SGA2

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise- What promise? The promise of His coming as is clearly spoken of in the context. There should be no doubt that Peter is referring to the coming of Christ. See verse 4.

As some men count slackness-In the Greek it is "ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται" or "hos tines braduteta hegountai." The reason we need to see the Greek is because a very important word that is used often and is used twice in this verse. It is the word "tines" which is from the word "tis." Here is the definition of tis from a well respected Greek dictionary.

tis - Definition: 1. a certain, a certain one 2. some, some time, a while.

So this makes perfect sense right, "Tis" means many or certain ones. So it fits perfect right and would read something like this. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as certain ones count slackness." Who are these certain one's? The very same men in verse 4 that mock us.

But is longsuffering toward us-ward- In this context who is the "us?" Peter of course identifies scoffers and mockers in the previous verses and says these men mock about His coming but then says He is "longsuffering toward us." Who is Peter writing to? Christians of course, so when he says "us" here this is exactly what he means. Us=Christians.

Not willing that any should perish- Here is the oft quoted, and I might add misused, portion of this text. First it says God is "not willing." So the question has to be asked does God get His will or does God do His will? Well let's see what the bible says about this.

Job 23:13 But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.

Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

There is much more on this but I think this should suffice. Whatever God wants He gets or to put it another way, Whatever God wants to do He does and nobody can stop Him. Man's will cannot bring to nought God's will. "Psalm 33:10 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect." So its quite obvious that God is actually God and He is in control, not us.

In the text at hand (2 Pet. 3:9) it says what God is not willing and that is that "any" should perish. So if God does all of His will and none can stay His hand and God will that none should perish, then none will perish. That's not what the text says though. Remember the word that was used for some men? The word "tis." Well here we have the same word used for "any." If you remember the definition was "certain ones." So literally it would read, "not willing that certain one's should perish." I know, I know this idea doesn't fit in your presupposition that God desires all men to be saved but that is what the text says, argue with the text.

But that all should come to repentance- All of whom? Well we would have to look at the antecedent which is the certain ones that He isn't willing to see perish. God is not willing that any of His chosen ones would perish but come to repentance. He is so willing for them to come to repentance He regenerates them and gives them repentance and faith and His gifts are irrevocable. (2 Tim. 2:25; Acts 11:18; Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29; Heb. 12:2; Rom. 11:29)

In His name and for His glory! Amen!