2 Peter 3:9 9The Lord is not slow with his promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish, but for everyone to reach repentance.
This verse indicates that the delay in Jesus’ return is so that people might have time to repent. Two alternatives are presented: perish or repentance. The negative outcome of ungodliness has already been made clear, but the word perish(apolesthai) gives a strong image of destruction and death. God’s will is for the ungodly to turn from their sins and seek his forgiveness. God’s patience is an expression of his love and grace. However, God gives people the opportunity through various means to respond to the light he gives. God does not condemn people; they condemn themselves for rejecting God and living in sin (Romans 1:18-32). God’s delay ensures that as many people as possible have the opportunity to repent.
This verse reveals several key ideas about this delay. First, God will fulfill his promises. We can trust what the Bible reveals about God’s promises. Lord could refer to the Lord Jesus Christ. The word promise is singular and could refer specifically to Jesus’ return. We should expect scoffers to raise doubts and questions about what the Bible claims about Jesus’ return. We must not let these people divert our attention or diminish our hope. Doubters can chip away at our faith with their convincing-sounding arguments. However, knowing the Bible’s truth claims will help us discern these false claims.
Second, God’s timing is not our timing. Verse 8 makes it clear that time is not a factor for God when it comes to fulfilling promises. God sovereignly directs the course of history while also giving humans opportunity and freedom to respond to the light of the gospel. Some people might look at the claims of the Bible and see slowness and delay, which raise questions about God’s power or even existence.
Third, God is patient with people. God’s goal is not to send people to hell but to offer eternal life to them. But God will not force this life upon people. Eternal life comes through faith, and faith is an individual choice. God’s will is that no one will perish, but God will not override people’s free will.
Finally, the way to eternal life is through repentance. We cannot continue to live in sin and rebellion but must experience the changes Peter wrote about at the beginning of this letter. The path is clear, and the choices are evident. Peter calls his readers to repent, believe, align their lives with God’s will for them, and not be deceived by the scoffers and false teachers.