1The apostle declareth it to be the design of both his epistles to remind the brethren of Christ's coming to judgment, in opposition to scoffers. 8No argument can be drawn against it from the delay, which is designed to leave men room for repentance. 10He describeth the day of the Lord, and exhorteth to holiness of life in expectation of it. 15He sheweth that Paul had taught the same in his epistles: 17and concludeth with advice to beware of seduction, and to grow in Christian grace and knowledge.
1THIS second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in 1both which I stir up your 2pure 3minds 4bya way of remembrance:
1 This word must be added because the apostle speaks in the plural number, of both his epistles.
2 Namely, in the doctrine of the Gospel.
3 Or, understanding.
4 Gr. in admonition, or putting in mind.
a 2 Peter 1:13.
2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken 5before by the holy prophets, and of the 6commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
5 Namely, concerning the Messiah and the state of His Kingdom in the New Testament.
6 That is, of our doctrine, which we have taught you, not of our own opinion or authority, but as apostles of the Lord Christ. See 2 Peter 1:21. Both these are very suitably put together, as being together the ground of the christian doctrine. See likewise, Eph. 2:20.
3Knowingb this 7first, that there shall come 8in the last days 9scoffers, walking 10after their own lusts,
b 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1; Jude verse 18.
7 That is, mainly.
8 That is, in the last of the days. See 2 Tim. 3:1.
9 Namely, who shall mock both at the predictions of God in His Word, especially concerning the last judgment and of the end of the world, as also at those who believe the same, accounting them simple and over-credulous persons. See of the same, Psalm 1:1; Isa. 22:13.
10 That is, following the evil lusts of their flesh in all dissoluteness of life; as did the Nicolaitans and the like of them.
4And 11saying, Wherec12is the promise 13of his coming? for since 14the fathers 15fell asleep, all things continue 16as they were from the beginning of the creation.
11 Namely, in a scoffing manner.
c Ezek. 12:22.
12 That is, where is the fulfillment of this promise and prediction? This asking is as much as denying.
13 Namely, to judge the quick and the dead, and to renew the world.
14 That is, the forefathers.
15 That is, have died, See Mat. 9:24; 1 Cor. 11:30; 1 Thes. 4:13. This word they seem also to use in a scoffing manner, as if it were time indeed that the fathers would be raised up from sleep, if there would be a resurrection of the dead, and a last judgment.
16 Or, so like it was even from the beginning of the creation. This is their reason which they oppose to the certainty of the predictions of the last judgment and end of the world: forasmuch as now so many years since the predictions were made, there appear no fulfillments of the same, but that all things remain even as they were always, that therefore it is not credible that the same shall ever be fulfilled.
5For this they 17willingly are ignorant of, that 18by the word of God the heavens were of old, andd the earth standing 19out of the water and 20in the water:
17 That is, they will not know and observe this.
18 That is, by His power and command. See Gen 1:3; Psalm 33:9; Heb. 1:3. Hereby Peter answers and confutes the pretense of these mockers, and proves that the existence and consummation of heaven and earth, stands only in the will, command and power of God; whereby even as He created them, so He also preserves them as long as it pleases Him, and can also bring them to nothing by the same Word when it pleases Him.
d Gen. 1:9; Psalm 24:2.
19 Namely, appearing forth wherewith it was covered at first, Gen. 1:9.
20 Gr. through, which signifies in also sometimes, as, 1 Tim. 2:15, so also here, seeing the waters are as the foundation wherein the earth is, and stands fast. See Psalm 24:2.
621Wherebye22the world that then was, being 23overflowed with water, perished:
21 Namely, heaven and earth; for, they both contributed their waters to the flood, as is expressly testified in Gen. 7:11.
e Gen. 7:10, 21.
22 That is, men and beasts, which then were and lived in the world; except those who were preserved in the ark.
23 Namely, by the word and command of God. The apostle wants to prove thereby, that even as God, when it pleased Him, caused by His power the first world to perish by water, He can and will also cause the second, present world to perish by fire, when it shall please Him, as is declared in the following verse.
