2 Peter 3:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

That ye may be mindful, &c.— This is an allusion to what he had said ch. 2 Peter 1:12-21 where he had alleged the authority both of the prophets and apostles. By the prophets are meant the Old Testament prophets, who are properly placed before the apostles of Christ, as having lived long before them. The prophets had foretold Christ's second coming. See ch. 2 Peter 1:19. The apostles had commanded the Christians steadfastly to look and diligently to prepare for that day; and as there were now rising up scoffers, who ridiculed all expectation of any such thing, it was highly proper to put them in mind of what they had formerly learned. It was with equal propriety that St. Peter intimated whose apostles they were, when he took notice of the commandment which they had given. When our Lord gave the apostles their commission, he ordered them to teach men to observe whatsoever he had commanded them. St. Peter here intimates, that they had kept to that order; and that the commandment which they his apostles had delivered, was not their own, nor any other than the commandment of Jesus Christ himself: and what Christian would dare to call in question such a commandment? When men would move us from the truth or simplicity of the gospel, a careful attention to the words of the apostles and prophets will be of eminent service to keep us steady to truth and purity.