2Pe 3 | MHM | STEP | Adhere to Words of the Prophets and Commandments of the Apostles. In this section, Peter encourages believers to remember the teachings of the gospel. He wants them to be steady in their faith and practice. Peter reminds them of the importance of the words spoken by the prophets and the commandments of the apostles. He shows his affection for them and sets an example of love, urging them to stay active and passionate in their faith. v. 1 : Peter calls the readers beloved to show his special care and kindness for them. This demonstrates that he is practicing the quality of brotherly-kindness , as he previously taught them (2 Peter 1:17 ). Peter wants church leaders to show love and set good examples in their lives.

‏ 2 Peter 3

Adhere to Words of the Prophets and Commandments of the Apostles.

In this section, Peter encourages believers to remember the teachings of the gospel. He wants them to be steady in their faith and practice. Peter reminds them of the importance of the words spoken by the prophets and the commandments of the apostles. He shows his affection for them and sets an example of love, urging them to stay active and passionate in their faith.

v. 1: Peter calls the readers beloved to show his special care and kindness for them. This demonstrates that he is practicing the quality of brotherly-kindness, as he previously taught them (2 Peter 1:17 ^a). Peter wants church leaders to show love and set good examples in their lives.

v. 2: Peter explains that he repeats his message because it is safe and helpful for them. He does not mind writing the same things in different words if it helps them remember and grow. He urges them to remember two things: first, the words spoken by the holy prophets, who were inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit; and second, the commandments given by the apostles of the Lord and Saviour. Both the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles spoke truths that should be remembered and followed. Thinking about these teachings will help believers stay excited and strong in their faith, and motivate them to live holy lives and continue on the path to heaven.

The Cavils of Infidels; Destruction of the World

This section warns Christians that there will always be people who mock God's word, especially about Jesus' return and judgment. Peter explains what these scoffers are like and how they think. He shows that their arguments are false by reminding us of God's power in history and the certainty of coming judgment. Believers are encouraged to stay strong in faith and not be shaken by such doubts.

v. 3: Peter warns that in the last days there will be scoffers. These are people who laugh at the idea of sin and salvation through Jesus Christ. They will make fun of spiritual things and live only to please their own desires. Their boldness and numbers will increase as time goes on (Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 2 Peter 3:3 ^b).

v. 4: These scoffers will say, Where is the promise of his coming? Since the earliest believers died, nothing has changed. They claim everything has continued the same since the world was created and doubt that Jesus will ever return (2 Peter 3:4 ^c).

v. 5-6: Peter shows that their argument is wrong. They forget that God already changed the world once before, with the flood in Noah's time. By God's word, the world was made and then destroyed by water (The world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished, Genesis 7:11; 2 Peter 3:6 ^d).

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v. 7: Now, the present heavens and earth are kept by God’s word for another judgment. This time, they are reserved to be destroyed by fire on the day of judgment, when all who reject God will face punishment (The heavens and the earth, which now are, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men, 2 Peter 3:7 ^e).

Conception of Eternity.

In this passage, the apostle Peter teaches believers about God's view of time and eternity. He wants to encourage and strengthen their faith about the Lord's coming. Peter shows his deep care for the believers by calling them beloved. He also shows concern for those who do not believe. This section explains how God's time is very different from human time, and why understanding this truth is important for our respect and worship of God.

v. 8: Peter says that with the Lord, one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. For humans, a day and a year are very different, and a thousand years is an enormous amount of time. But God lives in eternity, where time does not pass like it does for us. Past, present, and future are all before Him at once. So waiting a thousand years is no more difficult for God than waiting one day or one hour is for us (2 Peter 3:8 ^f).

v. 8 continued: This truth is very important. Peter wants us to understand it clearly. Knowing how different God’s time is helps us have a holy respect and fear of Him. This fear is the beginning of wisdom. Understanding God's eternal nature brings peace and helps us worship Him properly. Peter urges us not to ignore this truth. Without it, people might wrongly think God is like a human. But eternity is hard for us to fully understand. Still, it is essential for us to gain this knowledge of God (Proverbs 9:10 ^g).

Destruction of the World.

