2 Peter 3:9 (In Context)

(2 Peter 3:9) "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."  (ESV)

The usual interpretation of this verse by most modern evangelicals sees it as saying that it is God's will that every single person be saved.  They assume the "you", "any", and "all" in this verse refers to everyone.  But if this interpretation is correct then God's purpose if often thwarted by humans because many are not saved.  In this view God is trying to save everyone but failing to do so.  

For the correct interpretation we must look at the verse in context.  The passage is actually about the Second Coming of Christ.  There are scoffers expressing doubt that Christ will return.  They say things just continue as they have from the beginning.  Peter explains why there has been a seeming delay in the Second Coming of Christ.   

With this background we now look at 2 Peter 3:9.  It says the Lord is patient toward you. We must ask who "you" refers to.  Who is the Apostle Peter talking to?  When he speaks of the scoffers he refers to them in the third person.  But when he refers to his audience he refers to them as "you" and "beloved".  It is obvious that Peter is referring to a specific people.  To find out who his audience is we need to look at the first verse of the letter.  

(2 Peter 1:1)"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.  To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ."  (ESV) 

It is obvious that Peter writes to a specific people, those who are saved, that is believers.  He is not speaking to every single person.  Therefore when he says the Lord is patient with you, the "you" refers to God's own people, the elect.  When it says not wishing that any should perish, the "any"
refers back to the "you", which is the elect. Also when it says, but that all should reach repentance, "all" refers back to "you", that is the elect.  It is God's will that all of the elect should reach repentance.  

So the verse interpreted in context does not teach that it is God's will to save every single person.  God does not fail to accomplish his purpose.  God is waiting for all of his chosen people (the elect) to come to repentance.  God's purpose is to save his elect and none of them will perish and all of them will be brought to repentance.  The actual meaning of 2 Peter 3:9 is clear when we view it in context.