7Butf the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are 24kept in store, reservedg25unto fire against the day 26of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
f verse 10; Psalm 102:26; Isa. 51:6; Heb. 1:11.
24 That is, kept even as men lay up a treasure in a treasury, to be spent and paid out in due time, when it pleases us.
g 2 Thes. 1:8.
25 Namely, to be burned thereby. See Psalm 50:3; 2 Thes. 1:8.
26 That is, of the last general judgment; or, of damnation, as the following words declare.
8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, 27thath one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
27 And that therefore we must not marvel that the Lord, according to our thinking, tarries so long for the fulfillment of His promise, seeing He accounts not the times short or long according to our opinion, forasmuch as He is eternal, and is not bound to the times.
h Psalm 90:4.
9Thei Lord 28is not slack concerning his promise, asj some men count 29slackness; butk is 30longsuffering to us-ward,l notm willing that 31any should perish, but that 32all should come 33to repentance.
i Hab. 2:3.
28 Or, delayeth not concerning the promise, that is, defers not the fulfillment of the promise beyond the time which He has appointed for it.
j verse 15; 1 Peter 3:20.
29 That is, delay beyond the appointed time.
k Isa. 30:18; Rom. 2:4.
30 Namely, who are called to the knowledge of Christ and believe in Him; such as according to the judgment of charity he accounts all to whom he writes, see 2 Peter 1:1.
l toward us.
m Ezek. 18:32; 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4.
31 Namely, of us, who are effectually called, and yet shall be. For, seeing God can do, and also does what so ever He will, this cannot be understood of all and every human being, seeing Scripture and experience itself testify that not all persons are saved, but that many perish.
32 Namely, the elect, of whom he here speaks, Rev. 6:11.
33 Namely, that for this reason time would be given them for this purpose.
10But 34the day of the Lord will come 35asn a thief in the night; 36in the which the heavens 37shall pass away 38with a great noise, and 39the elements 40shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and 41the works that are therein shall be 42burned up.
34 That is, the utmost or last day, when the Lord shall come to judgment.
35 That is, unawares. See the annotation at 1 Thes. 5 on verse 2.
n Mat. 24:43, 44; 1 Thes. 5:2; Rev. 3:3; 16:15.
36 Namely, the day of the Lord.
37 How this passing away or perishing of heaven and earth shall come to pass, there are several opinions both of old and new teachers. Some think that the substance or essence of the world itself shall totally perish and be destroyed. Others, that only the qualities thereof shall perish and be changed, and the substance and essence remain. Which opinion indeed is the most common and most probable. See Psalm 102:25, 26; Rom. 8:19, etc.
38 Namely, such as is heard in a great thunder-storm, or in a great pouring out of water.
39 Namely, of which all bodily creatures consist, that is, the fire, air, water and the earth.
40 Gr. be loosed, or, dissolved.
41 Namely, which the earth brings forth out of itself, or which men have made and built upon earth.
42 Namely, by that fire whereof is spoken in verse 7.
11Seeing then that all these things 43shall be dissolved, 44what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
43 That is, shall perish. See verse 10.
44 That is, what much diligence ought you then to use, to be such in true godliness, that in that dreadful day you may stand, and find a place in the world to come.
1245Looking for and 46hasting unto the coming of the day 47of God, 48whereino the heavens being on 49fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
45 Namely, with patience.
46 Namely, with longing.
47 That is, of the Lord Jesus Christ, as Titus 2:13. Or, of God the Father, Who shall hold His judgment by the Son, Acts 17:31.
48 Or, by which, namely, the coming of the day of God.
o Psalm 50:3; 2 Thes. 1:8.
49 See hereof verses 7 and 10.
13Nevertheless we, accordingp to his promise, look for 50new heavens and a new earth, 51wherein 52dwelleth 53righteousness.
p Isa. 65:17; 66:22; Rev. 21:1.
50 Namely, either of a new substance and essence, or adorned with new qualities, and thereby, as it were, renewed. See the annotation on verse 10.
