A.T. Robertson Commentary 2 Peter 3

Beloved (αγαπητο). With this vocative verbal (four times in this chapter), Peter "turns away from the Libertines and their victims" (Mayor).

This is now the second epistle that I write unto you (ταυτην ηδη δευτεραν υμιν γραφω επιστολην). Literally, "This already a second epistle I am writing to you." For ηδη see Joh 21:24. It is the predicate use of δευτεραν επιστολην in apposition with ταυτην, not "this second epistle." Reference apparently to I Peter.

And in both of them (εν αις). "In which epistles."

I stir up (διεγειρω). Present active indicative, perhaps conative, "I try to stir up." See 1:13.

Mind (διανοιαν). Understanding (Plato) as in 1 Peter 1:13.

Sincere (ειλικρινη). Old adjective of doubtful etymology (supposed to be ειλη, sunlight, and κρινω, to judge by it). Plato used it of ethical purity (ψυχη ειλικρινης) as here and Php 1:10, the only N.T. examples.

By putting you in remembrance (εν υπομνησε). As in 1:13.

That ye should remember (μνησθηνα). First aorist passive (deponent) infinitive of μιμνησκω, to remind. Purpose (indirect command) is here expressed by this infinitive. Imperative in Jude 1:17.

Spoken before (προειρημενων). Perfect passive participle of προειπον (defective verb). Genitive case ρηματων after μνησθηνα.

And the commandment (κα της εντολης). Ablative case with υπο (agency).

Of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles (των αποστολων υμων του κυριου κα σωτηρος). Hυμων (your) is correct, not ημων (our). But the several genitives complicate the sense. If δια (through) occurred before των αποστολων, it would be clear. It is held by some that Peter would not thus speak of the twelve apostles, including himself, and that the forger here allows the mask to slip, but Bigg rightly regards this a needless inference. The meaning is that they should remember the teaching of their apostles and not follow the Gnostic libertines.

Knowing this first (τουτο πρωτον γινωσκοντες). Present active participle of γινωσκω. See 1:20 for this identical phrase. Nominative absolute here where accusative γινωσκοντας would be regular. Peter now takes up the παρουσια (1:16) after having discussed the δυναμις of Christ.

In the last days (επ' εσχατων των ημερων). "Upon the last of the days."Jude 1:18 has it επ' εσχατου χρονου (upon the last time). In 1 Peter 1:5 it is εν καιρω εσχατω (in the last time), while 1 Peter 1:20 has επ' εσχατου των χρονων (upon the last of the times). John has usually τη εσχατη ημερα (on the last day, 6:39f.). Here εσχατων is a predicate adjective like συμμυς μονς (the top of the mountain).

Mockers with mockery (εμπαιγμονη εμπαικτα). Note Peter's play on words again, both from εμπαιζω (Matthew 2:16), to trifle with, and neither found elsewhere save εμπαικτης in Jude 1:18; Isaiah 3:4 (playing like children).

Where is the promise of his coming? (που εστιν η επαγγελια της παρουσιας αυτου; ). This is the only sample of the questions raised by these mockers. Peter had mentioned this subject of the παρουσια in 1:16. Now he faces it squarely. Peter, like Paul (1 Thessalonians 5:1f.; 2 Thessalonians 2:1f.), preached about the second coming (1:16; Acts 3:20f.), as Jesus himself did repeatedly (Matthew 24:34) and as the angels promised at the Ascension (Acts 1:11). Both Jesus and Paul (2 Thessalonians 2:1f.) were misunderstood on the subject of the time and the parables of Jesus urged readiness and forbade setting dates for his coming, though his language in Mt 24:34 probably led some to believe that he would certainly come while they were alive.

From the day that (αφ' ης). "From which day." See Lu 7:45.

Fell asleep (εκοιμηθησαν). First aorist passive indicative of κοιμαω, old verb, to put sleep, classic euphemism for death (John 11:11) like our cemetery (sleeping-place).

Continue (διαμενε). Present active indicative of διαμενω, to remain through (Luke 1:22). In statu quo.

As they were (ουτως). "Thus."

From the beginning of creation (απ' αρχης κτισεως). Precisely so in Mr 10:6, which see.

For this they wilfully forget (λανθανε γαρ αυτους τουτο θελοντας). Literally, "for this escapes them being willing." See this use of λανθανω (old verb, to escape notice of, to be hidden from) in Ac 26:26. The present active participle θελοντας (from θελω, to wish) has almost an adverbial sense here.

Compacted (συνεστωσα). See Paul's συνεστηκεν (Colossians 1:17) "consist." Second perfect active (intransitive) participle of συνιστημ, feminine singular agreeing with γη (nearest to it) rather than with ουρανο (subject of ησαν imperfect plural). There is no need to make Peter mean the Jewish mystical "seven heavens" because of the plural which was used interchangeably with the singular (Matthew 5:9f.).

Out of water and amidst water (εξ υδατος κα δι' υδατος). Out of the primeval watery chaos (Genesis 1:2), but it is not plain what is meant by δι' υδατος, which naturally means "by means of water," though δια with the genitive is used for a condition or state (Hebrews 12:1). The reference may be to Ge 1:9, the gathering together of the waters.

By the word of God (τω του θεου λογω). Instrumental case λογω, "by the fiat of God" (Genesis 1:3; Hebrews 11:3 ρηματ θεου).