Paul offers good advice:
[2Ti 2:15 KJV] 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
What is happening here is that two groups have studied and arrived at different opinions.
From one ditch into another ditch-thank you for the reminder that PAUL still offers good advice and Imperatives!
2Pe 3:16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
"as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures."To provide a holistic context for this verse, we need to consider the broader context of 2 Peter 3. In this chapter, Peter is addressing the issue of scoffers who deny the second coming of Jesus Christ and mock the idea of judgment. Peter reminds his readers that God's judgment is certain and that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. He also emphasizes the importance of living holy and godly lives in anticipation of Christ's return.Now, let's break down 2 Peter 3:16 word for word in the original Greek:
- "ὡς καὶ ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐπιστολαῖς λαλῶν ἐν αὐταῖς περὶ τούτων, ἐν αἷς ἐστιν δυσνόητά τινα, ἃ οἱ ἀμαθεῖς καὶ ἀστήρικτοι στρεβλοῦσιν ὡς καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς γραφάς πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν αὐτῶν ἀπώλειαν."
- ὡς (hos) - "as"
- καὶ (kai) - "also"
- ἐν (en) - "in"
- πάσαις (pasais) - "all"
- ταῖς (tais) - "the"
- ἐπιστολαῖς (epistolais) - "letters"
- λαλῶν (lalōn) - "speaking"
- ἐν (en) - "in"
- αὐταῖς (autais) - "them"
- περὶ (peri) - "concerning"
- τούτων (toutōn) - "these matters"
- ἐν (en) - "in"
- αἷς (hais) - "which"
- ἐστιν (estin) - "are"
- δυσνόητά (dysnoēta) - "hard to understand"
- τινα (tina) - "some things"
- ἃ (ha) - "which"
- οἱ (hoi) - "the"
- ἀμαθεῖς (amatheis) - "ignorant"
- καὶ (kai) - "and"
- ἀστήρικτοι (astērikti) - "unstable"
- στρεβλοῦσιν (streblousin) - "twist"
- ὡς (hos) - "as"
- καὶ (kai) - "also"
- τὰς (tas) - "the"
- λοιπὰς (loipas) - "other"
- γραφάς (graphas) - "Scriptures"
- πρὸς (pros) - "to"
- τὴν (tēn) - "their"
- ἰδίαν (idian) - "own"
- αὐτῶν (autōn) - "destruction"
To summarize, 2 Peter 3:16 warns that some of the things written by Paul in his letters are difficult to understand, and that some people, who are ignorant and unstable, twist these teachings to their own destruction.
This twisting of Scripture is not limited to Paul's letters but also applies to other Scriptures. The verse emphasizes the importance of careful study and interpretation of Scripture, as well as the danger of false teaching and interpretation.
speaking. +*Rom_8:19, *1Co_15:21; *1Co_15:23; *1Co_15:24, *Col_3:4, +*1Th_4:14-18; *1Th_5:1-10, *1Ti_6:14, *2Ti_1:7-8; +*2Ti_4:1; +*2Ti_4:8; +*2Ti_4:18, *Heb_9:28; Heb_10:23-39.
of these things. 2Pe_3:14, 2 Kings 1, Col_3:4, 1Th_4:13; 1Th_5:11, 2Th_2:16.
some things.
Notice Peter says some things, not all. The difficulty some readers and interpreters find in understanding parts of Scripture is no argument against perspicuity, the doctrine that Scripture declares it is understandable (Psa_119:130) to the ordinary reader (T1110—1122). This furnishes no basis for those denominations, churches, and religious organizations,
even some false cults (some of which appeal to Mat_16:16 or Mat_24:45 to assert their authority), to claim they are the exclusive source for authoritative teaching of the Bible.
