2nd Peter Chapter 3 verse 11 Holy Bible

Pulpit Commentary

Pulpit CommentaryVerse 11. - Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved; rather, seeing that all these things are being dissolved. The participle is present, and implies the certainty of the event foretold, and, perhaps, also that the germs of that coming dissolution are already in being, that the forces which are ultimately to bring about the final catastrophe are even now at work. Some of the better manuscripts read, instead of οϋν, then, οὕτως, thus: "seeing that all these things are thus being dissolved." What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? The Greek word for "what manner of persons" means literally, "of what country;" it seems to point to the great truth that God's people are fellow-citizens of the saints, that the commonwealth of which they are citizens is in heaven. The word for "to be" is the emphatic ὑπάρχειν, which denotes original, essential, continuous being. (On the word for "conversation" (ἀναστροφαῖς, behaviour, conduct), see note on 1 Peter 1:15.) Both this noun and the following are plural in the Greek, and therefore mean "in all aspects and forms of holy conduct and godliness." Some commentators connect these last words, "in all holy conversation and godliness," with the next verse: "looking in all holy conversation," etc. Some, again, understand this verse as asking a question, which is answered in the next; but the Greek word for "what manner of persons" (ποταπός) seems to be used in the New Testament as an exclamation only, not interrogatively.

Ellicott's Commentary

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11) Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved.--For "then" we ought probably to read "thus," seeing that all these things are thus to be dissolved. The original is present in form, but rightly translated by the future, being the prophetic present, i.e., the future prophetically regarded as present.What manner of persons.--Not so much a question as an exclamation. In any case, the sentence should run on to the end of 2Peter 3:12. To put an interrogation at "to be" or at "godliness," and make what follows an answer to the question, would be stiff and frigid, and very unlike the fervour of this Epistle.Ought ye to be.--We might fairly translate, ought ye to be found. The Greek implies that the state is one that has continued for some time before the day comes.In all holy conversation and godliness.--Literally, in holy behaviours and godlinesses. (See Notes on 2Peter 1:3 and 2Peter 2:7.) The plurals indicate a variety of acts. They occur in this passage only.