But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

2 PETER 3:7KJV
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2 Peter 3:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Peter 3:7 mean?

2 Peter 3:7 says that the present heavens and earth are being kept and preserved by God's command, set aside for a future time when they will be judged and destroyed by fire, especially as punishment for those who reject God. This verse points to a coming day of judgment and highlights the certainty of God's future action.

Peter, one of Jesus' apostles, is writing to Christians who are being warned about false teachers and scoffers who doubt God's promises. In this verse, Peter contrasts the current world with the past, reminding his readers that just as God once judged the world by water (the flood), He will one day judge it by fire, showing God's control over creation and history.

The Greek behind 2 Peter 3:7

  • λόγος (logos, "word"): This word means "word," "message," or "command." Here, it emphasizes that God's spoken command is what sustains and preserves the world, not chance or natural processes.
  • τεθησαυρισμένοι (tethēsaurismenoi, "kept in store"): This is often understood as "stored up" or "reserved." It carries the sense that the world is being deliberately held for a specific purpose, not simply left to run its course.
  • εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως (eis hēmeran kriseōs, "against the day of judgment"): This phrase points to a definite, appointed time for judgment, highlighting that God's timing is intentional and certain.
  • ἀπώλεια (apōleia, "perdition"): This word is often translated as "destruction" or "ruin." It clarifies that the judgment involves not just a decision, but a real and final consequence for the "ungodly."

Why 2 Peter 3:7 matters

  • 2 Peter 3:7 corrects the idea that the world will continue unchanged forever, showing that God has a plan and a set time for judgment.
  • The verse emphasizes that God's word is powerful and effective, both in creation and in holding the world for future judgment.
  • By connecting the future judgment to the fate of the "ungodly," Peter warns readers to take God's promises and warnings seriously, tying this verse to the larger theme of accountability in 2 Peter 3.

Where else these words appear

“store” Greek G2343 · used in 8 verses

  • Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • Luke 12:21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
  • 1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

“ungodly” Greek G765 · used in 8 verses

  • Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
  • 1 Timothy 1:9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
  • 2 Peter 2:5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;

“perdition” Greek G684 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
  • Romans 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
  • 2 Peter 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

“judgment” Greek G2920 · used in 47 verses

  • Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
  • Luke 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: