Bible Gateway passage: 2 Peter 3 - New King James Version (2024)

FAQs

What is the main point of 2 Peter 3? ›

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.

In this verse, Peter shows one motive of the false teachers: greed. They want power and money, and they're willing to distort God's Word to try to get it from God's people. They won't just lie about the truth of God's Word, though; they will tell false stories about other things, as well.

Peter describes Jesus as both our Lord and our Savior. To really know Him, we must continue to grow in our understanding of what it means to live in relationship to Jesus as Lord and as Savior. And we, like Peter, will reach a single conclusion: Jesus is the one who is due glory both in this moment and forever.

2 Peter 3 1

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 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.

To whom was it written and why? Peter stated that he was writing “to them that have obtained like precious faith with us” (2 Peter 1:1). This may indicate that Peter's audience was the same Gentile Christians who received Peter's First Epistle (see 2 Peter 3:1).

As Peter wrote: “Be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men . . . but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17–18).

2 Peter 3:9 Tells Us God Desires Our Repentance

He wants all to reach repentance. And so you just think about that with the people around you that you will interact with today, God doesn't want any of them to perish. He wants all of them to reach repentance.

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.

In 2 Peter 2, the false teachers are described as having several attributes: Destructive Heresies. They introduced destructive heresies, denying the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves (2 Peter 2:1). Deceptive Practices.

The most defensible interpretation is that Peter refers to the confidence and sense of stability which comes from living in the truth. Peter warns against losing our intellectual and spiritual security, not our eternal salvation. There is peace which comes only from trusting God and His Word absolutely.

What is the Greek word for grace in 2 Peter 3 18? ›

Grace (5485) (charis [word study]) is free and unmerited favor of God bestowed upon guilty man in and through Jesus Christ. A Basic Definition—lexical: The Greek word for grace is charis.

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.

Peter warned that false prophets and teachers lead people astray. He prophesied that in the last days, the wicked would scoff at the righteous for believing that Jesus Christ would return. Peter encouraged the Saints to prepare diligently for the Savior's Second Coming.

In 2 Peter chapter 2, Peter describes and harshly condemns the false teachers who had entered the church. He promises their destruction, which will be brought by God. Peter also shows the impact of their lies on those who might believe them.

The themes addressed include spiritual growth and maturity, standing against false teachers, and faith in the returning Christ. 2 Peter contributes to the overall message of Scripture by offering insight on the day of judgment and the new heaven and earth.

What is a scoffer? “Scoffers” in 2 Peter 3:3 is from the Greek word empaíktēs, meaning “a derider, i.e. (by implication) a false teacher:—mocker, scoffer.” Scoffers commonly mix humor with their ridicule. Their razor-sharp wit often dismisses opponents with only a few words.

God is the only one who will determine the end of this world. Humans will not bring this earth to an end. The scriptures say that God has reserved the heavens and earth for fire, being kept until the day of judgment. It is by God's word that all things hold together and it is by God's word that the end will come.