2 Peter

Chapter 3

vs 10

Because thieves come sneakily. The roar of the heavens rushing away is literally "with rushing sound", almost like a tsunami washing the heavens away. "Elements" refers to first principles - probably it's first principles of the material world, because I'm not sure about the biblical integrity of any other definition (like the existance of Platonic forms in heaven).

"Laid bare" is an interesting one. It literally means "will be discovered", but some early manuscripts have "will be burned up" (and that's what the KJV says too). I'm all for the burned up one - but the other one seems to be reminiscent of another wiping of the slate clean - like another flood, but this time with fire, so that the bare earth is "rediscovered" under the rubble of the old creation, or something.

vs 11

Our lives should be lived according to this truth - that everything will be destroyed. That's very challenging. I mean, you know when people ask "What would you do if you knew the end of the world was going to happen in two days" or something similar - you generally get the idea that looting, sex in the streets, and general carnage would result (and be very embarassing were the end to be postponed). But the Christian's way is the opposite - assuming the heavens come crashing down on us at any time, we should be prepared with a holy and godly life.

vs 12

Not only do we look forward to this mass destruction, but we speed its coming. Not by the wanton destruction of the world - I don't think Peter is saying Christians should secure nuclear weapons and fire then wildly into the centre of the earth or something. It's probably more in line with Jesus' statement that the gospel will reach all peoples, and then the end will come (Matt 24:14).

Another way of translating this is "eagerly await", so I wouldn't base too much on this verse in that direction.

vs 13

This is the much more important idea - that we don't wait eagerly for the sake of the world's destruction - we await the fulfillment of the promise of a new heaven and earth. It will be the home of righteousness. Interesting, I think, that God makes a new earth - if we're all going to be up there with him in heaven, why is there a new earth too? Ahhh, methinks there's more to the kingdom of God than meets the eye.

vs 14

We should already be able to see that we're not meant to try and be spotless and blameless because it's going to make a difference about our entering of heaven (although it could have an impact with your welcoming party and your house). I think the main point here is that a life geared towards the expectation of the coming of the Lord and a new creation will by its definition be found spotless, blameless and at peace with god.

vs 15

Ok, here we are, what some people consider the most important type verses in the New Testament. Let's forget for a moment about the fact that Peter is talking about Paul and affirming his letters as Scripture - let's instead look at what Peter is saying.

Firstly, the Lord's patience means salvation. In the greek, it is "patience with us", so Peter's saying that God's patience with us means our salvation. He made this point earlier but focused on others - now he's focused on us too. And to back up this point, he references Paul's letters, attesting that the wisdom in them comes from God.

vs 16

Paul's letters are all on message - that is, they are all speaking of the same thing. They are also (some of them at least) in circulation enough that Peter is prepared to reference them for his readers as authoritative.

Paul's letters weren't easy to understand back then (thanks Peter, I'll remember that when I'm trying to work out about the imprisoned spirits at the time of Noah). And Peter warns that those who are ignorant and unstable (or "unlearned and unsteady") enough to twist them are in for some good old fashioned destruction, just like if they twisted the other Scriptures.

So here, Peter is putting Paul's letters on par with other Scriptures. But his main point is actually about people's willingness to twist them, and their subsequent destruction (the people, not the Scriptures).

vs 17

Since you know what kind of people twist the Scriptures, and what's going to happen to them, don't get caught up by them and their crazy teachings.

vs 18

Instead, grow in the good knowledge - the stuff about Jesus as Lord and Savior. Hooray!

I get the feeling that Peter was writing on a short piece of parchment here, because the letter suddenly comes to a stop. But God controls how long pieces of parchment are, so I guess this was all he needed to write.

What book do I go on to now?