2 Peter 3:7
What does 2 Peter 3:7 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 3:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 3:7 means
The present heavens and earth are not drifting aimlessly; they are being preserved by the same divine word, not for endless continuity but for a day of judgment by fire, resulting in the destruction of ungodly men. God’s restraint is not indifference but reservation. Fire, unlike the earlier water, points to a purifying and decisive end of the present order. The certainty of this day rests on God’s word, not human calculation. For the ungodly, it means ruin; for believers, it means the removal of evil in preparation for new creation. The moral tone is clear: history is moving toward a holy verdict overseen by the Lord.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901but the heavens that now are, and the earth, by the same word have been stored up for fire, being reserved against the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But the present heaven and the present earth have been kept for destruction by fire, which is waiting for them on the day of the judging and destruction of evil men.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the present heavens and the earth, by the same word are treasured, for fire being kept to a day of judgment and destruction of the impious men.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of the ungodly men.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But the present heavens and the earth by his word are laid up in store, kept for fire unto a day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
Context
Having cited creation and flood (vv5–6), Peter now applies the same principle to the future: the current cosmos is stored up for fire in the day of judgment (v7). This completes his answer to the scoffers’ denial of divine intervention. Next, in verses 8–9, he addresses the perceived delay of that day, explaining God’s relationship to time and His purpose of patience leading to repentance. Then verse 10 will describe the day’s sudden arrival and cataclysmic scope.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Mark 6:11
And whatsoever place shall not receive you, and they hear you not, as ye go forth thence, shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony unto them.
- Revelation 20:11
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
- Revelation 21:1
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.
- Revelation 17:11
And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition.
- Matthew 11:22
But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you.
- Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
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