2 Peter 3:13 kjv

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2 Peter 3:13 nkjv

Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:13 niv

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:13 esv

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

2 Peter 3:13 nlt

But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness.

2 Peter 3 verses

2 Peter 3 13 Meaning

This verse expresses the profound and certain hope of believers for a future cosmic renewal, which is securely grounded in God's explicit promise. After the current heavens and earth are dissolved, a completely new and qualitatively superior creation will emerge. This renewed realm will be distinctively characterized by the permanent dwelling of righteousness, meaning justice, purity, and conformity to God's holy standard will fully pervade it. This expectation stands in stark contrast to the fleeting nature of the present world and provides the ultimate purpose for Christian endurance and pursuit of holiness.

2 Peter 3 13 Context

2 Peter chapter 3 primarily addresses the scoffing of those who deny the reality of the Lord's return (Parousia) and the ultimate judgment. Peter counters their skepticism by asserting that God's perceived slowness is actually patience, delaying judgment for more to repent (2 Pet 3:8-9). He then vividly describes the terrifying cosmic destruction that will accompany the Day of the Lord, where the present heavens and earth will be consumed by fire and dissolved (2 Pet 3:10-12). This immediate preceding context underscores the urgent call for believers to live lives of holiness and godliness. Verse 13 then provides the ultimate horizon of Christian hope: after this cataclysmic judgment, God's promise guarantees a new, purified, and permanent creation. This ultimate expectation motivates steadfast faith and ethical living in the interim, knowing that God's righteous plan for creation will culminate in a realm where righteousness is universally present.

2 Peter 3 13 Word analysis

• "But" (Greek: De, δέ): This particle signifies a contrast. It marks a crucial transition from the preceding discussion about the present world's fiery destruction to the glorious reality that will follow. It emphatically shifts focus from judgment to renewal and hope.
• "in keeping with" (Greek: Kata, κατὰ): Meaning "according to" or "in agreement with." It emphasizes that the expectation of a new creation is not based on human wishful thinking or speculation, but directly on the authoritative and reliable source of God's spoken word.
• "his promise" (Greek: To epangelma autou, τὸ ἐπάγγελμα αὐτοῦ): Refers to the divine pledge made by God. This promise (specifically referenced from Isa 65:17, 66:22) highlights God's faithfulness and absolute power to bring about His perfect future plans. It is the unshakeable foundation for the believers' hope.
• "we are looking forward to" (Greek: Prosdokomen, προσδοκῶμεν): This verb denotes an active, hopeful, and expectant anticipation. It signifies more than passive waiting; it implies a readiness, eagerness, and settled assurance regarding the future. This spiritual posture characterizes believers who have fixed their hope on Christ's return and the coming age.
• "new heaven and a new earth" (Greek: Kainous ouranous kai kainēn gēn, καινοὺς οὐρανοὺς καὶ καινὴν γῆν): This key phrase, directly from Isaiah, indicates a qualitatively renewed creation. The Greek word kainos (καινός) means "new in kind, quality, or nature," rather than neos (νέος), which means "new in time or age." It suggests a radical transformation and purification of the existing cosmos, not a mere replacement or slight modification, resulting in a perfect, unprecedented state free from the taint of sin and decay.
• "where righteousness dwells" (Greek: En hois dikaiosynē katoikei, ἐν οἷς δικαιοσύνη κατοικεῖ): This clause defines the ultimate character of the new creation.
  • "righteousness" (Greek: Dikaiosynē, δικαιοσύνη): Encompasses divine justice, moral uprightness, holiness, and perfect alignment with God's will and nature. It signifies the absolute absence of sin and all forms of evil, corruption, and injustice.
  • "dwells" (Greek: Katoikei, κατοικεῖ): This verb denotes permanent habitation or residency. It emphasizes that righteousness will not be a fleeting presence or an occasional attribute in the new creation but its defining and immutable quality, permeating every aspect of existence without possibility of defilement or decay.

2 Peter 3 13 Bonus section

The concept of "new heavens and new earth" implies a direct and complete reversal of the Fall. Whereas sin corrupted the original creation, causing decay and estrangement, the new creation will be characterized by the pervasive and permanent presence of righteousness. This suggests an environment fully aligned with God's holy nature, where the relationship between God, humanity, and creation is fully restored and perfected. The emphasis on righteousness dwelling in this renewed cosmos implies not only the absence of sin but also the active flourishing of justice, truth, and peace, embodying the fullness of God's reign. This promise ultimately provides comfort and unwavering certainty that all current trials and injustices will eventually yield to divine order and eternal goodness.

2 Peter 3 13 Commentary

2 Peter 3:13 stands as a beacon of Christian eschatology, offering hope beyond the cosmic upheaval described earlier in the chapter. It assures believers that God's grand narrative for creation does not end in fiery dissolution, but culminates in a glorious recreation. This "new heaven and new earth" is not a fleeting fantasy but a guaranteed reality, founded on the unshakable fidelity of God's promise, first revealed in Isaiah and consummated in Revelation. The distinguishing characteristic of this new realm is the permanent residence of righteousness, signifying that it will be a perfect dwelling place where sin and its consequences—evil, injustice, suffering—will have no place. This ultimate hope not only addresses the scoffers of Peter's day but also powerfully motivates present holiness and perseverance for all who genuinely long for God's perfected world.