With this phrase Peter reaffirms the same teaching that he communicated in 2 Peter 3:9. The reason for God’s delay is so that sinners can repent,1 so that salvation can come to all of God’s elect. Salvation includes rescue from the coming wrath of God (2 Peter 3:10–12) and entrance into God’s righteous new world (2 Peter 3:13). In this context, salvation is thus eschatological salvation on the final day, a promise that will be fully revealed at that time rather than something to be experienced now.2
15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him,