2 Peter 2:21

2 Peter 2:21 ‘For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them.'

‘For it would be better….not to have known' -This once again clearly emphasizes the fact that these false teachers had known the truth and had known it well. Such people have. clear understanding of the truth and not,. mere acquaintance. ‘Better'-it would be advantageous. ‘Known'-‘to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly, accurately, know well' (Thayer p. 237). ‘fully perceive..a more special recognition of the object known' (Vine p. 299); ‘to know fully' (Robertson p. 170)

‘the way of righteousness' -There is only one way. (See Matthew 3:3; Matthew 7:13; Matthew 21:32; John 14:6; Acts 16:17; Acts 18:25-26; Acts 19:9; 32). ‘Way of righteousness', because righteousness characterizes those who walk in it (Isaiah 2:8).

‘than having know it' -and they knew it well.

‘to turn away from' -A choice that they had made. Carefully note that the Bible hadn't confused them. They didn't trip up in their thinking because the text was too complicated or. hard verse steered them in the wrong direction. They knew the truth, knew it was the truth, understood the truth, and deliberately turned from it.

Point to Note:

Be impressed that in this whole section God never tells Christians, ‘Now try to understand these erring brethren, they need. lot of love and support right now, they are sincere in their beliefs, don't judge their motives, don't tell them that they are wrong, going to hell or lost.' God says everything about these false teachers that modern experts in interpersonal relationships tell us that we must not say.

‘from the holy commandment' -‘collectively of the whole body of the moral precepts of Christianity (1 Timothy 6:14; 2 Peter 3:2)' (Thayer p. 218) Carefully note that ‘law' or ‘commandments' aren't bad words to God. God looks at the entire system of Christianity and calls it ‘the holy commandment'. These false teachers are forerunners of those who try to set love against law, the gospels against the epistles and the gospel against doctrine ‘the whole body of the moral and spiritual precepts of Christianity' (Oberst p. 321) ‘was standard Christian shorthand for the entire message, Old Testament, New, or both (2 Peter 3:2).' (Lucas/Green p. 122)

‘delivered to them' -delivered to them through the writings and preaching of the apostles (Acts 6:14; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 1 Corinthians 11:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Judges 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:15).