Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Peter 3:17
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.
17. beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked ] Better, of the lawless ones, as in chap. 2Pe 2:7. It is noticeable that while St Paul had used the word for being “led away” of Barnabas as being influenced by the Judaizing teachers at Antioch (Gal 2:13), St Peter here applies it to those who were persuaded by teachers at the opposite pole of error. Comp. note on chap. 2Pe 2:1. The word for “error” is prominent in the Epistles to which St Peter has referred in the preceding verses (Eph 4:14; 1Th 2:3; 2Th 2:11).
fall from your own stedfastness ] The “steadfastness” of the readers of the Epistle as contrasted with the unstable or unsteadfast of 2Pe 3:16 is acknowledged; but they are warned that it requires care and watchfulness to preserve it. He does not assume any indefectible grace of perseverance. The tense of the verb in “lest ye fall” indicates that it would be a single and decisive act.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Seeing that ye know these things before – Being aware of this danger, and knowing that such results may follow. People should read the Bible with the feeling that it is possible that they may fall into error, and be deceived at last. This apprehension will do much to make them diligent, and candid, and prayerful, in studying the Word of God.
With the error of the wicked – Wicked men. Such as he had referred to in 2 Pet. 2, who became public teachers of religion.
Fall from your own steadfastness – Your firm adherence to the truth. The particular danger here referred to is not that of falling from grace, or from true religion, but from the firm and settled principles of religious truth into error.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
2Pe 3:17-18
Beware lest ye also fall
Seducers of faith
1.
Let us shun the society of idolatrous seducers, and hate the very air they breathe. We shall hardly win them to goodness; their familiarity will easily possess us of their wickedness.
2. The greater show of sanctity that error puts on, the more suspicious let us be of the intended mischief.
3. Let us consider that these seducers help to overthrow us, but what help is there in them to raise us up? (Thos. Adams.)
Christian perseverance
I. The nature of that duty which is here recommended. The apostle does not address himself here to such as were unacquainted with the ways of godliness, but those who had been initiated in the Christian profession. It is not enough for us to begin well, and to set out hopefully in the exercises of religion, but we must run till we have reached the goal.
II. Arguments which may reasonably incline us to the practice of this duty.
1. The easiness of proceeding in a virtuous course when once we are made familiar with it, should powerfully persuade us to persevere in goodness, and not to fall from our own stedfastness.
2. The great advantages which will redound to us from the performance of this duty should powerfully persuade us to persevere in godliness and not to fall from our own stedfastness.
3. The dangers and inconveniences of a contrary proceeding should powerfully persuade us to persevere in goodness and not to fall from our own stedfastness.
III. Such rules and instructions as may duly qualify us for the performance of this duty.
1. Let us endeavour to strengthen our good resolutions.
2. Let us be perpetually upon our guard, and keep a vigilant eye over all our actions.
3. Let us be frequent in the exercises of religious duties, especially in such as are more solemn and public.
4. Let us be fervent in private prayer to Almighty God; that He will assist us with His Holy Spirit, and give us grace to proceed without danger of falling. (N. Brady.)
Young Christians
Your little child hangs over the taffrail of the steamboat and says, Father, what is that black thing in the water? You say, That is a buoy, showing there is a rock underneath, and danger there. So the Apostle Peter in the text points out the perils of the Christian voyage. It would be a strange thing if all our anxiety about men ceased the moment they were converted. You would almost doubt the sanity of that farmer who, having planted the corn and seen it just sprout above ground, should say, My work is all done. I have no more anxiety for the crop. You have only just been launched; the voyage is to be made. Earth, and heaven, and hell are watching to see how fast you will sail, how well you will weather the tempest, and whether at last, amid the shouting of angels, you shall come into the right harbour.
I. Hold before your soul a very high model. Do not say, I wish I could pray like that man, or speak or have the consecration of this one. Say, Here is the Lord Jesus Christ a perfect pattern. By Him, with Gods grace, I mean to shape all my life. You have a right to aspire to the very highest style of Christian character. I admit that a man cannot become a Christian like that without a struggle; but what do you get without fighting for it? In the strength of Christ go forward. God is for you, and if God be for you, who can be against you? Remember that God never puts you in battle but He gives you weapons with which to fight.
II. Abstain from all pernicious associations, and take only those that are useful and beneficent. I know young people who have meant well enough, but they have floated off into evil influences, and they have associated day by day with those who hated God and despised His commandments, and their characters are all depleted. I can see they are changed for the worse, but they are not aware of it. Oh, young man, come out of that bad association. Stand back from that furnace in which so many young Christians have been destroyed.
