A Word on 2Peter 2:20, 21

[Netchaplain]

Decided to share some commentary concerning “heresies” from “false teachers” (v 1):

“Through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I believe this phrase is the same as many other passages like Heb 10:26 – “receiving the knowledge of the truth” i.e. Gospel. I think if this intended to mean receiving or accepting the truth of the Gospel, and not just the knowledge of it, this would be stated differently, because Scripture is directly plain when the subject concerns being saved, redeemed or reborn. Thus, it is more hermeneutically reasonable that “the knowledge of the Lord” intends only the knowledge of the Lord is learned, received or discovered, but not His Gospel and Himself received.



“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world”: “these, men may escape, abstain from, and outwardly reform, with respect unto, and yet be destitute of the grace of God; so that this can be no instance of the final and total apostasy of real saints; for the house may be swept and garnished with an external reformation; persons may be outwardly righteous before men, have a form of godliness and a name to live, and yet be dead in trespasses and sins.”

“By which ‘knowledge’ is meant, not a spiritual experimental knowledge of Christ, for that is eternal life, the beginning, pledge, and earnest of it; but a notional knowledge of Christ, or a profession of knowledge of Him, for it may be rendered "acknowledgment"; or rather the Gospel of Christ, which, being only notionally received, may have such an effect on men, as outwardly to reform their lives, at least in some instances, and for a while, in whose hearts it has no place.”
–J Gill


I strongly recommend viewing the entirety of Gill’s commentary on 2Peter 2! 2 Peter 2 Bible Commentary - John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

[CharismaticLady]

Decided to share some commentary concerning “heresies” from “false teachers” (v 1):

“Through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I believe this phrase is the same as many other passages like Heb 10:26 – “receiving the knowledge of the truth” i.e. Gospel. I think if this intended to mean receiving or accepting the truth of the Gospel, and not just the knowledge of it, this would be stated differently, because Scripture is directly plain when the subject concerns being saved, redeemed or reborn. Thus, it is more hermeneutically reasonable that “the knowledge of the Lord” intends only the knowledge of the Lord is learned, received or discovered, but not His Gospel and Himself received.



“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world”: “these, men may escape, abstain from, and outwardly reform, with respect unto, and yet be destitute of the grace of God; so that this can be no instance of the final and total apostasy of real saints; for the house may be swept and garnished with an external reformation; persons may be outwardly righteous before men, have a form of godliness and a name to live, and yet be dead in trespasses and sins.”

“By which ‘knowledge’ is meant, not a spiritual experimental knowledge of Christ, for that is eternal life, the beginning, pledge, and earnest of it; but a notional knowledge of Christ, or a profession of knowledge of Him, for it may be rendered "acknowledgment"; or rather the Gospel of Christ, which, being only notionally received, may have such an effect on men, as outwardly to reform their lives, at least in some instances, and for a while, in whose hearts it has no place.”
–J Gill


I strongly recommend viewing the entirety of Gill’s commentary on 2Peter 2! 2 Peter 2 Bible Commentary - John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

I will have to strongly disagree. The ones who "escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," is the same as the first chapter,

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And Hebrews 10:26-31 "were sanctified"

What is a heresy is OSAS.

 

[Netchaplain]

I will have to strongly disagree. The ones who "escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," is the same as the first chapter,

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

And Hebrews 10:26-31 "were sanctified"

What is a heresy is OSAS.

Yes, it’s a reiteration of truth “delivered” to two different types of peoples. 2P 1:1 is to those who “have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” 2Pe 2:1 are those who are “false teachers.”

The prior are those who have “obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (v 1), because they have received “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” and are “partakers of the divine nature,” and “have escaped the corruption” (vs 3, 4).

The latter are not said to receive anything but “the knowledge” of the way (2Pe 2:20, 21), which was enough for them to temporarily find an ease of conscience in only “knowing” the way but not receiving the way, as what people do outwardly are manifestations of what is inwardly; and apostatizing (those yet to be reborn) eventually manifests their hypocrisy.

To me, this is similar to all who profess to be in Christ. There are those who truly profess Him and it eventually shows in righteous living, and those who falsely profess Him by manifesting eventually living in unrighteousness.

