2 Peter 2:20 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

CSB: For if, having escaped the world's impurity through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in these things and defeated, the last state is worse for them than the first.

NLT: And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.

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.

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.

The last three verses of 2 Peter chapter 2 are troubling for some. Especially when taken out of context, they raise the question of whether a believer can lose or walk away from his or her salvation. It is helpful to read these verses in the context of chapter 2, as well as within the context of both 1 Peter and 2 Peter together. And, of course, one has to consider the overall message of the Bible.

The first question is who exactly Peter is referring to. Who are these people who had escaped the defilements or corruption of the world? It's possible that Peter is referring to the false teachers he has been condemning, but it seems more likely that he has in mind the ones the false teachers are leading astray. This seems to suggest the newer, less mature, or less experienced believers. Or, those who were just hearing the gospel, and still uncommitted.

In verse 18, Peter wrote that the false teachers were enticing those just escaping from error. These are people who had come out of the world and entered into the community of the church. They had heard and understood the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, the Bible is very clear that intellectual knowledge is not the same as saving faith (James 2:19). It seems most likely Peter is referring to those who were attracted to the gospel, but who had not come to a full faith in Christ.

If they had been saved, what Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:5 would apply to them. They would have been shielded or guarded by through their faith and by God's power until salvation was revealed. Instead, as John wrote, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us" (1 John 2:19).

Now these people, distracted and enticed by the false teachers, are worse off than before. They had begun to escape the sinful corruption of the world, and begun to associate with a community of believers. And then, they were fooled by the false teachers into participating their old sinfulness. Once more they were entangled, overcome, and dragged back to their old place in the world by their own sinful desires. Worse, now their concept of the gospel is tainted.

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.