2 Peter 3:1 kjv

This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2 Peter 3:1 nkjv

Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder),

2 Peter 3:1 niv

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.

2 Peter 3:1 esv

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,

2 Peter 3:1 nlt

This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory.

2 Peter 3 verses

2 Peter 3 1 Meaning

Peter addresses his audience with deep affection, stating that this is his second letter written to them. His primary purpose in both letters is to awaken their spiritual awareness and to cultivate a pure, untainted understanding (wholesome thinking) by bringing back to their minds essential Christian truths previously taught and established. He aims to stir them out of any complacency and guard their thoughts against error and impurity.

2 Peter 3 1 Context

Chapter 3 of 2 Peter immediately addresses the specific challenge of "scoffers" who mock the delay of Christ's promised return. This verse serves as Peter's affectionate yet firm preface to his powerful counter-argument against their skepticism. Within the broader context of the letter, 2 Peter is an urgent apostolic warning against false teachers who are inwardly corrupting the church with dangerous doctrines and immoral conduct (Chapter 2). Peter emphasizes that knowledge (gnosis) must lead to godly character (aretē). His purpose is to fortify believers against these internal threats by grounding them in the certain hope of Christ's return and the reality of divine judgment. Historically, the letter was likely written near the end of Peter's life, as indicated by 2 Peter 1:14 ("the putting off of my dwelling"), facing his impending martyrdom. The audience, possibly composed of the same gentile Christians to whom 1 Peter was written, was experiencing a period of spiritual slackening or being swayed by sophisticated arguments, necessitating a robust reminder of fundamental truths.

2 Peter 3 1 Word analysis

• "Dear friends" (Ἀγαπητοί - Agapētoi): A term of endearment, expressing deep affection and mutual love. It establishes a warm, pastoral tone despite the serious nature of the impending warnings and teaching. It signifies Peter's heartfelt concern for his fellow believers.
• "this is now my second letter to you." This clarifies that the letter builds upon a previous one, 1 Peter. It implies continuity of teaching and underscores the enduring pastoral relationship between Peter and the recipients. It sets a foundation of familiarity.
• "I have written both of them": Reinforces Peter's authorship and deliberate act of communicating. It highlights the purposeful and consistent nature of his apostolic instruction to his audience. The use of "both" stresses comprehensive guidance.
• "to stimulate you" (διεγείρω - diegeirō): Meaning to awaken, arouse, stir up, or rouse from sleep. It suggests that the readers might have become spiritually sluggish or complacent, and Peter's letters are meant to reinvigorate their spiritual discernment and diligence. It is an act of gentle encouragement, not harsh criticism.
• "to wholesome thinking" (ἐν εἰλικρινεῖ διανοίᾳ - en eilikrinei dianoiai):
  • Eilikrinei (εἰλικρινεῖ): From eilikrinēs, meaning "pure," "unalloyed," "sincere." It carries the idea of something tested and found pure, unmixed with any corrupting elements. Applied to the mind, it signifies intellectual and moral integrity, free from deceit or corrupt motives.
  • Dianoiai (διανοίᾳ): From dianoia, referring to the mind, understanding, intellect, purpose, or faculty of thought. It encompasses both the cognitive and moral aspects of one's inner being.
  • Combined: Refers to a mind that is sincere, pure, unmixed with error, uncorrupted by sin, and capable of discerning truth clearly. It speaks of intellectual and moral soundness, an integrity of judgment.
• "by reminding you": This crucial phrase indicates that Peter is not introducing entirely new revelations but is drawing their attention back to truths they have already received or been taught. It suggests a process of recalling fundamental principles, essential for resisting spiritual amnesia and standing firm against false teaching. It affirms the constancy of divine truth.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them": This opening establishes Peter's affectionate authority and continuity. It assures the readers that his current message is consistent with his previous teaching, grounding the new instructions within an already trusted framework and a beloved relationship. It's a foundational statement of pastoral care and established instruction.
• "to stimulate you to wholesome thinking": This phrase declares the core objective of Peter's writing. His letters aim to penetrate the readers' minds and stir them out of spiritual complacency into a state of clear, pure, and sincere mental and moral processing. It speaks to the active pursuit of truth and discernment.
• "by reminding you of these things": This clarifies the method through which Peter seeks to achieve "wholesome thinking." The letters serve as a divine "recollection device," bringing established prophecies, apostolic teachings, and commands back to the forefront of the believers' minds. "These things" refers to the body of sound Christian doctrine, especially concerning the Lord's return and righteous living, which acts as the antidote to spiritual decay and false doctrine.

2 Peter 3 1 Bonus section

• The emphasis on "reminding" (ὑπομιμνήσκω - hypomimnēskō) is a characteristic feature of Peter's second letter, appearing multiple times (1:12, 1:13, 1:15, 3:1). This underscores the pastoral strategy of constantly re-emphasizing core truths as a defense mechanism against spiritual forgetfulness and doctrinal deviation.
• Peter's personal investment in the spiritual well-being of his readers is evident. Even as he faced impending death, his primary concern remained their perseverance in truth, solidifying their faith for the challenges ahead.
• "Wholesome thinking" is not just about intellectual correctness but implies a pure ethical and moral judgment. Correct doctrine should lead to a right way of living and discerning. This purity of mind is directly contrasted with the corrupt and unstable minds of the false teachers Peter warns against throughout the letter.

2 Peter 3 1 Commentary

2 Peter 3:1 encapsulates Peter's deeply personal and purposeful motivation for writing his second letter. He appeals to the believers' foundational understanding, not to impart new, revolutionary insights, but to "stir up" their inherent purity of thought. His goal is a mental clarity and sincerity that remains unblemished by worldly thinking or deceptive doctrines. This is achieved by reminding them of truths already known—prophecies, apostolic teachings, and divine commands—which act as a strong anchor against the waves of doubt and skepticism. Peter emphasizes that spiritual growth and perseverance are not merely about acquiring new information but actively recalling, embracing, and living by the eternal verities of God's Word, ensuring a genuine, uncorrupted faith.