Peter warns, in context, that those he speaks of are deficient in their knowledge and have a character problem. He urges us not to be led away with the error of the wicked. We are urged to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pe_3:18). The only source of this knowledge is the 27 primary documents we have in the New Testament. We need to make it our habit to regularly study the Scriptures, and feed on God’s Word (+1Pe_2:2 note). Psa_119:97.
hard to be understood. Gr. dusnoētos (S# G1425, only here), difficult of perception (Strong). 1Ki_10:1, Pro_1:6; +**Pro_28:5, Joh_6:60, Rom_3:5-8; Rom_3:20-28; Rom_4:15; Rom_5:20; Rom_6:1; Rom_7:4-11; Rom_8:29-30; Rom_9:18-20; Rom_11:33; Rom_14:1-6 with Act_15:29, 1Co_2:13-14, Gal_3:10, 2Th_2:1-12, 2Ti_2:17, *Heb_5:10; *Heb_5:11; Heb_6:4-9.
unlearned. Gr. amathēs (S# G261, only here), ignorant (Strong); lacking in the moral qualities of a balanced judgment (Strachan). This is the central issue, the major problem: people who ought to know better are virtually Biblically illiterate. Joh_17:3, Act_4:13, 1Co_14:16, 2Ti_2:23, Heb_5:11-12; Heb_6:9 note. 1Pe_2:2 note.
unstable. Gr. astēriktos (S# G793, only here and 2Pe_2:14). Refers more to conduct, those whose habits are not fully trained and established (see Strachan).
2Pe_2:14, Gen_49:4, 2Ti_3:5-7, *+Jas_1:8.
wrest. Gr. strebloō (S# G4761, only here), to wrench, that is, (specifically) to torture (by the rack), but only figuratively to pervert (Strong). T1107. Exo_23:2; Exo_23:6, Deu_16:19, 2Sa_22:27 g. Psa_56:5, +*Jer_8:8 mg. Jer_23:36, Hab_1:4, Mat_4:5-6; Mat_15:3-6; Mat_19:3-10; Mat_22:29, Rom_8:21, 1Co_5:9-11, +*2Co_2:17; 2Co_3:17; +*2Co_4:2, Gal_5:13. 2Ti_2:18, 1Pe_2:8.
as they do. Isa_28:16.
the other. Gr. loipoi (S# G3062, Mat_22:6), remaining ones (Strong). The Greek word has reference to others of the same kind. Mat_15:3; Mat_15:6; Mat_22:29; *Mat_25:11, *Act_2:37, *Rom_1:13, *1Co_9:5, *2Co_12:13, *Gal_2:13, *Php_4:3, +*1Ti_5:18, +*2Ti_3:16.
scriptures. Gr. graphē (S# G1124, Mat_21:42).
Note that St. Paul’s epistles are called "Scriptures" (CB). In its fifty occurrences, this term is always applied to the Old and New Testament sacred writings. Men in each Church having miraculous discernment of spirits (1Jn_4:1; 2Th_2:2 note) would have prevented any uninspired writing from being put on a par with the OT word of God; the apostles’ lives also were providentially prolonged, Paul’s and Peter’s at least to thirty-four years after Christ’s resurrection, John’s to thirty years beyond them, so that fraud in the canon is out of the question.
The three first Gospels and Acts are included in "the other Scriptures" (1Ti_5:18), and perhaps all the NT books, save John and Revelation, written later (see JFB). 2Pe_1:20-21, +Mat_21:42, **1Co_14:37, Col_4:16, 1Th_5:27, +**2Ti_3:15-17, 1Pe_2:6.
unto their own. 2Pe_2:1, +*Php_3:19, 1Pe_2:8, Jud_1:4.
destruction. Gr. apōleia (S# G684, Mat_7:13), ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal) [Strong]. *2Pe_3:6; *2Pe_3:7; *2Pe_3:9, 2Pe_2:1; 2Pe_2:3, Deu_4:2; Deu_12:32, Isa_28:13, 1Ti_5:15, Rev_22:19.
Shalom
J.