2 Peter 3:9 has become a common proof text used by Arminians to attempt to demonstrate God’s desire to save everyone. They regard the argument to follow along these lines:
“God is not slow about his promise to save you, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you (unbelievers), not wishing that any of you (unbelievers) perish, but that all (unbelievers) come to repentance.”
At first glance that may appear convincing. Wouldn’t a loving God try his best to save everyone? However, as one begins to understand God’s decretive will they begin to see that God actually has a plan of salvation, which isn’t left up to man (in any way). Salvation is completely monergistic. God desires his elect to come to salvation, those that the Father has given to the Son, and those that the Son atoned for. Salvation isn’t left up to the unbelievers ability to come to God. It is my contention that a clear exegetical walkthrough of the passage demonstrates that Peter is actually talking about his “beloved”, not about the unbeliever. Jesus hasn’t returned due to the fact not all that have been chosen by God the Father have been born and confessed faith in Jesus. If Jesus returned now, they would perish, having never come to a knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
Link for IPhone Users: https://abidingfoundations.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/exegetical-analysis-2-peter-3.1-9-revised.pdf
Great post!
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