2 Peter 2:21

21. Way of righteousness The way of justification from sin through faith in Christ, and of holy living. The laws for walking in this way constitute the holy commandment given them to be kept; but after keeping it for a time, they are now turned back out of it. Surely, then, they were once in it. Besides, the compound word rendered known means to know increasingly, and implies that they had once been living, growing Christians.

It had been better Because in ceasing to add to their faith, virtue, etc., (2 Peter 1:5,) they came to forget how Christ saved them, (2 Peter 1:9,) and fell into the guilt of apostasy and a lower depth of sin; because they sin against greater knowledge and have less excuse; and because they will therefore receive a severer punishment. 2 Peter 2:20-21 forcibly show the fall of these false teachers from a state of grace. Their certain doom is pronounced in 2 Peter 2:1; 2Pe 2:3 ; 2 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 2:12; 2 Peter 2:17.