The Meaning of 2 Peter 3:15 Explained

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;

YLT: and the long-suffering of our Lord count ye salvation, according as also our beloved brother Paul -- according to the wisdom given to him -- did write to you,

Darby: and account the longsuffering of our Lord to be salvation; according as our beloved brother Paul also has written to you according to the wisdom given to him,

ASV: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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; 

What does 2 Peter 3:15 Mean?

Study Notes

salvation
.
The Heb. and (Greek - ἀλεκτοροφωνία , safety, preservation, healing, and soundness). Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification. Salvation is in three tenses:
(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin Luke 7:50 ; 1 Corinthians 1:18 ; 2 Corinthians 2:15 ; Ephesians 2:5 ; Ephesians 2:8 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 and is safe.
(2) the believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin Romans 6:14 ; Philippians 1:19 ; Philippians 2:12 ; Philippians 2:13 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 ; Romans 8:2 ; Galatians 2:19 ; Galatians 2:20 ; 2 Corinthians 3:18 .
(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. Romans 13:11 ; Hebrews 10:36 ; 1 Peter 1:5 ; 1 John 3:2 . Salvation is by grace through faith, is a free gift, and wholly without works; Romans 3:27 ; Romans 3:28 ; Romans 4:1-8 ; Romans 6:23 ; Ephesians 2:8 . The divine order is: first salvation, then works; Ephesians 2:9 ; Ephesians 2:10 ; Titus 3:5-8 .

Verse Meaning

We should view the Lord"s tarrying as a manifestation of His longsuffering that leads people to repentance and salvation rather than as an indication that He is never coming ( 2 Peter 3:9).
"While God is waiting, He is both giving time for the unbeliever to be saved, and for the believer to be working out his salvation (cf. Philippians 2:12-13) in terms of progress in sanctification." [1]
Peter regarded Paul as a "dear brother" who was one with him in his allegiance to God and His Word. Perhaps Peter had Romans 2:4 in mind when he said Paul wrote the same thing he had just said.

Context Summary

2 Peter 3:10-18 - "holy Living And Godliness"
How quickly the great European convulsion broke upon the world in the summer of 1914! Who expected such a sudden burst of the great storm! We are evidently near some vast change in the history of mankind, which may fitly be compared to the coming of new heavens and a new earth, as mentioned in 2 Peter 3:13. The condition of the world calls on each of us to be holy, as the virgins in their pure dresses, with burning and well-filled lamps. See Matthew 25:1-13. This is the manner in which we may hasten the coming of the day of God. It is not enough to say, "Thy kingdom come." Each day we should move some pebble from its pathway!
In twenty-four hours God can do as much as all His servants at home and abroad could not accomplish in a thousand years. According to God's chronology, it was on the morning of yesterday that Jesus died. Be watchful. Christ's coming is certain, but not the hour. If we are blameless now, we shall be faultless presently. See Judges 1:24 [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Peter 3

1  He assures them of the certainty of Christ's coming to judgment;
8  warning the godly, for the long patience of God, to hasten their repentance
10  He describes also the manner how the world shall be destroyed;
11  exhorting them to all holiness of life;
16  and again to think the patience of God to tend to their salvation, as Paul wrote to them in his epistles

Greek Commentary for 2 Peter 3:15

In his sight [αυτωι]
Ethical dative. Referring to Christ. [source]
Is salvation [σωτηριαν]
Predicate accusative after ηγειστε — hēgeisthe in apposition with μακροτυμιαν — makrothumian (long-suffering), an opportunity for repentance (cf. 1 Peter 3:20). The Lord here is Christ.Our beloved brother Paul (ο αγαπητος αδελπος Παυλος — ho agapētos adelphos Paulos). Paul applies the verbal αγαπητος — agapētos (beloved) to Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:16), to Tychicus (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21), and to four brethren in Rom 16 (Epainetus Romans 16:5, Ampliatus Romans 16:8, Stachys Romans 16:9, Persis Romans 16:12). It is not surprising for Peter to use it of Paul in view of Galatians 2:9., in spite of Galatians 2:11-14.Given to him First aorist passive participle of διδωμι — didōmi with dative case. Peter claimed wisdom for himself, but recognises that Paul had the gift also. His language here may have caution in it as well as commendation. “St. Peter speaks of him with affection and respect, yet maintains the right to criticise” (Bigg). [source]
Our beloved brother Paul [ο αγαπητος αδελπος Παυλος]
Paul applies the verbal αγαπητος — agapētos (beloved) to Epaphras (Colossians 1:7), Onesimus (Colossians 4:9; Philemon 1:16), to Tychicus (Colossians 4:7; Ephesians 6:21), and to four brethren in Rom 16 (Epainetus Romans 16:5, Ampliatus Romans 16:8, Stachys Romans 16:9, Persis Romans 16:12). It is not surprising for Peter to use it of Paul in view of Galatians 2:9., in spite of Galatians 2:11-14. [source]
Given to him [δοτεισαν αυτωι]
First aorist passive participle of διδωμι — didōmi with dative case. Peter claimed wisdom for himself, but recognises that Paul had the gift also. His language here may have caution in it as well as commendation. “St. Peter speaks of him with affection and respect, yet maintains the right to criticise” (Bigg). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Peter 3:15

