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.
Parallel translations
- 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.
- KJV 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.
- NKJV 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.
- NASB 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.
- NLT 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
It would have been better never to have known the way of righteousness than to know it and then turn from the holy commandment. It matters because knowingly rejecting the truth deepens one's guilt.
Overview
Peter stresses the gravity of apostasy from known truth. To turn back after knowing 'the way of righteousness' is more culpable than never having known it. This solemn principle warns against treating the gospel lightly and underscores the danger the false teachers pose.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Ezek 18:24But 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.
- Heb 6:4–6It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- Jas 4:17Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- Ezek 3:20Now if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. If you did not warn him, he will die in his sin, and the righteous acts he did will not be remembered. And I will hold you responsible for his blood.
- Luke 12:47That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
- 1 Th 4:2For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
- 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.”
- Zeph 1:6and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”
- Prov 16:31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
- Matt 21:32For John came to you in a righteous way and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
- Ps 36:3–4The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing.
- Rom 7:12So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.
- Ezek 23:13And I saw that she too had defiled herself; both of them had taken the same path.
- Prov 12:28There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
- Ps 125:5But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel.
- Matt 11:23–24And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.
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Original language
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