2 Peter 3
King James Version (1769) · Tap a verse to see it in context
About this chapter
AI-assisted, sourcedPeter answers scoffers who ask, "Where is the promise of his coming?" God's word made the world and destroyed it by water, and keeps the present heavens and earth for fire on the day of judgment. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise," but is longsuffering, "not willing that any should perish," and believers look "for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Peter 3:32 Peter 3:42 Peter 3:52 Peter 3:62 Peter 3:72 Peter 3:92 Peter 3:13
Who, where, when, and the key verses
Who
Peter writes his "second epistle" to the "beloved," answering "scoffers, walking after their own lusts." He also mentions "our beloved brother Paul" and his epistles. 2 Peter 3:12 Peter 3:32 Peter 3:152 Peter 3:16
Where
The letter names no place for its readers. Traditionally they are the believers in Asia Minor addressed in 1 Peter. 2 Peter overview2 Peter 3:1
When
Traditionally about AD 64-68. Many scholars date it later, partly because it mentions Paul's letters as a group. Peter speaks of scoffers coming "in the last days." 2 Peter overview2 Peter 3:32 Peter 3:16
How it fits
Chapter 2 ended with those who turned back after knowing "the way of righteousness"; this last chapter answers the scoffers who doubt the Lord's coming and ends the letter with "grow in grace." 2 Peter 2:212 Peter 3:32 Peter 3:42 Peter 3:18
Key verses
- Verse 8
"One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Psalm 90:4 likewise says a thousand years in his sight "are but as yesterday." 2 Peter 3:8Psalms 90:4
- Verse 9
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise... but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." The delay is mercy. 2 Peter 3:92 Peter 3:15Romans 2:4
- Verse 13
Believers "look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," as Isaiah 65:17 promised. 2 Peter 3:13Isaiah 65:17
Takeaway
Take the delay of Christ's coming as God's patience, not his forgetfulness, and use the time to live in holiness, be found in peace, and grow in grace. 2 Peter 3:92 Peter 3:112 Peter 3:142 Peter 3:18
Drafted by AI from the Scripture and data shown under “Show sources,” then checked automatically and by a separate AI reader. Updated 2026-10-29.
The scoffers answered
1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2That 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: 3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And 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. 5For 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: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But 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.
The day of the Lord will come
8But, 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. 9The 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. 10But 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. 11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12Looking 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? 13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Be diligent and grow in grace
14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15And 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; 16As 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. 17Ye 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. 18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.