“and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation–as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you” (2 Peter 3:15).
A look at the original language of this passage defines “longsuffering” in the following manner: “Longsuffering is that quality of self restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God…” (1) On those difficult days when we long to see God bring forth “…a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells,” it is comforting to know that longsuffering is an emotional quality that God shares with His people.
Nevertheless, the Apostle Peter tells us that God’s longsuffering has a purpose: “the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation.” The following commentary brings an important perspective to this idea…
“The imperative of verse 15, account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation, encourages believers to recognize the fact that just because God’s day hasn’t come yet, they shouldn’t follow the false teachers in believing that it’s not going to come; they should think of it in God’s way: the longer He delays it, the more people can be saved.” (2)
This passage then moves on to a subject that will occupy our attention for much of our remaining time in this chapter. That subject involves the man who is better known to us today as the Apostle Paul. Peter’s depiction of Paul here in 2 Peter 3:15 serves to establish an important foundation for many of the observations that will follow.
Notice that Peter identified Paul as a “beloved brother” in this verse. This signals the absence of a competitive rivalry between these two great apostles. Instead, Peter publicly recognized Paul’s calling, as well as “…the wisdom given to him.” This may also account for the sudden shift in focus to a discussion of Paul’s writings in this passage.
You see, Paul echoed a similar sentiment regarding the purpose behind God’s longsuffering in the Biblical book of Romans. In one portion of that epistle, Paul asked the following question…
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
However, we’re about to find that there is considerably more to this verse (and those that follow) as we continue our exploration of this passage.
(1) makrothumia (G3115) Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words with Topical Index, W.E. Vine, © 1996, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
(2) Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2627.