2 Peter 3:1-7
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

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).

  1. 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).
  2. These were saints that were facing persecution (I Peter 1:6, I Peter 4:12-13, and I Peter 4:19).
  3. The intent was to stir up [to wake up, awaken, arouse (from sleep)] their minds (cf. Ephesians 5:14).
B. They were saints who were pure [sincere; genuine] in mind (cf. Philippians 1:10).

  1. 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).
  2. The mind matters much in pleasing God (Mark 12:30).
  3. 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).

  1. Remember who the foundation of the body of Christ is (Ephesians 2:19-22).
  2. To know and practice what had been taught (I Thessalonians 4:1-8).
B. The last days (Acts 2:14-21 [cf. Joel 2:28-32] and Hebrews 1:1-2).

  1. Scoffers, mockers walking after their own lusts (Jude 1:16-18).
  2. This is in reference to the false teachers we talked about already in this letter (II Peter 2:1-3; 2:10).
  3. Those opposed to Christ (I John 2:18).
  4. Their motivation is their own lusts (Colossians 2:20-23).
C. Since Jesus had not returned yet, they mocked His coming. Their thinking was as Jews of old did when considering consequences from God (Isaiah 5:18-19, Jeremiah 5:12-13, and Jeremiah 17:15).

  1. The denial of coming consequences is common when punishment is not immediate (Ecclesiastes 8:11).
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
D. They were willingly ignorant (Hosea 4:1-6, Romans 10:1-3, and Ephesians 4:17-19).

  1. 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).
  2. 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).
  3. God has appointed a day (Acts 17:31).
  4. 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