14Therefore, beloved, since you are awaiting these things, be diligent to be found by him without spot and without blemish, and at peace. [3:15] And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation — just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him — [3:16] as also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things. In them there are some things hard to understand, which the unestablished and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the other Scriptures. [3:17] You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on guard so that you are not led away by the error of the lawless and fall from your own stability. [3:18] But grow in the grace and full knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
2PE 3:14-18
Final Exhortations
In the world it was spoken into
In the first century, the exhortation to be 'without spot or blemish' would evoke the imagery of sacrificial animals, which had to be flawless to be acceptable offerings in the temple. This metaphor underscores the expectation of moral purity and integrity among the community. The call to 'esteem the patience of the Lord as salvation' reflects the Jewish and early Christian understanding of God's forbearance as an opportunity for repentance and transformation, rather than a sign of indifference. The reference to Paul's letters highlights the growing authority of apostolic writings, though their complexity made them susceptible to misinterpretation by those lacking grounding in the faith. The warning against distortion of Scripture mirrors broader concerns in Second Temple Judaism about the misuse of sacred texts. The audience, likely a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers, would have understood these exhortations as a call to steadfastness in the face of false teachings and moral laxity.
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How other translations render this
2PE 3:14
- KJV
- Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
- BSB
- Therefore, beloved, as you anticipate these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.
- Koinōnos
- Therefore, beloved, since you are awaiting these things, be diligent to be found by him without spot and without blemish, and at peace.
2PE 3:15
- KJV
- 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;
- BSB
- Consider also that our Lordʼs patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
- Koinōnos
- And regard the patience of our Lord as salvation — just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him —
2PE 3:16
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
- Koinōnos
- as also in all his letters, speaking in them about these things. In them there are some things hard to understand, which the unestablished and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do also the other Scriptures.
2PE 3:17
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
- Koinōnos
- You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on guard so that you are not led away by the error of the lawless and fall from your own stability.
2PE 3:18
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
- Koinōnos
- But grow in the grace and full knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2PE 3:14
- without spot:The word translated 'without spot' refers to something completely unstained and unblemished, often used for sacrificial animals or precious stones, implying a state of moral purity and blamelessness.
2PE 3:15
- patience:The term translated 'patience' here carries the sense of long-suffering and forbearance, specifically the ability to endure provocation or delay without retaliating or giving up hope.
2PE 3:16
- unestablished:The word translated 'unestablished' describes someone who is unstable, lacking a firm foundation or support, and therefore easily swayed or led astray.
- distort:The word translated 'distort' originally meant to twist or strain something tightly, often to the point of torture, suggesting a deliberate and violent perversion of meaning.