What does 2 Peter 3:4 mean?

Explanation

2 Peter 3:4 expresses skepticism about the second coming of Christ.

Some people are questioning the promise of Jesus’ return because life seems to go on as usual without any indication of His imminent coming back.

The term "fathers" likely refers to the ancestors of the people Peter addressed or to the early patriarchs of the Jewish faith.

Their passing ('fell asleep') is a metaphor for death, and the skeptics argue that since their ancestors died, the world has continued without change or divine intervention.

Historical Context

This verse is from the second epistle attributed to Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, aimed at early Christian communities.

Written possibly between 60-160 AD, this time-frame reflects an era when early Christians anticipated the imminent return of Christ.

As time went on without this occurring, skepticism grew among believers and non-believers alike, leading Peter to address these doubts and reaffirm the Christian doctrine that Christ would return, albeit at an unspecified time.

Theological Insights

The verse touches on several theological themes:

• Eschatology: The study of the end times and the second coming of Jesus.
• Scoffing: The attitude of doubting or mocking religious beliefs.
• Divine Patience: The concept that God operates on a different timeframe than humans.

Theologically, the challenge is interpreting the 'delay' in Christ’s return.

Some Christians see it as a test of faith while others view it as a time of grace, allowing more people to come to faith.

Practical Applications

This verse encourages patience and steadfastness in faith amongst believers.

It asks Christians to trust in God's promises, despite apparent delays in their fulfillment.

For the non-believer or skeptic, it's an invitation to consider the claims of Christianity and the hope offered by the belief in Christ's return.

Cross-References

• Matthew 24:36: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
• Acts 1:7: "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night."

Language Study

The phrase "Where is the promise of His coming?" in Greek is ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπαγγελία τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ; Here, "ἐπαγγελία" (epangelia) means "promise," and "παρουσίας" (parousias) means "coming," referring specifically to the presence or arrival, often used in context with the second coming (Parousia) of Christ.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar questions of divine intervention and the consummation of time can be seen in other ancient cultures and religions.

Many traditions have myths about gods who promise to return or bring about an end of days, such as the Norse Ragnarok or the Hindu concept of the Kalki avatar.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the continuation of the natural world is typically seen in terms of cosmology and evolution without invoking divine action.

The verse's reference to a static world is often in contradiction with the scientific understanding of an ever-changing universe.

Commentaries

Various theologians and Bible commentators have interpreted this verse as a repudiation of skepticism. They often explain that God's perception of time differs from humans, and that what might seem long to us is short for God (referring to 2 Peter 3:8).

Commentators also connect this skepticism with the moral and spiritual state of the scoffers, suggesting that their lifestyle choices might be influencing their beliefs about the second coming.