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2 PETER

CHAPTERS

123

2 Peter 3:14-18

14 “Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, 15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, 16 as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unscrupulous people and lose your own [f]firm commitment, 18 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.”


Be found by Him: Peter is speaking of the active part of Christianity. We are saved by grace but also empowered by grace to be active in the kingdom. Christians are built to live righteously and express the Spirit moment-by-moment, and to celebrate truth in all that we do. Peter is encouraging this kind of diligence so that we are living according to our new natures and making the best of our time when Christ returns. He is not threatening Christians with divine judgement. We are spotless and blameless in Christ. But our behavior can be judged by people. By our behavior and our demeanor people will know who we are as Christians.  

Patience of the Lord: Peter is again highlighting God’s patience in waiting to bring about the end. The reason for this slowness is God’s desire and willingness for all people to repent and believe in His Son. 

As they do also the rest of the Scriptures: Peter regarded Paul’s writings as Scripture despite his often-confusing language. This is encouraging because it shows that Peter regarded Paul’s letters as Scriptures. The apostles had a special understanding of the Holy Spirit’s movement within one another. 

Carried away: The false teachers were encouraging an abuse of Christian freedom by sinful lifestyles. Peter is warning the Christians to protect themselves from believing in such nonsense. Instead, Christians are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Remembering the true Gospel of grace is the key to standing firm against false teachings.

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2 PETER

CHAPTERS

123