ANALYSIS. The object I had in writing this letter is to stir you up, that you may keep in mind the words of the prophets about the reign of Christ, and the commandment we apostles of Jesus Christ have given you. One thing I desire you to know in the outset is that scoffers will come in the last day... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 1. THIS SECOND EPISTLE, BELOVED. The expression contained in this verse not only shows that Peter is the author of the present letter and of one formerly written, but also that both letters were written to the same individuals. IN BOTH OF WHICH I STIR UP. The subject the apostle had in writ... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 2. THAT YE MAY BE MINDFUL. One object in writing to them was that they might ever keep before their minds the words of the holy prophets and the imperative injunctions given by those that were chosen by the Lord and Savior as his apostles, who were by that selection made his witnesses and amb... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 3. KNOWING THIS FIRST, THAT SCOFFERS. Among other things, remember that both prophets and apostles have told you that in the last days of Judaism scoffers will appear. These, walking after their own passions, deride, ridicule and attempt to make sport of the doctrine of the cross, and the tea... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 4. AND SAYING, WHERE IS THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING? Among other things, you Christians proclaim the coming of the Lord, and they scoffingly ask where is the fulfillment of that promise; for, say these scoffers, since the fathers died everything remains just as it was from the very first beginn... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 5. FOR THIS THEY ARE WILLINGLY IGNORANT OF. In thus speaking they exhibit a willing ignorance of God's word, and of his dealing with the world in the past. They claim for the earth stability and permanence, and deride the idea of its destruction, whereas, if they were properly informed, they... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 6. WHEREBY THE WORLD THAT THEN WAS. By the water that surrounded the earth, the earth as it was of old was overflowed and destroyed. The apostle here refers to the destruction of the world by a flood of water in the days of Noah. This destruction is a refutation of the claim of stability beng... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 7. BUT THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH WHICH ARE NOW. The world as it has existed since the flood by the word of the living God the same Word which destroyed the old world is now kept reserved for destruction, not by water, however, for God said he would not so again destroy it, but by fire. This d... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 8. BUT, BELOVED, BE NOT IGNORANT OF THIS ONE THING. The scoffers urge the stability of the earth because of God's delay in destroying it. When you reflect that God has eternity in which to execute his purposes, you will at once perceive that with him duration is nothing. Day and year are the... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 9. THE LORD IS NOT SLACK. What God has said, or what he has promised to do as to the time in which he will accomplish, the same must not be measured as men measure time. His delay simply evinces his long-suffering extended to men, giving thereby time for repentance. His delay shows his love f... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 10. BUT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME AS A THIEF. The day of the Lord's coming is certain, and when it comes it will be as unexpected as the coming of one to steal. IN THE WHICH THE HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY. At that day the heavens, being set on fire, are taken away with a great noise, and t... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 11. SEEING, THEN, THAT ALL THESE THINGS. This is an interrogatory propounded to the brethren. All these things being sure to occur, what kind of persons ought we to be? The answer is plain. Pure and holy in all conduct toward men, and a walking before God blameless.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 12. LOOKING FOR AND HASTING. We should act here as if we were expecting and earnestly desiring the coming of that day appointed of God for the burning up of the heavens and the earth, when the end of all things shall come as God has ordained.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 13. NEVERTHELESS, ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE. God has promised us a new heaven and a new earth after this has been burned up. Unlike those destroyed by fire, in them was evil. In the ones promised only righteousness shall exist. This new heaven and new earth we look for.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 14. WHEREFORE, BELOVED, SEEING. Since we look for this new heaven and new earth at the coming of Christ, brethren, earnestly endeavor make great exertions to be found by the Master when he comes spotless and without cause for reproach. Being thus spotless, you will be found of him in peace.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 15. AND ACCOUNT THAT THE LONG-SUFFERING. Consider that the delay in the coming of the Lord is his long-suffering with the impenitent, giving them an extension of time in which to secure their salvation. AS OUR BELOVED BROTHER PAUL. Here Peter informs us of his knowledge, of some at least, o... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 16. AS ALSO IN ALL OF HIS EPISTLES. The apostle says that Paul spoke in all of his epistles the things in this his epistle announced. From this expression we gather the idea that he had seen other writings OF PAUL than those addressed to the Christians in Asia Minor. SOME THINGS HARD TO BE U... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 17. YE THEREFORE, BELOVED, SEEING YE KNOW. Being forewarned, be on your guard, lest ye be seduced from your steadfastness in the gospel by the errors of these teachers, and are induced to give up the hope you have of eternal life through Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
VERSE 18. BUT GROW IN GRACE. In place of apostatizing, or becoming unstable, grow in stature as Christians, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and his doctrine, daily. The growth in grace and in knowledge must keep pace with each other. The writer then solemnly ascribes to Christ all the... [ Continue Reading ]