III. Be actively employed. Who are the happy people in the Church to-day? The busy people. The very first prescription that I give to a man when I find him full of doubts and fears about his eternal interest is to go to work for God. Here is a wood full of summer insects. An axeman goes into the wood to cut firewood. The insects do not bother him very much, and every stroke of the axe makes them fly about. But let a man go and lie down there and he is bitten, and thinks it is a horrible thing to stay in that wood. So there are thousands of Christians now in the Church who go out amid great annoyances in life–they are not perplexed, they are all the time busy; while there are others who do nothing, and they are stung, and covered from head to foot with the blotches of indolence, and inactivity, and spiritual death.
IV. Be faithful in prayer. You might as well, business man, start out in the morning without food and expect to be strong all that day–you might as well abstain from food all the week and expect to be strong physically, as to be strong without prayer. And the only difference between this Christian who is getting along very fast in the holy life, and this one who is only getting along tolerably, is that the first prays more than the last.
V. Be faithful in bible research. A great many good books are now coining out. Glorious books they are. But I have thought that perhaps the followers of Christ sometimes allow this religious literature to take their attention from Gods Word, and that there may not be as much Bible reading as there ought to be. You go to the drug store and you get the mineral waters; but you have noticed that the waters are not so fresh or sparkling or healthful as when you get these very waters at Saratoga and Sharon–getting them right where they bubble from the rock. And I have noticed the same thing in regard to the truth of the gospel. While there is a good deal of the refreshment and health of the gospel of God as it comes through good books, I find it is better when I come to the eternal rock of Gods Word, and drink from that fountain that bubbles up fresh and pure to the life, the refreshment, the health of the soul. (T. de Witt Talmage.)
Spiritual steadfastness
I. A spiritual steadfastness may be obtained. The Prophet David commands it, prays for it, and confesseth that some did obtain it, possess it. And doth not the apostle also persuade to the same, crying, Be steadfast, immovable? Who, then, hath cause to question the truth of this doctrine? If any shall, reason may relieve him. For, is not a man a subject capable of it, may he not be fitted to receive it? Is not the faculty of his understanding, in respect of its essence, sound? His will of power, strongly, since his fall, bent to action? And hath he not affections, violent, passionate? Again, shall we think anything impossible with God? And if this were not thus, for what end was preaching appointed, sacraments ordained, and prayer commanded? Are these given in vain? Finally, let me ask thee a question, Shall not Christ be of ability to recover what Adam of imbecility lost? The Holy Ghost to build what the unclean spirit did destroy? Spiritual steadfastness is a firm retention of the degree of grace received. Observe further that this steadfastness is habitual, practical. Again, habitual steadfastness is in the understanding, will, and affections. As for practical steadfastness, that is external, internal.
II. The cause of these declinings. And they be within us, without us. First, melancholy, for it is a true axiom that the soul follows the disposition and temperature of the body. Secondly, some raging lust, unmortified affection. When such a passenger is in the ship of mans soul, like another Jonah it will unsettle all. If the reins hang under his feet, the strongest, readiest footed beast may stumble. Cut all the feet equal the table stands steadfast, else not. Thirdly, unbelief, what mists will this raise in our understandings. How subtly will this sophister argue, dispute, what? Where is the promise of Christs coming? Fourthly, carnal confidence, that is, whatsoever we trust in except Christ Jesus. Fifthly, weakness of grace, to speak properly this is not a real or positive cause of declining, yet by occasion may have a finger in the business. Sixthly, want of knowledge experimental. Now the contrary of all these we have mentioned will be excellent helps for the firm retention of grace received. Wherefore keep thy body in good plight, feed on choice meats, walk in pure air, use moderate labour, recreation. Mortify also fleshly lusts, crucify the whole body of sin, for in so doing thou shalt remove rubs out of the way, curb the old man, and bind him to good behaviour. See in like sort thou increase thy faith, and that will expel infidelity–consume it as fire doth stubble. And shall not hope in Christ make the new man lusty, arm him against fear, foil despair, and in all assaults cheer up his spirits? Be sure to grow in grace, for is not a feeble person subject to trip, to stumble when able bodies hold out, march valiantly, win the field? And thus much of the inward causes of declining; the other, from without us, follow. First, wavering minded companions. He who walks with such will in time walk as such. Secondly, the fierce trial of affliction. Thirdly, personal wrongs, undeserved injuries. Fourthly, public scandal. Fifthly, example of supposed great ones. For some are like a strong poison that dispatcheth its patient quickly, others a lingering disease which killeth certainly though not suddenly. These things being inserted let us proceed. First, when we have not so clear an apprehension of the worth of grace, and the means to procure it, increase it, as in former time. If the glory thereof be darkened, and we account faith, love, hope, but as common favours, in some degree we are declined. Secondly, if we want an eager appetite after the doctrine of sound words, the bread and water of life, feed on them more for fear and fashion than love and affection, we have just cause to suspect ourselves. Thirdly, a