What does it mean that God desires none to perish? - 2 Peter 3:9

Recently we've been reconsidering many of the things we thought we understood regarding doctrine and faith. We have begun to question certain beliefs, church structures, and practices of the western church. Too often we have discovered unbiblical doctrines and activities. This causes us concern. We have deemed this our “Rethink.”

Our questions include, how did we arrive at our doctrines? Does the Bible really teach what we think it teaches? Why do churches do what they do? What is the biblical basis of church leadership structure? Why do certain traditions get entrenched?

It's easy to be spoon fed the conventional wisdom, but it's an entirely separate thing to search these things out for one's self. In the past we have read the Bible with these unexamined understandings and interpreted what we read through those lenses. We were lazy about our Bible study, assuming that pastors and theologians were telling us the truth, but we rarely checked it out for ourselves.

Therefore, these Rethinks are our attempt to remedy the situation.

We should note that we are not Bible scholars, but we believe that one doesn't need to be in order to understand the Word of God.

Introduction

Here's the verse:

2Pe. 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Some think this verse applies to the salvation of "the elect." That is, Calvinism teaches that the saved are predestined by God to be saved, so this verse could only be talking about the elect. However, we would simply note that if Peter was referring to the elect, why would there be any question they would repent? How could God's predestination be thwarted by the elect not repenting?

A few verses later Peter writes: 

2Pe. 3:17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.

Therefore, the possibility exists to fall from our secure position.

We have a completely different opinion. Contrary to what many think, we believe this verse is not referring to salvation. It's not even really about us.

This verse is about God.

The Verse

We need to understand that we should not insert ourselves into verses as if they were about us. Now certainly many verses are directed personally to us, but this verse is primarily about God's patience. 

Peter begins this chapter by talking about scoffers:

2Pe. 3:3-4 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this `coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

They were mocking the idea of Jesus coming again. Peter responds to this by noting the certainty of what God has spoken. He spoke and the heavens and earth were formed (vs. 5). He spoke and the earth was destroyed with a flood (vs. 6). And He will speak when the day of judgment comes, and the ungodly will be destroyed (vs. 7).

Because of the eternal nature of God, time is meaningless. Therefore He has the patience to wait until the exact right moment (vs. 8). It is important to note that God is waiting for something, which brings us to the subject verse. Let's quote it again:

2Pe. 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Notice Peter is referring to "you," that is, the Christians to whom he is writing. He is patient with them. He wants them to repent. He counsels the to be on their guard so as not to be carried away by sinners (vs. 17). We too should be on our guard so as to not to fall from our secure position. 

Let's look at a some of the other words in the verse.

"patient:"

makrothumeó ...spoken of God deferring the punishment of sin: εἰς τινα, toward one, 2 Peter 3:9 

God is delaying the Last Day for an important purpose. 

"Wanting:" [not wanting anyone...]: 

boúlomai – to plan with full resolve (determination). See 1012 (boulē).

boúlomai ("resolutely plan") is a strong term that underlines the predetermined (and determined) intention driving the planning (wishing, resolving). 

This important purpose of no one perishing is expressed with resolve and determination. It is a strong term. 

"But:" [...but everyone...]

but, except, however, otherwise, on the other hand.

"Everyone:" [...everyone to come...]:

 pás ("each, every") means "all" in the sense of "each (every) part that applies." The emphasis of the total picture then is on "one piece at a time." 

God has every part of humanity in view with particular focused attention to each part. 

Here's our amplified version:

Jesus is coming again to judge the ungodly mockers who trample on His promises. It may seem like a long time, but it isn't. He has chosen to be patient with all of you because He strongly desires that no one would face destruction. The other side of this is, instead of perishing, with firm resolve He wants each individual to repent. 

In essence, God is extending the days of repentance. He is delaying the Last Day because wants every person to repent, so as not to perish. That is, that none would perish because they would repent.

Ac. 17:30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.

Conclusion

What might not be typically understood is that this passage is a warning to the unrepentant. Peter is writing to Christians (2Pe. 1:1). Because judgment is coming (2Pe. 3:12), we are to make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. (2Pe. 3:14) and live holy and godly lives... (2Pe. 3:11).

So the verse reveals the heart of God towards the unrepentant. He so desires that they repent, His focus is so directed toward each person repenting, that He is taking all the time necessary so that each person has the opportunity to repent.