2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Study Note
Study Note
The declaration 'the Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance' directly addresses the scoffers' objection that delay of the parousia disproves the promise (v. 4). The attribution of divine 'patience' (makrothymei) as the explanation for delay reframes the theological problem: what looks like divine inaction is actually divine compassion working toward maximal inclusion in repentance. The phrase 'not willing that any should perish' (mē boulomenos... apoiesthai) is one of the most important New Testament statements of universal salvific will, paralleling 1 Timothy 2:4 ('God desires all people to be saved') and Ezekiel 18:23, 32. The verse is central to theological debates about the scope of divine election and the relationship between divine sovereignty and universal salvation-offer.
Other Translations
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
the Lord is not slow in regard to the promise, as certain count slowness, but is long-suffering to us, not counselling any to be lost but all to pass on to reformation,
The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways.
Cross References
And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant …
And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again …
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book …
If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all …
I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will …
And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that …
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though …
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith …
And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with …
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.