The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 PETER 3:9KJV
Know the Bible

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Peter 3:9 mean?

2 Peter 3:9 answers the claim that the Lord has failed to keep his promise. What some people call delay, the verse presents as patience: the Lord gives people time to turn away from wrongdoing rather than perish.

After the comparison between human and divine time in verse 8, Peter addresses his readers as “us” and speaks of the Lord’s purpose. The promise in view concerns the coming of the Lord, which some people had begun to question (3:4).

The Greek behind 2 Peter 3:9

  • “is not slack” — βραδύνει (bradynei): The Greek carries the sense of being slow or delaying. With “not,” the phrase rejects the charge that the Lord is failing to act when he should.
  • “longsuffering” — μακροθυμεῖ (makrothymei): This word means to be patient or slow to anger. It pictures patience extended over time, rather than a brief pause.
  • “repentance” — μετάνοια (metanoia): This word refers to a change of mind or heart that involves turning away from wrongdoing. In the verse, repentance is the response for which the Lord’s patience makes room.

Why 2 Peter 3:9 matters

  • The verse connects the Lord’s patience with his concern for people. The words “not willing that any should perish” give the reason for the patience described.
  • Christians understand “any” and “all” differently here: some take them to mean all people, while others connect them more narrowly with the “us” addressed in the verse.
  • Patience is not presented as an endless postponement. The next verse says that “the day of the Lord will come,” so the questioned promise remains part of Peter’s answer.

Where else these words appear

“is” Greek G1019 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

“longsuffering” Greek G3114 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 18:26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
  • Luke 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
  • Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

“come” Greek G5562 · used in 9 verses

  • Matthew 15:17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
  • Matthew 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
  • John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

“repentance” Greek G3341 · used in 24 verses

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
  • Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
  • Acts 26:20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.