2 Peter 2:20-22

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

Verse 22 22.But it has happened unto them. As the example disturbs many, when men who had submitted to the obedience of Christ, rush headlong into vices without fear or shame, the Apostle, in order to remove the offense, says that this happens through their own fault, and that because they are pigs and dogs. It hence follows that no part of the sin can be ascribed to the gospel. For this purpose he quotes two ancient proverbs, the first of which is found as the saying of Solomon in Proverbs... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world; literally, for if, having escaped ( ἀποφυγόντες ). Is St. Peter in this verse still speaking of the false teachers, or of those whom they had enticed ( 2 Peter 2:18 )? Bengel, Fronmuller, and others take the latter view, thinking that the ἀποφυγόντες ("those having escaped") of this verse must be the same with the ἀποφεύγοντας or ἀποφυγόντας ("those who are escaping," or "those having escaped") of 2 Peter 2:18... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 2:21

For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness; better, as in the Revised Version, for it were better. (For this use of the imperfect indicative, see Winer, 3:41, 2, a.) The verb ἐπεγνωκέκαι , "to have known," here, and the participle ἐπιγνοῦσιν , "after they have known," in the next clause, correspond with the noun ἐπίγνωσις of the preceding, and, like that, imply that these unhappy men once had the full knowledge of Christ. (For "the way, of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb. The conjunction "but" is omitted in the best manuscripts. The literal translation is, "There hath happened unto them that of the true proverb ( τὸ τῆς παροιμίας ) ;" comp. Matthew 21:21 , τὸ τῆς συκῆς . The dog is turned to his own vomit again. The construction is participial; literally, a dog having turned. See Wirier (3:45, 6, b), who says that in such proverbial expressions there is no reason for changing the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 2:20

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world - This does not necessarily mean that they had been true Christians, and had fallen from grace. People may outwardly reform, and escape from the open corruptions which prevail around them, or which they had themselves practiced, and still have no true grace at heart.Through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesses Christ - Neither does This imply that they were true Christians, or that they had ever had any saving knowledge of the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 2:21

For it had been better for them ... - Compare the notes at Matthew 26:24. It would have been better for them, for:(1)Then they would not have dishonored the cause of religion as they have now done;(2)They would not have sunk so deep in profligacy as they now have; and,(3)They would not have incurred so aggravated a condemnation in the world of woe. If people are resolved on being wicked, they had better never pretend to be good. If they are to be cast off at last, it had better not be as... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Peter 2:22

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb - The meaning of the proverbs here quoted is, that they have returned to their former vile manner of life. Under all the appearances of reformation, still their evil nature remained, as really as that of the dog or the swine, and that nature finally prevailed. There was no thorough internal change, any more than there is in the swine when it is washed, or in the dog. This passage, therefore, would seem to demonstrate that there never... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Peter 2:20-22

2 Peter 2:20-22. For if after they The persons here spoken of as deluded; have escaped the pollutions of the world The sins which pollute those who know not God; through the knowledge of Christ That is, through faith in him, 2 Peter 1:3; they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end Their last state; is worse than the beginning More inexcusable, and exposing them to a greater condemnation. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Peter 2:11-22

Character of the false teachers (2:10b-22)Being arrogant and self-assertive, the false teachers show no respect for anyone. They even insult angels, who hold a higher position than humans in the order of created beings. By contrast, the angels have such reverence for God that they dare not use insulting language in his presence, even against those who deserve condemnation (10b-11).The false teachers use neither their reasoning nor their willpower to control themselves. Like animals they simply... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Peter 2:20

pollutions . Greek. miasma. Only here. Compare 2 Peter 2:10 . knowledge . See 2 Peter 1:2 , 2 Peter 1:3 , 2 Peter 1:8 . Lord . App-98 . Jesus Christ . App-98 . Compare 2 Peter 3:18 . entangled . Greek. empleko. See 2 Timothy 2:4 . latter end . Literally last things. is = is become. beginning = first. read more

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