neglect of our particular calling. For a diligent hand maketh rich, as well in spiritual as corporal things. Unthrifts and loiterers always die beggars. Fourthly, when we feebly perform holy actions, or fearfully omit them. Fifthly, a fifth symptom is a quiet concoction of what heretofore we have distasted, spued out, holding the same, as then, for loathsome meats. A soul in her best plight, as she abhors the greatest so hates the least known evil. Sixthly, finally, when men offend, and will not endure reproof. And may a spiritual steadfastness be fallen from? Then try thyself if thou be or not revolted. Tradesmen keep a register of all their proceedings, cast up their accounts yearly, take a strict view how they have decreased or increased their substance; and should not Christians be as wise in their generation? First, we must call to remembrance what truths in the understanding or in our conversation, we have fallen from, and so return unto them. Secondly, we are to consider what sin we have embraced, whether it be an error in judgment or practice, and if we clearly discern any, then to cease from it. First, cast in thy mind what an uncomfortable condition thou art fallen into, compare it often with the times of old. Do not slavish fears upon the least occasion arise in thy soul? Secondly, consider that greater evils than these may attend thee. This may suffice to have spoken of the last branch of our text, the other succeedeth. Lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked. Error leadeth from steadfastness. He who is led with error is always unsettled. For error leads from God. And is not He the best stay, and very centre whereupon all the creatures are settled, established. Again, whither leads error to any constant object? Is it to the world? Doth not the fashion of it pass away? Think it not strange, then, if they who err from the doctrine of godliness be unstable in all their ways. What marvel is it that men walking on craggy rocks, steep mountains, and unequal ways, trip, stumble, and catch a fall? Whereas the apostle calls it the error of the wicked, we may collect, that the way of error, by a peculiar prerogative, is the way of the wicked. True it is that error is called a way, but a crooked, wandering, and evil one. For as the commandments of God are styled ways, so are the doctrines of men. Thus far we are agreed; but what may be the reasons hereof?
1. Because the wicked invent them, are the prime authors of them. For what a man effecteth is properly said to be his own.
2. Again, in regard they conserve and support them.
3. This way is not from God; He disclaims it. For all His paths are holy, and good, and true. Beware lest ye also, etc. The note which issueth out of this phrase is this, that by one error many may be seduced. As first, from the quality of error, for it is of a spreading nature. Besides, error is easy, pleasant; and what is agreeable to the flesh of multitudes is followed. The way of truth is straight, narrow. Moreover men are wonderfully prone to follow examples, the worst, not the best. And by one error may many be seduced; then get a good eye, a sound judgment; exercise thy wits, that thou mayest discern between truth and falsehood. Error being discovered is to be avoided. (John Barlow, D. D.)
Beware
It is a word for trespassers, and God puts it up in all the by-ways of temptation. (J. R. Macduff, D. D.)
Salutary warnings
There are evils which give warning of their coming. Drunkenness does not seize upon a man suddenly. It gives warnings often and many. Avarice, and a number of other vices, can be detected long before we are within their reach. There are infallible indications by which we may be warned. The approach of vice is like the approach of the rattlesnake. This horrible reptile, one of the most venomous of serpents, warns man involuntarily against its formidable presence. At the end of its tail there is placed a rattle, which consists of a string of hollow, dry, trod semi transparent bones, which constantly clatter against each other as the reptile moves, with a hoarse, dull, echoing sound. The bony rings increase in number with the reptiles age, and it gains an additional one, it is said, at each casting of the skin. The warning which it is thus compelled to give of its approach enables those who hear to escape an awful death. Happy are those men whose ears are open to the warnings which social monsters, far more horrid than even the rattlesnake, in like manner invariably give of their presence and movements, and, profiting thereby, manage to escape. (Scientific Illustrations.)
Stop the beginnings of sin
I have seen the little pearls of a spring sweat through the bottom of a bank, and penetrate the stubborn pavement, till it hath made it fit for the impression of a childs foot, and it was dispersed like the descending dews of a misty morning, till it had opened its way and made a stream large enough to carry away the ruins of the undermined strand, and to invade the neighbouring gardens; but then the despised drops were grown into an artificial river, and an intolerable mischief. So are the first entrances of sin stopped with the antidotes of a hearty prayer, and checked into sobriety by the eye of a reverent man, or the counsel of a single sermon; but when such beginnings are neglected, and our religion hath not in it so much philosophy as to think anything evil so long as we can endure it, they grow up to ulcers and pestilential evils; they destroy the soul by their abode which, at the first entry, might have been killed by the pressure of a little finger. (Jeremy Taylor.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 17. Seeing ye know – before] Seeing that by prophets and apostles you have been thus forewarned, beware, , keep watch, be on your guard; cleave to God and the word of his grace, lest ye be led away from the truth delivered by the prophets and apostles, by the error of the wicked, , of the lawless– those who wrest the Scriptures to make them countenance their lusts, exorbitant exactions, and lawless practices.