1 Corinthians 1:12 Now this I mean [λεγω δε τουτο]
Explanatory use of λεγω — legō Each has his party leader. Απολλω — Apollō is genitive of Απολλως — Apollōs (Acts 18:24), probably abbreviation of Απολλωνιυς — Apollōnius as seen in Codex Bezae for Acts 18:24. See note on Acts 18:24 for discussion of this “eloquent Alexandrian” (Ellicott), whose philosophical and oratorical preaching was in contrast “with the studied plainness” of Paul (1 Corinthians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 10:10). People naturally have different tastes about styles of preaching and that is well, but Apollos refused to be a party to this strife and soon returned to Ephesus and refused to go back to Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:12). Χηπα — Cēphā is the genitive of Χηπας — Cēphās the Aramaic name given Simon by Jesus (John 1:42), Πετρος — Petros in Greek. Except in Galatians 2:7, Galatians 2:8 Paul calls him Cephas. He had already taken his stand with Paul in the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15:7-11; Galatians 2:7-10). Paul had to rebuke him at Antioch for his timidity because of the Judaizers (Galatians 2:11-14), but, in spite of Baur‘s theory, there is no evidence of a schism in doctrine between Paul and Peter. If 2 Peter 3:15. be accepted as genuine, as I do, there is proof of cordial relations between them and 1 Corinthians 9:5 points in the same direction. But there is no evidence that Peter himself visited Corinth. Judaizers came and pitted Peter against Paul to the Corinthian Church on the basis of Paul‘s rebuke of Peter in Antioch. These Judaizers made bitter personal attacks on Paul in return for their defeat at the Jerusalem Conference. So a third faction was formed by the use of Peter‘s name as the really orthodox wing of the church, the gospel of the circumcision. [source]
Galatians 2:14 That they walked not uprightly [οτι ορτοποδουσιν]
Present active indicative retained in indirect discourse, “they are not walking straight.” Ορτοποδεω — Orthopodeō Found only here and in later ecclesiastical writers, though ορτοποδες βαινοντες — orthopodes bainontes does occur. According to the truth of the gospel (προς την αλητειαν του ευαγγελιου — pros tēn alētheian tou euaggeliou). Just as in Galatians 2:5. Paul brought them to face (προς — pros) that. I said unto Cephas before them all Being a Jew (Ιουδαιος υπαρχων — Ioudaios huparchōn though being a Jew). Condition of first class, assumed as true. It was not a private quarrel, but a matter of public policy. One is a bit curious to know what those who consider Peter the first pope will do with this open rebuke by Paul, who was in no sense afraid of Peter or of all the rest. As do the Gentiles Late adverb, here only in N.T. Like Gentiles. As do the Jews (Ιουδαικως — Ioudaikōs). Only here in N.T., but in Josephus. To live as do the Jews Late verb, only here in the N.T. From Ιουδαιος — Ioudaios Jew. Really Paul charges Peter with trying to compel (conative present, αναγκαζεις — anagkazeis) the Gentiles to live all like Jews, to Judaize the Gentile Christians, the very point at issue in the Jerusalem Conference when Peter so loyally supported Paul. It was a bold thrust that allowed no reply. But Paul won Peter back and Barnabas also. If II Peter is genuine, as is still possible, he shows it in 2 Peter 3:15. Paul and Barnabas remained friends (Acts 15:39.; 1 Corinthians 9:6), though they soon separated over John Mark. [source]
Galatians 2:14 To live as do the Jews [Ιουδαζειν]
Late verb, only here in the N.T. From Ιουδαιος — Ioudaios Jew. Really Paul charges Peter with trying to compel (conative present, αναγκαζεις — anagkazeis) the Gentiles to live all like Jews, to Judaize the Gentile Christians, the very point at issue in the Jerusalem Conference when Peter so loyally supported Paul. It was a bold thrust that allowed no reply. But Paul won Peter back and Barnabas also. If II Peter is genuine, as is still possible, he shows it in 2 Peter 3:15. Paul and Barnabas remained friends (Acts 15:39.; 1 Corinthians 9:6), though they soon separated over John Mark. [source]
Galatians 2:14 I said unto Cephas before them all [ειπον τωι Κηπαι εμπροστεν παντων]
Being a Jew (Ιουδαιος υπαρχων — Ioudaios huparchōn though being a Jew). Condition of first class, assumed as true. It was not a private quarrel, but a matter of public policy. One is a bit curious to know what those who consider Peter the first pope will do with this open rebuke by Paul, who was in no sense afraid of Peter or of all the rest. As do the Gentiles Late adverb, here only in N.T. Like Gentiles. As do the Jews (Ιουδαικως — Ioudaikōs). Only here in N.T., but in Josephus. To live as do the Jews Late verb, only here in the N.T. From Ιουδαιος — Ioudaios Jew. Really Paul charges Peter with trying to compel (conative present, αναγκαζεις — anagkazeis) the Gentiles to live all like Jews, to Judaize the Gentile Christians, the very point at issue in the Jerusalem Conference when Peter so loyally supported Paul. It was a bold thrust that allowed no reply. But Paul won Peter back and Barnabas also. If II Peter is genuine, as is still possible, he shows it in 2 Peter 3:15. Paul and Barnabas remained friends (Acts 15:39.; 1 Corinthians 9:6), though they soon separated over John Mark. [source]
Galatians 2:14 As do the Gentiles [ετνικως]
Late adverb, here only in N.T. Like Gentiles. As do the Jews (Ιουδαικως — Ioudaikōs). Only here in N.T., but in Josephus. To live as do the Jews Late verb, only here in the N.T. From Ιουδαιος — Ioudaios Jew. Really Paul charges Peter with trying to compel (conative present, αναγκαζεις — anagkazeis) the Gentiles to live all like Jews, to Judaize the Gentile Christians, the very point at issue in the Jerusalem Conference when Peter so loyally supported Paul. It was a bold thrust that allowed no reply. But Paul won Peter back and Barnabas also. If II Peter is genuine, as is still possible, he shows it in 2 Peter 3:15. Paul and Barnabas remained friends (Acts 15:39.; 1 Corinthians 9:6), though they soon separated over John Mark. [source]
James 5:7 Be patient [μακροθυμήσατε]
From μακρός , long, and θυμός , soul or spirit, but with the sense of strong passion, stronger even than ὀργή , anger, as is maintained by Schmidt (“Synonymik”), who describes θυμός as a tumultuous welling up of the whole spirit; a mighty emotion which seizes and moves the whole inner man. Hence the restraint implied in μακροθυμία is most correctly expressed by long-suffering, which is its usual rendering in the New Testament. It is a patient holding out under trial; a long-protracted restraint of the soul from yielding to passion, especially the passion of anger. In the New Testament the word and its cognates are sometimes rendered by patient or patience, which conceals the distinction from ὑπομονή , uniformly rendered patience, and signifying persistent endurance, whether in action or suffering. As Trench observes, “ ὑπομονή is perseverantia and patientia both in one.” Thus Bishop Ellicott: “The brave patience with which the Christian contends against the various hindrances, persecutions, and temptations that befall him in his conflict with the inward and outward world.” Ὑπομονή. contains an element of manliness. Thus Plato joins it with the adverb ἀνδρικῶς , in a manly way, and contrasts it with ἀνάνδρως , unmanly, cowardly. Μακροθυμία is exercised toward persons; ὑπομονή , toward things. The former is ascribed to God as an attribute (Luke 18:7; 1 Peter 3:20; 2 Peter 3:9, 2 Peter 3:15), the latter never; for the God of patience (Romans 15:5) is the God who imparts patience to his children. “There can be no resistance to God nor burden upon him, the Almighty, from things. Therefore ὑπομονή cannot find place in him” (Trench). Rev. retains A. V., be patient. The thought links itself naturally with that in the preceding verse: the righteous doth not resist. [source]
1 Peter 2:11 Beloved [ἀγαπητοί]
A favorite term with Peter, occurring eight times in the epistles. See the phrase, our beloved. Barnabas and Paul, Acts 15:25, in the letter sent by the council at Jerusalem to the Gentile Christians, the account of which, doubtless, came from Peter. Compare our beloved brother Paul, 2 Peter 3:15. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Peter 3:15 mean?

