Meaning of 2 Peter 3:5

This verse from 2 Peter 3:5 directly addresses the deliberate ignorance of scoffers who deny the certainty of God's judgment and the promised return of Christ by rejecting the foundational evidence of God's creative power. Peter reminds his readers that the very existence of the cosmos, formed by God's word from primordial waters, serves as a potent historical precedent for divine intervention and judgment. The scoffers, by "deliberately forgetting," are not merely forgetful but are actively suppressing the truth, choosing to disregard the established order of creation as proof of a Creator who is also the ultimate Judge. This denial of the past, specifically the act of creation, is intrinsically linked to their denial of the future, the promised coming of the Lord and the subsequent judgment.

Context and Background

The immediate context of 2 Peter 3 is Peter's warning against false teachers and scoffers who were emerging within the early Christian communities. These individuals were spreading skepticism about the second coming of Jesus Christ, questioning its delay and implying that God had abandoned his creation or was indifferent to human affairs. They relied on their own limited understanding and desires, rather than on prophetic revelation and the established truth of Scripture. Peter's letter aims to stir up believers' minds by way of remembrance (2 Peter 3:1-2), reminding them of the apostles' teachings and the prophecies that foretold the existence of such mockers.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Creation as Evidence: The verse highlights the Genesis account of creation as a historical and theological bedrock. The formation of the heavens and the earth "out of water and by water" is a direct reference to the initial state of chaos described in Genesis 1:2, where the Spirit of God hovered over the waters, and God's command brought order. This act of creation is presented not as a myth but as a factual event demonstrating God's supreme power and authority.
• Deliberate Ignorance: The phrase "deliberately forget" (or "willfully ignore") is crucial. It implies a conscious choice to suppress knowledge that is readily available or has been previously understood. This is not a passive lack of knowledge but an active rejection of truth, often motivated by a desire to live without accountability to God.
• Theological Foundation for Judgment: By pointing to creation, Peter is establishing a precedent for divine action. If God can bring order out of chaos and form the world ex nihilo (or from pre-existing matter), He certainly has the power and authority to bring about judgment and renew the earth.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's creative power is not a distant, abstract concept but a foundational truth that underpins our faith. It offers assurance that the God who brought the universe into existence is also the sovereign Lord of history who has a plan, including the eventual judgment of wickedness and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth. For those who are tempted to doubt or become discouraged by the apparent injustices and delays in God's timing, this verse encourages steadfastness by anchoring faith in the undeniable reality of God's past actions. It calls for a conscious remembrance of God's might, which should inform our perspective on His future promises.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, starting with the creation account in Genesis. It echoes the prophetic pronouncements throughout the Old Testament that speak of God as the Creator and King of all. The theme of God's active involvement in history, culminating in judgment and redemption, is a consistent thread from Genesis to Revelation. The denial of creation by the scoffers is a microcosm of a broader rejection of God's sovereignty and His redemptive plan, which is fully revealed in Jesus Christ. The creation narrative is the prologue to the entire biblical drama of salvation.

Analogies

One analogy to understand "deliberately forget" is akin to a person who knows a fundamental scientific principle, like gravity, but chooses to ignore it when walking near a cliff. They might claim gravity doesn't exist for a moment, but their active denial does not alter the reality of its force. Similarly, the scoffers actively disregard the overwhelming evidence of creation, choosing a path of denial that leads to spiritual peril. Another analogy is a child who, after being told by their parents about a strict rule, pretends they never heard it to justify breaking it, hoping to avoid consequences.

Relation to Other Verses

• Genesis 1:1-10: This is the foundational text for the creative act described in 2 Peter 3:5. Peter directly alludes to the primordial watery chaos and God's ordering of it.
• Psalm 33:6: "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host." This verse shares the theme of creation by God's word.
• Hebrews 1:3: "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." This verse highlights the active, sustaining role of God's word in creation, linking it to Christ.
• 2 Peter 3:3-4: These verses immediately precede 3:5 and describe the scoffers' mockery of the promise of Christ's coming, setting the stage for Peter's argument about their denial of creation.
• 2 Peter 3:7: "But by the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." This verse directly links the creation by word to the future judgment by word, showing the consistent pattern of God's action.