2 Peter 3:16

He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The author of 2 Peter addresses believers, noting that the apostle Paul consistently writes with divine wisdom in all his letters. This observation occurs during a pastoral warning urging readers to guard against doctrinal error and maintain secure standing (2 Peter 3:15, 17).

The words — The phrase ἐν πᾱσαις ταῖς ἐπιστολαῖς (en pasais tais epistolais) translates literally to "in all the letters." The participle λαλῶν (lalōn) means "speaking," indicating Paul's continuous instruction across his correspondence.

The thread — Peter observes that the same distortion pattern applies to "the rest of the Scriptures," aligning with the warning in Philippians 3:19 about those whose end is destruction. The difficulty of Paul's teachings mirrors Hebrews 5:11, which attributes explanatory complexity to the audience's dull hearing.

Why it lands — Readers must approach Paul's writings with disciplined study, recognizing that careless handling of difficult passages leads to spiritual ruin. The text demands vigilance against self-serving interpretation and a commitment to scriptural integrity.

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

As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Cross-references

Matthew 15:6 he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
Hebrews 5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain, because you are dull of hearing.
Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
James 1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
2 Peter 2:14 Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed.
Jeremiah 23:36 But refer no more to the burden of the LORD, for each man’s word becomes the burden, so that you pervert the words of the living God, the LORD of Hosts, our God.
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered, “You are mistaken because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Psalms 56:5 All day long they twist my words; all their thoughts are on my demise.
Habakkuk 1:4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.