And the of the Lord of us patience [as] salvation esteem just as also - beloved brother Paul according to having been given to him wisdom wrote to you
Καὶ τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν μακροθυμίαν σωτηρίαν ἡγεῖσθε καθὼς καὶ ἀγαπητὸς ἀδελφὸς Παῦλος κατὰ δοθεῖσαν αὐτῷ σοφίαν ἔγραψεν ὑμῖν

τοῦ  of  the 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Κυρίου  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
μακροθυμίαν  patience 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: μακροθυμία  
Sense: patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance.
σωτηρίαν  [as]  salvation 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σωτηρία  
Sense: deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation.
ἡγεῖσθε  esteem 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: ἐπιτροπεύω 
Sense: to lead.
καθὼς  just  as 
Parse: Adverb
Root: καθώς  
Sense: according as.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἀγαπητὸς  beloved 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀγαπητός  
Sense: beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love.
ἀδελφὸς  brother 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀδελφός  
Sense: a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother.
Παῦλος  Paul 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος  
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
κατὰ  according  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
δοθεῖσαν  having  been  given 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
αὐτῷ  to  him 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
σοφίαν  wisdom 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σοφία  
Sense: wisdom, broad and full of intelligence; used of the knowledge of very diverse matters.
ἔγραψεν  wrote 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: γράφω 
Sense: to write, with reference to the form of the letters.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.