2 Peter 3

“This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:” The line’s distinctive content terms include beloved, both, epistle. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the…” Naming Saviour keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:” Naming Whereby keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day…” The line’s distinctive content terms include earth, fire, heavens. Its relationship to verses 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the…” Naming Paul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which…” The line’s distinctive content terms include destruction, epistles, hard. Its relationship to verses 15 and 17 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include beloved, beware, error. Its relationship to verses 16 and 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever…” Naming Amen and Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.