Fall from your own steadfastness.] From that faith in Christ which has put you in possession of that grace which establishes the heart.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Seeing ye know these things, which I have been now writing to you of, viz. That the Judge will certainly come; or, that heretics, deceivers, and scoffers will come; or both may be comprehended.
Beware lest ye also; as well as others have been.
Fall from your own stedfastness; the stedfastness of your faith. This admonition he gives them, not to discourage them with fear of apostacy, but to awaken them to that holy care which would be a means to prevent it; and so to keep them from security, and trust in themselves, not to weaken their faith, and reliance on the promise.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. Yewarned by the case ofthose “unlearned and unstable” persons (2Pe3:16).
knowing . . . beforetheevent.
led away withthe veryterm, as Peter remembers, used by Paul of Barnabas’ being “carried,”Greek, “led away with” Peter and the other Jews intheir hypocrisy.
wicked“lawless,”as in 2Pe 2:7.
fall from(grace,Ga 5:4: the true source of)”steadfastness” or stability in contrast with the”unstable” (2Pe 3:16):”established” (2Pe 1:12):all kindred Greek terms. Compare Jdg 1:20;Jdg 1:21.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before,…. As that there will be such mockers and scoffers in the last days, and such unlearned and unstable men that will deprave the Scriptures, and wrest them in such a miserable manner:
beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked; from the simplicity of the Gospel, along with such wicked men, that wax worse and worse, deceivers and being deceived, by giving into any of their errors which respect the grace of God, or the person and offices of Christ, or particularly his second coming; be upon the watch and guard against them, having previous notice of them, for they lie in wait to deceive: lest ye
fall from your own steadfastness; which was proper to them, and which, by the grace of God, they had, and retained, both in the faith of Christ and doctrine of the Gospel; for though the saints can never finally and totally fall into sin, or from the truth, yet they may fall from their steadfastness, both as to the exercise of the grace of faith, and as to their profession of the doctrine of faith; and to be fluctuating, hesitating, and doubting in either respect, must be very uncomfortable and dishonourable.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Knowing these things beforehand (). Present active participle of as in 1Pe 1:20. Cf. (2Pet 1:20; 2Pet 3:1). Hence they are without excuse for misunderstanding Peter or Paul on this subject.
Beware (). Present middle imperative of , common verb, to guard.
Lest ( ). Negative purpose, “that not.”
Being carried away (). First aorist passive participle of , old verb double compound, to carry away together with, in N.T. only here and Ga 2:13.
With the error ( ). Instrumental case, “by the error” (the wandering).
Of the wicked ( ). See on 2:7.
Ye fall from (). Second aorist active subjunctive with of , old verb, to fall out of, with the ablative here (, steadfastness, late word from , here alone in N.T.) as in Ga 5:4 ( , ye fell out of grace).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Being led away [] . Better, Rev., carried away. It is the word used by Paul of Barnabas, when he dissembled with Peter at Antioch. “Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation” (Gal 2:13).
Of the wicked [] . See on ch. 2Pe 2:7.
Fall from [] . Lit., “fall out of.” Compare Gal 5:4. Steadfastness [] . Only here in New Testament. See on ch. 2Pe 1:12. ===1Jo1
CHAPTER I
The term [] , catholic or general, applied to the Epistles of James, Peter, John, and Jude, was used from the second century onward in the sense of something addressed to the faithful generally, as distinguished from Christians of particular nations or cities, as the Galatians or Ephesians. Hence, Clement of Alexandria speaks of the letter of Acts 15 as “the catholic letter of all the Apostles, given to the faithful.” The term was also used of letters specially addressed, but with a general application, which made no claim to canonical authority.
In the later Western Church the group of letters known as catholic was called canonical through a mistaken interpretation of the words of Junilius, who referred to the letters of James, 2 Peter, Jude, 2 and 3Jo 1 as added by many to the collection of canonical books. This was understood to mean that the term canonical applied to those books peculiarly.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Ye therefore beloved.” (humeis oun agapetoi) you therefore beloved ones.” Persons of direct address, in the plural, seem unquestionably to be, not the sum total of redeemed in general, but local congregations of believers, unnamed churches in Asia minor, to whom both Paul and Peter had written former letters of instruction.
2) “Seeing that ye know these things before (proginoskontes) “knowing (these things) before” that unsteady Scripture perverters scoffed, derided, and lived ungodly. They knew it before because both Paul and Peter had written to them about such matters, See? 1Pe 5:8-9; 1Co 15:9-24.
