Meaning of 2 Peter 3:3

This verse from 2 Peter serves as a prophetic warning about the nature of individuals who will actively dismiss or mock the concept of Christ's return and the unfolding of God's plan, particularly as the end times approach. Peter identifies these individuals as "scoffers" who are not driven by genuine intellectual inquiry or a search for truth, but rather by their own "evil desires." This implies a moral dimension to their disbelief; their rejection of divine truth stems from a preference for living according to their own fallen inclinations, which are often at odds with God's righteousness. The phrase "above all" emphasizes the paramount importance Peter places on this understanding, suggesting it is a crucial piece of knowledge for believers to possess as they navigate the challenges of the latter days.

Context and Background

Second Peter was written by the Apostle Peter, likely towards the end of his life, to encourage believers facing persecution and to guard them against false teachers. A significant concern for Peter was the delay in Christ's promised return, which some were using as an excuse to doubt and mock. The false teachers Peter addressed often distorted or denied core Christian doctrines, including the resurrection and the second coming of Jesus. This verse directly confronts the skepticism that would arise from such individuals, setting the stage for Peter's subsequent arguments about the certainty of the Lord's return and the judgment to come.

Key Themes and Messages

• The Certainty of Scoffing: Peter explicitly states that scoffers will come. This is not a possibility but a certainty, indicating that opposition to biblical truth, especially concerning eschatology (the study of end times), is an expected phenomenon.
• Motivation of Scoffers: Their scoffing is not born of reasoned argument but from a desire to indulge their "own evil desires." This highlights that rejection of God's truth is often rooted in a willful embrace of sin and a desire to live without accountability.
• The "Last Days": Peter uses this phrase to denote the period leading up to Christ's return, emphasizing that this phenomenon of scoffing is characteristic of this specific era.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse is a vital reminder for believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even when confronted with skepticism and ridicule regarding biblical prophecies, particularly those concerning the end times. It calls for discernment, urging believers not to be swayed by the dismissive attitudes of those who prioritize their own desires over divine truth. The verse encourages a proactive spiritual life, one that is rooted in a deep understanding of Scripture and a commitment to righteousness, rather than being influenced by the trends of a world that often rejects God's authority. It also serves as a warning against adopting a passive or indifferent attitude towards the Lord's return.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The theme of opposition to God's messengers and His truth is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, from the rejection of prophets in the Old Testament to the persecution of Jesus and the early apostles. The concept of "evil desires" as a root of rebellion against God is also fundamental to biblical anthropology, tracing back to the Fall in Genesis. Furthermore, the eschatological focus aligns with the overarching biblical narrative of God's ultimate victory over sin and evil, culminating in the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Analogies

Imagine a lighthouse keeper on a stormy coast. The lighthouse represents God's truth and His promises, including the promise of Christ's return. The scoffers are like sailors who, blinded by the storm (their own desires and worldly distractions) and unwilling to heed the warning of the lighthouse, mock its beam and insist the sea is safe. Their disbelief does not alter the reality of the treacherous waters or the eventual approach of the lighthouse's inevitable signal. Another analogy might be a group of people on a sinking ship who, instead of preparing for rescue, mock the captain who is signaling for help, preferring to continue their revelry.

Relation to Other Verses

• Acts 2:17: Peter himself quotes Joel, saying, "‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..." This passage connects the "last days" with the outpouring of the Spirit, a phenomenon that often elicits both belief and skepticism.
• Matthew 24:37-39: Jesus likens the days before His return to the days of Noah, where people were living normally, unaware of the impending judgment. This parallels the scoffers' focus on the present and their dismissal of future divine intervention.
• 1 Timothy 4:1-2: Paul describes a similar phenomenon of false teachers who, through the deceit of demons, speak lies and have seared consciences, driven by their own sinful desires.
• Jude 1:18: Jude also warns of mockers who will live according to their own ungodly desires in the last times.