2 Peter 2:21
It 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.
It would have been better for them
This phrase suggests a comparison of states, emphasizing the gravity of apostasy. The Greek word "kreitton" (better) implies a preferable condition, highlighting the severe consequences of turning away from faith. Historically, this reflects the early Christian community's struggle with false teachings and the importance of steadfastness in faith.

not to have known
The Greek word "ginōskō" (to know) indicates an experiential knowledge, not just intellectual awareness. This implies that those who have experienced the truth of the Gospel and then reject it are in a dire spiritual state. The early church faced challenges with individuals who, after embracing Christianity, reverted to pagan practices or heretical beliefs.

the way of righteousness
This phrase refers to the Christian life and doctrine, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. "Hodos" (way) suggests a journey or path, while "dikaiosynē" (righteousness) denotes a state of moral integrity and alignment with God's will. The early Christians understood this as a transformative process, leading to sanctification and eternal life.

than to have known it
Reiterating the concept of experiential knowledge, this phrase underscores the accountability that comes with understanding and accepting the Gospel. The historical context involves the Jewish tradition of covenantal knowledge, where knowing God implied a deep, relational commitment.

and then to turn away
The Greek "apostrephō" (to turn away) conveys a deliberate rejection or abandonment. This reflects the serious nature of apostasy, where individuals consciously choose to forsake their faith. In the early church, such actions were seen as betrayals not only of God but of the community of believers.

from the holy commandment
The term "entolē" (commandment) refers to the teachings and moral imperatives given by Christ and the apostles. "Hagios" (holy) emphasizes the divine origin and sacredness of these instructions. The early Christians viewed adherence to these commandments as essential to maintaining a right relationship with God.

passed on to them
This phrase highlights the transmission of apostolic teaching, crucial for preserving the integrity of the faith. The Greek "paradidōmi" (passed on) suggests a tradition handed down with authority and care. In the historical context, this reflects the importance of oral and written teachings in maintaining doctrinal purity amidst false teachings and persecution.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle and author of this epistle, addressing the early Christian communities and warning them about false teachers.

2. False Teachers
Individuals within the early church who were leading believers astray with heretical teachings and immoral behavior.

3. The Early Church
The community of believers in the first century who were recipients of Peter's letters, facing challenges from both external persecution and internal false teachings.

4. The Way of Righteousness
Refers to the Christian faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ, which lead to a righteous life.

5. The Holy Commandment
The teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ, which were passed down to the believers.
Teaching Points
The Seriousness of Apostasy
Turning away from the faith after knowing the truth is a grave matter. It highlights the importance of perseverance in the Christian walk.

The Value of Knowing the Truth
Knowing the way of righteousness is a privilege and a responsibility. Believers must cherish and uphold the truth they have received.

Guarding Against False Teachings
Believers must be vigilant against false teachings that can lead them away from the truth. This requires a strong foundation in Scripture and discernment.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to the holy commandment is crucial. It is not enough to know the truth; one must live it out in daily life.

Encouragement to Persevere
Despite challenges, believers are encouraged to persevere in their faith, trusting in God's promises and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some practical ways you can guard yourself against false teachings in today's world?

2. How can you ensure that you are not just a hearer of the Word but also a doer, as James 1:22 encourages?

3. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to turn away from your faith. What helped you to remain steadfast?

4. How does understanding the seriousness of apostasy motivate you to persevere in your Christian walk?

5. In what ways can you support others in your community to remain faithful to the way of righteousness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Hebrews 6:4-6
This passage discusses the impossibility of renewing to repentance those who have fallen away after having once been enlightened, similar to the warning in 2 Peter 2:21.

Matthew 12:43-45
Jesus speaks about the danger of a person who cleanses their life but does not fill it with righteousness, paralleling the idea of turning away after knowing the truth.

Proverbs 26:11
This proverb is quoted in 2 Peter 2:22, illustrating the foolishness of returning to one's former sinful ways.