3) “Beware lest ye also.” (Greek phulassesthe hina) “Be ye guarded in order that” or “except that,” “be on guard” “so that”
4) “Being led away with the error of the wicked” (sunapachthentes) “being in a captured state or condition” (te plane) “by the error, or delusion” (ton athesmon) of the lawless one”.
5) “Fall from your own steadfastness.” (ekpesete) ye should fall from” (tou idiou sterigmou) your own stability, or firm stand.” God’s beloved ones, addressed by Peter, were yet in and objects of Satan and false teacher’s attacks. Thus they were cautioned, even as our Lord and Paul had cautioned the church, Mat 7:13-16; Act 20:28-30.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
17. Ye, therefore, beloved. After having shewn to the faithful the dangers of which they were to beware, he now concludes by admonishing them to be wise. But he shews that there was need of being watchful, lest they should be overwhelmed. And, doubtless, the craft of our enemy, the many and various treacheries which he employs against us, the cavils of ungodly men, leave no place for security. Hence, vigilance must be exercised, lest the devices of Satan and of the wicked should succeed in circumventing us. It, however seems that we stand on slippery ground, and the certainty of our salvation is suspended, as it were, on a thread, since he declares to the faithful, that they ought to take heed lest they should fall from their own steadfastness.
What, then, will become of us, if we are exposed to the danger of falling? To this I answer, that this exhortation, and those like it, are by no means intended to shake the firmness of that faith which recumbs on God, but to correct the sloth of our flesh. If any one wishes to see more on this subject, let him read what has been said on the tenth chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinthians.
The meaning is this, that as long as we are in the flesh, our tardiness must be roused, and that this is fitly done by having our weakness, and the variety of dangers which surround us, placed before our eyes; but that the confidence which rests on God’s promises ought not to be thereby shaken.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
2Pe. 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
Expanded Translation
You therefore, loved ones, knowing ahead of time that these men treat the scripture in this manner, be on the watch! Keep guard! Lest, having been carried away (led astray) by the error (wrong opinion, misleading doctrines) of the wicked, lawless and unrestrained, you fall from (and thus lose) your own stedfastness and firmness.
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Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand
To be forewarned is to be forearmed, and so should it be with Christians today. False teachers are still torturing the truth, and such torturing ought to be painful to the heart of all who have a love for genuine, saving knowledge. But more than that, Peter exhorts us to
beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness
The word rendered beware (phulasso) means to be on watch, keep guard, protect. But it appears here in the middle voice, and means specifically to be on ones guard (against), keep oneself from. And being in the aorist tense and imperative mode, we have here a very pointed command to be heeded at once! How it is needed in this day when false teachings (and the conveyors of such) are everywhere! They may fairly carry us away (sunapago). See also Gal. 2:13.
Their teachings are clearly labelled by the apostle, who terms them error (plane), literally, a wandering, straying about. The word here signifies teachings that cause one to wander or stray from the right way, i.e., those doctrines which mislead one. Christian, keep your guard up! Be on the watch! (Compare 1Pe. 5:8.)
We again find here (as in 2Pe. 2:1-3; 2Pe. 2:19) that the false teacher himself is living in sin. The word wicked (athesmos) is made up of the alpha negative plus thesmos, law custom. It therefore describes one who breaks through the restraints of law and conscience and gratifies his lustsa lawless, unrestrained, licentious individual. Its only other New Testament occurrence is in 2Pe. 2:7, where the above definition is also borne out by the context.
The next step is only natural if we begin to cater to these men.
lest ye fall from your own stedfastness
In 2Pe. 3:16 the unstedfast (asteriktos) were those headed for destruction. Here Christians are warned to be on guard lest they fall from their stedfastness and be found in the same plight as the false teacher. We are reminded of the exhortation of our Lord, Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit (Mat. 15:14).
To be in a state of stedfastness (sterigmos) is to be in a settled or firm state of mind; therefore fixed and stable in fulfilling spiritual responsibilities. From this condition we may fall (ekpipto, fall out of, fall from, fall off). This very same word appears in 1Pe. 1:24, the flower falleth . . . It takes time to become a truly stedfast Christian, and the false teachers were successful in enticing unstedfast souls (2Pe. 2:14) and those who are just escaping from them that live in error (2Pe. 2:18). But those here described are now stedfast. Are they therefore out of danger? No! Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (1Co. 10:12).
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(17) Know these things before.Seeing that I have forewarned you of the certain appearance, conduct, and success of these false teachers and scoffers. Forewarned, forearmed.
Being led away with.The Greek word occurs only thrice in the New Testamenthere, Rom. 12:16, and Gal. 2:13. In Rom. 12:16 its meaning is a good deal different (see Note there). In Gal. 2:13 it has the same meaning as here; and, strangely enough, it is of Barnabas being carried away with the dissimulation of Peter and his associates.
