Lesson 261: 2 Peter 3:9
The Blueprint — The Verse
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentanceRepentance is the biblical act of turning away from sin and turning toward God. More than sorrow for wrongdoing, true repentance produces a change of heart, mind, and behavior that leads to obedience, spiritual growth, and a closer relationship with the Lord. More.
Memorization Practice
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King James Version (KJV) — Public Domain.
The Context — The History
Scoffers mock delay of Christ's return; Peter reframes time from God's patience toward repentanceRepentance is the biblical act of turning away from sin and turning toward God. More than sorrow for wrongdoing, true repentance produces a change of heart, mind, and behavior that leads to obedience, spiritual growth, and a closer relationship with the Lord. More, not indifference. God's slowness is mercy for salvation.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Peter reminds readers of creation, flood, and future judgment by fire. The Lord's apparent delay is patience, desiring none to perish but all to repent.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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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.
Read the verse immediately before this lesson () to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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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.
Read the verse immediately after this lesson () to continue the passage.
Discussion
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Where are you impatient with God's timing?
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How does divine patience motivate evangelism?
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Who might still repent because God waits?
