Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
2 Peter 3:15 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 15. 15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse commands readers to regard the Lord's patience as salvation and invokes a writing from beloved brother Paul according to given wisdom.
Read It With
- 2 Peter 3:14–16
Read 2 Peter 3:15 with 3:14–16. This verse commands readers to regard the Lord's patience as salvation and invokes a writing from beloved brother Paul according to given wisdom. The complete unit establishes this movement: New-creation hope calls the beloved community to diligent peace and integrity, to count delay as salvation, and to read Paul's difficult letters without the destructive distortion practiced by unstable teachers.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The letter turns cosmic expectation into peaceable diligence and models interpretive humility by admitting that authoritative writings contain difficult material that can be twisted. Within that movement, this verse commands readers to regard the Lord's patience as salvation and invokes a writing from beloved brother Paul according to given wisdom.
Follow the Context
- Because readers await these things, they should diligently seek to be found in peace, spotless, and blameless.
- The Lord's patience should be counted as salvation.
- The writer says beloved brother Paul wrote according to given wisdom.
- Paul speaks about these matters in his letters, which contain some difficult things.
- Ignorant and unstable people twist these texts as they do the other Scriptures, toward destruction.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“our beloved brother Paul”
In plain language: The affectionate description recognizes Paul and given wisdom without listing his letters.
Commands readers to regard the Lord's patience as salvation and invokes a writing from beloved brother Paul according to given wisdom. Delay is saving opportunity, and apostolic wisdom is received rather than self-generated.
Why it matters: The wording carries interpretive or ethical risk that requires the full unit and its stated limits.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The verse does not identify which Pauline letter, prove a complete canon, or make every attribution to Paul historically certain.
What Remains True
Delay is saving opportunity, and apostolic wisdom is received rather than self-generated.
How It Can Shape Life
- Use waiting time for repentance and careful study instead of deadline anxiety.
Teach It Back
Explain 2 Peter 3:15's contribution to 2 Peter 3:14–16: Commands readers to regard the Lord's patience as salvation and invokes a writing from beloved brother Paul according to given wisdom. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
The full thought-unit study remains the final contextual authority for this Verse Lens.
Read 2 Peter 3:14–16 — Peaceful Diligence and Careful Reading Answer DelaySources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The intended Pauline writing and the overlap of 'these things' remain unknown.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact reader-facing Scripture wording, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and complete verse coverage.
Exact location: 2 Peter 3:14–16, pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗Greek textual evidence
The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition
Michael W. Holmes, editor; Society of Biblical Literature and Logos
Society of Biblical Literature and Logos Bible Software, 2010
Supports: Greek wording, clause relationships, repeated terms, and the base text used for original-language discussion.
Exact location: SBLGNT official text file 2Pet.txt, 3:14–16
Open the 2 Peter Greek text file ↗Translation and textual notes
NET Bible — 2 Peter with translators' and textual notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2005–2026 online edition
Supports: Verse-level Greek, syntax, KJV-era wording, textual variants, and interpretive alternatives.
Exact location: NET Bible 2 Peter PDF, 3:14–16 translation and attached translator, study, and textual notes
Open the official NET 2 Peter PDF ↗