Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." — 2 Peter 3:9 (ASV)

Third Answer—a practical one: Make good use of what to you seems to be delay.

The Lord is not slack.—We are in doubt whether “the Lord” means Christ or God the Father. In 2 Peter 3:8, “the Lord” certainly means God, and this is in favor of the same meaning here. On the other hand, “concerning His promise” naturally refers to Christ’s promise that He will return. The same doubt recurs with regard to 2 Peter 3:15 (see Note there).

The phrase “is not slack” means “does not delay beyond the time appointed.” There is no dilatoriness; He waits, but is never slow, is never late.

Concerning his promise.—The Greek construction is peculiar, formed on the analogy of a comparative adjective—“is not slower than his promise.” (Compare to Romans 3:23.)

But is longsuffering.—(Compare to 2 Peter 3:15 and 1 Peter 3:20). As St. Augustine puts it, God is patiens quia aeternus—longsuffering because He is eternal. He who is from everlasting to everlasting can afford to wait. (Compare to the Shepherd, Similitude VIII.xi.1.)

To us-ward.—The true reading, beyond all doubt, is towards you. It is specially natural here that St. Peter should not include himself among those whom he addresses, for he is writing mainly to Gentile Christians (2 Peter 1:1), and this longsuffering of God had been conspicuous in His dealings with the Gentiles (Romans 11:11–36). (See second Note on 1 Peter 1:12.)