{8} The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; {9} but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(8) The Lord will surely come, because he has promised: and neither sooner nor later than he has promised.

(9) A reason why the last day does not come too soon, because God patiently waits until all the elect are brought to repentance, that none of them may perish.

People's New Testament

3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise. If the day of the Lord seems delayed, it is not due to slackness.

But is longsuffering to us-ward. It is rather because God is long- suffering and is giving time to call the world to repentance. See 1Ti 2:4.

Wesley's Notes

3:9 The Lord is not slow - As if the time fixed for it were past. Concerning his promise - Which shall surely be fulfilled in its season. But is longsuffering towards us - Children of men. Not willing that any soul, which he hath made should perish.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

9. slack-slow, tardy, late; exceeding the due time, as though that time were already come. Heb 10:37, "will not tarry."

his promise-which the scoffers cavil at. 2Pe 3:4, "Where is the promise?" It shall be surely fulfilled "according to His promise" (2Pe 3:13).

some-the "scoffers."

count-His promise to be the result of "slackness" (tardiness).

long-suffering-waiting until the full number of those appointed to "salvation" (2Pe 3:15) shall be completed.

to us-ward-The oldest manuscripts, Vulgate, Syriac, &c., read, "towards YOU."

any-not desiring that any, yea, even that the scoffers, should perish, which would be the result if He did not give space for repentance.

come-go and be received to repentance: the Greek implies there is room for their being received to repentance (compare Greek, Mr 2:2; Joh 8:37).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

3:5-10 Had these scoffers considered the dreadful vengeance with which God swept away a whole world of ungodly men at once, surely they would not have scoffed at his threatening an equally terrible judgment. The heavens and the earth which now are, by the same word, it is declared, will be destroyed by fire. This is as sure to come, as the truth and the power of God can make it. Christians are here taught and established in the truth of the coming of the Lord. Though, in the account of men, there is a vast difference between one day and a thousand years, yet, in the account of God, there is no difference. All things past, present, and future, are ever before him: the delay of a thousand years cannot be so much to him, as putting off any thing for a day or for an hour is to us. If men have no knowledge or belief of the eternal God, they will be very apt to think him such as themselves. How hard is it to form any thoughts of eternity! What men count slackness, is long-suffering, and that to us-ward; it is giving more time to hisown people, to advance in knowledge and holiness, and in the exercise of faith and patience, to abound in good works, doing and suffering what they are called to, that they may bring glory to God. Settle therefore in your hearts that you shall certainly be called to give an account of all things done in the body, whether good or evil. And let a humble and diligent walking before God, and a frequent judging of yourselves, show a firm belief of the future judgment, though many live as if they were never to give any account at all. This day will come, when men are secure, and have no expectation of the day of the Lord. The stately palaces, and all the desirable things wherein wordly-minded men seek and place their happiness, shall be burned up; all sorts of creatures God has made, and all the works of men, must pass through the fire, which shall be a consuming fire to all that sin has brought into the world, though a refining fire to the works of God's hand. What will become of us, if we set our affections on this earth, and make it our portion, seeing all these things shall be burned up? Therefore make sure of happiness beyond this visible world.