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For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
Verse Takeaways
1
Knowledge Increases Responsibility
Commentators unanimously agree that it is spiritually worse to know the truth of the Gospel and then abandon it than to have never known it at all. Scholars like Albert Barnes and John Gill explain that this is because apostasy brings greater dishonor to God and incurs a more severe judgment. With greater knowledge comes greater accountability.
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2 Peter
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7
18th Century
Presbyterian
For it had been better for them, etc. Compare to Matthew 26:24 (see Barnes).
It would have been better for them, for:
It were better (κρειττον ην). Apodosis of a condition of second class without αν, as is usual with clauses of possibility, proprie…
19th Century
Anglican
It had been better for them not to have known.—There are many things regarding which the well-known lines—
“It is …
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Peter now underlines the seriousness of apostasy. The “sacred commandment that was passed on to them” evidently refers to the authoritative, aposto…
16th Century
Protestant
By saying that having forsaken the commandment delivered unto them, they returned to their own pollutions, he indicates first, how inexcus…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
For it had been better for them Not that ignorance is good, or to be excused; but it would have been a lesser evil, …
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The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are shown to be empt…
