Second Peter 3:16 is one of the most fascinating verses in the New Testament because it gives us a rare glimpse into how one apostle viewed the writings of another. Peter refers to the letters of Paul and openly admits that some parts of them are “hard to understand.” Yet he does not dismiss Paul’s writings because they are difficult. Instead, he treats them with seriousness, reverence, and authority, warning that careless readers can distort them “as they do the other Scriptures.”
That single statement carries enormous weight. It tells us that early Christians recognized Paul’s letters as spiritually authoritative, that deep theology requires careful handling, and that misunderstanding Scripture is not merely an intellectual problem. For Peter, the way we read the Word of God is a matter of spiritual stability, holiness, and perseverance.
The Context: Waiting for the Day of the Lord
The broader context of 2 Peter 3 is the promise of Christ’s return. Peter writes to believers who are surrounded by scoffers questioning whether the Lord will truly come again. Some mistake God’s patience for delay, but Peter explains that the Lord’s patience is salvation. God is not slow in keeping His promise; He is merciful, giving people time to repent.
In that setting, Peter points to Paul as a fellow witness. Paul also wrote about judgment, grace, endurance, holiness, and the hope of Christ’s appearing. Peter’s reference is not a passing compliment; it is a public affirmation that Paul’s writings carry divine wisdom and deserve to be read with the same reverence given to the rest of Scripture.
Peter’s Recognition of Paul’s Letters
Peter calls Paul “our beloved brother” and acknowledges that Paul wrote according to the wisdom given to him. This matters because Peter and Paul were not independent voices competing for influence in the early church. They were united witnesses to the same Lord, proclaiming the same gospel, even when their writings emphasized different aspects of Christian truth.
Paul’s letters often address weighty subjects: justification by faith, the relationship between grace and works, the role of the law, the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ, the mystery of the church, resurrection, judgment, and the hope of glory. These are not shallow themes. They require prayerful attention, careful interpretation, and a heart submitted to Christ.
“Some Things Are Hard to Understand”
Peter’s honesty is comforting. He does not pretend that every passage of Scripture is immediately simple. Some truths are deep. Some doctrines stretch the mind. Some passages require historical context, comparison with the rest of Scripture, and patient study. The difficulty of a biblical text is not a flaw in God’s Word; it is often an invitation to grow.
Hard passages should lead believers to humility rather than arrogance. We should not rush to conclusions, isolate verses from their context, or force Scripture to say what we already want to believe. Instead, we approach the Bible with reverence, asking the Holy Spirit for wisdom and allowing clearer passages to help illuminate more difficult ones.
The Danger of Distorting Scripture
Peter warns that “ignorant and unstable” people distort Paul’s writings. The issue is not merely that they find certain teachings difficult. The danger is that they twist what is difficult into something false. They bend Scripture to fit their desires, their agendas, or their errors. In doing so, they move from confusion to rebellion.
This is why Peter says such distortion leads “to their own destruction.” Mishandling Scripture is spiritually dangerous because it can produce false confidence, false doctrine, and false worship. A person may quote the Bible and still resist the God who speaks through it. The goal is not to use Scripture as support for ourselves, but to submit ourselves to Scripture.
Paul’s Letters and “the Other Scriptures”
One of the most important phrases in 2 Peter 3:16 is “the other Scriptures.” Peter places Paul’s letters in the category of sacred writings. This shows that the early church did not treat apostolic teaching as ordinary religious opinion. The apostles spoke as commissioned witnesses of the risen Christ, and their writings carried authority for the churches.
This also reminds us of the unity of God’s revelation. The Old Testament points forward to Christ; the apostolic writings proclaim Christ’s finished work and instruct the church in light of His resurrection and promised return. Peter’s statement helps us see Paul’s letters not as optional theological reflections, but as part of the inspired witness through which God nourishes and corrects His people.
How Should We Read Difficult Passages?
- Read patiently. Do not demand instant mastery of every passage. Spiritual maturity grows through repeated, prayerful engagement with the Word.
- Read in context. Consider the surrounding verses, the argument of the book, and the larger story of Scripture.
- Read humbly. Let Scripture correct your assumptions instead of forcing it to confirm them.
- Read with the church. Learn from faithful teachers, pastors, and the historic witness of Christian interpretation.
- Read for obedience. The purpose of Bible study is not merely information, but transformation into the likeness of Christ.
Growing in Grace Instead of Falling from Steadfastness
Peter does not end his letter with fear, but with growth. After warning believers not to be carried away by error, he urges them to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” That is the antidote to distortion: not suspicion of Scripture, but deeper communion with Christ through Scripture.
True knowledge produces holiness. If our study of the Bible makes us proud, harsh, careless, or spiritually lazy, we have not yet read it rightly. But when Scripture leads us to repentance, peace, diligence, hope, and love for Christ, we are receiving it as God intends.
Conclusion: Handle the Word with Reverence
Second Peter 3:16 teaches us that Scripture can be deep without being defective, difficult without being disposable, and authoritative even when it challenges us. Peter’s warning is not meant to discourage Bible study, but to purify it. We are called to handle God’s Word with reverence, humility, diligence, and obedience.
Paul’s letters may contain things that are hard to understand, but they also contain wisdom given by God. The answer to difficulty is not distortion, but discipleship. As we grow in grace and knowledge, we learn to read Scripture not as masters standing over it, but as servants being shaped by it—until the day we see Christ face to face.
Minister A Francine Green I June 2026