2 Peter 3:1
What does 2 Peter 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 3:1 means
Peter reminds his readers that this is his second letter to them, and that in both he has the same pastoral aim: to awaken their sincere, clear-minded faith by reminding them of truths they already know. He does not chase novelty but stirs up memory. Spiritual stability comes through recall—bringing to mind what God has said. The phrase “beloved” shows affection and unity; his exhortation is not harsh but caring. Their “sincere mind” suggests a genuine, un-hypocritical faith that only needs to be roused from drowsiness. Peter models how faithful teachers repeat essentials, because forgetfulness and distraction are constant dangers for Christians living amid trial and error.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance;
KJV
King James Version · 1611This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901This is now, beloved, the second epistle that I write unto you; and in both of them I stir up your sincere mind by putting you in remembrance;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949My loved ones, this is now my second letter to you, and in this as in the first, I am attempting to keep your true minds awake;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862This, now, beloved, a second letter to you I write, in both which I stir up your pure mind in reminding <FI>you<Fi> ,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Behold this second epistle I write to you, my dearly beloved, in which, I stir up by way of admonition your sincere mind:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890This, a second letter, beloved, I already write to you, in [both] which I stir up, in the way of putting you in remembrance, your pure mind,
Context
After exposing false teachers in chapter 2, Peter turns to steady his readers. Verse 1 opens the chapter by explaining his purpose: to stir up sincere thinking by way of reminder. This sets the tone for the whole section. He will soon direct them to remember the prophets and the Lord’s command through the apostles (v2), then warn of scoffers (vv3–4) and answer their objections with history and promise (vv5–13). The frame of “remembrance” is key to countering error and discouragement.
v.1This passage
v.2that ye should remember the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 24:4
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood, And hath not sworn deceitfully.
- 1 Peter 1:22
Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently:
- 2 Timothy 1:6
For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.
- 2 Corinthians 13:2
I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, to them that have sinned heretofore, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
- 1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the elect who are sojourners of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
- Psalms 73:1
Surely God is good to Israel, Evento such as are pure in heart.
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