2 Peter 2:21 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.

CSB: For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them.

NLT: It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.

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.

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.

This verse is part of a larger thought contained in verses 20 through 22. Peter appears to be referring to the ones enticed and deceived by the false teachers in the church. One of the lies of the false teachers was that Christians should freely participate in indulging their sinful desires. Peter describes the effect of this teaching on those who had escaped from the practice of the world and entered into the community of the church.

These were people who heard and understood the gospel of Jesus but who had apparently not yet fully trusted in Christ. According to scripture, merely knowing about God is not the same as having a saving faith in Christ (James 2:19). These potential believers were misled by the false teachers and overcome again by their worldly practices.

Peter writes that it would have been better for them never to have heard the gospel, and never to have been told about the way of righteousness, than to know "the holy command"—the gospel, the command to trust in Christ—and to turn away from it.

Why would it be better? Partly because once that message has been heard and rejected, or corrupted, it is very unlikely someone will return again to believe and trust in it. Their attitude towards the gospel is now warped, distorted, and stained. They have added a series of roadblocks and hang-ups to their path towards genuinely accepting Christ. These complications make it all the harder for them to submit to God, and experience eternal salvation with God the Father.

No wonder Peter comes across as so angry in his condemnation of the false teachers. They were effectively leading people away from the hope of Christ and back to their own path of destruction.

2 Peter 2:10–22 further describes the sins of the false teachers spreading deception in the early church. Prior verses explained how God judged evil in the past, while saving those who were faithful. This passage describes those who reject Christ in favor of the world as ''enslaved'' by their own sins. No matter what they may claim, such persons prove their spiritual condition by constantly returning to their moral filth.

False teachers had entered the early community of Christians. These deceivers lied to the believers, challenging the authority of Jesus. They also invited others to indulge in their sexual sin. Sadly, there are still versions of these false teachers plaguing the modern Christian community. Peter harshly describes the sins of these ''cursed children,'' the eternal judgment waiting for them, and the tragic impact their deception is having on those enticed by them.

In chapter 1, Peter urged his Christian readers not to be unproductive in their knowledge of Jesus. Peter now describes the false teachers in the church who were leading people away from a true understanding of Christ. These deceivers were lying to the believers and encouraging them to indulge in sexual sin. Peter promises that God’s judgment is coming on these ''cursed children'' and details the tragic impact their lies have on anyone who believes them.

Apparently written shortly before his death in the AD 60s, 2 Peter may have been written to the same audience as 1 Peter, which was Christians scattered by persecution. Peter writes this letter to encourage Christians to live out the purpose of their lives in Christ. He warns readers to beware of teachers who claim to be believers, but present a false version of Christianity. And, Peter calls on all Christians to eagerly watch and wait for the return of the Lord.