1This is now the second letter I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere understanding by reminder — [3:2] so that you recall the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles. [3:3] Know this first: in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing, walking according to their own desires, [3:4] and saying, 'Where is the promise of his coming? For from the day the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.' [3:5] For they willingly ignore this: that the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God — [3:6] through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished. [3:7] But the present heavens and earth by the same word are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
2PE 3:1-7
The Coming Judgment
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the concept of (coming) carried significant weight, often referring to the official visit of a ruler or dignitary, marked by authority and preparation. For early Christians, this term was tied to the anticipated return of Christ, a central hope of their faith. The mention of scoffers reflects a broader cultural reality where philosophical and religious claims were frequently mocked, particularly by those aligned with Epicurean or Stoic thought, which often dismissed divine intervention or eschatological expectations. The scoffers’ question, 'Where is the promise of his coming?' mirrors the skepticism of those who saw no evidence of divine action in the natural order, a common critique in Greco-Roman intellectual circles. The author counters this by invoking the creation narrative, reminding readers of God’s sovereignty over history and nature. The deliberate ignorance of the scoffers underscores a willful rejection of divine truth, a theme resonant in both Jewish and early Christian apologetics against pagan unbelief.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
2PE 3:1
- KJV
- This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
- BSB
- Beloved, this is now my second letter to you. Both of them are reminders to stir you to wholesome thinking
- Koinōnos
- This is now the second letter I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere understanding by reminder —
2PE 3:2
- KJV
- 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:
- BSB
- by recalling what was foretold by the holy prophets and commanded by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
- Koinōnos
- so that you recall the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken through your apostles.
2PE 3:3
- KJV
- Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
- BSB
- Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
- Koinōnos
- Know this first: in the last days scoffers will come with scoffing, walking according to their own desires,
2PE 3:4
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.”
- Koinōnos
- and saying, 'Where is the promise of his coming? For from the day the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.
2PE 3:5
- KJV
- 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:
- BSB
- But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by Godʼs word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,
- Koinōnos
- For they willingly ignore this: that the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God —
2PE 3:6
- KJV
- Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
- BSB
- through which the world of that time perished in the flood.
- Koinōnos
- through which the world of that time was deluged with water and perished.
2PE 3:7
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
- Koinōnos
- But the present heavens and earth by the same word are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2PE 3:3
- scoffing:The word translated 'scoffing' refers to a mocking or derisive act, often implying a playful but contemptuous ridicule rather than serious argument.
- scoffers:The term used here for 'scoffers' describes individuals who are mockers or deceivers, often characterized by their derisive and contemptuous attitude.
2PE 3:4
- coming:The word translated 'coming' often referred to the official arrival or presence of a dignitary or ruler, implying a significant and anticipated event.
2PE 3:5
- willingly:The word translated 'willingly' implies a deliberate choice or desire, suggesting that their ignorance is not accidental but a matter of intention.