The error of the wicked.Better, the error of the lawless (2Pe. 2:7), but not the seduction or deceit of the lawless, as some would render it. It is the same word as occurs at the end of 2Pe. 2:18, and it implies wandering from the path, but not leading others astray. The context, not the word itself, shows that there was seduction. The lawless are the false teachers and scoffers.
Fall from your own stedfastness.Referring back to 2Pe. 1:10-12, just as 2Pe. 3:18 refers back to 2Pe. 1:5-8; showing how complete is the coherence between the beginning and ending of the Epistle. (Comp. Gal. 5:4.) This steadfastness will be based on belief in Christs coming, and on the hope of entering into His kingdom, and thus will be in marked contrast to the unbelief of the unstable in 2Pe. 3:16. The word for steadfastness occurs nowhere else.
The entire absence of directionswhich St. Jude gives rather elaboratelyas to how these evil men and their victims are to be treated by sound Christians is in favour of the priority of this Epistle. When evil men begin to arise, the first impulse is to avoid them and their ways, and to this course St. Peter exhorts his readers. When such men have established themselves and gained proselytes, people begin to consider how to deal with the seducers and to win back the seduced, and to these points St. Jude directs his readers.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
17. Know before The same as knowing this first, of 2Pe 3:3; namely, the law by which the judgment-day time is to be interpreted.
Ye also Like the scoffers of 2Pe 3:3.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘You therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware (or ‘guard yourselves’) lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked (or ‘the lawless’), you fall from your own steadfastness.’
With a final ‘beloved’ Peter makes his final appeal before his death (2Pe 1:13-14). He points out that now they have been forewarned of what the situation is, and what it will be (compare Act 20:29-31). Thus they are to ‘guard themselves’, because they are under God’s protection (1Pe 1:4), lest they be carried away by the erroneous teaching and behaviour of ‘lawless men’ (compare 2Pe 2:7). They are to be firm in their own steadfastness so that they do not fall. Compare Paul’s similar vivid call to steadfastness in Eph 6:10-18. It is a call to put on the armour of God.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Final Summary ( 2Pe 3:17-18 ).
Peter now sums up what he has said, firstly with a warning and then with an appeal. They are to beware lest they be carried away by false teaching, and they are to grow in the true knowledge of ‘our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ’.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Conclusion: Closing Summary Statement In 2Pe 3:17-18 the apostle Peters makes a closing remark with a warning not to fall away, then he offers the remedy, which is to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, which emphasizes the secondary theme of this epistle. Peter opened this epistle with a similar warning in 2Pe 1:10, “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:”
2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:17
Comments – For example, Barnabas was carried away with Peter’s hypocrisy:
Gal 2:13, “And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.”
In contrast, Paul was grounded in the faith:
Act 20:24, “ But none of these things move me , neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”
2Co 1:8-11.
Scripture References:
Mat 7:13
Eph 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”
Col 1:23, “If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel , which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;”
1Th 3:3, “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.”
2Pe 3:17 Comments – Peter has already said that some believers were led away in error in 2Pe 2:18-22. Being allured by the deceptive promises of false teachers, they fall back into the pollutions of the world. Thus, his closing remarks in 1Pe 3:17 again warns Christians not to be overcome by this error. Therefore, this passage of Scripture debunks the doctrine of Once-Saved-Always-Saved.
2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2Pe 3:18
“For I have not purposed simply to bring you into My family and have you remain as babes or children. I am concerned with your maturity: your growth in wisdom and knowledge of things pertaining to Myself; with the perfection of your ministry; and with the producing of the fruits of the Spirit in your life. And so to this end, I have provided for you the “ministries” and “gifts” of My Holy Spirit. As ye receive these by faith, and as ye walk in these by faith, so that I am allowed to manifest Myself through you in this way, ye will find that ye will grow in Me, yea, grow in grace and in your knowledge of Me , and ye will find the “fruits” of the Spirit will begin to appear in thy life quiet naturally, even as apples appear on the apple tree, though the tree takes no thought and experiences no effort or anxiety.” [114]
[114] Frances J. Roberts, Come Away My Beloved (Ojai, California: King’s Farspan, Inc., 1973), 120.
Growing in Grace – Noah found grace in God’s eyes because he walked with God (Gen 6:8-9). We can fall out of favor with God through disobedience (Gal 5:4), so, “Grow in favor with God”.
Gen 6:8-9, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
Gal 5:4, “Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace .”
As we faithfully serve the Lord, God’s grace will be bestowed upon us more and more than when we began to serve Him. Blessed be his mighty name.
