"Arminians have used the verse in defense of their theory of universal atonement. They believe that God willed to save every human being without exception and that something beyond his control happened so as to defeat his eternal purpose. The doctrine of universal redemption is not only refuted by Scripture generally, but the passage in question makes nonsense on such a view ... Peter is telling us that Christ's return awaits the repentance of certain people. Now, if Christ's return awaited the repentance of every individual without exception, Christ would never return ... This is no new interpretation. The Similitudes viii, xi,1 in the Shepherd of Hermas (c. A.D. 130-150) ... says 'But the Lord, being long-suffering, wishes (thelei) those who were called (ten klesin ten genomenen) through his Son to be saved.' ... It is the called or elect whom God wills to save" (I & II Peter [Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 1980], p. 71).
Gordon H.Clark (1902-1985)
(I & II Peter [Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R, 1980], p. 71).
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