Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2 PETER 3:13KJV
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2 Peter 3:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Peter 3:13 mean?

2 Peter 3:13 says that, based on God's promise, believers are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness will live. This verse points to a future hope of a renewed creation, marked by goodness and justice, as something Christians look forward to.

Peter is writing to early Christians who were facing doubts and challenges about the future and the fulfillment of God's promises. In this verse, Peter reassures them that, despite current troubles, God has promised a complete renewal of the world—a place where right living and justice are at home. This hope is set against the background of earlier verses describing the eventual end of the present world.

The Greek behind 2 Peter 3:13

  • "new" (καινός, kainos): This word means "new" in the sense of something fresh or renewed, not just new in time. Peter is describing a world that is made new in quality, not just a replacement.
  • "dwelleth" (κατοικέω, katoikeō): This Greek word means "to settle down" or "to take up permanent residence." The idea is that righteousness will not just visit but will make its home in the new creation.
  • "promise" (ἐπαγγελία, epangelia): This word refers to a pledge or assurance given by God. Peter is grounding the hope for a new world in something God has specifically committed to do.

Why 2 Peter 3:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the Christian hope is not just for an escape from the world, but for a renewed creation where justice and goodness are permanent features.
  • Peter’s words tie the Christian future hope to God’s own promise, emphasizing that this expectation is not wishful thinking but based on God’s faithfulness.
  • The verse helps connect the idea of final judgment and renewal, showing that the end of the current world is not the end of hope, but the beginning of something better.

Where else these words appear

“promise” Greek G1862 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

“we” Greek G4328 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 11:3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
  • Luke 7:19 And John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for another?
  • Acts 10:24 And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

“new” Greek G2537 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
  • Luke 5:38 But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved.
  • Hebrews 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

“dwelleth” Greek G2730 · used in 43 verses

  • Matthew 2:23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
  • Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,
  • Hebrews 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: