Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Read it in contextBe diligent and grow
Start reading at 2 Peter 3:14 (2 Peter 3:14 to 2 Peter 3:18).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The final appeal includes caution concerning twisted Scripture and urges believers to guard against falling from steadfastness and to grow in grace and knowledge.
3:14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
3:15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
3:16As also in all his epistles, 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, unto their own destruction.
3:17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
3:18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Simon Peter is the named author and the traditional identification. The letter's authorship was disputed in antiquity and remains debated; the self-identification should not be confused with unanimous historical agreement. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (2 Peter 1:1–3:18): The writer, identifying himself as Simon Peter, addresses believers who have received like precious faith, warning about false teachers and scoffers and urging growth and readiness. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Those who have obtained like precious faith, whom the writer also addresses as recipients of a previous letter. The greeting gives no city or province. Biblical references: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 3:1. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Be diligent and grow. Read 2 Peter 3:14 through 2 Peter 3:18 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The final appeal includes caution concerning twisted Scripture and urges believers to guard against falling from steadfastness and to grow in grace and knowledge. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The writer speaks of his approaching death and recalls a former letter and the transfiguration. No calendar date is supplied. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The recipients' specific location is not stated in the opening, and the writing location is not explicitly named. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Be diligent and grow (2 Peter 3:14 to 2 Peter 3:18).
Start reading at 2 Peter 3:14. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The letter bears witness to Jesus' majesty and addresses His promised coming. It joins knowledge of Him with growth, holiness, and warnings against falling from steadfastness. See 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Grow in the qualities the letter names, resist destructive teaching, and live in view of the promised coming. Retain its warnings rather than treating earlier knowledge as a guarantee of perseverance. interpretation
Cited: 2 Peter 3:14, 2 Peter 3:18, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17
Who wrote it, and how we know
Peter the apostleNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe letter names Simon Peter and refers to a former letter and to the transfiguration. 2 Peter 1:12 Peter 1:162 Peter 3:1
Early traditionTradition names Peter, though this letter was accepted more slowly than the first.
What is debatedThis is the most disputed New Testament letter on authorship grounds, ancient and modern.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
2 Peter 3
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.
Connection to the wholePeter answers denial of the promise by recalling creation and judgment through God's word rather than accepting appearances as the final measure.
Connection to the wholeThe explanation of patience preserves the call to repentance, and the coming judgment becomes a reason for holy conduct and hope.
Connection to the wholeThe final appeal includes caution concerning twisted Scripture and urges believers to guard against falling from steadfastness and to grow in grace and knowledge.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
2 Peter
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
The writer identifies himself as Simon Peter and addresses those who have obtained like precious faith. He urges growth, warns about false teachers, and answers scoffing about the Lord's coming without authorizing neglect or date-setting.