2 Peter 3:8 kjv

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.

2 Peter 3:8 nkjv

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2 Peter 3:8 niv

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

2 Peter 3:8 esv

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

2 Peter 3:8 nlt

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day.

2 Peter 3 verses

Meaning

This verse profoundly corrects the human misconception of time concerning God's actions and promises. It states that for the Lord, the vastness of a thousand human years is akin to a single day, and conversely, a day is like a millennium. This is not a mathematical conversion but a qualitative truth about God's eternal nature and sovereignty over time. It underscores that God operates outside the linear human construct of time, ensuring His promises, particularly the Second Coming of Christ, are certain, regardless of human perception of their "delay." It offers reassurance to believers facing scoffing about Christ's return, framing any apparent delay as part of God's perfect timing and purpose, often linked to His patience and desire for more to come to repentance.

Cross References

Context

2 Peter chapter 3 is dedicated to refuting scoffers who denied the Lord's return and final judgment. These individuals, characterized by their mockery and sinful desires, questioned the validity of prophetic promises, assuming that life would continue indefinitely as it always had. Peter grounds his argument in the memory of the flood, a past divine judgment, to underscore God's power and intent to intervene in human history. He then shifts to the future, asserting the certainty of a coming "day of the Lord," characterized by fiery judgment and the destruction of the current heavens and earth. Verse 8 is strategically placed after this exposition of past and future judgments but before explicitly stating God's patience. It directly addresses the perceived "delay" of Christ's coming by shifting the perspective from human-centric linear time to God's transcendent, eternal perspective. This reorientation prepares the reader to understand God's patience (verse 9) not as slowness, but as merciful deferment intended to bring more people to repentance before the appointed time.

Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): A transitional particle indicating a slight contrast or an emphasis. It introduces a crucial point or clarification, steering the discussion toward God's unique perspective on time after addressing the scoffers' earthly viewpoint.
• do not forget (μὴ λανθανέτω ὑμᾶς - mē lanthanetō hymas): This imperative, "let it not be hidden from you," serves as a strong command to continually remember and hold this essential truth in mind. It implies that this is a vital concept prone to human forgetfulness or misinterpretation, particularly in the face of temporal challenges.
• this one thing (ἓν τοῦτο - hen touto): This phrase emphasizes the singularity and critical importance of the truth being presented. It points to a foundational understanding necessary to correctly interpret God's timing and purposes amidst a skeptical world.
• dear friends (ἀγαπητοί - agapētoi): "Beloved ones." This term of endearment, consistently used by the apostles, conveys Peter's affectionate address and deep pastoral concern for the recipients. It invites trust and receptiveness to the profound theological truth being conveyed.
• With the Lord (παρὰ Κυρίῳ - para Kyriō): Literally "alongside the Lord" or "in the sight of the Lord." This phrase distinctly sets God's perspective apart from human perception. "Lord" (Κύριος - Kyrios) here signifies God, the supreme sovereign Master over all creation and time, emphasizing His transcendence.
• a day (μία ἡμέρα - mia hēmera): Refers to a single, typical human day (24 hours), symbolizing brevity and immediacy from a human standpoint. It represents the smallest significant unit of time for mortal beings.
• is like (ὡς - hōs): A comparative particle meaning "as" or "just as." It denotes a qualitative comparison, not a literal or mathematical conversion. It conveys that in essence or nature, one can be viewed in terms of the other, illustrating God's boundless view of time.
• a thousand years (χίλια ἔτη - chilia etē): Represents a vastly extended period of human time, symbolizing extreme longevity or a significant "delay" from a human perspective. This phrase directly echoes Psalm 90:4, linking Peter's argument to an established Old Testament theological understanding of God's relationship with time.
• and a thousand years are like a day: This deliberate reversal of the first part of the statement completes the parallelism. It powerfully reinforces the concept of divine transcendence over human time, demonstrating that God's perception allows what seems like an immense span to us to be but a moment for Him, and vice versa. It emphasizes the absolute relativity and flexibility of time when seen from God's eternal perspective.

Commentary

2 Peter 3:8 is a profound theological statement designed to comfort and instruct believers amidst the persistent questioning of God's timing, especially regarding the return of Christ. It acts as a divine corrective to human impatience and skepticism. The verse is not offering a formula for converting human time into divine time; rather, it's a powerful assertion of God's transcendence. For the Eternal God, whose existence precedes and encompasses all temporal measurements, "a day" or "a thousand years" are fluid concepts that bear little resemblance to human-perceived linearity. This understanding undermines the scoffers' argument that "since all things continue as they were" God must not be coming. Peter argues that the apparent delay is entirely within God's non-linear, eternal framework. It means that God's plan is not hindered by time, nor does His faithfulness wane over extended periods. His timing is perfect, governed by His divine will and purposes, most notably His desire for more people to repent and come to salvation (as expanded in 2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, believers are called to remember this fundamental truth about God's eternal nature and His complete mastery over time, fostering patient expectation rather than doubt or despair.

• Example: When praying for a loved one's salvation, and years pass without apparent change, remember that for God, a "long time" for us can be but a "day" in His eternal plan for redemption.
• Example: Faced with seemingly unanswered prayers or long-awaited fulfillments of promises, recall that God's timeline operates outside human constraints; His faithfulness is absolute, regardless of how "long" it feels to us.

Bonus section

The concept presented in 2 Peter 3:8 serves as a theological foundation for understanding God's patience, providence, and faithfulness. It systematically removes human limitations from God's omnipotence and faithfulness. The scoffers of Peter's time based their mockery on a strictly anthropocentric, linear view of history. They could not reconcile the perceived "delay" with a promise-keeping God. By drawing on Psalm 90:4, Peter aligns his teaching with a long-established biblical tradition recognizing God's distinct relationship with time. This verse doesn't just explain why Christ seems delayed, but assures us that God works on an eternal timeline where a brief moment for Him can unfold millennia of human history, accomplishing His comprehensive redemptive plan. It emphasizes the profound difference between Creator and creature, particularly concerning their experience of temporality and the assurance of God's unfailing promises despite human impatience. This truth inspires endurance and trust in God's perfect timing.