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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 18:24“But when the righteous turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and does according to all the abominations that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered. In his trespass that he has trespassed, and in his sin that he has sinned, in them he shall die.
- Heb 6:4–6For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit,
- Jas 4:17To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
- Ezek 3:20“Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand.
- Luke 12:47That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes,
- John 15:22If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.
- 1 Th 4:2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
- John 9:41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
- Zeph 1:6those who have turned back from following Yahweh, and those who haven’t sought Yahweh nor inquired after him.
- Prov 16:31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
- Matt 21:32For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.
- Ps 36:3–4The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.
- Rom 7:12Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
- Ezek 23:13I saw that she was defiled. They both went the same way.
- Prov 12:28In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.
- Ps 125:5But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
- Matt 11:23–24You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today.
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How 2 Peter 2:21 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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