51 Namely, new heavens and earth. For, he speaks in the plural number.
52 That is, shall dwell, that is, where righteous people shall have a firm place, and always continue therein, and exercise righteousness.
53 That is, people, who are justified from sin, and shall practice nothing else but righteousness. Whereas this earth is full of wickedness and unrighteous people.
14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be 54found 55of him 56in peace, 57without spot, and blameless.
54 Namely, when He shall come to judgment; for, even as anyone shall then be found, so shall he be judged, Eccl. 11:3; Mat. 24:46.
55 Namely, of the Lord Jesus Christ.
56 That is, having a quiet mind and a good conscience before God, and living in peace with men.
57 Namely, of the sins and defilements of the world. For, otherwise no person lives without any spot. 1 Kings 8:46; Psalm 19:12; Prov. 20:9; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8, but to believers the spotlessness of Christ is imputed as their own, Eph. 5:26, 27, and they take heed that sin does not have dominion over them, Rom. 6:12.
15Andq account that 58the longsuffering of our Lord is 59salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written 60unto you;
q Rom. 2:4.
58 Namely, which He uses in deferring His coming to judgment, to give men time for repentance.
59 That is, for a thing which is very serviceable for the furtherance of your salvation.
60 Namely, believing Jews, which he did by the epistle to the Hebrews. See Heb. 6:2; 10:36, 37.
16As also inr all his epistles, speaking in them 61of these things; 62in which are 63some things hard to be understood, which they 64that are unlearned and 65unstable 66wrest,s as they do also the other scriptures, 67unto their own destruction.
r Rom. 8:19; 1 Cor. 15:24; 1 Thes. 4:15.
61 Namely, of which I have now instructed and admonished you, namely, of the coming of Christ to judgment, of the end of the world, of the false teachers and mockers who shall arise, etc.
62 Or, among which things.
63 Namely, things or proverbs. He does not say then that all that is taught in Scripture is difficult to be understood, but only some things, especially those that speak of things to come, or of the counsel of God concerning things to come; which, although they be hard to be comprehended, notwithstanding are propounded clearly enough, so much of them as is necessary for believers to know unto salvation; even as all things also, which are necessary to be known for salvation, are clearly enough taught and expressed in the Holy Scripture. See Deut. 29:29; 30:11; Psalm 19:7; 119:105; Prov. 6:23; 2 Cor. 4:3; 2 Peter 1:19.
64 Or, inexperienced; namely, in Divine things.
65 Or, not confirmed, who are not confirmed in the true foundation of christian doctrine.
66 Namely, by making false interpretations upon it, and drawing evil sequels or consequences from it. See Rom. 3:5, 8; 9:19; 11:1.
s twist, distort*
67 Whereby is shown, that they aim at thereby not the intention, but the issue which will follow thereupon.
17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know 68these things before, 69beware lest ye also, 70being led away with the error of the 71wicked, 72fall 73from your own stedfastness.
68 Namely, that such deceivers and mockers shall arise, and that they and their followers’ future shall be such.
69 Gr. keep.
70 Or, plucked away.
71 Namely, of the false teachers and mockers, who will be subject to no laws.
72 Namely, forsaking the sound doctrine and embracing such errors. For, although it is sure that it is impossible that the elect can so be deceived, that they would totally fall away, Mat. 24:24, yet they have need of such exhortations and warnings, that by the same, as ordinary means, they may be stirred up, and kept standing that they fall not away. See 1 Cor. 10:12, 13.
73 That is, from the firm ground of your faith, which you have once laid.
18But 74grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 75To him be glory both 76now and 77for ever. Amen.
74 That is, increase daily more and more in the christian doctrine. A similitude taken from children which grow up little by little until fully grown and become of age. See of the same, Eph. 4:13, 14.
75 Namely, to the Lord Jesus Christ. And seeing this giving of praise belongs only to the only true God, this is a clear proof of the Godhead of Christ.
76 Namely, in this life.
77 Namely, in the time after this life, which shall endure for ever.