“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” (2 Peter 2:21 ESV).
2 Peter 2:21 is a portion of Scripture that challenges us in several respects. By analyzing this text with the aid of the following commentators, we can gain a better understanding of this complex passage. We can begin with this reference to “it would have been better…”
“Peter’s comment here reflects the severity of the situation. The false teachers have experienced Christ’s work enough to understand the basic principles of following Him, but they resist coming to repentance … The cost of losing these false teachers to their own devices—which will ultimately result in their perishing, if they still do not repent—does not outweigh the harm they cause in leading others away from Christ and inhibiting God’s work within the community.” (1)
Next comes the phrase, “never to have known the way of righteousness…”
“The phrase ‘to have known the way’ refers to an intellectual knowledge of the ethical teachings and mode of life characteristic of Christians (note the phrase ‘holy commandment’). Perhaps the nature of their knowledge and faith are analogous to that of the demons who ‘believe and shudder’ (James 2:19). This verse indicates that the conversion of the false teachers was illusory.” (2)
This is followed by a description of those who “turn back…”
“Rather than turning to God, the false teachers have turned back to their own ways. The idea here is that the original knowledge of Jesus gave these leaders an opportunity to repent, but instead they exploited it to lead others astray.” (3)
That brings us to a warning, as well as an application from this passage…
“The entire canon makes it clear that those who apostasize can, at least for a time, give many signs that they have been converted (Matt. 13:1–9, 18–23). But for those who apostasize, this knowledge of Christ never involved a saving trust in the Lord (John 6:22–71). Because apostates have seen the light of the Gospel and rejected it, Peter reminds us that their condemnation will be worse than if they had never known of the Gospel in the first place (2 Peter 2:21).” (4)
Our final commentator offers an important consideration for those who profess to be Christians…
“I’m not sure that Peter is saying that if you go back to the world that you’ll never come back to Jesus. I think that may be the case sometimes. But he is saying that if you go back to the world, you will find your life worse than it ever was before you knew Jesus. Why? Because you now know what it’s like to be clean. And you’re miserable.” (5)
(1) John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Pe 2:21.
(2) R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 2259.
(3) John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Pe 2:21.
(4) Entangled Again. Ligonier.org. (n.d.). Ligonier Ministries. Accessed 17 August, 2024 from https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/entangled-again.
(5) Rich Cathers, 2Peter 1-3. (n.d.). Accessed 17 August, 2024 from https://bstudy2.calvaryfullerton.org/61%202Pe/2001/612Pe01-03.htm.