Growing in Knowledge How do we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? We do so by studying the Bible diligently. Also, note a similar statement:
Col 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ;”
2Pe 3:18 “Amen” Comments – In the Textus Receptus the word “Amen” is attached to the end of all thirteen of Paul’s epistles, as well as to the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, and to the General Epistles of Hebrews , 1 and 2 Peter , 1 and 2 John, and to the book of Revelation. However, because “Amen” is not supported in more ancient manuscripts many scholars believe that this word is a later liturgical addition. For example, these Pauline benedictions could have been used by the early churches with the added “Amen.”
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
2Pe 3:17. Ye therefore, beloved, Beza observes, that St. Peter does not say here, “Abstain from these obscure scriptures; choose out only certain chapters; leave the rest either to the more learned, or the more curious; expect new revelations, and suffer the tares in the mean time to grow;for who art thou that judgest?” Nor, finally, does he say, “Be content with implicit faith in mother church.” These are the sayings of Antichrist: and his followers; whereas the apostle of Christ says, Seeing ye now know these things, &c. Dr. Heylin renders this verse, Since therefore, my beloved, you are forewarned of these things, be upon your guard, that you may not be seduced by those profane men; but persist, and grow in grace, &c.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
2Pe 3:17-18 . Concluding exhortation and doxology.
] Conclusion from what goes before.
] “ since ye know it beforehand ;” i.e. that such false teachers as have been described will come; not: “that the advent of Christ will take place,” nor: “that the consequences of the will be the ” (Schott).
, ] Since is nowhere else construed with , . . . is not to be taken as an objective clause, but as one expressive of purpose; “consequently special emphasis lies on ” (Schott).
] The (cf. chap. 2Pe 2:7 ) are the aforementioned and Libertines.
is not: “seduction” (Dietlein: leading astray of others), for the word never has this meaning (not even in Eph 4:14 ); nor would the in the verb agree with this, but, as in chap. 2Pe 2:18 : “moral-religious error;” with , “carried away along with,” cf. Gal 2:13 , and Meyer on Rom 12:16 .
] With , cf. Gal 5:4 , and Meyer in loc .
, . ., is the firm position which any one possesses (not: the fortress; Luther); here, therefore, the firm position which the readers as believing Christians take up; cf. 2Pe 1:12 ; antithesis to the , 2Pe 3:16 . Dietlein explains the word quite arbitrarily of the “remaining at peace in the church.” 2Pe 3:18 . ] Antithesis to the ; the remaining in the firm position can take place only where the is not lacking. Calvin: ad profectum etiam hortatur, quia haec unica est perseverandi ratio, si assidue progredimur. Hofmann incorrectly connects this imperative with , to which it is supposed to be related as a further addition; this view is opposed by .
. . .] does not state “the means and the origin of the growing” (Schott), but that in which they should grow or increase; , without any nearer definition, would be too bald in presence of the . . . With regard to the two ideas: and , Aretius says: illud ad conversationem inter homines refero, quae gratiosa esse debet; hoc vero ad Dei cultum, qui consistit in cognitione Christi; this explanation is wrong; can be only either the grace of God, so that the sense of the exhortation would be, that they should seek to acquire the grace of God in ever richer measure (Hornejus, etc.); or and this is preferable the state of grace of the Christians (according to Calvin, etc.: the sum of the divine gifts of grace).
The is here specially mentioned, because the author regarded it as the living origin of all Christian activity.
The genitive: . . ., is taken by de Wette, Brckner agreeing with him, with reference to , as the subjective, with reference to , as the objective genitive; in like manner Hofmann. This twofold reference of the same genitive is inconceivable; [1] if it belong to both ideas, it can only be the gen. auctoris (Dietlein, Steinfass); but since it is more natural to explain it in connection with as gen. objec., must be taken as an independent conception.
Finally, the doxology, applied to Christ; Hemming: testimonium de divinitate Christi, nam cum tribuit Christo aeternam gloriam, ipsum verum Deum absque omni dubio agnoscit.
The expression: , is to be found only here; Bengel takes in contrast to the night: aeternitas est dies , sine nocte, merus et perpetuus; this is hardly correct; most interpreters explain the expression as equivalent to tempus aeternum, synonymous with , 1Pe 1:25 , or with , Rom 16:27 ; this is too inexact; is the day on which eternity, as contrasted with time, begins, which, however, at the same time is eternity itself.
] cf. Jud 1:25 .
[1] Hofmann, indeed, appeals to Rom 15:4 ; Tit 2:13 ; 1Pe 1:2 ; but these passages do not prove what they are meant to prove.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
DISCOURSE: 2429
GROWTH IN GRACE
2Pe 3:17-18. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
HOWEVER averse men are to receive warnings and exhortations from each other, there is, in reality, no greater proof of affection, than the administering of faithful cautions, and salutary advice, to those whom we love. It is evident how much St. Peters mind was warmed with affection towards his brethren, since he, no less than four times in this short chapter, addresses them by that endearing term, Beloved. And how did he testify his love, but by guarding them against the dangers to which they were exposed, and by prescribing to them the most effectual means of deliverance and safety?
