2 Peter 3:11
What does 2 Peter 3:11 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 3:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 3:11 means
Since everything in the present order will be dissolved, Peter asks what sort of people believers ought to be. The answer is lives marked by holiness and godliness—not frantic withdrawal, but steady, reverent conduct. Eschatology fuels ethics. When transient things are seen as transient, we invest in what endures: character, obedience, and worship. Holiness is separation from sin; godliness is devotion toward God in all of life. Peter’s question is rhetorical but searching, calling readers to evaluate priorities. The point is not speculation about dates, but transformation of daily life by the certainty of judgment and the hope of what comes after.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Seeing then that all these things are coming to such an end, what sort of persons is it right for you to be, in all holy behaviour and righteousness,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862All these, then, being dissolved, what kind of persons doth it behove you to be in holy behaviours and pious acts?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Seeing then that all these things are to be dissolved, what manner of people ought you to be in holy conversation and godliness?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890All these things then being to be dissolved, what ought ye to be in holy conversation andgodliness,
Context
Following the depiction of cosmic dissolution (v10), verse 11 draws the ethical inference: believers must live holy and godly lives because the present world is temporary. This question leads directly to verse 12, which adds the attitude of eager expectation toward the coming day. Then verse 13 will balance the picture with the promise of a new creation where righteousness dwells, grounding the call to holiness in hope.
v.10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
v.11This passage
v.12looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, by reason of which the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 6:11
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
- 1 Peter 2:12
having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- Philippians 1:27
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;
- Isaiah 24:19
The earth is utterly broken, the earth is rent asunder, the earth is shaken violently.
- 1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.
- 1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.
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