v.1-7
Overview: Peter was trying to remind the readers that the truth about the return of the Lord, which was attacked by the scoffers or the false teachers. It was God's truth backed up by both the OT prophets, and the NT apostles.
1. repeated words: about thinking
v.1 I am trying to stir up your pure mind by way of reminder
the stirring up...of reminder appeals to a pure mind
BKC The phrase eilikrinē dianoian (“wholesome thinking”) may also be rendered “sincere mind” or “pure disposition.” (Eilikrinēs occurs elsewhere in the NT only in Phil. 1:10, where it is trans. “pure.”) The English “sincere” is from the Latin words sine cera, “without wax.” Some pottery salesmen would use wax to cover cracks and weak places in pottery. Such a cover-up could be detected only by holding the jug up to the sun to see if any weaknesses were visible. Such a vase was “sun-judged” (the lit. meaning of the Gr. eilikrinēs). God wants His people to have sun-judged minds, not those in which their sin spots have been covered over
v.2 I want you to recall...
BKC God the Creator is also God the Judge. In His sovereign will, any change in process can occur at any time for He designed and controls these “natural” processes. The scoffers deliberately (thelontas, “willingly”) forget God’s Creation and the Flood, an interesting contrast with Peter’s constant reminders to his readers to “remember” (2 Peter 1:12–13, 15; 3:1–2, 8). The scoffers deliberately put aside God’s Word and then complained that God was not doing anything
v.3 Above all, understand this...
v.5 For they deliberately suppress this fact...
An alternative is “Even though they maintain this, it escapes them that …” Literally the idea seems to be: “For this escapes these [men] who wish [it to be so].”
Reflection: Before we consult other people, it is important to help them to have a right thinking, which is usually covered over by sins. Plus, the false teachers or the opponent may purposely twist the facts to suit their theory.
2. repeated words: about the Word of God
v.2b the predictions foretold by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles
v.5 by the word of God heavens existed...and an earth was formed...
v.6 Through these things [the water and the WOG]
v.7 by the same word
v.4 “Where is his promised return?
Why did Peter mentioned so many times about the word of God? Not just because the WOG has the same promise about the future events, but also because the promised of Jesus is in the same level as the WOG. If you believed the WOG you should also believed the promise of Jesus.
Reflection: Why did the readers fall into the trap of the false teachers if the truth was widely covered in both the OT and the NT? As Jews they memorized the OT text. They should have altered and refused the false teachings. When one's mind was derailed by others they seemed to lost this ability.
The return of Jesus is so key to our faith that we should be highly alert if any theory interferes our mind about it.
2. The description and warning of the opponents
v.3 In the last days blatant scoffers will come, being propelled by their own evil urges
blatant scoffers=NET The Greek reads “scoffers in their scoffing” for “blatant scoffers.” The use of the cognate dative is a Semitism designed to intensify the word it is related to.
v.7b the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly
Reflection: Making ourselves to give some philosophy theories may seem cool and gain us some followers, like these false teachers. Their mocking or scoffing earned them a double intensifying title in the Bible. However, in the future, the day of judgement and the destruction are waiting for us. How long can we be cool and famous? Does it worth it?
v.8-13
I. Repeated words:
a single day...a thousand years, not slow concerning his promise, the day of the Lord will come like a thief, while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, of this day, the heavens will be burned up...we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth
The argument about the validity of His promise continued from the previous passage.
1. Peter reminded the readers about the concept of timing is different between us and between God.
2. There is a purpose of the seemingly slowness
3. But we still need to prepare even it seems slow because it will come and by the time it comes it will be sudden like a thief
4. while waiting we are not just being passive, but active in hastening the coming of the day. [BKCHow do believers hasten it? The godly lives of the Lord’s people, their praying, and their witnessing help bring others to repentance]
5. That day will be an most important day in history because the old will be completely gone and the new will start.
Reflection: How do I see the day of return of Jesus? Am I ready for it? How much have I done to hasten its coming? Is it important to me? How important it is compare with other things?
II. Repeated words:
the Lord is being patient toward you...does not wish for any to perish...but all to come to repentance
what sort of people must you be, conducting your lives in holiness and goodliness
in which righteousness truly resides. [BKC It will be the home of righteousness because the Righteous One will be there (Jer. 23:5–7; 33:16; Dan. 9:24; Rev. 21:1, 8, 27). What a contrast this will be to the world’s unrighteousness!]
BKC Holy lives” (en hagiais anastrophais, lit., “in holy conduct”) refers to Christian separation and sanctification—apart from the world, apart toward God. “Godly” (eusebeiais; also in 1:3, 6–7) refers to piety before God. The word “live” (hyparchein) is in the present tense, indicating that these qualities are to be constantly present in light of the Lord’s return. Scoffers, questioning the Lord’s coming with its ensuing judgment on them, lead ungodly lives (2:7, 10, 12–15, 18–20; 3:3). By contrast, Jesus’ followers, anticipating His return, are to be godly (v. 14; cf. Titus 2:12–14; 1 John 3:3).
Reflection: If the most important is the day of the Lord then what will happen after that day? Righteousness resides in the new heavens and the new earth. Our days on earth was bear by God just for us to realize that our lives do not match up with the Righteousness One who resides in the future world and the One who created us. How much do I like Him? How do I do in being apart from the world and apart toward Him? Our anticipation to the future should change our lives.
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