'Chap. 3. The general subject: The certainty of Christ’s coming established against certain scoffers who shall call it into doubt. Exhortations are intermingled, and follow as a conclusion.

1.] This Epistle now, beloved, a second, write I unto you (or, “This second Epistle now write I unto you:” but the position of δευτέραν seems rather to shew that the emphasis of the sentence is on it): in which Epistles (E. V. well, “in both which:” viz. this and the first, implied in δευτέραν) I stir up your pure (see ref. Phil., note) mind (διάνοια is that aspect of the spiritual being of man, in which it is turned towards the outer world; his mind for business and outer interests, guiding him in action: see Beck, Umriss der biblischen Seelenlehre, p. 58. And this may be said to be εἰλικρινής, when the will and affection being turned to God, it is not obscured by fleshly and selfish regards: the opposite being ἐσκοτωμένοι τῇ διανοίᾳ, Ephesians 4:18. It seems impossible to reproduce in English these distinctions; we can only give them a general rendering, and leave all besides for explanatory notes) in reminding (see the same expression and note, ch. 1:13