Second Peter 3:1-7
I. Introduction:
A. As we talked about in the first chapter of this letter, Peter is writing things to remind the saints of some of what they had been taught (II Peter 1:12-15).
- From the fact that this is the second letter, we can know who it is written to by looking at the first letter (I Peter 1:1-2).
- These were saints that were facing persecution (I Peter 1:6, I Peter 4:12-13, and I Peter 4:19).
- The intent was to stir up [to wake up, awaken, arouse (from sleep)] their minds (cf. Ephesians 5:14).
- When talking about the mind, as the word is used here, the point is about the imagination (Luke 1:51); the understanding (Ephesians 1:18) as translated in the aforementioned verses (Strong’s # 1271).
- The mind matters much in pleasing God (Mark 12:30).
- This was taught in the first letter (I Peter 1:13-16).
II. Body: II Peter 3:1-7
A. Awaking the mind to recollect the words delivered before by the prophets and the Apostles of Christ (Luke 24:27, Acts 2:41-42, Acts 10:38-43, and Ephesians 3:1-7).
- Remember who the foundation of the body of Christ is (Ephesians 2:19-22).
- To know and practice what had been taught (I Thessalonians 4:1-8).
- Scoffers, mockers walking after their own lusts (Jude 1:16-18).
- This is in reference to the false teachers we talked about already in this letter (II Peter 2:1-3; 2:10).
- Those opposed to Christ (I John 2:18).
- Their motivation is their own lusts (Colossians 2:20-23).
- The denial of coming consequences is common when punishment is not immediate (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
- Their reasoning was that all things were since the beginning. Peter’s answer to that was to show their ignorance through reminding about the flood (Genesis 7:17-23).
- Peter’s answer does more than just point out the error of the scoffers. Such also draws the knowledgable to what Jesus taught about His return (Matthew 24:38-39).
- The post flood world that is now, is kept in store, reserved; by the same word (Genesis 8:20-22 and Genesis 9:11-17; cf. Deuteronomy 7:9).
- The world is reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment (Matthew 10:14-15, Matthew 11:21-24, II Peter 2:9, and Jude 1:6).
- God has appointed a day (Acts 17:31).
- As we continue in the context, we will see why it has not yet come as well as what to expect will happen when the world does end.
III. Conclusion: Our Next Study: II Peter 3:8-9