The big idea
In short: tell the truth, and watch for those who don’t. False teachers “through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you” (2:3), meaning they will use lies to make money off you.
God’s delay is not neglect: he is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (3:9).
The rule underneath: Law 5 · Tell the truth
No false witness, no lies, no twisted words.
Keep it: Trust builds, and courts and deals work.
Break it: Lies pile up, and trust breaks down.
Shows up in: Exodus, Proverbs, Jeremiah, Matthew, Jude
Other rules in this book: Enough, and give, Repair
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. 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.2 Peter 3:8-9 · KJV
At a glance
- What it is
- A letter written as Peter’s last words (1:14). 3 chapters.
- Who wrote it
- It names Peter. Most scholars think a follower wrote it after his death, in his name, because of its style and its mention of Paul’s letters as a collection (3:15–16). Early church leaders also doubted it; the historian Eusebius (about AD 325) listed it among the disputed books. Others defend Peter as author. debated
- When
- About AD 64 if by Peter. Many scholars date it about AD 100–120, which would make it the last New Testament book written.
- Shared material
- Chapter 2 closely follows the letter of Jude.
- Read it in
- About 10 minutes.
What it says
1 · Grow. Add to your faith “virtue; and to virtue knowledge,” then self-control, patience, godliness, kindness, and finally love (1:5–7). The writer says the message is not “cunningly devised fables” but what eyewitnesses saw (1:16). Scripture came from people “moved by the Holy Ghost” (1:21).
2 · False teachers. Just as there were false prophets, there will be false teachers (2:1). They are greedy (2:3, 14). They promise freedom but are slaves themselves (2:19). God judged the wicked in the past and rescued the just, like Noah and Lot (2:4–9).
3 · Where is he? Mockers ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” (3:4). But “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years” (3:8). God is patient, giving time to turn around (3:9). The day will come “as a thief” (3:10), and there will be “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (3:13). Paul’s letters have “some things hard to be understood” (3:16).
5And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.2 Peter 1:5-7 · KJV
Go deeper
- Original words. Emporeusontai, “make merchandise of” (2:3), is where the English word “emporium,” a big store, comes from. The false teachers treat people as goods to sell. Epilusis, “interpretation” (1:20), can mean explaining or loosening.
- Structure. Growth (1), false teachers (2), the promise (3).
- The ladder. The list in 1:5–7 is a chain, each step built on the last, ending in love (agapē).
- How the laws interlock. Law 5 is chapter 2: twisted words. Law 8 is 2:3 and 2:14: greed behind the lies. Law 12 is 3:9: God waits so people can change.
Hard parts
“A thousand years as one day” (3:8)
What it says “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (3:8). The point in context is God’s patience (3:9).
The rule underneath Tell the truth. Don’t make a verse carry more than it says.
What people added Some have used the verse to fit the days of Genesis 1 to long ages. Others have used it to build timelines for the end of the world. Many readers say it is about patience, not math. Readers differ.
The world burned up (3:10–12)
What it says “The elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up” (3:10). Then “new heavens and a new earth” (3:13).
The rule underneath God first. And “the earth is the LORD’s” (Psalm 24:1).
What people added Some readers take this as total destruction, and some have said it makes caring for the earth pointless. Others read it as fire that purifies and renews. Some of the oldest copies of 3:10 say the earth will be found, that is, laid bare, instead of burned up. debated Readers differ.
Translation notes that change meaning
- 1:20 “no prophecy… of any private interpretation.” This can mean readers should not interpret scripture on their own, or that the prophets did not make up their own messages (1:21). debated
Where it leads
- 04 · How to speak and keep your word: spotting twisted words (2).
- 06 · How to handle money: greed dressed up as religion (2:3).
- 10 · How to repair: growth one step at a time (1:5–7).
One thing to do
This week
Check one teacher
Pick one voice you follow for money, health, or faith advice. Ask: how does this person make money from me? Do they promise freedom while selling something (2:19)? Write in your journal what you found and whether you’ll keep listening.
How to read it. Read Jude first, then 2 Peter 2, and compare them.