Bible Strands
2 Peter 2:21
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter addresses early Christian communities in his letter, confronting those who once professed Christ but have now abandoned his teachings. He issues this warning during a period of internal church corruption and false teaching.
The words — The Greek κρεῖττον (kreitton) means "better," establishing a comparative judgment between two states. The verb ἐπεγνωκέναι (epegnōkenai) translates literally as "to have known," indicating a completed, definitive acquaintance with the truth before rejection.
The thread — This pattern of knowing divine instruction yet deliberately abandoning it appears in Ezekiel 18:24, Hebrews 6:4, and James 4:17. These texts consistently link conscious apostasy with greater accountability than initial ignorance.
Why it lands — The text states that rejecting a received holy commandment results in a worse condition than never knowing it. Readers must assess whether they are maintaining the truth they have already been given.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
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.
- Hebrews 6:4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit,
- James 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- Ezekiel 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.
- Luke 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.
- John 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.
- 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.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:2 For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
- Zephaniah 1:6 and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.”
- Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.