2 Peter 3:5

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

For {G1063} this {G5124} they {G846} willingly {G2309} are ignorant of {G2990}, that {G3754} by the word {G3056} of God {G2316} the heavens {G3772} were {G2258} of old {G1597}, and {G2532} the earth {G1093} standing out {G4921} of {G1537} the water {G5204} and {G2532} in {G1223} the water {G5204}:

But, wanting so much to be right about this, they overlook the fact that it was by God’s Word that long ago there were heavens, and there was land which arose out of water and existed between the waters,

But they deliberately overlook the fact that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water,

For this they wilfully forget, that there were heavens from of old, and an earth compacted out of water and amidst water, by the word of God;

In 2 Peter 3:5, the Apostle Peter confronts the skepticism of those who doubt the Lord's promised return. He highlights a critical flaw in their reasoning: a deliberate refusal to acknowledge God's past actions and His immense power.

Context

This verse is part of Peter’s strong rebuke against "scoffers" who, in the last days, would mock the promise of Christ's second coming, asking, "Where is the promise of his coming?" (2 Peter 3:4). Peter argues that their skepticism isn't due to a lack of evidence, but a willful suppression of truth. To counter their error, he points them back to two undeniable historical facts: the creation of the world and the global flood, both brought about by God's direct intervention.

Key Themes

  • Willful Ignorance: Peter asserts that these scoffers are "willingly ignorant." This isn't mere lack of information, but an active choice to disregard facts that contradict their desired worldview. They prefer to forget how God has acted in history.
  • God's Creative Power: The verse emphasizes that "by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth." This points to God's effortless and absolute power to bring existence into being through His divine utterance. The initial creation (referenced in Genesis 1) serves as irrefutable proof of His ability to intervene in the natural order.
  • Divine Judgment and Intervention: The phrase "the earth standing out of the water and in the water" alludes to both the initial separation of land from water during creation (Genesis 1:9-10) and, more significantly in context, the global flood (as described in Genesis 7 and further explained in 2 Peter 3:6). This historical event demonstrates God's willingness and power to judge the world and bring about its destruction by water, foreshadowing a future judgment by fire.
  • The Reliability of God's Word: If God's word was powerful enough to create and to judge in the past, it is certainly powerful and reliable enough to bring about Christ's promised return and the ultimate judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "willingly are ignorant of" is lanthanō thelontas (λανθανω θελοντας). Lanthanō means "to escape notice" or "to be hidden from," while thelontas comes from thelō, meaning "to will" or "to desire." Combined, it powerfully conveys the idea of a deliberate, intentional forgetfulness or a chosen blindness to obvious truths. It's not an accidental oversight but an active suppression of knowledge concerning God's past acts of creation and judgment.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Peter 3:5 serves as a vital reminder to not fall into the trap of willful ignorance. We must actively remember God's faithfulness and power as demonstrated throughout history, particularly in creation and the flood. This historical understanding strengthens our faith in His promises regarding the future, including Christ's second coming and the ultimate judgment. It encourages us to live in expectant readiness, grounded in the unshakeable truth of God's word, rather than being swayed by the skepticism of the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Hebrews 11:3

    Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

  • Genesis 1:9

    ¶ And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry [land] appear: and it was so.

  • Psalms 24:2

    For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

  • Genesis 1:6

    ¶ And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

  • Psalms 136:6

    To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Psalms 33:6

    By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

  • John 3:19

    And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

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