2 Peter 3 15

2 Peter 3:15 kjv

And 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;

2 Peter 3:15 nkjv

and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation?as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,

2 Peter 3:15 niv

Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

2 Peter 3:15 esv

And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,

2 Peter 3:15 nlt

And remember, our Lord's patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him ?

2 Peter 3 verses

2 Peter 3 15 Meaning

The verse exhorts believers to consider God’s divine patience and delay in fulfilling His promise of return not as a sign of unfaithfulness or weakness, but rather as an expression of His profound mercy, providing extended opportunity for repentance and salvation. This interpretation is reinforced by the apostolic testimony of Paul, whose Spirit-inspired wisdom also communicated similar truths regarding God's timeline and salvific purpose.

2 Peter 3 15 Context

2 Peter chapter 3 primarily addresses the challenge posed by scoffers who mock the promise of Christ's return, pointing to the apparent delay (2 Pet 3:3-4). Peter counters this skepticism by reminding his readers of God's past interventions (e.g., the Flood) and explaining that God's time is not human time, where "a day is like a thousand years" (2 Pet 3:5-8). He asserts that the Lord's seeming "slowness" is actually His "patience" (2 Pet 3:9), not desiring anyone to perish but all to come to repentance. Verse 15 builds directly upon this by further elaborating on the salvific purpose behind this divine longsuffering, cementing it as a core theological understanding and reinforcing it by appealing to the recognized authority of Paul's teachings, which also addressed similar themes and expectations of the Lord's coming.

2 Peter 3 15 Word analysis

• And account: The Greek term is hēgeisthai (ἡγείσθε), meaning "to consider," "to reckon," "to regard." It implies a deliberate, rational conclusion or firm conviction. It’s not a passive observation but an active decision to adopt a specific perspective, urging believers to choose faith over skepticism regarding God's timeline.
• that the longsuffering: The Greek word is makrothymia (μακροθυμία), literally "long-temperedness." It signifies patience, forbearance, and slowness in punishing or exacting retribution, particularly from God's perspective. It describes the divine attribute of not quickly yielding to wrath despite provocation. Its significance here is that God's perceived delay is a direct act of His enduring self-restraint.
• of our Lord: Refers to Jesus Christ, affirmed as the Lord. This anchors the attribute of "longsuffering" directly to the sovereign Ruler and Judge, highlighting His compassionate nature alongside His power and authority.
• is salvation: The Greek word is sotēria (σωτηρία), meaning "deliverance," "preservation," or "salvation." In this context, God's patience leads to an opportunity for salvation for humanity. The delay of Christ's coming serves the purpose of allowing more people to repent and receive eternal deliverance from God's righteous judgment.
• even as: Indicates a corroborative or explanatory comparison, linking Peter's statement to Paul's teaching, confirming the unity of apostolic message.
• our beloved brother Paul: "Beloved" (agapētos) emphasizes Peter's affection and high regard for Paul, despite their past disagreements (e.g., Galatians 2). It underscores their shared faith and purpose in Christ. Referring to Paul as a "brother" confirms his genuine apostolic standing and Peter's endorsement of his ministry.
• also according to the wisdom: Paul’s teachings are presented not merely as human insight but as divinely imparted knowledge. The Greek word sophia (σοφία) implies practical skill or understanding. Here, it denotes profound spiritual insight into God’s plans.
• given unto him: This phrase underscores the divine origin and authoritative nature of Paul’s teachings. His wisdom did not come from human cleverness but was a gift from God, confirming his inspiration and validating the content of his epistles. This phrase implicitly supports the canonical authority of Paul's writings.

• account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation: This phrase is the core theological statement of the verse. It redefines what scoffers consider a "delay" as a merciful postponement rooted in God's nature. This active divine patience is fundamentally linked to God's desire for human deliverance, turning potential criticism into a powerful affirmation of grace. It means that the longer Christ delays His return, the greater the window for people to find salvation.
• Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you: This acknowledges Paul's role as a Spirit-inspired teacher of the same truths. Peter, an eyewitness apostle of Christ, formally affirms Paul's ministry and the divine authority of his epistles, especially concerning eschatological matters and God's plan of salvation. This shows apostolic unity and strengthens the authority of Paul's epistles within the early church.

2 Peter 3 15 Bonus section

The appeal to Paul’s writings is particularly significant as it suggests Peter's readers were familiar with them and likely received some of them. This indirect reference contributes to the growing acceptance and eventual canonization of Paul’s epistles within the early Christian community. Peter’s endorsement here, even addressing apparent difficult passages (2 Pet 3:16), shows the internal recognition of apostolic unity despite varied ministries. It serves as an early witness to the inspired nature and interconnectedness of the apostolic body of New Testament writings.

2 Peter 3 15 Commentary

2 Peter 3:15 provides a crucial interpretive lens for understanding divine temporality, urging believers to perceive God's perceived delay as active benevolence rather than inaction. The "longsuffering of our Lord" (His makrothymia) is not an oversight or a failure to keep promises, but a profound expression of His salvific will, granting extended grace for more people to turn to repentance. This concept counters the mockery of scoffers by reorienting their perception from judgment to mercy. Peter strengthens this theological argument by appealing to the established apostolic authority of Paul, affirming that Paul, too, articulated this truth by divine wisdom. This reciprocal validation between apostles reinforces the consistent and inspired nature of New Testament teaching concerning God's redemptive plan and His patient approach to judgment. Practically, it encourages enduring hope and active evangelism, recognizing that every moment before Christ's return is a window of opportunity for salvation.