1 John 2:19
Discusses those who leave the faith, indicating they were never truly part of it, which relates to the idea of turning away after knowing the truth.
The Way of RighteousnessJ.R. Thomson 2 Peter 2:21
False TeachersU.R. Thomas 2 Peter 2:1-22
False TeachersR. Finlayson 2 Peter 2:1-22
A Fatal PromiseHomilist2 Peter 2:17-22
A Great Gain, a Great Loss, and a Great CurseD. Thomas, D. D.2 Peter 2:17-22
Altogether Become AbominableJ. R. Lumby, D. D.2 Peter 2:17-22
ApostasyThornley Smith.2 Peter 2:17-22
Deceivers and DeceivedThos. Adams.2 Peter 2:17-22
Disappointing TeachersProf. J. R. Lumby.2 Peter 2:17-22
Entangled AgainThos. Adams.2 Peter 2:17-22
False TeachersThos. Adams.2 Peter 2:17-22
Moral Theory of Civil LibertyH. W. Beecher.2 Peter 2:17-22
Necessity of Perseverance in Well-DoingA. Symson.2 Peter 2:17-22
No Place Like HomeW. Haslam.2 Peter 2:17-22
On Spiritual or Inward LibertyR. Price, D. D.2 Peter 2:17-22
On the Slavery of ViceH. Blair, D. D.2 Peter 2:17-22
Sin Renewed After PardonA. Symson.2 Peter 2:17-22
The Danger of RelapseBp. Forbes.2 Peter 2:17-22
The Danger of RelapsingBp. Smalridge.2 Peter 2:17-22
The Dog Returned to His VomitA. Symson.2 Peter 2:17-22
The Method of the SeducersThos. Adams.2 Peter 2:17-22
The Sinner's Natural Power and Moral WeaknessC. G. Finney.2 Peter 2:17-22
The Temptation of LibertyW. Rudder, D. D.2 Peter 2:17-22
The Way of RighteousnessThos. Adams.2 Peter 2:17-22
Vicious BondageH. Johnson, D. D.2 Peter 2:17-22
Wells Without WaterJ. P. Hutchinson.2 Peter 2:17-22
People
Balaam, Beor, Bosor, Noah, Noe, Peter
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Gomorrah, Pontus, Sodom
Topics
Acknowledged, Backs, Better, Command, Commandment, Commandments, Delivered, Fully, Handed, Holy, Instructed, Law, Passed, Righteousness, Sacred, Turn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Peter 2:21

     5127   back
     5979   waste
     6195   impenitence, results
     8168   way, the
     8405   commands, in NT

2 Peter 2:17-22

     2426   gospel, responses
     5481   proverb
     5602   vomit
     8766   heresies

2 Peter 2:20-21

     8723   doubt, results of

2 Peter 2:20-22

     6183   ignorance, of God
     8743   faithlessness, nature of

2 Peter 2:21-22

     5942   security

Library
The Owner and his Slaves
'Denying the Lord that bought them.'--2 Peter ii. 1. The institution of slavery was one of the greatest blots on ancient civilisation. It was twice cursed, cursing both parties, degrading each, turning the slave into a chattel, and the master, in many cases, into a brute. Christianity, as represented in the New Testament, never says a word to condemn it, but Christianity has killed it. 'Make the tree good and its fruit good.' Do not aim at institutions, change the people that live under them and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
1 There is a bill of indictment against those who declare to the world they are not the children of God: all profane persons. These have damnation written upon their forehead. Scoffers at religion. It were blasphemy to call these the children of God. Will a true child jeer at his Father's picture? Drunkards, who drown reason and stupefy conscience. These declare their sin as Sodom. They are children indeed, but cursed children' (2 Peter 2:14). 2 Exhortation, which consists of two branches. (i) Let
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which they Bewail, and those Who, Abstaining from Them, Bewail them Not.
(Admonition 31.) Differently to be admonished are those who lament their transgressions, and yet forsake them not, and those who forsake them, and yet lament them not. For those who lament their transgressions and yet forsake them not are to be admonished to learn to consider anxiously that they cleanse themselves in vain by their weeping, if they wickedly defile themselves in their living, seeing that the end for which they wash themselves in tears is that, when clean, they may return to filth.
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

What is to be Said of the Sea of Apamia.
'The sea of Apamia' is reckoned the seventh among those seas that compass the land of Israel; which word hath a sound so near akin to the word Pamias, by which name the Rabbins point out the fountains of Jordan,--that the mention of that word cannot but excite the memory of this, yea, almost persuade that both design one and the same place: and that the sea Apamia was nothing else but some great collection of waters at the very springs of Jordan. This also might moreover be added to strengthen that
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Perseverance of Saints.
FURTHER OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 4. A fourth objection to this doctrine is, that if, by the perseverance of the saints is intended, that they live anything like lives of habitual obedience to God, then facts are against it. To this objection I reply: that by the perseverance of the saints, as I use these terms, is intended that, subsequently to their regeneration, holiness is the rule of their lives, and sin only the exception. But it is said, that facts contradict this. (1.) The case of king Saul is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Of Councils and their Authority.
1. The true nature of Councils. 2. Whence the authority of Councils is derived. What meant by assembling in the name of Christ. 3. Objection, that no truth remains in the Church if it be not in Pastors and Councils. Answer, showing by passages from the Old Testament that Pastors were often devoid of the spirit of knowledge and truth. 4. Passages from the New Testament showing that our times were to be subject to the same evil. This confirmed by the example of almost all ages. 5. All not Pastors who
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

