A tender concluding appeal. In these words the apostle gets near, as a shepherd of souls tending the flock, to those whom he would bless. I. lie MAKES THEIR DISCIPLINE A PLEA FOR REACHING A BLESSED IDEAL . 1 . Their discipline. How much is involved in "these things"? 2 . Their ideal. "Be found in peace, without spot, and blameless." 3 . Their struggle. "Give diligence." II. HE INDICATES THAT THE MYSTERY OF DELAYED JUDGMENT IS A ... read more
As also in all his Epistles. The true reading is probably ἐν πάσαις ἐπιστολαῖς without the article. The words, therefore, do not imply the existence of a complete collection of St. Paul's Epistles, but mean only "in all Epistles which he writes." Speaking in them of these things; that is, of the day of God, the end of the world, etc. St. Peter was acquainted with other Epistles of St. Paul besides those addressed to the Asiatic Churches. There are evident indications of his... read more
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing that ye know these things before. The pronoun "ye" is emphatic; others have gone astray; "continue ye faithful." The construction is participial, and there is no expressed object; literally, "knowing before," i.e., that false teachers will arise. Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness; rather, as in the Revised Version, lest, being carried away … ye fall. It is interesting to notice that the word... read more
As also in all his epistles - Not only in those which he addressed to the churches in Asia Minor, but in his epistles generally. It is to be presumed that they might have had an acquaintance with some of the other epistles of Paul, as well as those sent to the churches in their immediate vicinity.Speaking in them of these things - The things which Peter had dwelt upon in his two epistles. The great doctrines of the cross; of the depravity of man; of the divine purposes; of the new birth; of the... read more
Seeing that ye know these things before - Being aware of this danger, and knowing that such results may follow. People should read the Bible with the feeling that it is possible that they may fall into error, and be deceived at last. This apprehension will do much to make them diligent, and candid, and prayerful, in studying the Word of God.With the error of the wicked - Wicked men. Such as he had referred to in 2 Peter 2:0, who became public teachers of religion.Fall from your own... read more
2 Peter 3:16. As also in all his epistles From this it appears that Peter had read Paul’s epistles; and, as he speaks not of some but of all of them, it is probable that Paul was dead when St. Peter wrote this, namely, a little before his martyrdom, as appears from 2 Peter 1:14. And seeing that Paul, in his epistle to the Romans 2:4, and to the Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews 10:38, wrote that the long-suffering of God was intended for salvation, by mentioning that circumstance, Peter intimated that... read more
2 Peter 3:17-18. Therefore, seeing ye know these things before Respecting the coming of the Lord to judgment, in what an awful manner the scene will close, and what dreadful vengeance will be executed on all the wicked, and especially on those that pollute the Church of Christ, into which they have professed to enter; and that scoffers will arise and ridicule the promise of Christ’s coming, as also the danger there is of misunderstanding and misinterpreting the Scriptures, and so of being... read more
Reasons for the delay (3:8-18)Some people may wonder why there is such a delay before Christ’s return. The answer is that from God’s point of view there is no delay, since he does not view time according to human standards. Eternity is not time carried on and on indefinitely, but is an entirely different order of things. If there seems to be a delay from the human point of view, it is because God is waiting as long as possible, so that people might realize the seriousness of their sins and turn... read more
also, &c . = in all his epistles also. speaking . App-121 .7. some . App-124 . (neut). hard, &c . Greek. dusnoetos. Only here. unlearned . Greek. amathes. Only here. Compare Acts 4:13 . 1Co 14:16 . 2 Timothy 2:23 . unstable . See 2 Peter 2:14 . wrest . Greek. strebloo. Only here and in Septuagint of 2 Samuel 22:27 (m. wrestle). It means to strain or twist, and so to torture. Occurs in Apocrypha. also, &c . = the other ( App-124 .) Scriptures also. Note that St. Paul's... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 3:11-18
Duty in view of second coming. I. REFERENCE TO GOD IN OUR CONDUCT . "Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness?" The catastrophe that is to accompany the second coming is here put down in time present in the original, to raise an impression of its certainty: "Seeing that these things are thus all dissolved." If the conclusions of some scientific men are to be accepted, this is literally true,... read more