2 Peter 2:21
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
2 Peter 2:21 in other translations
| BSB | 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. |
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| WEB | For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. |
| ASV | 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. |
| YLT | for it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of the righteousness, than having acknowledged it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them, |
| DARBY | For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. |
| BBE | For it would have been better for them to have had no knowledge of the way of righteousness, than to go back again from the holy law which was given to them, after having knowledge of it. |
| Webster | For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. |
What does 2 Peter 2:21 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
(1.) then they would not have dishonoured 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 men 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 apostates from the cause of virtue and religion.
(c) "better" Mt 11:23,24, Lk 12:47,48 (d) "way of righteousness" Prov 12:28
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Peter 2:17-22
The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the…
2 Peter 2:21 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 2 Peter 2:21
- Ezekiel 18:24
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
- Hebrews 6:4-6
For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
- James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- Ezekiel 3:20
Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
- Luke 12:47
And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
- John 15:22
If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.
- John 9:41
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:2
For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
- Zephaniah 1:6
And them that are turned back from the Lord; and those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for him.
- Proverbs 16:31
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
- Matthew 21:32
For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
- Psalms 36:3-4
The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 2 Peter 2:20
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
- 2 Peter 2:21
For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
- 2 Peter 2:22
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
2 Peter 2:21 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Porque mejor les hubiera sido no haber conocido el camino de la justicia, que después de haberlo conocido, tornarse atrás del santo mandamiento que les fué dado. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | car il leur aurait mieux valu n’avoir pas connu la voie de la justice, que de se détourner, après l’avoir connue, du saint commandement qui leur avait été donné; |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Denn es wäre ihnen besser, den Weg der Gerechtigkeit nicht erkannt zu haben, als, nachdem sie ihn erkannt haben, umzukehren von dem ihnen überlieferten heiligen Gebot. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Melius enim erat illis non cognoscere viam justitiæ, quam post agnitionem, retrorsum converti ab eo, quod illis traditum est, sancto mandato. |