2 Peter 3:12-15a, 17-18
Chapter 3
12
as you await the day of God and long for its arrival, when the heavens will dissolve in fire, and the elements will melt with fire.
13
But we look forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign as God has promised.
14
Therefore, beloved, as you wait in anticipation for this, strive to ensure that God finds you rooted in peace, without blemish or fault.
15
And remember that God’s patience is for our salvation, as our beloved brother Paul wrote to you with the wisdom given to him.
17
So then, dearly loved, as you have been warned, be careful, lest those who have gone astray deceive you and lead you astray, causing you to stumble and ultimately fall away.
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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.
Commentaries
Delay of the Parousia.
The primary focus of this section is the day of the coming or parousia. In the first two verses, the author emphasizes the evangelistic value of the apostolic letters. In verses 3 and following, the author warns against opponents who, with cynicism, falsehood, and debauchery, deny the coming by arguing that the world is immutable since its origins (4). The truth is that those in power are not interested in change so they can continue to dominate and manipulate communities at will. A distinction must be made between God’s time – “kairos” (cf. Ps 90:4) – and human time – “kronos.” On the other hand, the delay in time is a patient choice on God’s part, meant to allow everyone to be saved (cf. Jn 3:16-17; 1 Tim 2:4).