
Text -- 2 Peter 2:20 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Robertson: 2Pe 2:20 - -- After they have escaped ( apophugontes ).
Second aorist active participle here (see 2Pe 2:18).
After they have escaped (
Second aorist active participle here (see 2Pe 2:18).

Robertson: 2Pe 2:20 - -- The defilements ( ta miasmata ).
Old word miasma, from miainō , here only in N.T. Our "miasma."The body is sacred to God. Cf. miasmou in 2Pe 2:10...
The defilements (
Old word miasma, from

Robertson: 2Pe 2:20 - -- They are again entangled ( palin emplakentes ).
Second aorist passive participle of emplekō , old verb, to inweave (noosed, fettered), in N.T. only...
They are again entangled (
Second aorist passive participle of

Robertson: 2Pe 2:20 - -- Overcome ( hēttōntai ).
Present passive indicative of hēttaoō , for which see 2Pe 2:19, "are repeatedly worsted."Predicate in the condition o...
Overcome (
Present passive indicative of

Robertson: 2Pe 2:20 - -- Therein ( toutois ).
So locative case (in these "defilements"), but it can be instrumental case ("by these,"Strachan).
Therein (
So locative case (in these "defilements"), but it can be instrumental case ("by these,"Strachan).

With them (
Dative of disadvantage, "for them."
Vincent: 2Pe 2:20 - -- Pollutions ( μιάσματα )
Only here in New Testament. Compare 2Pe 2:10. The word is transcribed in miasma .
Pollutions (
Only here in New Testament. Compare 2Pe 2:10. The word is transcribed in

Vincent: 2Pe 2:20 - -- Entangled ( ἐμπλακέντες )
Only here and 2Ti 2:4. The same metaphor occurs in Aeschylus (" Prometheus" ): " For not on a sudden or ...
Entangled (
Only here and 2Ti 2:4. The same metaphor occurs in Aeschylus (" Prometheus" ): " For not on a sudden or in ignorance will ye be entangled (
Who are thus ensnared.

The sins which pollute all who know not God.

Wesley: 2Pe 2:20 - -- That is, through faith in him, 2Pe 1:3. They are again entangled therein, and overcome, their last state is worse than the first - More inexcusable, a...
That is, through faith in him, 2Pe 1:3. They are again entangled therein, and overcome, their last state is worse than the first - More inexcusable, and causing a greater damnation.

Solemnly expressing in full the great and gracious One from whom they fall.
Clarke -> 2Pe 2:20
Clarke: 2Pe 2:20 - -- The pollutions of the world - Sin in general, and particularly superstition, idolatry, and lasciviousness. These are called μιασματα, miasm...
The pollutions of the world - Sin in general, and particularly superstition, idolatry, and lasciviousness. These are called
Calvin -> 2Pe 2:20
Calvin: 2Pe 2:20 - -- 20.For if after He again shews how pernicious was the sect which led men consecrated to God back again to their old filth and the corruptions of the ...
20.For if after He again shews how pernicious was the sect which led men consecrated to God back again to their old filth and the corruptions of the world. And he exhibits the heinousness of the evil by a comparison; for it was no common sin to depart from the holy doctrine of God. It would have been better for them, he says, not to have known the way of righteousness; for though there is no excuse for ignorance, yet the servant who knowingly and wilfully despises the commands of his lord, deserves a twofold punishment. There was besides ingratitude, because they wilfully extinguished the light of God, rejected the favor conferred on them, and having shaken off the yoke, became perversely wanton against God; yea, as far as they could, they profaned and abrogated the inviolable covenant of God, which had been ratified by the blood of Christ. The more earnest then ought we to be, to advance humbly and carefully in the course of our calling. We must now consider each sentence.
By naming the pollutions of the world, he shews that we roll in filth and are wholly polluted, until we renounce the world. By the knowledge of Christ he no doubt understands the gospel. He testifies that the design of it is, to deliver us from the defilements of the world, and to lead us far away from them. For the same reason he afterwards calls it the way of righteousness. He then alone makes a right progress in the gospel who faithfully learns Christ; and he truly knows Christ, who has been taught by him to put off the old man and to put on the new man, as Paul reminds us in Eph 4:22 174
Defender -> 2Pe 2:20
Defender: 2Pe 2:20 - -- It is thus very dangerous to know how to be saved, to understand the complete situation mentally, and then to deliberately turn Christ down. This is t...
It is thus very dangerous to know how to be saved, to understand the complete situation mentally, and then to deliberately turn Christ down. This is the same situation as described in Heb 6:4-6 and Heb 10:26-31."
TSK -> 2Pe 2:20
TSK: 2Pe 2:20 - -- after : Mat 12:43-45; Luk 11:24-26; Heb 6:4-8, Heb 10:26, Heb 10:27
escaped : 2Pe 2:18, 2Pe 1:4
through : 2Pe 1:2
the latter : Num 24:20; Deu 32:29; P...

