2Pe 3:5 | RWP | e4.org | For this they wilfully forget ( λανθανε γαρ αυτους τουτο θελοντας ). Literally, "for this escapes them being willing." See this use of λανθανω (old verb, to escape notice of, to be hidden from) in . The present active participle θελοντας (from θελω , to wish) has almost an adverbial sense here. Compacted ( συνεστωσα ). See Paul's συνεστηκεν ( ) "consist." Second perfect active (intransitive) participle of συνιστημ , feminine singular agreeing with γη (nearest to it) rather than with ουρανο (subject of ησαν imperfect plural). There is no need to make Peter mean the Jewish mystical "seven heavens" because of the plural which was used interchangeably with the singular ( .). Out of water and amidst water ( εξ υδατος κα δι' υδατος ). Out of the primeval watery chaos ( ), but it is not plain what is meant by δι' υδατος , which naturally means "by means of water," though δια with the genitive is used for a condition or state ( ). The reference may be to , the gathering together of the waters. By the word of God ( τω του θεου λογω ). Instrumental case λογω , "by the fiat of God" ( ; ρηματ θεου ).

‏ 2 Peter 3:5

For this they wilfully forget ( λανθανε γαρ αυτους τουτο θελοντας ). Literally, "for this escapes them being willing." See this use of λανθανω (old verb, to escape notice of, to be hidden from) in Ac 26:26. The present active participle θελοντας (from θελω, to wish) has almost an adverbial sense here.

Compacted ( συνεστωσα ). See Paul's συνεστηκεν (Col 1:17) "consist." Second perfect active (intransitive) participle of συνιστημ, feminine singular agreeing with γη (nearest to it) rather than with ουρανο (subject of ησαν imperfect plural). There is no need to make Peter mean the Jewish mystical "seven heavens" because of the plural which was used interchangeably with the singular (Mt 5:9f.).

Out of water and amidst water ( εξ υδατος κα δι' υδατος ). Out of the primeval watery chaos (Ge 1:2), but it is not plain what is meant by δι' υδατος, which naturally means "by means of water," though δια with the genitive is used for a condition or state (Heb 12:1). The reference may be to Ge 1:9, the gathering together of the waters.

By the word of God ( τω του θεου λογω ). Instrumental case λογω, "by the fiat of God" (Ge 1:3; Heb 11:3 ρηματ θεου ).