Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

2 Peter 3

World English Bible

WEB

1This is now, beloved, the second letter that I have written to you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by reminding you 2that you should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, 3knowing this first, that in the last days mockers will come, walking after their own lusts 4and saying, “Where is the promise of his coming? For, from the day that the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” 5For they willfully forget that there were heavens from of old, and an earth formed out of water and amid water by the word of God, 6by which means the world that existed then, being overflowed with water, perished. 7But the heavens that exist now and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat; and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11Therefore, since all these things will be destroyed like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, 12looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. 14Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without defect and blameless in his sight. 15Regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote to you, 16as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware, lest being carried away with the error of the wicked, you fall from your own steadfastness. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

2 Peter Chapter 3 serves as a powerful reminder of the certainty of Christ's return and the importance of living a godly life in anticipation of that day. The chapter begins with a call to remember the words spoken by the holy prophets and the commandments of the Lord through the apostles. Peter emphasizes that in the last days, scoffers will arise, questioning the promise of Christ's return, saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?' (2 Peter 3:4). This skepticism is met with a reminder of God's faithfulness, as Peter points out that the heavens and earth were created by God's word and that He has previously judged the world through the flood (Genesis 6-9). This serves to illustrate that God's timing is not like ours; He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

The chapter continues with a vivid description of the day of the Lord, which will come like a thief in the night, bringing destruction to the heavens and the earth (2 Peter 3:10). Peter urges believers to live holy and godly lives, looking forward to the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells (2 Peter 3:13). He encourages the faithful to be diligent in their walk with Christ, to grow in grace and knowledge, and to be on guard against false teachings that could lead them astray (2 Peter 3:17-18). This chapter ultimately reassures believers of the hope they have in Christ's return and the promise of eternal life, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith amidst the challenges of the last days.

In summary, 2 Peter 3 calls us to remember God's promises, to live in holiness, and to anticipate the glorious return of our Lord, Jesus Christ. #2Peter #SecondComing #GodsPromises #Holiness #Faithfulness

Study

14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Genesis 7:23v6Genesis 7:23 describes the destruction of all living things outside the ark. 2 Peter 3:6-7 references the flood as a past judgment and warns of a future judgment by fire, emphasizing God's sovereignty and justice.
  2. Psalms 90:4v8Psalm 90:4 compares a thousand years to a day in God's sight, a concept reiterated in 2 Peter 3:8 to emphasize God's different perception of time.
  3. Ecclesiastes 1:9v4Ecclesiastes 1:9 states 'there is nothing new under the sun,' which is echoed in 2 Peter 3:4 where scoffers claim that all things continue as they were from the beginning.
  4. Isaiah 30:18v9Isaiah 30:18 speaks of the Lord's longing to be gracious and show compassion, similar to 2 Peter 3:9, which highlights God's patience and desire for all to come to repentance.
  5. Isaiah 51:6v10Isaiah 51:6 describes the heavens vanishing like smoke, which is similar to 2 Peter 3:10 where the heavens will pass away with a roar, emphasizing the transient nature of creation and the permanence of God's salvation.
  6. Isaiah 66:22v13Isaiah 66:22 promises the endurance of the new heavens and new earth. This is echoed in 2 Peter 3:13, which speaks of the promise of a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.
  7. Ezekiel 12:22v4Ezekiel 12:22 addresses the proverb about delayed visions, similar to 2 Peter 3:4 where scoffers question the promise of Christ's coming, highlighting the theme of divine timing.
  8. Ezekiel 18:23v9Ezekiel 18:23 reveals God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live, which is mirrored in 2 Peter 3:9 where God is described as patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
  9. Ezekiel 33:11v9Ezekiel 33:11 expresses God's desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live, which aligns with 2 Peter 3:9 where God is described as patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
  10. Malachi 4:1v10Malachi 4:1 speaks of a day coming that will burn like a furnace, which is echoed in 2 Peter 3:10 where the day of the Lord is described as coming like a thief, with the heavens disappearing and elements being destroyed by fire.
  11. Romans 2:4v9Romans 2:4 speaks of God's kindness leading to repentance, which aligns with 2 Peter 3:9, where God's patience is shown as giving time for repentance.
  12. 1 Timothy 2:4v91 Timothy 2:4 states that God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, which is echoed in 2 Peter 3:9 where it is stated that God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights