"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance"
Instead of "ὑμᾶς" (you), some versions have "ἡμᾶς" (us). The former reading is found in the best textual support. The difference is important, as the latter can be taken to refer to believers only, where Peter includes himself in the "ἡμᾶς".
Either way, it could not refer to believers, or as some would argue, the "elect", as this would make nonsense of the verse. If the "elect" have been "predestined" to their salvation "before the foundation of the world", then it is pointless for Peter to write, that God does not "desire any to perish", as if He would, or could, seeing that they are already "elected" to salvation. This line of reasoning is moot.
This verse is very much like Romans 9:22, "What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?", which speaks of the unbeliever. If, as some suggest that God "predestines" some to eternal damnation in hell, then why would He "endure with much patience" with these? "κατηρτισμένα" (prepared), the Greek does not tell us who does the "preparing" here, God, or the "vessel of wrath". The language used shows that it is not God, as He bears with these, for the purpose of them being saved.
This can be seen in 2 Peter 3:9, and elsewhere, because "He is not willing that ANY should be lost". This is also clearly seen from Ezekiel 18:23, "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?", and 32, "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”. This indeed is the very heart of the God of the Holy Bible, Who demonstrated His immense love for the whole of mankind, when we read, "God SO LOVES the HUMAN RACE, that He sent His one and only Son, that ANYONE who believes in Him, shall not be lost, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Instead of "ὑμᾶς" (you), some versions have "ἡμᾶς" (us). The former reading is found in the best textual support. The difference is important, as the latter can be taken to refer to believers only, where Peter includes himself in the "ἡμᾶς".
Either way, it could not refer to believers, or as some would argue, the "elect", as this would make nonsense of the verse. If the "elect" have been "predestined" to their salvation "before the foundation of the world", then it is pointless for Peter to write, that God does not "desire any to perish", as if He would, or could, seeing that they are already "elected" to salvation. This line of reasoning is moot.
This verse is very much like Romans 9:22, "What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?", which speaks of the unbeliever. If, as some suggest that God "predestines" some to eternal damnation in hell, then why would He "endure with much patience" with these? "κατηρτισμένα" (prepared), the Greek does not tell us who does the "preparing" here, God, or the "vessel of wrath". The language used shows that it is not God, as He bears with these, for the purpose of them being saved.
This can be seen in 2 Peter 3:9, and elsewhere, because "He is not willing that ANY should be lost". This is also clearly seen from Ezekiel 18:23, "Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?", and 32, "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord God. “Therefore, repent and live.”. This indeed is the very heart of the God of the Holy Bible, Who demonstrated His immense love for the whole of mankind, when we read, "God SO LOVES the HUMAN RACE, that He sent His one and only Son, that ANYONE who believes in Him, shall not be lost, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
