2 Peter 3:11

11 [Because] all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of [people] must you be in holy behavior and godliness,

2 Peter 3:11 Meaning and Commentary

2 Peter 3:11

[Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved,
&c.] By fire; the heaven with all its host, sun, moon, and stars, clouds, meteors, and fowls of the air; the earth, and all that is upon it, whether of nature, or art; and, since nothing is more certain than such a dissolution of all things,

what manner [of persons] ought ye to be in [all] holy conversation
and godliness?
not as the scoffers and profane sinners, who put away this evil day far from them, but as men, who have their loins girt, and their lights burning, waiting for their Lord's coming; being continually in the exercise of grace, and in the discharge of their religious duties, watching, praying, hearing, reading; living soberly, righteously, and godly; guarding against intemperance and worldly mindedness, and every worldly and hurtful lust.

2 Peter 3:11 In-Context

9 The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, [because he] does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a rushing noise, and the celestial bodies will be destroyed [by] being burned up, and the earth and the deeds [done] on it will be disclosed.

11 [Because] all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of [people] must you be in holy behavior and godliness,

12 [while] waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed [by] being burned up and the celestial bodies will melt [as they] are consumed by heat!

13 But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.

Footnotes

• [a]. *Here "[because]" is supplied as a component of the participle ("are being destroyed") which is understood as causal