American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
2 Peter 3
1
This second letter, beloved, I now write to you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
Reference
Parallel theme
2 Timothy 1:6
2
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:
Reference
Holy
2 Peter 2:21
Luke 1:70
Acts 3:21
Prophecy
Revelation 19:10
Acts 3:18
Acts 10:43
Ephesians 2:20
Word
Jude 1:17
Luke 24:44
Acts 28:23
3
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
Reference
Kingdom
2 Corinthians 4:2
Jude 1:16
Parallel theme
Jude 1:18
2 Peter 2:10
2 Peter 1:20
Proverbs 1:22
2 Timothy 3:1
Proverbs 3:34
Proverbs 14:6
4
And 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.
Reference
5
For 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:
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 24:2
Psalm 136:6
References God
Genesis 1:9
Genesis 1:6
Romans 1:28
Word
Hebrews 11:3
Psalm 33:6
7
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
Reference
Judgment
2 Peter 2:9
Matthew 12:36
Parallel theme
2 Peter 3:10
Isaiah 51:6
Revelation 21:1
Matthew 25:41
Revelation 20:11
1 Timothy 6:9
References God
2 Peter 3:12
Word
Matthew 24:35
8
But, 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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 90:4
9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Reference
Parallel theme
1 Timothy 2:4
Habakkuk 2:3
1 Timothy 1:16
Hebrews 10:37
References Lord
Psalm 86:15
Isaiah 30:18
2 Peter 3:15
Exodus 34:6
Repentance
Romans 2:4
Revelation 2:21
10
But 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.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 21:1
Matthew 24:35
2 Peter 3:7
Revelation 16:15
Isaiah 51:6
Mark 13:31
Revelation 3:3
Isaiah 34:4
2 Peter 3:12
References Lord
1 Thessalonians 5:2
11
Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Reference
Holy
1 Peter 1:15
Parallel theme
Philippians 1:27
Isaiah 34:4
James 3:13
Philippians 3:20
Isaiah 14:31
References God
2 Peter 3:12
1 Timothy 6:11
1 Peter 2:12
Psalm 50:23
12
Looking for and hastening to the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Reference
Kingdom
Titus 2:13
Jude 1:21
Parallel theme
2 Peter 3:10
Isaiah 34:4
Micah 1:4
Philippians 1:6
References God
Psalm 50:3
2 Peter 3:7
13
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness.
Reference
14
Why, beloved, seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Reference
15
And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given to him has written to you;
Reference
Love
Acts 15:25
Parallel theme
Romans 2:4
1 Timothy 1:16
Luke 21:15
James 3:17
James 1:5
References Lord
2 Peter 3:9
Salvation
1 Peter 3:20
16
As also in all his letters, 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, to their own destruction.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 5:11
2 Peter 2:14
James 1:8
Philippians 3:19
Word
Matthew 15:6
Jeremiah 23:36
17
You therefore, beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
Reference
18
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Reference
Glory
Ephesians 1:17
2 Peter 1:3
2 Corinthians 4:6
2 Timothy 4:18
Parallel theme
1 Peter 2:2
Colossians 3:10
References Christ
Ephesians 4:15
References Jesus
Philippians 3:8
John 17:3
References Lord
Colossians 1:10
Summary of 2 Peter 3
2 Peter 3 urges Christians to remember the prophetic and apostolic teaching, remain confident in Christ's promised return despite the mockery of skeptics, understand God's apparent delay as patient mercy that provides opportunity for repentance, live holy and godly lives while awaiting the coming day of the Lord, and look forward to God's promise of new heavens and a new earth where righteousness will dwell, while carefully guarding themselves against false teaching and continuing to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Peter begins by explaining that he is writing to remind believers of truths they already know, because spiritual stability requires Christians to continually remember and apply what God has revealed.
He specifically points them toward the words of the prophets and the commands given through the apostles, connecting the earlier prophetic Scriptures with the teaching of Jesus' apostles.
Peter then warns that scoffers will appear, particularly in the last days, questioning whether Christ will really return.
These people will point to the apparent continuation of ordinary life and argue that nothing has changed since previous generations died.
Their argument assumes that because God's promised intervention has not yet occurred, it will never occur.
Peter responds by explaining that such people deliberately ignore God's previous acts of creation and judgment.
God created the heavens and earth through His word, and the ancient world was later judged through the flood during Noah's generation.
The fact that God has already intervened dramatically in history means that His future judgment should not be dismissed simply because it has not yet occurred.
Peter then addresses the important question of why Christ's return appears delayed.
