Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. New Living Translation And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. English Standard Version But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Berean Standard Bible And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Berean Literal Bible But by the same word the present heavens and the earth are having been stored up for fire, being kept unto the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. King James Bible But 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. New King James Version But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. New American Standard Bible But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly people. NASB 1995 But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. NASB 1977 But the present heavens and earth by His word are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Legacy Standard Bible But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Amplified Bible But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly people. Berean Annotated Bible And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction (ruin) of ungodly men. Christian Standard Bible By the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. Holman Christian Standard Bible But by the same word, the present heavens and earth are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. American Standard Version but 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. Contemporary English Version But God has commanded the present heavens and earth to remain until the day of judgment. Then they will be set on fire, and ungodly people will be destroyed. English Revised Version but 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation By God's word, the present heaven and earth are designated to be burned. They are being kept until the day ungodly people will be judged and destroyed. Good News Translation But the heavens and the earth that now exist are being preserved by the same command of God, in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the day when godless people will be judged and destroyed. International Standard Version Now by that same word, the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire and are being kept for the day when ungodly people will be judged and destroyed. NET Bible But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, by being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. New Heart English Bible But 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 people. Webster's Bible Translation But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Weymouth New Testament But the present heavens and the present earth are, by the command of the same God, kept stored up, reserved for fire in preparation for a day of judgement and of destruction for the ungodly. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd by His word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. World English Bible But the heavens that exist now 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand by the same word, the present heavens and earth, having been stored up for fire, are being preserved until [the] day of judgment and destruction of impious men. Berean Literal Bible But by the same word the present heavens and the earth are having been stored up for fire, being kept unto the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. Young's Literal Translation and 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. Smith's Literal Translation And now the heavens and the earth, by the same word are stored up, being kept for fire to the day of judgment and of the perdition of irreligious men. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut 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. Catholic Public Domain Version But the heavens and the earth that exist now were restored by the same Word, being reserved unto fire on the day of judgment, and unto the perdition of impious men. New American Bible The present heavens and earth have been reserved by the same word for fire, kept for the day of judgment and of destruction of the godless. New Revised Standard Version But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleBut the present heavens and earth are sustained by his word, and are reserved for fire on the day of judgment which is the day of destruction of ungodly men. Aramaic Bible in Plain English But the Heavens and The Earth which are now, by his word are stored up as for fire and are kept for the day of judgment and of the destruction of wicked people. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentBut the heavens and the earth that now are, by the same word are kept in store, reserved for fire against the day of judgment, and perdition of ungodly men. Godbey New Testament but now the heavens and the earth have been kept according to the same word, being reserved for fire in the day of judgment and the destruction of the ungodly people. Haweis New Testament but the present heavens and earth by the same word are treasured up, reserved for fire at the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Mace New Testament but the heavens and the earth now existing are kept in store by his Logos, reserv'd for the conflagration of doomsday, when the impious shall be involv'd in perdition. Weymouth New Testament But the present heavens and the present earth are, by the command of the same God, kept stored up, reserved for fire in preparation for a day of judgement and of destruction for the ungodly. Worrell New Testament but the present heavens and the earth, by the same word, have been stored up for fire, being kept unto the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. Worsley New Testament But the heavens and the earth, that now are, by the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire on the day of judgement and destruction of ungodly men. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Coming Judgment…6through which the world of that time perished in the flood. 7And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.… Cross References And by that same word, Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth. Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Psalm 33:9 For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. the present heavens and earth Psalm 102:25-26 In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on. Hebrews 1:10-12 And: “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. / They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. / You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed; but You remain the same, and Your years will never end.” Isaiah 51:6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth below; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its people will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail. are reserved for fire, Malachi 4:1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.” Hebrews 10:27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels / in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. being kept for the day of judgment Matthew 10:15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Matthew 11:22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. Matthew 11:24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” and destruction of ungodly men. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might, Jude 1:15 to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” Psalm 1:6 For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Revelation 20:11-15 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them. / And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. / The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds. … Treasury of Scripture But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved to fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. the heavens. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Psalm 50:3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. Psalm 102:26 They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: against. 2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: Matthew 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. Matthew 11:22,24 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you… and perdition. Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Philippians 1:28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Jump to Previous Command Destruction Earth Fire Heaven Heavens Impious Judgement Judging Judgment Kept Perdition Preparation Present Reserved Store Stored Ungodly Waiting WordJump to Next Command Destruction Earth Fire Heaven Heavens Impious Judgement Judging Judgment Kept Perdition Preparation Present Reserved Store Stored Ungodly Waiting Word2 Peter 3 1. He assures them of the certainty of Christ's coming to judgment;8. warning the godly, for the long patience of God, to hasten their repentance. 10. He describes also the manner how the world shall be destroyed; 11. exhorting them to all holiness of life; 16. and again to think the patience of God to tend to their salvation, as Paul wrote to them in his epistles. And by that same word This phrase refers to the powerful word of God, which is consistent throughout Scripture. The same divine word that created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:3) and brought about the flood in Noah's time (2 Peter 3:6) is now sustaining the universe. This highlights the authority and unchanging nature of God's word, as seen in Isaiah 40:8, where it states that the word of God stands forever. the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men Persons / Places / Events 1. PeterThe apostle and author of this epistle, writing to encourage and warn believers about the end times and the importance of holy living. 2. Heavens and Earth Refers to the current physical universe, which is being preserved by God's word for a future purpose. 3. Day of Judgment A future event when God will judge the world, leading to the destruction of the ungodly. 4. Ungodly Men Those who live in opposition to God's will and reject His authority. 5. Fire Symbolic of God's judgment and purification, indicating the method by which the current world will be transformed. Teaching Points The Power of God's WordGod's word is not only creative but also sustaining and authoritative. Just as it brought the world into existence, it also preserves it for His purposes. The Certainty of Judgment The day of judgment is assured by God's promise. Believers should live with an awareness of this future reality, influencing their daily conduct. The Nature of God's Judgment Fire symbolizes both destruction and purification. God's judgment will eradicate sin and renew creation, leading to a new heavens and earth. Call to Holy Living Knowing the future judgment, Christians are called to live godly lives, reflecting Christ's character and anticipating His return. Hope in God's Justice While judgment is sobering, it also assures believers of God's justice and the ultimate triumph of righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Peter 3:7?2. How does 2 Peter 3:7 emphasize God's judgment and the world's future destruction? 3. What role does faith play in understanding 2 Peter 3:7's message? 4. How does 2 Peter 3:7 connect with Revelation's teachings on the end times? 5. How can believers prepare for the "day of judgment" mentioned in 2 Peter 3:7? 6. What practical steps can we take to live righteously in light of 2 Peter 3:7? 7. How does 2 Peter 3:7 relate to the concept of divine judgment and destruction? 8. What evidence supports the historical accuracy of 2 Peter 3:7's prophecy? 9. How does 2 Peter 3:7 align with the theme of God's patience and justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Peter 3? 11. 2 Peter 3:7: Does the idea of a future fiery destruction conflict with modern cosmology? 12. Was the flood worldwide or confined to one area? 13. How can the creation of a “new heaven and new earth” (Revelation 21:1) be reconciled with scientific understanding of the universe? 14. Ecclesiastes 1:4 – If the earth “remains forever,” how does this reconcile with scientific evidence that the earth had a beginning and will eventually end? What Does 2 Peter 3:7 Mean And by that same wordPeter has just reminded his readers that “long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed” (2 Peter 3:5). • The God who once said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3) still rules the universe by the power of that very word (Hebrews 1:3). • That word is unbreakable (John 10:35) and fully reliable; if it created the cosmos (Psalm 33:6), it can just as surely bring history to its appointed end. • The flood of Noah’s day (2 Peter 3:6) already proved that God’s spoken decree can both create and judge. the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire The world that now is—sky, land, and all within—sits under divine preservation for a very different kind of cleansing. • Just as water once covered the earth, fire will one day engulf it (Isaiah 66:15–16; Malachi 4:1). • “Reserved” stresses God’s intentional safeguarding; nothing can alter His timetable (Job 23:13). • Fire in Scripture pictures purification and finality (1 Corinthians 3:13). This is not random catastrophe but purposeful, righteous purging that paves the way for “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). being kept for the day of judgment History moves toward a fixed appointment. • God “has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). • His seeming delay is mercy, not slackness (2 Peter 3:9); yet the “day of the Lord will come like a thief” (v. 10). • Every choice, attitude, and hidden motive will be weighed (Romans 2:5–6; Hebrews 9:27). That certainty should shape daily living now (1 John 3:2–3). and destruction of ungodly men Judgment is not abstract; it is personal. • “Ungodly” describes those who refuse God’s rightful rule (Jude 15). • Their end is “eternal destruction away from the presence of the Lord” (2 Thessalonians 1:9). • Yet the verse implicitly highlights the gospel’s urgency: only in Christ is there rescue from wrath (John 3:18; Romans 5:9). Believers need not fear condemnation (Romans 8:1) but are called to warn and win others (2 Corinthians 5:11). summary 2 Peter 3:7 assures us that the same sovereign word that once created and once flooded the world now preserves it for a fiery, final reckoning. A set day is coming when God will purify the universe, judge every deed, and remove all ungodliness. His patience offers time to repent; His promise guarantees justice. Living in light of that reality calls for holy urgency, confident hope, and gospel faithfulness today. (7) By the same word.--Or, as some first-rate authorities read, by His word. The sense in either case is that the universe is preserved for judgment by the same power that created it. "His word" here does not mean any single utterance of God or passage of Scripture, such as Isaiah 66:15; Daniel 7:9-10; Malachi 4:1. Just as "the world that then was" was destroyed by water, so the present world is being treasured up to be destroyed by fire. Comp. Romans 2:5. Christ Himself, in a discourse which St. Peter heard (Mark 13:3), had made the Flood a type of the Judgment (Matthew 24:37-39). (See below on 2Peter 3:10.) "Unto fire," or "for fire," should perhaps be taken with "kept in store" rather than with "reserved." . . . Verse 7. - But the heavens and the earth, which are now; rather, the heavens which are now, and the earth. The "now" does not refer, as some think, to any change wrought by the Flood, but distinguishes the present heavens and earth from the new heavens and new earth, which Christians are to look for (verse 13). By the same Word are kept in store, reserved unto fire. Several of the better manuscripts have "by his Word," which, on the whole, seems to give the best meaning. The reading in the text may, indeed, be understood in a similar sense, "by the same Word of God;" otherwise it would mean that the original word of creation determined also the duration of the world and the means of its destruction. The words rendered, "are kept in store," are, literally, "have been treasured (τεθησαυρισμένοι εἰσίν)" (comp. Romans 2:5). It seems better to take the dative πυρί ("with fire," or "for fire") with this verb rather than with the following, as in the Authorized Version. If we take the first meaning of the dative, the sense will be that the world has been stored with fire, i.e., that it contains, stored up in its inner depths, the fire which is destined ultimately to destroy it. But the other view seems on the whole more probable; the heavens and the earth are stored up for fire or unto fire, i.e., with the purpose in the counsels of God of their ultimate destruction by fire. This is the clearest prophecy in Holy Scripture of the final conflagration of the universe; but comp. Isaiah 66:15; Daniel 7:10; Malachi 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:8. Such a doctrine formed part of the physical theories of the Stoics; it is also found in the 'Book of Enoch.' Against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. The participle "reserved" (τηρούμενοι) is best taken with this clause: "Reserved against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."Parallel Commentaries ... Greek Andδὲ (de) Conjunction Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc. by that τῷ (tō) Article - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. same αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. word, λόγῳ (logō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular Strong's 3056: From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. the present νῦν (nyn) Adverb Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate. heavens οὐρανοὶ (ouranoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 3772: Perhaps from the same as oros; the sky; by extension, heaven; by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specially, the Gospel. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. earth γῆ (gē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 1093: Contracted from a primary word; soil; by extension a region, or the solid part or the whole of the terrene globe. are εἰσὶν (eisin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. reserved τεθησαυρισμένοι (tethēsaurismenoi) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 2343: To store up, treasure up, save, lay up. From thesauros; to amass or reserve. for fire, πυρὶ (pyri) Noun - Dative Neuter Singular Strong's 4442: Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'. kept τηρούμενοι (tēroumenoi) Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural Strong's 5083: From teros; to guard, i.e. To note; by implication, to detain; by extension, to withhold; by extension, to withhold. for εἰς (eis) Preposition Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases. [the] day ἡμέραν (hēmeran) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. of judgment κρίσεως (kriseōs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 2920: Decision; by extension, a tribunal; by implication, justice. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. destruction ἀπωλείας (apōleias) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 684: Destruction, ruin, loss, perishing; eternal ruin. From a presumed derivative of apollumi; ruin or loss. of ungodly ἀσεβῶν (asebōn) Adjective - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 765: Impious, ungodly, wicked. Irreverent, i.e. impious or wicked. men. ἀνθρώπων (anthrōpōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. Links 2 Peter 3:7 NIV2 Peter 3:7 NLT 2 Peter 3:7 ESV 2 Peter 3:7 NASB 2 Peter 3:7 KJV 2 Peter 3:7 BibleApps.com 2 Peter 3:7 Biblia Paralela 2 Peter 3:7 Chinese Bible 2 Peter 3:7 French Bible 2 Peter 3:7 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Peter 3:7 But the heavens that now (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) |
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