2 Peter 3:12-13
12. hasting unto—with the utmost eagerness desiring [WAHL], praying for, and contemplating, the coming Saviour as at hand. The Greek may mean "hastening (that is, urging onward [ALFORD]) the day of God"; not that God's eternal appointment of the time is changeable, but God appoints us as instruments of accomplishing those events which must be first before the day of God can come. By praying for His coming, furthering the preaching of the Gospel for a witness to all nations, and bringing in those whom "the long-suffering of God" waits to save, we hasten the coming of the day of God. The Greek verb is always in New Testament used as neuter (as English Version here), not active; but the Septuagint uses it actively. Christ says, "Surely I come quickly. Amen." Our part is to speed forward this consummation by praying, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Re 22:20).
the coming—Greek, "presence" of a person: usually, of the Saviour. the day of God—God has given many myriads of days to men: one shall be the great "day of God" Himself. wherein—rather as Greek, "on account of (or owing to) which" day. heavens—the upper and lower regions of the sky. melt—Our igneous rocks show that they were once in a liquid state.13. Nevertheless—"But": in contrast to the destructive effects of the day of God stand its constructive effects. As the flood was the baptism of the earth, eventuating in a renovated earth, partially delivered from "the curse," so the baptism with fire shall purify the earth so as to be the renovated abode of regenerated man, wholly freed from the curse.
his promise— (Isa 65:17; 66:22). The "we" is not emphatical as in English Version. new heavens—new atmospheric heavens surrounding the renovated earth. righteousness—dwelleth in that coming world as its essential feature, all pollutions having been removed.