As Many as were Called by Grace, and Displayed the First Zeal...
As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, (so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their military stations); let these, after they have passed the space of three years as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. But in all these cases it is necessary to examine well into their purpose and what their repentance appears to be like. For as many as give evidence of their
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Believe and be Saved
It is the Holy Spirit alone that can draw us to the cross and fasten us to the Saviour. He who thinks he can do without the Spirit, has yet to learn his own sinfulness and helplessness. The gospel would be no good news to the dead in sin, if it did not tell of the love and power of the divine Spirit, as explicitly as it announces the love and power of the divine Substitute. But, while keeping this in mind, we may try to learn from Scripture what is written concerning the bond which connects us individually
Horatius Bangs, D.D.—God's Way of Peace

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Catholic Epistles.
I. Storr: De Catholicarum Epp. Occasione et Consilio. Tüb. 1789. Staeudlin: De Fontibus Epp. Cath. Gott. 1790. J. D. Schulze: Der schriftstellerische Charakter und Werth des Petrus, Jacobus und Judas. Leipz. 1802. Der schriftsteller. Ch. des Johannes. 1803. II. Commentaries on all the Catholic Epistles by Goeppfert (1780), Schlegel (1783), Carpzov (1790), Augusti (1801), Grashof (1830), Jachmann (1838), Sumner (1840), De Wette (3d ed. by Brückner 1865), Meyer (the Cath. Epp. by Huther,
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Authenticity and Credibility of the Pentateuch.
1. The historic truth of the Pentateuch is everywhere assumed by the writers of the New Testament in the most absolute and unqualified manner. They do not simply allude to it and make quotations from it, as one might do in the case of Homer's poems, but they build upon the facts which it records arguments of the weightiest character, and pertaining to the essential doctrines and duties of religion. This is alike true of the Mosaic laws and of the narratives that precede them or are interwoven
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Testimonies.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God."--Heb. xi. 6. In order to prevent the possibility of being led into paths of error, faith is directed, not to a Christ of the imagination, but to "the Christ in the garments of the Sacred Scripture," as Calvin expresses it. And therefore we must discriminate between (1) faith as a faculty implanted in the soul without our knowledge; (2) faith as a power whereby this implanted faculty begins to act; and (3) faith as a result,--since with this faith (1)
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

How those are to be Admonished who do not Even Begin Good Things, and those who do not Finish them when Begun.
(Admonition 35.) Differently to be admonished are they who do not even begin good things, and those who in no wise complete such as they have begun. For as to those who do not even begin good things, for them the first need is, not to build up what they may wholesomely love, but to demolish that wherein they are wrongly occupied. For they will not follow the untried things they hear of, unless they first come to feel how pernicious are the things that they have tried; since neither does one desire
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The First Wall.
Let us, in the first place, attack the first wall. It has been devised, that the Pope, bishops, priests and monks are called the Spiritual Estate; Princes, lords, artificers and peasants, are the Temporal Estate; which is a very fine, hypocritical device. But let no one be made afraid by it; and that for this reason: That all Christians are truly of the Spiritual Estate, and there is no difference among them, save of office alone. As St. Paul says (1 Cor. xii.), we are all one body, though each member
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

They Shall be Called the Children of God
They shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 In these words the glorious privilege of the saints is set down. Those who have made their peace with God and labour to make peace among brethren, this is the great honour conferred upon them, They shall be called the children of God'. They shall be (called)', that is, they shall be so reputed and esteemed of God. God never miscalls anything. He does not call them children which are no children. Thou shalt be called the prophet of the Highest'
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Under the Shepherd's Care.
A NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 25. "Ye were as sheep going astray." This is evidently addressed to believers. We were like sheep, blindly, willfully following an unwise leader. Not only were we following ourselves, but we in our turn have led others astray. This is true of all of us: "All we like sheep have gone astray;" all equally foolish, "we have turned every one to his own way." Our first
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue

Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils.
Let us now consider the matters which should be treated in the councils, and with which popes, cardinals, bishops, and all learned men should occupy themselves day and night, if they loved Christ and His Church. But if they do not do so, the people at large and the temporal powers must do so, without considering the thunders of their excommunications. For an unjust excommunication is better than ten just absolutions, and an unjust absolution is worse than ten just excommunications. Therefore let
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Education of Jesus.
This aspect of Nature, at once smiling and grand, was the whole education of Jesus. He learned to read and to write,[1] doubtless, according to the Eastern method, which consisted in putting in the hands of the child a book, which he repeated in cadence with his little comrades, until he knew it by heart.[2] It is doubtful, however, if he understood the Hebrew writings in their original tongue. His biographers make him quote them according to the translations in the Aramean tongue;[3] his principles
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Tests of Love to God
LET us test ourselves impartially whether we are in the number of those that love God. For the deciding of this, as our love will be best seen by the fruits of it, I shall lay down fourteen signs, or fruits, of love to God, and it concerns us to search carefully whether any of these fruits grow in our garden. 1. The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

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