2 Peter 3:1–7 is part of the closing section of the letter where Peter calls believers to pursue holiness (2 Peter 3:1–18a). This section can be further subdivided as follows:1
- Body closing: a call to holiness (2 Peter 3:1–18a)
A call to remember prophetic and apostolic teaching (2 Peter 3:1–2)
The scoffers of the last days (2 Peter 3:3–7)
Throughout 2 Peter 2:1–22, Peter has given a detailed and full description of the false teachers, their arrogance, and shameful living. His key message has been that the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials, and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment (2 Peter 2:9). The false teachers will be punished by God, their condemnation is sure.
Having focused on their character and judgment, Peter now picks up once again where he left off in 2 Peter 1:12–21 with another call to remember (2 Peter 3:1–2). In this third chapter he will deal head on with the questions raised by the false teachers in order to ensure believers that the promise of Christ’s return is one that they can trust and build their lives on.
1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,