Does 2 Peter 3:9 teach that ALL will be saved?

I find this verse used over and over again by those who hate the doctrine of election, to prove that ALL will come to repentance and be saved, yet, at the same time denying Universalism. Here’s what it says:

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9                                                                                                                  

 

                                                                                            

Now I remember back in my Bible School days that I was, along with all the other students, reminded of context. We were taught the importance of context. So, if I want to know what’s being said in this verse several things need to be considered including what is said before and after this verse and that includes this entire epistle. We might even want to compare it with Peter’s first epistle, to Paul’s writings, etc.

Now if I start with the first verse of the first chapter I see that this letter is addressed  “to them that have obtained like precious faith with us” and then Peter goes on to speak of God’s benefits toward the “brethren” (1:10). From here Peter goes on to speak of the importance of Scripture and warnings about false teachers. He then rehearses some history about false messengers and how they turned from truth to indulge themselves in error.

As we begin chapter 3 we see the Apostle addresses the “beloved” and says that these are the same ones he was addressing in chapter 1and verse 1, that he is writing to them, the “beloved” or “them that have obtained  like precious faith with us”. Notice the “US”. Then the Apostle goes on to speak about the promise of Christ’s coming and the scoffing of those who don’t believe.          

                                                                 

In verse 8 Peter addresses the “beloved” again. These are the same “beloved” of 3:1 and the same “brethren” of 1:9 where he speaks of their election. Now to verse 9: Notice that Peter speaks of the Lord’s long suffering to USWARD. That is the “US” of 1:1! And he gives some words of assurance when he says that, not only is the Lord long-suffering to USWARD, but that He is not willing that “ANY” (of us) should perish but that “ALL” (of us) should come to repentance because the PROMISE of God’s salvation (John 6:39) will be kept to US, THE BELOVED, THE BRETHREN.

If we stay with the context we will see that of the brethren, God is not willing that any should perish but that every one of them (ALL) should come to repentance because God’s promises is trustworthy regardless of what the scoffers say. In doing so Peter gives the “brethren” the assurance that God will keep his Promise even though His timing differs from ours. As for universalism, it is also clear from this passage as well as the rest of Scripture that some will perish.

If we continue on through the remainder of the chapter we will find pronouns like "Ye" (vs.11,14,17)  and "We"  (v.13) again in looking forward to His Promise, and we find the word "Beloved" again as well (v.14), and it all separates the believer from the non-believers.