2 Peter 3:17, commentary and pictures

Knowing beforehand that the day of the Lord will come suddenly with the heavens passing away and the elements, the earth and its works dissolving by fire, and that new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness are promised, the beloved are charged to beware lest they be led away by the error of the wicked and fall from their own steadfastness. Even those already converted who know the truth can still fall, for salvation is not yet finished and no one is assured of final salvation in advance apart from continuing faithfulness, overcoming and obedience unto the end. That error of the wicked includes pleasing sophistries that diminish God, such as that He is an essence pervading nature, along with deceptive teachings and wrong ideas troubling the church, against which diligent study of the Bible and practice of known truth fortify the mind. Remaining steadfast requires a lifelong warfare with no release, neglecting no means of grace but pressing forward, fighting the good fight of faith and holding fast the beginning of confidence firm unto the end to partake of Christ in immortal life. The warning is therefore paired with growing in grace and in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, with living faith and discernment between good and evil, staying diligent in holy conduct and godliness while looking for and hastening that day to be found at peace with Him, pure and without fault.

Context and Foreknowledge

The beforehand knowledge is of the sudden coming of the day of the Lord, the passing away and dissolving of the heavens, the elements, the earth and its works by fire, and the promise of new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness. It is a present message for those living in the close of this earth's history. It charges them to stay diligent in holy conduct and godliness while looking for and hastening that day, to be found at peace with Him, pure and without fault. Knowing the promise of the new earth calls for diligence and a blameless life, and for watchfulness in light of these truths.

The verse belongs to a chapter full of warnings and counsel for Christ's followers, which they are called to heed. Its warning not to be led astray by the error of the wicked and lose steadfastness is paired with the following exhortation to grow in grace and in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. That growth is the way to remain steadfast.

The wickedness from which there is danger of being led away is the abominations and crimes prevailing in the world, foretold to prevail during the last days. Seeing this fulfillment should lead true Christians to humility and prayer and watchfulness. The warning applies to churches that are neither cold nor hot and need a fresh experience to prepare for His near coming.

Danger of Wicked Error

Even those already converted and knowing the truth beforehand can still be led away with the error of the wicked and fall from their own steadfastness, for salvation is not yet accomplished and final salvation is not assured in advance. Knowing the promise of the new earth therefore calls for diligence and a blameless life, with each person continuing faithful, overcoming and obeying rather than drawing back. Falling comes through discouragement, casting away confidence in Jesus as the only hope, murmuring and complaining against God, and neglecting the means of grace, instead of maintaining Christian integrity to the last, believing and trusting in God, and taking the whole armor of God to withstand and stand, because eternal interests are involved.

The error of the wicked includes the pleasing sophistry of human wisdom that diminishes God and His glory, which leads away from firm standing into wicked error unless Bible truth is held fast as alone worth living for. It applies directly to the teaching that God is an essence pervading nature, a specious delusion and subtle theory clothed in beautiful garments that prepares the way for greater errors. If accepted, that teaching leads even conscientious believers in the truth away from firm faith into false doctrines.

The warning applies to deceptive teachings and wrong ideas that trouble the church, dangers that must still be faced today. Diligent study of the Bible and diligent searching to know what is truth fortifies believers against erroneous and false doctrine so they are kept firm from being misled. Practicing the truth already known brings increased light from Scripture. Whatever their calling, young men and women must therefore improve their abilities by diligent study, prize opportunities for discipline and knowledge, use established schools, and consecrate their powers to God, becoming diligent Bible students, surrendering the will to God and humbling the heart, with earnest desire to work with Him to save those who are perishing and entering sacred work without worldly motives of livelihood or gain.

In the setting of disunion in the church, that error includes yielding to unholy desires, which is leaving the light in which Christ walks. It includes selfish or excessive love for family, friends, possessions, and other worldly things when they take the place in the heart that belongs to God. It includes acting against God by discouraging or disparaging His work.

The danger comes through wrong company and a corrupt moral atmosphere, which can undermine spiritual health even when people read the Bible and pray, so believers must remain closely connected to God and godly people and preserve Christian integrity and purity to the end. The signals and warnings given in God's Word must not be neglected, and defects of character must be vigorously overcome. A mind that is not elevated to the highest standard will in time lose its power to retain what it had once gained, and unovercome defects will overcome the possessor so that he lapses into error, apostasy, and open sin plainly seen by God's faithful ones, so even those who think they stand must take heed. Satan's deceptive flattery can quietly instill self-esteem and take an unguarded person by surprise, calling for vigilance against such deception and against influences that could lead into a path of stumbling. Temptations come, but grace in Christ, watchfulness against the enemy, self-control, and purity give strength to withstand them, while those who remain exposed to evil and encourage temptation leave themselves vulnerable to being overcome.

As Satan tempted Christ in the wilderness, testing faith, proving motives, and trying principles, so he tempts every son and daughter of Adam. Following wicked deception into loss of firm standing happens when there is no daily, living experience in knowing the truth and Jesus Christ who is the Sent of God.

Applied to young people, the verse shows they may drift hither and thither, become discouraged, and fall into temptations lurking everywhere to catch unwary feet, losing integrity and firmness when left without tender, sympathetic care. Their failures should not be censured, magnified, talked of, or exposed to others in a way that leaves them discouraged and despairing. They are to be advanced in the divine life with kindness, patience, tenderness, and instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, as fathers and mothers in Israel and stewards of grace feeding the lambs of the flock in this time of peril, with church members looking on them with tenderness and sympathy and becoming interested in them rather than neglecting and then censuring and blaming them.

Holding to Steadfastness

Remaining steadfast requires a lifelong warfare with no release and a persevering effort of faith that neglects no means of grace. It means pressing forward, fighting the good fight of faith, and holding fast the beginning of confidence firm and without wavering unto the end. Those who so hold are enabled to partake of Christ's benefits in immortal life and to be represented in the heavenly courts with the pleasure of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The verse calls believers to examine their spiritual standing, especially those who feel confident and self-sufficient. Even those who think they stand must take heed lest they be led astray and fall from steadfastness. Because a mistake concerning eternal life would be fatal, earnest, lifelong effort is required to gain immortal life.

Steadfastness is kept by having the mind and Spirit of Christ, with Christ abiding within giving grace to develop His character. It is kept by working for unity, having love for God and for one another, being separated from the world by the Word and spirit of truth dwelling in the heart, and being bound heart to heart by the immutable principles of truth and love. It is constantly expressed in representing Christ through integrity, uprightness, purity, holiness, and meekness as examples to others, with attention to spiritual growth.

Falling comes through discouragement, casting away confidence in Jesus as the only hope, murmuring and complaining against God, and neglecting the means of grace. Instead believers are to maintain Christian integrity to the last because eternal interests are at stake. They are to keep believing and trusting in God and to take the whole armor of God to withstand and to stand.

Keeping the verse means firmness and decision under all circumstances, with pure Christian integrity and confidence in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It requires sober watchfulness unto prayer without mourning and repining, cheerful thankfulness for blessing, and living and increased faith to surmount every apparent difficulty. It calls for intense energy proportionate to eternal life and for patient continuance in well doing in seeking for glory and honor and immortality, by which seekers are made partakers of Christ. God is efficiency and the unfailing source of power giving a daily abundant supply, able and willing to give the Comforter, and if believers hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end they will see the King in His glory and gain the salvation of their souls.

The warning calls for continual spiritual growth in grace and in knowledge of Christ as Lord and Saviour. It requires a living and rooted faith and exercised discernment between good and evil. So equipped, believers can stand with confidence when faith and character are tested.