This section explains that God does not delay His promises. His timing is always perfect, even if it seems slow to people. Peter teaches that God is patient because He wants everyone to have the chance to repent. He warns that the day of the Lord will come suddenly and will bring great change to the whole world. This truth should motivate us to live wisely and not put our hope in the things of this world.

v. 9: Peter assures us that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise . God does not delay beyond the time He has appointed. Just as He rescued Israel from Egypt exactly when He promised (Exodus 12:41 ^h), He will also judge the world at the right time. People might think God is slow, but His timing is different from ours. Some people wrongly accuse God of forgetting, but Peter explains that what seems like slowness is actually patience. God gives extra time so that more people can repent and be saved. He does not want anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come to repentance (Luke 13:3, 5; Luke 13:3, 5 ⁱ). Repentance is necessary for salvation. God does not enjoy punishing sinners, but He gives time for people to turn to Him. However, if people ignore God’s patience and stay in sin, they will face judgment. Do not abuse God’s patience or think you have plenty of time like the one who said, My Lord delayeth his coming (Matthew 24:48 ^j).

v. 10: Peter warns that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10 ^k). This day is certain, even if it seems delayed. God has set a day to judge the world in righteousness (Hebrews 9:27 ^l). We should live as if we are always ready to give an account to God. This day will also be sudden, coming when people least expect it, like a thief at night (Matthew 25:6 ^m). Many people will be unprepared, just like the foolish and wise virgins who were sleeping when the bridegroom arrived (Matthew 25:6 ⁿ). We should not imagine that this day is far away, but be prepared at all times.

v. 10 continued: The coming of the Lord will be very dramatic and serious. The heavens shall pass away with a great noise. The sky will be changed with a loud sound, as if a great building is collapsing. The elements shall melt with fervent heat; the basic parts of creation will be destroyed by intense fire. The earth also, and all the works that are therein, shall be burnt up. Everything people have built or loved will be destroyed. All things in the world, both natural and made by humans, will be burned. The fire will destroy all that sin has brought into the world, but it may purify the works of God, so that believers can better see His glory.

There is a big difference between Christ’s first coming and His second coming. The first is called the great and dreadful day of the Lord (Malachi 4:5 ^o), but the day of judgment will be even more awesome. We must be wise and prepare, so this day will not be one of destruction for us. If we love the things of this world, we will lose them, because all these things will be burned up. Therefore, we should seek true happiness in God, not in anything that will be destroyed.

The Practical Use of the World's End

This section discusses how Christians should live, knowing that the world will one day be destroyed by fire. Peter wants believers to think seriously about their behavior and attitudes, because everything they see around them will not last forever. He encourages a holy and godly life as we wait for God’s promises, and he explains how the hope of a new heaven and new earth should affect our actions.

v. 11: Since everything in this world will be destroyed in this way, Christians should think about what kind of people they ought to be. We should live holy lives and show respect for God in all we do. Our actions should be different from those who do not believe, because we know the end is coming (Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 2 Peter 3:11 ^p).

v. 12: We should look forward to the coming of God’s day and even try to live in a way that “hastens” or prepares for it. That day will bring fire that destroys the heavens, and the elements will melt in the heat (Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,.

v. 13: But God has promised new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness will live. Believers can look forward to a better world after this one, and that hope should encourage us to do what is right (Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, 2 Peter 3:13 ^q).

v. 14: Because of this hope, Christians should work hard to be found by God in peace, without fault and without blame, when Jesus returns (Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless, 2 Peter 3:14 ^r).

v. 15: Peter reminds us to consider that the Lord’s patience means salvation. Just as Paul wrote in his letters, God’s delay gives more people a chance to be saved (And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation, 2 Peter 3:15 ^s).

v. 16: Paul’s letters also talk about these things, but some parts are hard to understand. Some people twist these teachings, as they do with other Scriptures, which leads to their own destruction (As also in all his epistles... 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, 2 Peter 3:16 ^t).

v. 17: Peter warns believers to be careful, so they are not led away by the errors of wicked people and fall from their strong faith (Ye 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, 2 Peter 3:17 ^u).

v. 18: Finally, Peter encourages everyone to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to Him, both now and forever (But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen, 2 Peter 3:18 ^v).