He explains that God's relationship with time is different from human experience, so people should not interpret God's patience as forgetfulness or failure.
Instead, God's patience provides an opportunity for people to repent and be saved.
This is one of the chapter's most important theological ideas because the apparent delay of judgment is presented not as weakness but as an expression of God's mercy.
Peter nevertheless makes clear that the day of the Lord will come.
Its arrival will be unexpected, like a thief, and it will involve dramatic judgment and transformation of the present creation.
Because the world in its present form is temporary, Christians should not build their lives around temporary things.
Instead, they should live with holiness, godliness, peace, and moral integrity while waiting for God's promised future.
Peter then directs believers toward the hope of new heavens and a new earth where righteousness lives.
The future is therefore not presented merely as destruction but as God's ultimate renewal of creation into a place characterized by righteousness.
This future hope should shape present behavior.
Because believers expect these things, they should make every effort to live peacefully, without spiritual or moral blame, while remaining prepared for Christ's return.
Peter then discusses Paul's writings, showing that Paul's teaching was already known among at least some Christian communities.
Peter acknowledges that some things in Paul's letters are difficult to understand and warns that unstable and ignorant people can twist those writings just as they twist other Scriptures.
This provides an important warning about careless interpretation of biblical teaching.
The chapter closes with a final appeal for spiritual stability.
Christians should avoid being carried away by false teaching and should instead grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The Christian life is therefore presented as an ongoing process of learning, spiritual maturity, faithful living, and deeper knowledge of Christ.
The central message of 2 Peter 3 is that Christians should not lose confidence in Christ's promised return simply because it appears delayed, because God's patience provides people with an opportunity to repent rather than demonstrating forgetfulness, while the coming day of the Lord remains certain and will bring judgment and the renewal of creation, giving believers reason to live holy, peaceful, and faithful lives while carefully guarding themselves against distorted teaching and continually growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Peter begins by explaining that he is writing to remind believers of truths they already know, because spiritual stability requires Christians to continually remember and apply what God has revealed.
He specifically points them toward the words of the prophets and the commands given through the apostles, connecting the earlier prophetic Scriptures with the teaching of Jesus' apostles.
Peter then warns that scoffers will appear, particularly in the last days, questioning whether Christ will really return.
These people will point to the apparent continuation of ordinary life and argue that nothing has changed since previous generations died.
Their argument assumes that because God's promised intervention has not yet occurred, it will never occur.
Peter responds by explaining that such people deliberately ignore God's previous acts of creation and judgment.
God created the heavens and earth through His word, and the ancient world was later judged through the flood during Noah's generation.
The fact that God has already intervened dramatically in history means that His future judgment should not be dismissed simply because it has not yet occurred.
Peter then addresses the important question of why Christ's return appears delayed.
He explains that God's relationship with time is different from human experience, so people should not interpret God's patience as forgetfulness or failure.
Instead, God's patience provides an opportunity for people to repent and be saved.
This is one of the chapter's most important theological ideas because the apparent delay of judgment is presented not as weakness but as an expression of God's mercy.
Peter nevertheless makes clear that the day of the Lord will come.
Its arrival will be unexpected, like a thief, and it will involve dramatic judgment and transformation of the present creation.
Because the world in its present form is temporary, Christians should not build their lives around temporary things.
Instead, they should live with holiness, godliness, peace, and moral integrity while waiting for God's promised future.
Peter then directs believers toward the hope of new heavens and a new earth where righteousness lives.
The future is therefore not presented merely as destruction but as God's ultimate renewal of creation into a place characterized by righteousness.
This future hope should shape present behavior.
Because believers expect these things, they should make every effort to live peacefully, without spiritual or moral blame, while remaining prepared for Christ's return.
Peter then discusses Paul's writings, showing that Paul's teaching was already known among at least some Christian communities.
Peter acknowledges that some things in Paul's letters are difficult to understand and warns that unstable and ignorant people can twist those writings just as they twist other Scriptures.
This provides an important warning about careless interpretation of biblical teaching.
The chapter closes with a final appeal for spiritual stability.
Christians should avoid being carried away by false teaching and should instead grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
The Christian life is therefore presented as an ongoing process of learning, spiritual maturity, faithful living, and deeper knowledge of Christ.
The central message of 2 Peter 3 is that Christians should not lose confidence in Christ's promised return simply because it appears delayed, because God's patience provides people with an opportunity to repent rather than demonstrating forgetfulness, while the coming day of the Lord remains certain and will bring judgment and the renewal of creation, giving believers reason to live holy, peaceful, and faithful lives while carefully guarding themselves against distorted teaching and continually growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.