New English Translation
2 Peter 2:21
21For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them.
2 Peter 2:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
- New International Version (NIV)It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
Context of 2 Peter 2:21
19Although these false teachers promise such people freedom, they themselves are enslaved to immorality. For whatever a person succumbs to, to that he is enslaved. 20For if after they have escaped the filthy things of the world through the rich knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they again get entangled in them and succumb to them, their last state has become worse for them than their first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them. 22They are illustrations of this true proverb: “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and “A sow, after washing herself, wallows in the mire.”
Read all of 2 Peter 22 Peter 2:21 word by word
κρεῖττον γὰρ ἦν αὐτοῖς μὴ ἐπεγνωκέναι τὴν ὁδὸν τῆς δικαιοσύνης ἢ ἐπιγνοῦσιν ὑποστρέψαι ἐκ τῆς παραδοθείσης αὐτοῖς ἁγίας ἐντολῆς.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- Forγάρgar · forG1063
- it had beenεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- betterκρείττωνkreittōn · strongerG2909
- for themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- notμήmē · notG3361
- to have knownἐπιγινώσκωepiginōskō · to come to knowG1921
- the wayὁδόςhodos · roadG3598
- of righteousnessδικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē · righteousnessG1343
- thanἤē · orG2228
- to turnἐπιστρέφωepistrephō · to turnG1994
- fromἐκek ex · out fromG1537
- theἐντολήentolē · commandmentG1785
- holyἅγιοςhagios · holyG40
- deliveredπαραδίδωμιparadidōmi · to deliverG3860
Cross-references for 2 Peter 2:21
- Matthew 11:23And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to Hades! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Sodom, it would have continued to this day.
- Luke 12:47That servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or do what his master asked will receive a severe beating.
- John 9:41Jesus replied, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin, but now because you claim that you can see, your guilt remains.”
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. But they no longer have any excuse for their sin.
- Proverbs 12:28In the path of righteousness there is life, but another path leads to death.
- Proverbs 16:31Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness.
- Matthew 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him. But the tax collectors and prostitutes did believe. Although you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.
- Psalms 36:3The words he speaks are sinful and deceitful; he does not care about doing what is wise and right.
- Psalms 125:5As for those who are bent on traveling a sinful path, may the Lord remove them, along with those who behave wickedly! May Israel experience peace!
- Ezekiel 3:20“When a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I set an obstacle before him, he will die. If you have not warned him, he will die for his sin. The righteous deeds he performed will not be considered, but I will hold you accountable for his death.
- Ezekiel 18:24“But if a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and practices wrongdoing according to all the abominable practices the wicked carry out, will he live? All his righteous acts will not be remembered; because of the unfaithful acts he has done and the sin he has committed, he will die.
- Ezekiel 23:13I saw that she was defiled; both of them followed the same path.
- Zephaniah 1:6and those who turn their backs on the Lord and do not want the Lord’s help or guidance.”
- Romans 7:12So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:2For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
Commentaries on 2 Peter 2:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21For it had been better for them not to have known - For the reasons assigned above; because they have sinned against more mercy, are capable of more sin, and are liable to greater punishment. The holy commandment - The whole religion of Christ is contained in this one commandment, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; and thy neighbor as thyself." He who obeys this great…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21For it had been better for them - Compare the notes at Matthew 26:24. It would have been better for them, for: (1)then they would not have dishonored the cause of religion as they have now done; (2)they would not have sunk so deep in profligacy as they now have; and, (3)they would not have incurred so aggravated a condemnation in the world of woe. If people are resolved on being wicked, they had better never pretend to be good. If they are to be cast…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. 17-22Peter continues to describe the false teachers by showing how they harm other people.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. the way of righteousness--"the way of truth" (2Pe 2:2). Christian doctrine, and "the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour." turn--back again; so the Greek. from the holy commandment--the Gospel which enjoins holiness; in opposition to their corruption. "Holy," not that it makes holy, but because it ought to be kept inviolate [Tittmann]. delivered--once for all; admitting no turning back.Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Peter 2:21
In the dictionaries
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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