2 Peter 2:20-22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Peter 2:10-22

The apostle's design being to warn us of, and arm us against, seducers, he now returns to discourse more particularly of them, and give us an account of their character and conduct, which abundantly justifies the righteous Judge of the world in reserving them in an especial manner for the most severe and heavy doom, as Cain is taken under special protection that he might be kept for uncommon vengeance. But why will God thus deal with these false teachers? This he shows in what follows. I.... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Peter 2:17-22

2:17-22 These people are waterless springs, mists driven by a squall of wind; and the gloom of darkness is reserved for them. With talk at once arrogant and futile, they ensnare by appeals to shameless, sensual passions those who are only just escaping from the company of those who live in error. promising them freedom, while they themselves are the slaves of moral corruption; for a man is in a state of slavery to that which has reduced him to helplessness. If they have escaped the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world ,.... The sins of it, the governing vices of it, which the men of the world are addicted to, and immersed in; for the whole world lies in wickedness, and which are of a defiling nature: the phrase is Rabbinical; it is said F17 Zohar in Gen. fol. 104. 3. Vid. Bechinot Olam, p. 178. , "he that studies not in the law in this world, but is defiled בטנופי עלמא , "with the pollutions of the world", what is written of him? and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:21

For it had been better for them ,.... Not that ignorance is good, or to be excused; but it would have been a lesser evil, and not so much aggravated: not to have known the way of righteousness ; the same with "the way of truth", 2 Peter 2:2 , and "the right way", 2 Peter 2:15 , the Gospel, which points out the way and method of a sinner's justification before God, which is not by the works of the law, but by the righteousness of Christ imputed to them, and received by faith; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them, according to the true proverb ,.... Which is true, both in fact and in the application of it, and which lies in the Scriptures of truth, at least the first part of it, Proverbs 26:11 . The dog is turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire ; which expresses the filthy nature of sin, signified by vomit, mire, and dirt, than which nothing is more abominable and defiling; and also the just characters of these... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:20

The pollutions of the world - Sin in general, and particularly superstition, idolatry, and lasciviousness. These are called μιασματα , miasmata , things that infect, pollute, and defile. The word was anciently used, and is in use at the present day, to express those noxious particles of effluvia proceeding from persons infected with contagious and dangerous diseases; or from dead and corrupt bodies, stagnant and putrid waters, marshes etc., by which the sound and healthy may be infected... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

For 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 commandment, and this by the grace of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:22

According to the true proverb - This seems to be a reference to Proverbs 26:11 ; : קאו אל שב ככלב kekeleb shab al keo ; as the dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool repeateth his folly. In substance this proverb is found among the rabbins; so Midrash Ruth, in Sohar Chadash, fol. 62: Orphah is returned to her mire, Ruth persevered in spirit; and again, Ibid. fol. 64: "Orphah, which is הבהמית נפש nephesh habbehemith , the bestial soul, is returned to her mire." The Greeks have... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:20

Verse 20 20.For if after. He again shews how pernicious was the sect which led men consecrated to God back again to their old filth and the corruptions of the world. And he exhibits the heinousness of the evil by a comparison; for it was no common sin to depart from the holy doctrine of God. It would have been better for them, he says, not to have known the way of righteousness; for though there is no excuse for ignorance, yet the servant who knowingly and wilfully despises the commands of his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

Verse 21 21.By saying that having forsaken the commandment delivered unto them, they returned to their own pollutions, he intimates first, how inexcusable they were; and secondly, he reminds us that the doctrine of a holy and virtuous life, though common to all and indiscriminately belonging to all, is yet peculiarly taught to those whom God favors with the light of his gospel. But he declares that they who make themselves slaves again to the pollutions of the world fall away from the gospel.... read more

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