2 Peter 3:1

This second epistle. It is natural to read in these words a reference to 1 Peter as being the first of the apostle’s epistles, and the present letter as being the second of the pair. No conclusive arguments have yet been presented against this view, and Peter’s words may be taken as incidental proof of the common authorship of the two epistles.

Beloved. The apostle has now left the distasteful subject of the false teachers (ch. 2) and turns to exhort his readers concerning last-day events. In doing so he naturally employs the term “beloved,” here and in vs. 8, 14, 17 (cf. on 1 John 3:2).

Now. Or, “already.” The opening clause reads literally, “This already, beloved, a second epistle I am writing to you,” which may suggest that the second epistle was written soon after the first.

In both which. That is, in both of which, referring to both letters, the first and the second.

I stir up. Gr. diegeird (see on ch. 1:13).

Pure minds. Gr. eilikrines dianoia, used in classical Greek for “pure reason,” but here in the sense of an unsullied or sincere mind. For comment on eilikrines see on Phil. 1:10. Dianoia is the mind as the faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring. Peter is crediting his readers with having a mind (singular) that is unpolluted by sensuality, in happy contrast with the minds of the false teachers.

By way of remembrance. The same Greek phrase occurs in ch. 1:13 (see comment there). In this instance Peter wishes to remind his readers of previous instruction concerning the return of their Lord in power and glory.