Heb 10:26 shows that those who have learned (received) the knowledge of the truth, and continue in sinning willfully, they have only received knowledge of the truth and have not obviously received the truth. Plus, it is only a supposition and not an actual situation:

"After that we have received the knowledge of the truth"; of which there may be a notional knowledge, when there is no experimental knowledge; and which is received not into the heart, but into the head. J Gill

 

[CharismaticLady]

Yes, it’s a reiteration of truth “delivered” to two different types of peoples. 2P 1:1 is to those who “have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” 2Pe 2:1 are those who are “false teachers.”

The prior are those who have “obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (v 1), because they have received “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” and are “partakers of the divine nature,” and “have escaped the corruption” (vs 3, 4).

The latter are not said to receive anything but “the knowledge” of the way (2Pe 2:20, 21), which was enough for them to temporarily find an ease of conscience in only “knowing” the way but not receiving the way, as what people do outwardly are manifestations of what is inwardly; and apostatizing (those yet to be reborn) eventually manifests their hypocrisy.

To me, this is similar to all who profess to be in Christ. There are those who truly profess Him and it eventually shows in righteous living, and those who falsely profess Him by manifesting eventually living in unrighteousness.

Heb 10:26 shows that those who have learned (received) the knowledge of the truth, and continue in sinning willfully, they have only received knowledge of the truth and have not obviously received the truth. Plus, it is only a supposition and not an actual situation:

"After that we have received the knowledge of the truth"; of which there may be a notional knowledge, when there is no experimental knowledge; and which is received not into the heart, but into the head. J Gill

The second chapter is about false teachers. And who are the students of the false teachers? Some of them are from 2 Peter 1.

 

[Netchaplain]

The second chapter is about false teachers. And who are the students of the false teachers? Some of them are from 2 Peter 1.

Good point, and not opposing your understanding but just presenting mine, it's only those who follow their teachings, of which who are "made merchandise" - v 3 - which were always many, seeing most never accept Christ. Those who are the Lord's are always delivered out of temptation (2Pe 2:9).

God bless!

 

[CharismaticLady]

Good point, and not opposing your understanding but just presenting mine, it's only those who follow their teachings, of which who are "made merchandise" - v 3 - which were always many, seeing most never accept Christ. Those who are the Lord's are always delivered out of temptation (2Pe 2:9).

God bless!

No, they are not "always" delivered out of temptation, but rather always provided a way of escape. We can still quench the Spirit and go be a dog lapping up his own vomit. Who would want to is my question. But, sadly, there are those who keep their old relationships with the world. It is harder for them.

 

[Netchaplain]

No, they are not "always" delivered out of temptation, but rather always provided a way of escape. We can still quench the Spirit and go be a dog lapping up his own vomit. Who would want to is my question. But, sadly, there are those who keep their old relationships with the world. It is harder for them.

Unlike "resisting the Spirit," "quenching (1Th 5:19) the Spirit" only delays His work of conformity in the walk of saved souls. But "resisting the Spirit" (Act 7:51) keeps unsaved souls from Him, thus from receiving Christ.

The "escape" presented in 1Co 10:13 is something every believer will encounter concerning every trial (testing; tempting)! Every soul reborn will endure, and the false professors have nothing to cause them to endure. The dogs and the pigs (2Pe 2:22) represent those who apostatize (discontinue the hypocrisy, or false profession), manifesting they never were changed, otherwise they would not "draw back" (Heb 10:38, Heb 10:39).

 

[CharismaticLady]

Unlike "resisting the Spirit," "quenching (1Th 5:19) the Spirit" only delays His work of conformity in the walk of saved souls. But "resisting the Spirit" (Act 7:51) keeps unsaved souls from Him, thus from receiving Christ.

The "escape" presented in 1Co 10:13 is something every believer will encounter concerning every trial (testing; tempting)! Every soul reborn will endure, and the false professors have nothing to cause them to endure. The dogs and the pigs (2Pe 2:22) represent those who apostatize (discontinue the hypocrisy, or false profession), manifesting they never were changed, otherwise they would not "draw back" (Heb 10:38, Heb 10:39).

