This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in _both_ which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: Ver. 1. _This second epistle_] So must ministers with one sermon peg in another, and never cease beating and repeating the same point, saith St Augustine (de Doct. Christian.), till... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 2. _Mindful of the words_] _See Trapp on "_ 1Co 15:2 _"_ Run to this armoury of the Scriptures for weapons against seducers and epicures.... [ Continue Reading ]
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, Ver. 3. _Scoffers_] Those worst kind of sinners, Psalms 1:1; those abjects of the people, Psalms 35:15; those pests (λοιμος), as the Septuagint render them, LXXE Psalms 1:1; those atheists that jeer... [ Continue Reading ]
And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as _they were_ from the beginning of the creation. Ver. 4. _Where is the promise, &c._] The sleeping of vengeance causeth the overflow of sin (the sinner thinks himself hail-fellow _a_ with God, P... [ Continue Reading ]
For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Ver. 5. _Willingly ignorant of_] A carnal heart is not willing to know what it should do, lest it should do what it would not, Acts 28:27. _Ut liberius... [ Continue Reading ]
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: Ver. 6. _Being overflowed with water_] Therefore that is not altogether true, that all things continue as they were at first, as the scoffers affirmed, 2 Peter 3:4 .... [ Continue Reading ]
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Ver. 7. _Reserved unto fire_] The old world was destroyed with water, _propter ardorem libidinis, _ for the heat of their lust, saith Ludolp... [ Continue Reading ]
But, 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. Ver. 8. _One day is with the Lord, &c._] _Nullum tempus occurrit regi; _ how much less to the Ancient of days! In God there is no motion or flux; therefore a thousa... [ Continue Reading ]
The 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. Ver. 9. _Not willing that any one should perish_] _See Trapp on "_ 1Ti 2:4 _"_ Not willing that any of his should p... [ Continue Reading ]
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Ver. 10. _The heavens shall pass, &c._] The very visible heavens a... [ Continue Reading ]
_Seeing_ then _that_ all these things shall be dissolved, what manner _of persons_ ought ye to be in _all_ holy conversation and godliness, Ver. 11. _What manner of men_] ποταπους, even to admiration, _quales et quanti, _ as the word signifies, Mark 13:1. How accurate, and how elevated above the or... [ Continue Reading ]
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Ver. 12. _Looking for_] As Sisera's mother looked out at a window, and expecting the return of her son, said, "Why are his chariots so long... [ Continue Reading ]
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Ver. 13. _According to his promise_] Which is good sure hold. For he pays not his promises with fair words, as Sertorius did, but with real performances.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Ver. 14. _That ye may be found of him_] Watching, working, well doing. _See Trapp on "_ Mat 24:42 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Mat 24:44 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]
And account _that_ the longsuffering of our Lord _is_ salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; Ver. 15. _That the longsuffering, &c._] Romans 2:4, which sentence Peter picks out of Paul's Epistles, as one of the choicest, and urg... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 16. _Hard to be understood_] See my True Treasure. In things ne... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know _these things_ before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. Ver. 17. _Beware lest_] _Cavebis autem si pavebis._ Let him that stands take heed lest he fall. Be not high minded, but fear. Fear a snake... [ Continue Reading ]
But grow in grace, and _in_ the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him _be_ glory both now and for ever. Amen. Ver. 18. _But grow_] In firmness at least, as an apple doth in mellowness; as oaks grow more slowly than willows and bulrushes, yet more solidly, and in the end to a greate... [ Continue Reading ]