Berean Standard Bible
2 Peter 2:20
20If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,1 only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first.
2 Peter 2:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
- New International Version (NIV)If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
Context of 2 Peter 2:20
18With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him. If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. 21It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them. 22Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”
Read all of 2 Peter 22 Peter 2:20 word by word
εἰ γὰρ ἀποφυγόντες τὰ μιάσματα τοῦ κόσμου ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ κυρίου καὶ σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τούτοις δὲ πάλιν ἐμπλακέντες ἡττῶνται, γέγονεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ἔσχατα χείρονα τῶν πρώτων.Read the interlinear
- Ifεἰei · ifG1487
- indeedγάρgar · forG1063
- they have escapedἀποφεύγωapopheugō · to escapeG668
- theὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- corruptionμίασμαmiasma · defilementG3393
- worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
- throughἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- knowledgeἐπίγνωσιςepignōsis · knowledgeG1922
- Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- Saviorσωτήρsōtēr · saviorG4990
- JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
- ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- onlyδέde · thenG1161
- to be entangledἐμπλέκωemplekō · to entangle/involveG1707
- overcomeἡσσάομαιhēttaō · be lesserG2274
- by itοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- againπάλινpalin · againG3825
- theirαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- finalἔσχατοςeschatos · last/leastG2078
- isγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
- worse thanχείρωνcheirōn · worse thanG5501
- at firstπρῶτοςprōtos · firstG4413
Cross-references for 2 Peter 2:20
- Matthew 12:43When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
- Luke 11:24When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’
- Hebrews 6:4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- Hebrews 10:26If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains,
- 2 Peter 2:18With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
- 2 Peter 1:4Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
- 2 Peter 1:2Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
- Numbers 24:20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”
- Deuteronomy 32:29If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
- Philippians 3:19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
Commentaries on 2 Peter 2:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20The pollutions of the world - Sin in general, and particularly superstition, idolatry, and lasciviousness. These are called , miasmata, things that infect, pollute, and defile. The word was anciently used, and is in use at the present day, to express those noxious particles of effluvia proceeding from persons infected with contagious and dangerous diseases; or from dead and corrupt bodies, stagnant and putrid waters, marshes etc., by which the sound and…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world - This does not necessarily mean that they had been true Christians, and had fallen from grace. People may outwardly reform, and escape from the open corruptions which prevail around them, or which they had themselves practiced, and still have no true grace at heart. Through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesses Christ - Neither does This imply that they were true Christians, or that they…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 17-22Verses 17-22 The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the next. In the midst of their…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20their final condition is worse than it was at first: The false teachers, or the people who followed them, had known the truth. But they chose to reject it. Their deliberate choice placed them in a much worse situation than when they sinned without understanding.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. after they--the seducers "themselves" have escaped (2Pe 2:19; see on He 6:4-6). pollutions--which bring "corruption" (2Pe 2:19). through--Greek, "in." knowledge--Greek, "full and accurate knowledge." the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ--solemnly expressing in full the great and gracious One from whom they fall. latter end is worse ... than the beginning--Peter remembers Christ's words. "Worse" stands opposed to "better" (2Pe 2:21).Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Peter 2:20
In the dictionaries
Notes
- 1. 2 Peter 2:20 SBL and WH the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ↩
Commentaries on 2 Peter 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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