8But do not let this one thing escape your notice, beloved: that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [3:9] The Lord is not slow concerning the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you — not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. [3:10] But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will be dissolved burning with heat, and the earth and the works in it will be laid bare. [3:11] Since all these things are thus being dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness — [3:12] awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, through which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with burning heat. [3:13] But according to his promise, we are awaiting new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2PE 3:8-13
The Day of the Lord
In the world it was spoken into
In the 1st century, the concept of time and divine patience was deeply contested. Stoic philosophers often viewed time as cyclical, while Jewish apocalyptic thought, rooted in texts like Daniel, anticipated a decisive, linear intervention by God. The phrase 'a day is like a thousand years' echoes Psalm 90:4, familiar to Jewish audiences, emphasizing God’s transcendent perspective on time. The delay of the 'Day of the Lord' would have been perplexing to early Christians, who expected Christ’s imminent return. The writer reassures them that this delay is not neglect but divine —long-suffering patience—rooted in God’s desire for universal , a transformative reorientation of life. The imagery of the heavens dissolving and burning reflects Jewish apocalyptic cosmology, where cosmic upheaval precedes renewal. The metaphor of a thief in the night underscores the unpredictability of this event, a common theme in Jesus’ teachings. The call to live in holiness reflects the early Christian ethic of preparing for this cosmic transformation, grounded in the hope of a new creation.
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How other translations render this
2PE 3:8
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
- Koinōnos
- But do not let this one thing escape your notice, beloved: that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
2PE 3:9
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
- Koinōnos
- The Lord is not slow concerning the promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you — not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
2PE 3:10
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
- Koinōnos
- But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will be dissolved burning with heat, and the earth and the works in it will be laid bare.
2PE 3:11
- KJV
- Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
- BSB
- Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness
- Koinōnos
- Since all these things are thus being dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness —
2PE 3:12
- KJV
- 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?
- BSB
- as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.
- Koinōnos
- awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God, through which the heavens will be set ablaze and dissolved, and the elements will melt with burning heat.
2PE 3:13
- KJV
- Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
- BSB
- But in keeping with Godʼs promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
- Koinōnos
- But according to his promise, we are awaiting new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2PE 3:9
- but:The word translated 'patient' here implies a long-suffering endurance, a willingness to wait a long time before acting, especially in the face of provocation or delay.
- to:The term used here for 'repentance' signifies a fundamental change of mind or heart, a reorientation of one's entire outlook and direction, not merely regret or sorrow.
2PE 3:10
- heavens:The word translated 'elements' here refers to the basic components or fundamental principles of the cosmos, sometimes even implying the spiritual forces or powers that govern the world.
2PE 3:12
- hastening:The word translated 'hastening' can mean to eagerly desire or accelerate something, suggesting an active participation in bringing about the day, not just passively awaiting it.