2 Peter 2:21 NIV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.As Caffin said, "This verse implies that these unhappy men once had the full knowledge of Christ.[57] "The passage indicates that the heretics had been orthodox Christians in the first place."[58] "Peter said they had escaped the defilements of the world, which could not be said of pretenders."[59] The verse also declares that the holy... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

2 Peter 2:21. It had been better for them not to have known, &c.— By the word better, is meant the lesser evil: which, when two evils are compared together, is accounted the greatest good. Righteousness in this place does not stand for justice alone, but comprehends all the graces and virtues of the Christian life. See 1 Peter 2:24. The two evils here compared are, their having remained idolatrous Heathens, in ignorance, infidelity, and vice; and their having once been enlightened and... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

21. the way of righteousness—"the way of truth" (2 Peter 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 more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Peter 2:20-22

D. The Condemnation of False Teachers 2:20-22Peter focused his discussion next on the false teachers’ final doom to warn his readers of the serious results of following their instruction. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Peter 2:21

"Them" seems to continue to refer to unsaved false teachers. This verse amplifies the last statement in 2 Peter 2:20.It would have been better for the false teachers never to gain full knowledge of God’s commandment regarding holy behavior (the "way of righteousness") than having gained it to reject it. Turning from the light results in going into greater darkness (cf. Matthew 12:43-45). Even for a believer, more light brings more responsibility and consequently more severe judgment (cf. James... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - 2 Peter 2:21

2:21 known (b-10) known (b-17) Epignosis , see Note i, ch. 1.3. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:1-22

Warning Against a Threatened Plague of Brutal False TeachersAs of old there were false as well as true prophets, so it will be now. This leads the Apostle to speak about the false teachers, who if they have not already begun-he expects will trouble his readers. Prophets were important persons in the early Church: cp. Acts 11:27; 1 Corinthians 12:28.; 1 Corinthians 14:29.; Ephesians 2:20; Ephesians 3:5; Ephesians 4:11. These teachers, who had doubtless been baptised, claimed, it would seem, to... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Peter 2:21

(21) It had been better for them not to have known.—There are many things of which the well-known lines.“’Tis better to have loved and lost,Than never to have loved at all,”do not hold good. To have loved a great truth, to have loved a high principle, and after all to lose them, is what often causes the shipwreck of a life. To have loved Jesus Christ and lost Him is to make shipwreck of eternal life.The way of righteousness.—The life of the Christian. That which from a doctrinal point of view... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Peter 2:1-22

2 Peter 2:22 'I entered on this farm,' Burns wrote to Dr. Moore (2nd Aug. 1787), 'with a full resolution, "Come, go to, I will be wise!" I read farming books, I calculated crops, I attended markets, and in short, in spite of the devil and the world and the flesh, I believe I should have been a wise man, but the first year, from unfortunately buying bad seed, the second from a late harvest, we lost half our crops. This overset all my wisdom, and I returned, "like the dog to his vomit, and the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:17-22

Chapter 25 ALTOGETHER BECOME ABOMINABLE2 Peter 2:17-22THE Apostle now describes these traitors to the cause of Christ under another aspect. They proffer themselves as guides and teachers. As such they should be sources of refreshment and help. But in every respect they belie the character which they have assumed. "These are springs without water." The blessing of a spring is only known to the full in Eastern lands. Hence it is that in Bible language wells and fountains are constantly used as... read more

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Peter 2:20-22

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Peter 2:21

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - 2 Peter 2:21

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:1-22

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Peter 2:21

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Peter 2:1-22

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:17-22

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