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> 2Pe 2:20
Barnes: 2Pe 2:20 - -- For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world - This does not necessarily mean that they had been true Christians, and had fallen ...
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world - This does not necessarily mean that they had been true Christians, and had fallen from grace. People may outwardly reform, and escape from the open corruptions which prevail around them, or which they had themselves practiced, and still have no true grace at heart.
Through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesses Christ - Neither does This imply that they were true Christians, or that they had ever had any saving knowledge of the Redeemer. There is a knowledge of the doctrines and duties of religion which may lead sinners to abandon their outward vices, which has no connection with saving grace. They may profess religion, and may Know enough of religion to understand that it requires them to abandon their vicious habits, and still never be true Christians.
They are again entangled therein and overcome - The word rendered "entangled,"(
The latter end is worse with them than the beginning - This is usually the case. Apostates become worse than they were before their professed conversion. "Reformed"drunkards, if they go back to their "cups"again, become more abandoned than ever. Thus, it is with those who have been addicted to any habits of vice, and who profess to become religious, and then fall away. The "reasons"for this may be:
(1)\caps1 t\caps0 hat they are willing now to show to others that they are no longer under the restraints by which they had professedly bound themselves;
(2)\caps1 t\caps0 hat God gives them up to indulgence with fewer restraints than formerly; and,
(3)\caps1 t\caps0 heir old companions in sin may be at special pains to court their society, and to lead them into temptation, in order to obtain a triumph over virtue and religion.
Poole -> 2Pe 2:20
Poole: 2Pe 2:20 - -- The pollutions of the world those more gross wickednesses in which most of the world still lieth, 1Jo 5:19 .
Through the knowledge of the Lord and S...
The pollutions of the world those more gross wickednesses in which most of the world still lieth, 1Jo 5:19 .
Through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ such a knowledge of Christ as brings with it an outward reformation of life, though it do not purify the heart. For that the apostle doth not here speak of those that were rooted in Christ by a saving and heart purifying faith, appears by 2Pe 2:14 , where he calls them
unstable souls
They are again entangled therein, and overcome return to their old sins, yield up themselves to them, and continue in them.
PBC -> 2Pe 2:20
PBC: 2Pe 2:20 - -- The primary question among commentators regarding these verses is whether Peter is writing about the false teachers or the deluded students whom they ...
The primary question among commentators regarding these verses is whether Peter is writing about the false teachers or the deluded students whom they teach. A. T. Robertson (Word Pictures in the New Testament) makes the point that, even in the Greek structure of the passage, the antecedent to the pronouns is not clear. A reasonable case might well be made for either view. Given the dominant theme that Peter follows in the chapter of dealing with the perverse character of the false teachers, it is my belief that he here refers to the false teachers. It is an implication, but the reference to dogs and pigs following their nature seems to indicate that the people to whom Peter refers remain in a fallen, unchanged nature. If this point holds, the reference seems more appropriate to the false teachers than to the taught. According to Paul, {2Ti 2:18} false teachers can in fact overthrow the faith of children of God, though he adds emphatically that they cannot overthrow their salvation; God’s foundation stands secure against false teachers in that God knows " them that are his." Thus it seems to take the point too far to refer these metaphors to a saved person, but it comfortably and naturally fits the consistent description in the chapter of an unsaved person who is also a false teacher.
When respected New Testament Greek language authorities and English commentators alike make the point that the antecedent to the pronouns in this passage is not at all clear, we should hold whatever position we take with a loose grip and avoid dogmatic insistence that we are absolutely right about our view. I will state my views in this chapter, but I do so with this caveat. So long as you hold to a view that corresponds with other passages and with the essential theological framework of the New Testament, I will comfortably respect your view as fully as the one that I will present. As soon as we start down the slippery slope of judging the eternal destiny/judgment of particular people (apart from specific instances in which Scripture clearly makes the point), we have already moved out of our divine assignment and into God’s role. We would best avoid that setting whenever possible.