What do you think it means if someone has been sanctified.

 

[mailmandan]

Decided to share some commentary concerning “heresies” from “false teachers” (v 1):

“Through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I believe this phrase is the same as many other passages like Heb 10:26 – “receiving the knowledge of the truth” i.e. Gospel. I think if this intended to mean receiving or accepting the truth of the Gospel, and not just the knowledge of it, this would be stated differently, because Scripture is directly plain when the subject concerns being saved, redeemed or reborn. Thus, it is more hermeneutically reasonable that “the knowledge of the Lord” intends only the knowledge of the Lord is learned, received or discovered, but not His Gospel and Himself received.

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world”: “these, men may escape, abstain from, and outwardly reform, with respect unto, and yet be destitute of the grace of God; so that this can be no instance of the final and total apostasy of real saints; for the house may be swept and garnished with an external reformation; persons may be outwardly righteous before men, have a form of godliness and a name to live, and yet be dead in trespasses and sins.”

“By which ‘knowledge’ is meant, not a spiritual experimental knowledge of Christ, for that is eternal life, the beginning, pledge, and earnest of it; but a notional knowledge of Christ, or a profession of knowledge of Him, for it may be rendered "acknowledgment"; or rather the Gospel of Christ, which, being only notionally received, may have such an effect on men, as outwardly to reform their lives, at least in some instances, and for a while, in whose hearts it has no place.”
–J Gill

I strongly recommend viewing the entirety of Gill’s commentary on 2Peter 2! 2 Peter 2 Bible Commentary - John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

Amen! In Hebrews 10:26, to "sin willfully" in the Greek carries the idea of deliberate intention that is habitual, which stems from rejecting Christ deliberately. This is continuous action, a matter of practice. Now we don't walk along our daily life and "accidentally" fall into a pit called sin. We exercise our will but, the use of the participle clearly shows willful, continuous action. The unrighteous practice sin. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21); not the righteous, who are born of God. (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 John 3:9)

In regards to 2 Peter 2:20, those who are born of God have received a new nature, a divine nature. They have been transformed from pigs and dogs into sheep. The change is more than merely cosmetic, as in 2 Peter 2:20. *These cleaned up on the outside dogs and pigs were never sheep.*

Compare 2 Peter 1:4 - "partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption - Strongs #5356 that is in the world through lust” with 2 Peter 2:20 - with they escaped the pollutions - Strongs #3356 (different Greek word) of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, yet they are again entangled therein, and overcome.

*Notice that 2 Peter 2:20 did not mention them being "partakers of the divine nature."

Corruption (Strongs #5356) (to shrivel or wither, spoil , ruin , deprave, corrupt , defile, to destroy by means of corrupting, to spoil as does milk). Corruption - describes decomposition or rotting of an organism and the accompanying stench. The utter depravity of the fallen flesh and the resultant moral decomposition of the world opposed to God is driven by it sinful lusts or evil desires. Internal corruption.

Pollutions/Defilements (Strongs #3393) ("pollutions", "filthy things", "contaminations", "world's filth") describes the state of being tainted or stained by evil and refers to impurity, impure, tainted, defilement, foulness or pollution. Pollutions/Defilement refers to what is on the outside (2 Peter 2:20). But genuine believers have escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:4). Corruption is deeper than pollutions/defilements on the outside: it is decay on the inside.

Having the knowledge of Jesus Christ does not save a person if there is no heart submission to that knowledge. The latter end is worse than the beginning for these men because rejecting this knowledge will make them more accountable at the judgment. Judas Iscariot is a good example.

 

[Billy Evmur]

Decided to share some commentary concerning “heresies” from “false teachers” (v 1):

“Through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I believe this phrase is the same as many other passages like Heb 10:26 – “receiving the knowledge of the truth” i.e. Gospel. I think if this intended to mean receiving or accepting the truth of the Gospel, and not just the knowledge of it, this would be stated differently, because Scripture is directly plain when the subject concerns being saved, redeemed or reborn. Thus, it is more hermeneutically reasonable that “the knowledge of the Lord” intends only the knowledge of the Lord is learned, received or discovered, but not His Gospel and Himself received.



