What Does 2 Peter 3:13 Mean in the King James?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

2 Peter 3:13 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The promise’s radical detail is that alignment does not merely appear in the new world; it dwells there.

THE MEANING

This promise gives shape to your longing now: renewal is a reality where alignment can settle and remain. What is right is not a brief visitor there; it belongs to the life of the whole creation.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that injustice and disorder are permanent residents while goodness can only visit.

THE ROOT

δικαιοσύνη

dikaiosynē

GROWS FROM

δικ-

dik-

Rightness and justice; being in the right.

“righteousness” in this verse is dikaiosynē. The dik- word family carries the sense of rightness and justice that the word “alignment” brings into view. Here, alignment is not just something a person displays; it is described as a resident of the renewed creation.

ALSO GROWS

dikaios: Just, right, or aligned.

δίκαιος

This related word shows that the verse’s resident is a quality of rightness, not merely a rule or label.

dikaioō: To set right or declare right.

δικαιόω

Its action form echoes the movement toward rightness that the promised renewal makes enduring.

κατοικεῖ

katoikei

GROWS FROM

οἰκ-

oik-

Household or home; to settle as an inhabitant.

“dwelleth” in this verse is katoikei. The Greek word belongs to a family built around house and home. The verse pictures alignment as having a settled residence in the renewed creation, woven into its life rather than appearing only now and then.

ALSO GROWS

oikos: House or household.

οἶκος

This branch makes the homelike force of “dwelleth” visible: alignment has a place to belong.

oikeō: To dwell or live in a place.

οἰκέω

This related verb emphasizes sustained presence, matching the verse’s picture of alignment remaining at home.

καινούς

kainous

GROWS FROM

καιν-

kain-

New or fresh in quality or character.

Kainos often emphasizes a new quality or condition. Its word family includes “newness” and “renew,” fitting a creation made fresh as a home where alignment can remain.

ALSO GROWS

kainotēs: Newness.

καινότης

This branch names the quality of newness that marks the promised creation.

anakainoō: To renew or make new.

ἀνακαινόω

Built from the same base, this verb connects the new creation with renewal.

THE PATTERN

God’s renewal makes alignment a settled part of the life of creation.

Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

Isaiah 32:16 · KJVLike 2 Peter, this verse pictures rightness as something that dwells and remains in the renewed land.

For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

Isaiah 65:17 · KJVThe promise of a new creation gives the same horizon of renewal that 2 Peter describes.

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Revelation 21:1 · KJVThe vision carries the promise of a new heaven and earth into a renewed order.

THE THREAD

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:17 · KJV

Romans uses the same Greek word, ⁨δικαιοσύνη⁩ (dikaiosynē), translated here as “righteousness.” Peter pictures alignment dwelling throughout renewed creation; Romans names it among the realities already present in God’s governance.

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