2 Peter 3:9 - William Styles

2 Peter 3:9: The Lord is long-suffering to us-ward (or as in the Revised Version ‘you-ward’) not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance:” often quoted to prove that the Spirit benevolently desires the salvation of all men, and therefore strives in our hearts. This interpretation, however, overlooks the oft-omitted word “us-ward,” or “you-ward,” which restricts the scope of the verse to God’s chosen and redeemed people. His good pleasure is, that these should be saved; nor is He willing that one should perish. The context discusses the Day of Judgment, the passing away of the heavens, and the burning up of the earth and the works that are therein. Yet, however great the severity of God toward His enemies, toward us He is long-suffering. None of His children shall perish, and those yet uncalled, and those even that are unborn shall be brought to repentance. Time must last, and the present constitution of the world be maintained, until every chosen and blood-bought sinner has become the subject of sanctifying grace, and been “made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in life.”