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Selected Verse: 2 Peter 3:1 - King James

Verse	Translation	Text
2Pe 3:1	King James	This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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 particularly addressed to. pure--literally, "pure when examined by sunlight"; "sincere." Adulterated with no error. Opposite to "having the understanding darkened." ALFORD explains, The mind, will, and affection, in relation to the outer world, being turned to God [the Sun of the soul], and not obscured by fleshly and selfish regards. by way of--Greek, "in," "in putting you in remembrance" (Pe2 1:12-13). Ye already know (Pe2 3:3); it is only needed that I remind you (Jde 1:5).

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

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 particularly addressed to.

pure--literally, "pure when examined by sunlight"; "sincere." Adulterated with no error. Opposite to "having the understanding darkened." ALFORD explains, The mind, will, and affection, in relation to the outer world, being turned to God [the Sun of the soul], and not obscured by fleshly and selfish regards.

by way of--Greek, "in," "in putting you in remembrance" (Pe2 1:12-13). Ye already know (Pe2 3:3); it is only needed that I remind you (Jde 1:5).

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
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 Pe2 1:12-15. The word rendered "pure" (εἰλικρινής eilikrinēs) occurs only here and in Phi 1:10, where it is rendered "sincere." The word properly refers to "that which may be judged of in sunshine;" then it means "clear, manifest;" and then "sincere, pure" - as that in which there is no obscurity. The idea here perhaps is, that their minds were open, frank, candid, sincere, rather than that they were "pure." The apostle regarded them as "disposed" to see the truth, and yet as liable to be led astray by the plausible errors of others. Such minds need to have truths often brought fresh to their remembrance, though they are truths with which they had before been familiar.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

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 Pe2 1:12-15. The word rendered "pure" (εἰλικρινής eilikrinēs) occurs only here and in Phi 1:10, where it is rendered "sincere." The word properly refers to "that which may be judged of in sunshine;" then it means "clear, manifest;" and then "sincere, pure" - as that in which there is no obscurity. The idea here perhaps is, that their minds were open, frank, candid, sincere, rather than that they were "pure." The apostle regarded them as "disposed" to see the truth, and yet as liable to be led astray by the plausible errors of others. Such minds need to have truths often brought fresh to their remembrance, though they are truths with which they had before been familiar.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
Beloved Occurring four times in this chapter. Second - I write An incidental testimony to the authorship of the second epistle. Pure minds (εἰλικρινῆ διάνοιαν) The latter word is singular, not plural. Hence, as Rev., mind. The word rendered pure is often explained tested by the sunlight; but this is very doubtful, since εἵλη, to which this meaning is traced, means the heat, and not the light of the sun. Others derive it from the root of the verb εἱλίσσω, to roll, and explain it as that which is separated or sifted by rolling, as in a sieve. In favor of this etymology is its association in classical Greek with different words meaning unmixed. The word occurs only here and Phi 1:10. The kindred noun εἰλικρίνεια, sincerity, is found Co1 5:8; Co2 1:12; Co2 2:17. Rev., here, sincere. Mind (διάνοιαν) Compare Pe1 1:13; and see on Mar 12:30.

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]

Beloved

Occurring four times in this chapter.

Second - I write

An incidental testimony to the authorship of the second epistle.

Pure minds (εἰλικρινῆ διάνοιαν)

The latter word is singular, not plural. Hence, as Rev., mind. The word rendered pure is often explained tested by the sunlight; but this is very doubtful, since εἵλη, to which this meaning is traced, means the heat, and not the light of the sun. Others derive it from the root of the verb εἱλίσσω, to roll, and explain it as that which is separated or sifted by rolling, as in a sieve. In favor of this etymology is its association in classical Greek with different words meaning unmixed. The word occurs only here and Phi 1:10. The kindred noun εἰλικρίνεια, sincerity, is found Co1 5:8; Co2 1:12; Co2 2:17. Rev., here, sincere.

Mind (διάνοιαν)

Compare Pe1 1:13; and see on Mar 12:30.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
This second epistle - In order to guard them against the seductions of false teachers, he calls to their remembrance the doctrine of the ancient prophets, and the commands or instructions of the apostles, all founded on the same basis. He possibly refers to the prophecies of Enoch, as mentioned by Jude, Jde 1:14, Jde 1:15; of David, Psa 1:1, etc.; and of Daniel, Dan 12:2, relative to the coming of our Lord to judgment: and he brings in the instructions of the apostles of Christ, by which they were directed how to prepare to meet their God.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826

This second epistle - In order to guard them against the seductions of false teachers, he calls to their remembrance the doctrine of the ancient prophets, and the commands or instructions of the apostles, all founded on the same basis.

He possibly refers to the prophecies of Enoch, as mentioned by Jude, Jde 1:14, Jde 1:15; of David, Psa 1:1, etc.; and of Daniel, Dan 12:2, relative to the coming of our Lord to judgment: and he brings in the instructions of the apostles of Christ, by which they were directed how to prepare to meet their God.

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