

That is, he is not primarily willing his first will, with regard to the whole posterity of Adam, hath been and is, that they should be eternally saved and as a proof of it he hath given his Son a ransom for all ( 1 Timothy 2:6 Hebrews 2:9 ) hath commanded his gospel, that is, the glad tidings of salvation, to be preached to all, to every human creature, ( Mark 16:15,) and, to help man’s weakness, causes his grace, even his saving grace, (as η χαρις η σωτηριος literally signifies,) to appear to, or to visit and strive with, all men, in order to their repentance, faith, and new obedience. The Lord is not slack - Ου βραδυνει, does not delay, or is not slow concerning his promise - To fulfil it, as if the time fixed for the fulfilment of it were past for it shall surely be fulfilled in its season but is long-suffering, to us-ward - Children of men not willing that any should perish - Any human being, any soul that he hath made. Peter should not include himself among those whom he addresses for he is writing mainly to Gentile Christians ( 2Peter 1:1), and this longsuffering of God had been conspicuous in His dealings with the Gentiles ( Romans 11:11-36.) (See second Note on 1Peter 1:12.)īenson Commentary 2 Peter 3:9. To us-ward.-The true reading, beyond all doubt, is towards you. He who is from everlasting to everlasting can afford to wait. Augustine puts it, God is patiens quia aeternus-longsuffering because He is eternal. Romans 3:23.)īut is longsuffering.-(Comp. By “is not slack is meant “does not delay beyond the time appointed.” There is no dilatoriness He waits, but is never slow, is never late.Ĭoncerning his promise.-The Greek construction is peculiar, formed on the analogy of a comparative adjective-“is not slower than his promise.” (Comp. The same doubt recurs with regard to 2Peter 3:15 (see Note there). On the other hand, “concerning His promise” naturally refers to Christ’s promise that He will return. In 2Peter 3:8 “the Lord” certainly means God and this is in favour of the same meaning here. The Lord is not slack.-We are in doubt whether “the Lord” means Christ or God the Father. Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) Third Answer-a practical one: Make good use of what to you seems to be delay.
