2 Peter 3:16

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. ALSO IN ALL HIS LETTERS. Romans 2:4 is similar to 2 Peter 3:15, beginning. The Pauline letters were by this time the common property of all the churches. The "all" implies they were now completed. The Lord's coming is handled, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 2 Peter 3:11: cf. 2 Peter 3:...

16._In which are some things. _The relative _which _does not refer to _epistles, _for it is in the neuter gender. (185) The meaning is, that in the things which he wrote there was sometimes an obscurity, which gave occasion to the unlearned to go astray to their own ruin. We are reminded by these words, to reason soberly on things so high and obscure; and further, we are here strengthened against this kind of offense, lest the foolish or absurd speculations of men should disturb us, by which they entangle and distort simple truth, which ought to serve for edification. But we must observe, that we are not forbidden to read Paul's Epistles, because they contain some things hard and difficult to be understood, but that, on the contrary, they are commended to us, provided we bring a calm and teachable mind. For Peter condemns men who are trifling and volatile, who strangely turn to their own...

11-18 From the doctrine of Christ's second coming, we are exhorted to purity and godliness. This is the effect of real knowledge. Very exact and universal holiness is enjoined, not resting in any low measure or degree. True Christians look for new heavens and a new earth; freed from the vanity to which things present are subject, and the sin they are polluted with. Those only who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be admitted to dwell in this holy place. He is faithful, who has promised. Those, whose sins are pardoned, and their peace made with God, are the only safe and happy people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all men; follow after holiness as well as peace. Never expect to be found at that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in which we must finish the work given us to do. Only the diligent...

Verse 16. _AS ALSO IN ALL_ his _epistles, speaking in them of_ _these things_] Paul, in all his epistles, says Dr. _Macknight_, has spoken of the things written by Peter in this letter. For example, he has spoken of _Christ's coming to judgment_; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Titus 2:13. And of the _resurrection of the dead_, 1 Corinthians 15:22;...

AS ALSO IN ALL HIS EPISTLES - Not only in those which he addressed to the churches in Asia Minor, but in his epistles generally. It is to be presumed that they might have had an acquaintance with some of the other epistles of Paul, as well as those sent to the churches in their immediate vicinity. SPEAKING IN THEM OF THESE THINGS - The things which Peter had dwelt upon in his two epistles. The great doctrines of the cross; of the depravity of man; of the divine purposes; of the new birth; of the consummation of all things; of the return of the Saviour to judge the world, and to receive his people to himself; the duty of a serious, devout and prayerful life, and of being prepared for the heavenly world. These things are constantly dwelt upon by Paul, and to his authority in these respects Peter might appeal with the utmost confidence. IN WHICH - The common read

EXPOSITION 2 PETER 3:1 THIS SECOND EPISTLE, BELOVED, I NOW WRITE UNTO YOU; literally, _this Epistle already a second one I write unto you. _The ἤδη ("already") implies that the interval between the two Epistles was not long. The expression "beloved," four times repeated in this chapter, shows the apostle's affectionate interest in his readers; and the word "second" forces us to make our choice between the Petrine authorship of the Epistle or the hypothesis of a direct forgery. IN BOTH WHICH I STIR UP YOUR PURE MINDS BY WAY OF REMEMBRANCE; literally, _in which, i.e.,_ "Epistles;" the word "second" implied an allusion to a First Epistle. St. Peter repeats the words which he had used in 2 Peter 1:13, "I think it meet … to stir

AS ALSO IN ALL [HIS] EPISTLES,.... From whence it appears, that the Apostle Paul had, by this time, wrote several of his epistles, if not all of them; and they were all written according to the same wisdom, and under the influence of the same spirit, as his epistle to the Hebrews: SPEAKING IN THEM OF THOSE THINGS; of the same things, Peter had been speaking of, of the coming of Christ, as that he should appear a second time to them that look for him, and would come as a thief in the night, and that the fashion, scheme, and form of this world should pass away, and that saints should look and wait for his coming, and love it: something of this kind is said in all his epistles; see Hebrews 9:28; and also of mockers, scoffers, seducers, and wicked men that would arise in the last days; see 1 Timo

2 Peter 3:1. _This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up pour pure minds by way of remembrance: that ye may be mindful of the words which. were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: knowing this first that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,_ This prophecy is most certainly being fulfilled in these days. 2 Peter 3:4. _And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the father fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation._ «Inviolable laws still govern the material creation. Men are still swift to sin. Oppressors are not overthrown; and, oftentimes, the good are left to languish in poverty an

III. THE FUTURE OF THE EARTH AND THE CONCLUSION CHAPTER 3 _ 1. Mocking at the Lord's coming (2 Peter 3:1)_ 2. The future of the earth (2 Peter 3:8) 3. EXHORTATION AND CONCLUSION (2 PETER 3:11) 2 Peter 3:1 The opening statement shows conclusively that Peter is the author and that this second Epistle was sent to the same believers to whom the first Epistle was addressed. The critics claim that this chapter marks a separate Epistle in itself and that it was combined by mistake with the preceding two Chapter s. Like so much else the critics put forth this is a foolish speculation wholly unwarranted

The epistle closes, as it had opened, with an exhortation to godliness. The Gospel is not a cloke for licentiousness but a call to righteousness. This, the author adds, was the burden of Paul's teaching in all his letters, though his words had been misunderstood by the ignorant and distorted by the wicked into a justification of moral laxity. (That this was the case, even in Paul's lifetime, can be seen, _e.g._ in Romans 3:8; Romans 6:1, also in 1 Cor. _passim; cf._ James 2:8 *.) He bids his readers beware lest they are led astray by these perversions of the apostolic teaching, and exhorts them to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord. 2 Peter 3