“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world”: “these, men may escape, abstain from, and outwardly reform, with respect unto, and yet be destitute of the grace of God; so that this can be no instance of the final and total apostasy of real saints; for the house may be swept and garnished with an external reformation; persons may be outwardly righteous before men, have a form of godliness and a name to live, and yet be dead in trespasses and sins.”

“By which ‘knowledge’ is meant, not a spiritual experimental knowledge of Christ, for that is eternal life, the beginning, pledge, and earnest of it; but a notional knowledge of Christ, or a profession of knowledge of Him, for it may be rendered "acknowledgment"; or rather the Gospel of Christ, which, being only notionally received, may have such an effect on men, as outwardly to reform their lives, at least in some instances, and for a while, in whose hearts it has no place.”
–J Gill


I strongly recommend viewing the entirety of Gill’s commentary on 2Peter 2! 2 Peter 2 Bible Commentary - John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

I agree.

 

[Billy Evmur]

Yes, it’s a reiteration of truth “delivered” to two different types of peoples. 2P 1:1 is to those who “have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” 2Pe 2:1 are those who are “false teachers.”

The prior are those who have “obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (v 1), because they have received “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” and are “partakers of the divine nature,” and “have escaped the corruption” (vs 3, 4).

The latter are not said to receive anything but “the knowledge” of the way (2Pe 2:20, 21), which was enough for them to temporarily find an ease of conscience in only “knowing” the way but not receiving the way, as what people do outwardly are manifestations of what is inwardly; and apostatizing (those yet to be reborn) eventually manifests their hypocrisy.

To me, this is similar to all who profess to be in Christ. There are those who truly profess Him and it eventually shows in righteous living, and those who falsely profess Him by manifesting eventually living in unrighteousness.

Heb 10:26 shows that those who have learned (received) the knowledge of the truth, and continue in sinning willfully, they have only received knowledge of the truth and have not obviously received the truth. Plus, it is only a supposition and not an actual situation:

"After that we have received the knowledge of the truth"; of which there may be a notional knowledge, when there is no experimental knowledge; and which is received not into the heart, but into the head. J Gill

There are many who are church members but not saved who fit the description you have given. Many who oppose the work of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Netchaplain]

*Notice that 2 Peter 2:20 did not mention them being "partakers of the divine nature."

Having the knowledge of Jesus Christ does not save a person if there is no heart submission to that knowledge. The latter end is worse than the beginning for these men because rejecting this knowledge will make them more accountable at the judgment. Judas Iscariot is a good example.

Always good to see your posts! You make a very good point here, that false teachers only have the knowledge of Christ and not Christ. Their "escape" is false and only a hypocritical relief.

 

[marks]

“Through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I believe this phrase is the same as many other passages like Heb 10:26 – “receiving the knowledge of the truth” i.e. Gospel. I think if this intended to mean receiving or accepting the truth of the Gospel, and not just the knowledge of it, this would be stated differently, because Scripture is directly plain when the subject concerns being saved, redeemed or reborn. Thus, it is more hermeneutically reasonable that “the knowledge of the Lord” intends only the knowledge of the Lord is learned, received or discovered, but not His Gospel and Himself received.

Indeed! Knowledge is exactly that, knowledge, and we are not saved by grace through knowledge.

“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world”: “these, men may escape, abstain from, and outwardly reform, with respect unto, and yet be destitute of the grace of God; so that this can be no instance of the final and total apostasy of real saints; for the house may be swept and garnished with an external reformation; persons may be outwardly righteous before men, have a form of godliness and a name to live, and yet be dead in trespasses and sins.”

Peter plainly states who he is referring to . . .

2 Peter 2:10
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Which is elucidated in Romans . . .

Romans 8:5-9
5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

These are not the reborn.

Much love!

 

[Netchaplain]

Indeed! Knowledge is exactly that, knowledge, and we are not saved by grace through knowledge.



Peter plainly states who he is referring to . . .

2 Peter 2:10
But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Which is elucidated in Romans . . .

Romans 8:5-9
5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

These are not the reborn.

Much love!

Thanks and always good to see your posts! Amen, more context, more understanding.