Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. New Living Translation It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. English Standard Version For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. Berean Standard Bible 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. Berean Literal Bible For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to have turned from the holy commandment having been delivered to them. King James Bible 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. New King James Version For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. New American Standard Bible For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. NASB 1995 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. NASB 1977 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. Legacy Standard Bible For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. Amplified Bible For it would have been better for them not to have [personally] known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to have turned back from the holy commandment [verbally] handed on to them. Christian Standard Bible For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. Holman Christian Standard Bible For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. American Standard Version 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. Contemporary English Version They would have been better off if they had never known about the right way. Even after they knew what was right, they turned their backs on the holy commandments they were given. English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation It would have been better for them never to have known the way of life that God approves of than to know it and turn their backs on the holy life God told them to live. Good News Translation It would have been much better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than to know it and then turn away from the sacred command that was given them. International Standard Version It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to know it and turn their backs on the holy commandment that was committed to them. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment that had been delivered to them. New Heart English Bible 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. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Weymouth New Testament For it would have been better for them not to have fully known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandments in which they were instructed. World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of righteousness, than having acknowledged [it], to turn back from the holy command delivered to them, Berean Literal Bible For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to have turned from the holy commandment having been delivered to them. Young's Literal Translation 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, Smith's Literal Translation For it was better for them not to have known the way of justice, than, having known, to turn back from the holy command delivered to them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor it had been better for them not to have known the way of justice, than after they have known it, to turn back from that holy commandment which was delivered to them. Catholic Public Domain Version For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of justice than, after acknowledging it, to turn away from that holy commandment which was handed on to them. New American Bible For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment handed down to them. New Revised Standard Version For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment that was passed on to them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleVerily it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment that was delivered to them. Aramaic Bible in Plain English For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than that when they knew, they would turn away afterward from the holy decree that was delivered to them. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentFor it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. Godbey New Testament For it was better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment which has been delivered unto them. Haweis New Testament For it had been better for them never to have been acquainted with the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to have turned aside from the holy commandment delivered unto them. Mace New Testament for it had been better for them, not to have made any profession of the gospel, than after they have embraced it, to abandon the holy injunction, that was delivered to them. Weymouth New Testament For it would have been better for them not to have fully known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandments in which they were instructed. Worrell New Testament For it were better for them not to have fully known the way of righteousness, than, having known it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. Worsley New Testament for it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than when they knew it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Deliverance from False Prophets…20If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. 21 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. 22Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”… Cross References Hebrews 10:26-27 If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. Matthew 12:45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there. And the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.” Luke 12:47-48 That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows. / But the one who unknowingly does things worthy of punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be demanded. John 9:41 “If you were blind,” Jesus replied, “you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin. Romans 1:32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things are worthy of death, they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them. 1 John 2:4 If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Galatians 5:7 You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth? 1 Timothy 1:19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith. Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, / who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age— / and then have fallen away—to be restored to repentance, because they themselves are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting Him to open shame. Ezekiel 18:24 But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and practices iniquity, committing the same abominations as the wicked, will he live? None of the righteous acts he did will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness and sin he has committed, he will die. Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Jeremiah 11:10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers who refused to obey My words. They have followed other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their fathers. Isaiah 1:4 Alas, O sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers, children who act corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD; they have despised the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him. Hosea 8:3 But Israel has rejected good; an enemy will pursue him. Treasury of Scripture 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. it had. Matthew 11:23,24 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day… 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 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. the way. Proverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death. 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. to turn. Psalm 36:3,4 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good… Psalm 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel. 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. holy. Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 1 Thessalonians 4:2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. Jump to Previous Acknowledged Better Command Commandment Commandments Delivered Fully Handed Holy Instructed Law Passed Righteousness Sacred Turn WayJump to Next Acknowledged Better Command Commandment Commandments Delivered Fully Handed Holy Instructed Law Passed Righteousness Sacred Turn Way2 Peter 2 1. Peter warns of false teachers, showing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;7. from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom; 10. and more fully describes the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers. It would have been better for them This phrase suggests a comparison of states, emphasizing the gravity of apostasy. The Greek word "kreitton" (better) implies a preferable condition, highlighting the severe consequences of turning away from faith. Historically, this reflects the early Christian community's struggle with false teachings and the importance of steadfastness in faith. 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 "'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 is "the way of truth" (2Peter 2:2), from a moral point of view is "the way of righteousness." So also "the faith delivered to the saints" of Jude 1:3, is the doctrinal equivalent of "the holy commandment delivered unto them" of this verse. Verse 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 righteousness," compare "the way of truth" in verse 2, and note there.) Than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. The manuscripts exhibit some slight variations here: the Sinaitic and Alexandrine give "to turn back." By "the holy commandment" St. Peter means the whole moral Law, which the Lord enforced and widened in his sermon on the mount; from this the false teachers turned away. For the word "delivered" (παραδοθείσης), comp. Jude 1:3. Like the corresponding word παράδοσις, tradition (2 Thessalonians 3:6), it implies the oral transmission of Christian teaching in the first ages (comp. also 1 Peter 1:18).Parallel Commentaries ... Greek It would have beenἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. better κρεῖττον (kreitton) Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular - Comparative Strong's 2909: Stronger, more excellent. Comparative of a derivative of kratos; stronger, i.e. better, i.e. Nobler. for them αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. not μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. to have known ἐπεγνωκέναι (epegnōkenai) Verb - Perfect Infinitive Active Strong's 1921: From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. way ὁδὸν (hodon) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3598: A way, road, journey, path. Apparently a primary word; a road; by implication, a progress; figuratively, a mode or means. of righteousness δικαιοσύνης (dikaiosynēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1343: From dikaios; equity; specially justification. than ἢ (ē) Conjunction Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than. to have known [it] ἐπιγνοῦσιν (epignousin) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Dative Masculine Plural Strong's 1921: From epi and ginosko; to know upon some mark, i.e. Recognize; by implication, to become fully acquainted with, to acknowledge. and turned away ὑποστρέψαι (hypostrepsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active Strong's 5290: To turn back, return. From hupo and strepho; to turn under, i.e. To return. from ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. holy ἁγίας (hagias) Adjective - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred. commandment ἐντολῆς (entolēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 1785: An ordinance, injunction, command, law. From entellomai; injunction, i.e. An authoritative prescription. passed on παραδοθείσης (paradotheisēs) Verb - Aorist Participle Passive - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 3860: From para and didomi; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit. to them. αὐτοῖς (autois) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. Links 2 Peter 2:21 NIV2 Peter 2:21 NLT 2 Peter 2:21 ESV 2 Peter 2:21 NASB 2 Peter 2:21 KJV 2 Peter 2:21 BibleApps.com 2 Peter 2:21 Biblia Paralela 2 Peter 2:21 Chinese Bible 2 Peter 2:21 French Bible 2 Peter 2:21 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Peter 2:21 For it would be better for them (2 Pet. 2P iiP ii Pet) |
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