2 Peter 2:21
19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to depravity. For a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him.
20 If 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.
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.
22 Of 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.”
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- BLB
- 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.
- ÅB
- For det hadde vært bedre for dem å ikke ha kjent rettferdighetens vei, enn å kjenne den og så vende seg bort fra det hellige budet som var overgitt dem.
- OTB
- For det ville vært bedre for dem ikke å ha kjent rettferdighetens vei, enn etter å ha kjent den, å vende seg bort fra det hellige bud som ble overlevert dem.
- B1930
- For det var bedre for dem at de ikke hadde kjent rettferdighetens vei, enn at de kjente den og så vendte sig bort fra det hellige bud som var overgitt dem.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
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.
Read in contextHebrews 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,
Read in contextJames 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
Read in contextEzekiel 3:20
Now 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.
Read in contextLuke 12:47
That servant who knows his master’s will but does not get ready or follow his instructions will be beaten with many blows.
Read in contextJohn 15:22
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.
Read in contextJohn 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.”
Read in context1 Thessalonians 4:2
For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
Read in context