2 Peter 3:1-2

IV. THE CHRISTIAN'S HOPE, 2 Peter 3:1-18

1. Christ's Second Coming and the End of the World, 3:1-13

CHAPTER III

2 Peter 3:1-2 This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance; that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:

Expanded Translation

This, loved ones, is the second epistle (letter) that I now write to you. In both of these, I thoroughly arouse (literally, wake up) your honest, candid, and sincere minds by putting you in remembrance (reminding you of your duties and privileges in the Gospel); in order to call back to your mind the words which have previously been spoken by the holy (reverent, upright) prophets, and the commandment (charge) of the Lord and Saviour by (from) your apostles.

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One immediately notices the striking similarity of 2 Peter 1:12-13 to this passage.

This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you

Unless we assume the writer to be an utter imposter and deceiver, we must accept the fact that the Apostle Peter is the author of both New Testament books which bear his name. Throughout the book he speaks of himself as an apostle of Christ: 2 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16-18, etc. The claim of the writer and the historical evidence are in favor of Peter as the inspired author. It remains for the higher critics to disprove this claim and evidence. See the Introduction.

and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance

Showing he had a common objective in writing both letters. Notice what Peter could stir upa sincere mind. This word (eilikrines, from the root words heile, sunshine, and krino, to judge) means properly, that which being viewed in the sunshine is found clear and pure. It is used here (as in Philippians 1:10) metaphorically, and means pure, unsullied, undefiled, sincere, especially in the sense of being candid. When one's mind is not filled with deceit, sinister motives, hate, or evil thoughts, it can be aroused to love and good works! May each of us strive to keep our minds pure, and may they be found as such even when viewed in the sunlight of God's Word!

that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles

This statement provides somewhat of a summary of Peter's writingsthe words of the prophets and apostles. Chap. 2 Peter 1:16-21 especially showed that the teachings of the prophets and apostles coincided with and corroborated each other concerning the person of Christ.

In the parallel statement of Jude 1:17-18 is added: that they [the apostles] said to you, In the last time there shall be mockers. Similarly is 2 Peter 3:4 connected to the words of both the prophets and the apostles in this passage, Their words must be remembered and heeded unless we want to imbibe false doctrines!

The words which were spoken before by the holy prophets here has particular reference to the prophecies of the Old Testament concerning the character and work of the Gospel Age. In view of the fact that the New Testament was not yet completed, an appeal to these prophetic utterances was very appropriate. Passages such as those found in Daniel 2:1-49, Isaiah 2:1-22; Isaiah 11:1-16; Isaiah 53:1-12, Micah 4:1-13, Jeremiah 31:1-40, Joel 2:1-32all of which speak of the coming Messiah or the days following his adventshould often be brought to our memory. Especially is this necessary when false doctrine is about to creep into the churcha very evident danger here.

The commandment (entole) of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles refers to the whole scope of teachings we accepted when we came to Christ. Christians have had the holy commandments delivered unto them (2 Peter 2:21, where see notes) from which they must not turn back.