The reference to them having " escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ," in isolation from the remainder of the passage could easily refer to a child of God. However, we cannot remove the words from context. Even an evil unsaved person might for a time escape the obvious pollutions of sin while attempting to deceive and misguide others. It is worth noting that true salvation passages refer to what God does for us, not what we did by our actions. God " delivered us from the wrath to come." {1Th 1:10} In this context these people escaped temporarily from the pollution of sin, but the passage does not indicate that God permanently delivered them from it.
How then is the greater condemnation possible, "the latter end is worse with them than the beginning?" Although I am inclined to believe that the status of all the elect in heaven, at least after the resurrection and final judgment, will be equal, I believe that Scripture teaches that the wicked may suffer varying degrees of punishment that corresponds to their relative guilt of sins during their lifetime. The redemptive price of our Lord Jesus Christ was equally paid for each one of the elect. However, the sentence against the wicked at the final judgment will be specific to their sins committed. Thus there is no substantial difficulty in the idea of varying degrees of punishment. Notice Paul’s point that the sentence against the wicked is equated to wages, {Ro 6:23} but the state of the saved is equated to a gift. If this premise be true, then the greater the sin of the wicked, including wicked false teachers, the greater their punishment at the final judgment.
The larger flowing context of 2Pe 2:1-22, and of Peter’s overarching purpose in writing this letter against false teachers, inclines the verses in question toward the false teachers. We should not overlook the rather dramatic distinction between Peter’s primary objective in 1 Peter and in 2 Peter. In 1 Peter he writes about enemies who will persecute and seek to destroy the church from without. In 2 Peter he writes about false teachers who will seek similar destruction against the Lord’s church, but from within, not from without. However, Peter unites his strategy for both letters. Whether in dealing with hostile assault from without or from false teachers within, we are to be fully and constantly equipped to respond so as to honor our faith. {1Pe 3:15 and context}
Regardless of the eternal destination of these people at the final judgment, at least for a time they enter into a church and even rise to a position of teaching authority. (Our generation shirks at this idea, but the old Puritans had no problem with it. They referred to such imposters as " professors but not possessors." ) Then they follow their true motives, greed for prestige and power to themselves. In the process of this greed for self-gain they will abandon any sense of moral or ethical standard. Their greed is self-consuming and becomes apparent to the informed and well-equipped believer. However, they will use pretentious words to deceive the weak and ill informed among the church where they work. Peter’s primary objective is not for us to debate their eternal destiny, but to become so well equipped and informed as to insulate ourselves from their error and their total lack of ethics. Regardless of our locker room discussions about their eternal state, or whether these words primarily apply to the false teachers or the people whom they deceive, Peter’s obvious design is to equip us to recognize and avoid the false teachers whom he describes in the letter.
Based on the clarity and emphasis that Peter places on the question of false teachers, we have far less excuse for being deceived than we sometimes claim. Far too many who claim to be mature believers in Christ and in His truth are sadly careless about their study of Scripture. They gladly read their Bibles daily in devotional pursuit of personal growth and discipleship, but they seldom take their Bible study to the next grade-level and truly equip themselves with Biblical knowledge with sufficient clarity and depth as to be prepared to defend the truth against error or to identify many of the false teachings that we see around us. Devotional reading can evoke sentimental rewards and " good feelings," the epitome of a " heart-felt" faith, but godly, Biblical maturity requires more than a good sentimental feeling. It requires knowledge and skill in that knowledge. Like the tent maker who learns by long, tedious hours of apprenticeship and work to " cut straight" when he makes a tent, {2Ti 2:15} the well-equipped disciple will demonstrate the ability to " cut straight" and to the Master’s specifications when he interprets and applies Scripture.
Scripture, to be sure, holds each of us accountable to God for our discipleship, so we should be cautious when we blame someone else for our personal errors. Had we spent more time (to borrow a’Kempis’ famous comment) " in a nook with the Book," we would show ourselves far better equipped to articulate and to defend our faith.
