and, now, through Jesus' apostles in the New Testament, will not be easily led astray by the lies of the wolves among the flock of God.

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.

Accessed 5/3/2024 1:47:37 PM