2 Peter 3:1

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you, etc.] This is a transition to another part of the epistle; for the apostle having largely described false teachers, the secret enemies of the Christian religion under a profession of it, passes on to take notice of the more open adversaries and profane scoffers of it; and from their ridicule of the doctrine of Christ's second coming, he proceeds to treat of that, and of the destruction of the world, and the future happiness of the saints: he calls this epistle his “second epistle”, because he had written another before to the same persons; and that the author of this epistle was an apostle, is evident from (<610302>2 Peter 3:2); and which,…”

“SURENESS OF CHRIST'S COMING, AND ITS ACCOMPANIMENTS, DECLARED IN OPPOSITION TO SCOFFERS ABOUT TO ARISE. GOD'S LONG SUFFERING A MOTIVE TO REPENTANCE, AS PAUL'S EPISTLES SET FORTH; CONCLUDING EXHORTATION TO GROWTH IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST. (2Pe. 3:1-18) now--"This now a second Epistle I write." Therefore he had lately written the former Epistle. The seven Catholic Epistles were written by James, John, and Jude, shortly before their deaths; previously, while having the prospect of being still for some time alive, they felt it less necessary to write [BENGEL]. unto you--The Second Epistle, though more general in its address, yet included especially the same persons as the First Epistle was…”

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you - This expression proves that he had written a former epistle, and that it was addressed to the same persons as this. Compare Introduction, Section 3. In both which I stir up your pure minds ... - That is, the main object of both epistles is the same - to call to your remembrance important truths which you have before heard, but which you are in danger of forgetting, or from which you are in danger of being turned away by prevailing errors. Compare the notes at 2 Peter 1:12-15. The word rendered “pure” (εἰλικρινής eilikrinēs) occurs only here and in Philippians 1:10, where it is rendered “sincere.” The word properly refers to “that which…”

“3:1-13 Peter shifts from denunciation of false teachers to exhortation of believers. The false teachers’ skepticism about Christ’s return required clear teaching. Christians need to hold onto the apostolic message about the day of judgment and live godly lives in anticipation of that day. 3:1 This is my second letter to you: The previous letter was probably 1 Peter.”

“second epistle: Co2 13:2; Pe1 1:1, Pe1 1:2 I stir: Pe2 1:13-15; Ti2 1:6 pure: Psa 24:4, Psa 73:1; Mat 5:8; Ti1 5:22; Pe1 1:22 way: Pe2 1:12 2 Peter 3:2”