That said with due emphasis and personal conviction, I equally believe that Scripture consistently lays a heavy responsibility upon anyone who teaches another. If he teaches error, God holds him responsible for the error taught, as well as for the hurt imposed upon the person who is deceived by that error. This basic truth lies at the foundation of Peter’s intense dialogue in this letter, particularly in this chapter. Throughout this chapter Peter has held to a scathing assault against the false teachers, even as he responded with occasional compassion toward those who fall prey to the smooth words and deceptive teachings that ensnared them. The greater truth of this whole letter and its function in the body of accepted and inspired holy writings for New Testament believers takes us to this point. We are duly informed and admonished to take our faith seriously, to be aware that false teachers abound, and that they are not nearly so benign or ethical as we might think them to be from our often naïve assessments. We may at times be deceived (Who among us has not been?), but the major errors propagated by the people whom Peter describes as altogether lacking in moral and ethical integrity should not deceive any among us. We are left essentially without excuse if we take our New Testament textbook seriously and become familiar with its teachings.
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Haydock -> 2Pe 2:20
Haydock: 2Pe 2:20 - -- For if flying, and been happily freed from the pollutions, the abominations, and corruptions of a wicked world, be upon your guard, and take great ca...
For if flying, and been happily freed from the pollutions, the abominations, and corruptions of a wicked world, be upon your guard, and take great care not to be entangled again in these dangerous snares and nets, lest your latter condition (as Christ said, Matthew xii. 45.) be worse than the former, lest you be like a dog that returns to his vomit, or like a sow that is washed and wallows again in the mire. (Witham)
Gill -> 2Pe 2:20
Gill: 2Pe 2:20 - -- For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world,.... The sins of it, the governing vices of it, which the men of the world are addicted to,...
For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world,.... The sins of it, the governing vices of it, which the men of the world are addicted to, and immersed in; for the whole world lies in wickedness, and which are of a defiling nature: the phrase is Rabbinical; it is said q,
"he that studies not in the law in this world, but is defiled
these, men may escape, abstain from, and outwardly reform, with respect unto, and yet be destitute of the grace of God; so that this can be no instance of the final and total apostasy of real saints; for the house may be swept and garnished with an external reformation; persons may be outwardly righteous before men, have a form of godliness and a name to live, and yet be dead in trespasses and sins; all which they may have
through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, our Lord, and the latter leave out, "and Saviour"; by which "knowledge" is meant, not a spiritual experimental knowledge of Christ, for that is eternal life, the beginning, pledge, and earnest of it; but a notional knowledge of Christ, or a profession of knowledge of him, for it may be rendered "acknowledgment"; or rather the Gospel of Christ, which, being only notionally received, may have such an effect on men, as outwardly to reform their lives, at least in some instances, and for a while, in whose hearts it has no place. Now if, after all this knowledge and reformation,
they are again entangled therein; in the pollutions of the world, in worldly lusts, which are as gins, pits and snares:
and overcome; by them, so as to be laden with them, and led away, and entirely governed and influenced by them:
the latter end, or state,
is worse with them than the beginning; see Mat 12:45. Their beginning, or first estate, was that in which they were born, a state of darkness, ignorance, and sin, and in which they were brought up, and was either the state of Judaism, or of Gentilism; their next estate was an outward deliverance and escape from the error of the one, or of the other, and an embracing and professing the truth of the Christian religion, joined with a becoming external conversation; and this their last estate was an apostasy from the truth of the Gospel they had professed, a reception of error and heresy, and a relapse into sin and immorality, which made their case worse than it was at first; for, generally, such persons are more extravagant in sinning; are like raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; and are seldom, or ever, recovered; and by their light, knowledge, and profession, their punishment will be more aggravated, and become intolerable.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 2Pe 2:1-22
TSK Synopsis: 2Pe 2:1-22 - --1 He foretells them of false teachers, shewing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;7 from which the godly shall be delivered, ...
MHCC -> 2Pe 2:17-22
MHCC: 2Pe 2:17-22 - --The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty,...
Matthew Henry -> 2Pe 2:10-22
Matthew Henry: 2Pe 2:10-22 - -- The apostle's design being to warn us of, and arm us against, seducers, he now returns to discourse more particularly of them, and give us an accoun...
Barclay -> 2Pe 2:17-22
Barclay: 2Pe 2:17-22 - --Peter is still rolling out his tremendous denunciation of the evil men.
They flatter only to deceive. They are like wells with no water and like mist...
Constable -> 2Pe 2:1-22; 2Pe 2:20-22
Constable: 2Pe 2:1-22 - --IV. THE DANGER TO THE CHRISTIAN 2:1-22
Peter next warned his readers of the false teachers who presented a messa...
