But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
Read it in contextThe Lord's patience and day
Start reading at 2 Peter 3:8 (2 Peter 3:8 to 2 Peter 3:13).
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 explanation of patience preserves the call to repentance, and the coming judgment becomes a reason for holy conduct and hope.
3:8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
3:10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
3:11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
3:12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
3:13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
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? The Lord's patience and day. Read 2 Peter 3:8 through 2 Peter 3:13 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The explanation of patience preserves the call to repentance, and the coming judgment becomes a reason for holy conduct and hope. 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 The Lord's patience and day (2 Peter 3:8 to 2 Peter 3:13).
Start reading at 2 Peter 3:8. 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 3:8, 2 Peter 3:13, 2 Peter 1:16, 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:18
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.