2 Peter 3:12 kjv

Looking 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?

2 Peter 3:12 nkjv

looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

2 Peter 3:12 niv

as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

2 Peter 3:12 esv

waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

2 Peter 3:12 nlt

looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.

2 Peter 3 verses

2 Peter 3 12 Meaning

This verse exhorts believers to live with anticipation for the ultimate consummation of God's redemptive plan—the Day of God. It describes this future event as involving a cataclysmic transformation of the physical universe, where the heavens and their foundational components are consumed and refined by intense fire. Believers are called not only to passively expect this day but also to actively "hasten" its arrival through lives of holiness and righteousness, reflecting a passionate longing for Christ's return and the establishment of new heavens and a new earth.

2 Peter 3 12 Context

2 Peter chapter 3 is dedicated to refuting scoffers who deny the certainty of Christ's return, often citing the apparent stability of the cosmos since creation. Peter first reminds them of God's past judgment by water (the Flood) and warns of a future judgment by fire. He clarifies that God's patience is not delay but an opportunity for repentance. This verse (3:12) then shifts from God's promise and patience to the active posture of believers. It directly follows the description of the catastrophic "Day of the Lord" in 2 Peter 3:10, presenting a paradoxical yet purposeful response: in light of this impending cosmic destruction and subsequent renewal, believers are called to active anticipation and holy living (leading into 2 Pet 3:13-14), not fear or despair. It bridges the future destruction with the present ethical imperative.

2 Peter 3 12 Word analysis

• waiting for (προσδοκῶντας - prosdokōntas): This present participle signifies an ongoing, continuous state of expectation or looking forward. It's an active mental posture, not passive idleness, involving hopeful anticipation.
• and hastening (καὶ σπεύδοντας - kai speudontas): This is a key term. Speudō can mean "to hurry, urge on" or "to desire earnestly, long for." In this context, the predominant scholarly view understands it as "earnestly desiring" or "eagerly longing for," complementing "waiting for." This means that through their holy lives (2 Pet 3:11, 14), believers demonstrate their fervent desire for Christ's return and the ushering in of the new age, thereby living consistently with that hope. A secondary, less prominent, but widely discussed interpretation suggests human actions (like spreading the Gospel or living righteously) could, in some mysterious way, "hasten" or influence the timing of the Lord's return. While the latter emphasizes human agency, the former emphasizes internal disposition. Both imply an active response.
• the coming (τὴν παρουσίαν - tēn parousian): In New Testament eschatology, parousia signifies "presence" or "arrival." It's primarily used for the return of Christ, not just a momentary appearance, but a permanent establishment of His rule.
• of the day of God (τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμέρας - tēs tou Theou hēmeras): This phrase connects to the "Day of the Lord" (2 Pet 3:10, a common Old Testament motif like in Isa 2:12 or Zeph 1:7). It refers to the specific time of divine intervention, judgment, and ultimately, consummation, where God's ultimate plan is fully realized and His sovereignty universally asserted.
• because of which (δι’ ἣν - di’ hēn): This phrase signifies the consequence or purpose. The Day of God is the occasion for the described cosmic events.
• the heavens (οὐρανοὶ - ouranoi): Refers to the visible sky and the celestial sphere, the physical universe.
• will be set on fire (πυρούμενοι - pyroumenoi): From pyroo, meaning "to set on fire" or "to inflame." This active destruction by fire signifies not annihilation, but intense purification and transformation.
• and dissolved (λυθήσονται - lythēsontai): From lyō, meaning "to loose," "untie," "break up," "dissolve." This implies a breaking apart of the current physical order and structure.
• and the elements (καὶ στοιχεῖα - kai stoikheia): Stoikheia can mean "basic components," "rudimentary principles," or even "celestial bodies/spiritual powers." In this context, paired with the heavens and melting by fervent heat, it strongly points to the literal fundamental building blocks or constituent parts of the physical universe, rather than just abstract principles or demonic powers.
• will melt (τήκονται - tēkontai): From tēkō, meaning "to melt" or "dissolve through heat." It reinforces the image of intense, destructive, and transformative heat, indicating a fundamental alteration of matter.
• with fervent heat (καυσούμενα - kausoumena): This reinforces the idea of intense, burning heat, causing total consumption or thorough transformation. The active participle emphasizes the process of burning up.

Words-group analysis:

• "waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God": This phrase beautifully balances patient endurance with zealous anticipation. Believers are not passively waiting for an unknown future but are actively shaping their present lives by the certainty of that future. Their "hastening" is primarily ethical, living in a way that aligns with and embodies the values of God's coming kingdom, thereby testifying to the truth of His promise and His patience.
• "the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat": This powerful imagery describes a cosmic upheaval and purifying judgment. It is not an extinction but a profound transformation of the present creation, making way for the new heavens and new earth. The destruction of the old by fire parallels God's past judgment by water, asserting His consistent power over creation and His sovereign judgment.

2 Peter 3 12 Bonus section

The concept of "hastening" (σπεύδοντας) has been interpreted in some Christian traditions to imply that the zealous pursuit of specific spiritual goals or the rapid evangelization of the world could literally speed up the timetable for Christ's return. While the New Testament emphasizes the Father's sole prerogative regarding "times or seasons" (Acts 1:7), the ethical implication of living in a way that manifests an earnest desire for the Lord's return is strongly affirmed. It reflects the truth that believers, by striving for purity and proclaiming the Gospel, align themselves with God’s ultimate will and purpose for redemption, showcasing their sincere readiness for His arrival and for the new creation. The transformative power of the coming fire not only purifies creation but serves as a profound metaphor for the purification required in believers' lives.

2 Peter 3 12 Commentary

2 Peter 3:12 commands a Christian disposition of fervent hope and active longing for the Day of God. This Day is portrayed as both the climactic manifestation of God’s righteousness and a transformative event for the cosmos. The "waiting" is a steady, informed expectation, while the "hastening" primarily denotes an intense yearning for its arrival, expressing itself in lives characterized by holiness, godliness, and faithful witness. This yearning is a vital counterpoint to the scoffers' skepticism, demonstrating that true faith actively embraces God's future promise. The vivid description of the heavens and elements dissolving by fire underscores the finality and totality of the purification process, not merely a minor adjustment but a fundamental re-creation that makes possible a perfectly righteous habitation (2 Pet 3:13). It highlights the transience of the current material order, calling believers to fix their ultimate hope not on this passing world, but on the enduring reality of God’s coming kingdom. Practically, this verse implies that our spiritual growth, fervent prayer, and dedicated mission work are expressions of this deeply held longing, contributing to God’s eternal purposes in a manner that honors Him.