Let his word then be thankfully received by us, while we consider,
I.
His caution against apostasy
[The wicked will take occasion from Gods forbearance to question his remunerative justice [Note: ver. 3, 4. with Ecc 8:11.] and even the godly need to be on their guard against the influence of this delusion [Note: Eph 4:14. 2Pe 2:18.] Certain it is, that they are liable to fall from their own steadfastness; and that, without the greatest vigilance, they will do so [Note: 1Ti 1:19. 2Ti 2:18. Mat 24:12. 1Co 9:27. Whether God will restore his elect, is a distinct question, that, if introduced in this place, might uphold a system, but would weaken the force of the Apostles caution.] But they know the certainty and awfulness of the day of judgment, and should therefore be afraid of meeting it unprepared. It will then be too late to rectify their errors, or repent of their instability [Note: Mat 25:11-13.]; and this consideration should make them doubly cautious against every occasion of falling [Note: This argument is thrice urged; ver. 11, 14, 17.].]
II.
His direction for preventing it
The Christian should seek to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ
[None, who have received grace, will be satisfied with the measure they have received; but they will be seeking to attain more and more [Note: Php 3:12-14.]. Nor will any, who know Christ, think they know any thing yet as they ought to know: they will perceive that there are in him treasures of knowledge, which they have never explored [Note: Col 2:3. St. Paul, after preaching Christ for above twenty years, yet sought above all things to know him. Php 3:8; Php 3:10.], and which to all eternity will be progressively opening to their view.
Hence the Christians duty is to be continually advancing in every part of the divine life; and to make his profiting appear unto all men.]
This will be his best, his only, preservative against apostasy
[Painting or statuary admit of intermissions in labour: such work, left for a season, may be resumed without any increased difficulty: but, in religion, every intermission is a positive injury: if the work proceed not, it declines: it always either waxes or wanes. Now every declension weakens the vital principle within usrestores to activity our dormant corruptionsexposes us to the assaults of our great adversaryand provokes God to withdraw his accustomed aid [Note: Mark these particulars very distinctly, pausing at the end of each. And do the same in that which follows.]: consequently, our downfall begun, will, if not prevented by sovereign grace, be speedy, gradual, irretrievable. On the other hand, a progress in grace confirms every good habitfastens round us the whole armour of Godkeeps our enemy at a distanceand secures to us the continued protection of heaven. Go on adding to your grace, says God, and you shall never fall [Note: 2Pe 1:5; 2Pe 1:10-11.].]
Advice
1.
Reflect much and often on the day of judgment
[Through a forgetfulness of that day we become the sport of every temptation: but if we would frequently endeavour to realize the strictness of the scrutiny, and the severity of the judgment which will then take place, we should be more fortified against error in principle, or evil in practice. We must expect our Lords coming, if we would be found ready on his arrival [Note: Mat 24:42-44.].]
2.
Be diligent in the use of all the means of grace
[It is in vain to hope that we shall grow in grace or knowledge, if we do not use the means which God has appointed. But, if we watch unto prayer, and conscientiously devote ourselves to him, he will bless us with all spiritual blessings: our faith and love shall grow exceedingly; our hope shall abound through the power of the Holy Ghost, and, from being babes, we shall become children, young men, and fathers in Christ [Note: 1Co 3:1 and 1Jn 2:12-14.]: and, having attained at last the measure of the full stature of Christ [Note: Eph 4:13.], we shall enter into his joy, and be partakers of his glory for evermore.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
Ver. 17. Beware lest ] Cavebis autem si pavebis. Let him that stands take heed lest he fall. Be not high minded, but fear. Fear a snake under every flower, a snare under every new truth. Try the spirits whether they be of God or not, because many false prophets are abroad, who deceive the hearts of the simple, and make them fall from their own stedfastness. Try therefore before ye trust; look before ye leap. Alioqui saliens antequam videas, casuals es antequam debeas, i.e. If ye look not before ye leap, ye will fall before ye would. (Bernard.) Therefore walk circumspectly, tread gingerly, step warily, lift not up one foot till ye have found sure footing for the other, as those, Psa 35:6 . Take the apostle’s counsel here: never more needed than today, quando facta est fided Evangeliorum fides temporum. Nam aut scrb buntur tides ut volumus; aut, ut volumus intelliguntur, as Hilary complains of those better times, a It is grown a witty thing now among such variety of opinions to hold the truth, and to be a sound believer, as Erasmus once said. Beware therefore (every man for himself) lest ye also, swimming down the stream of the times, “and led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” And (for a sovereign preservative) “grow in grace, and in the knowledge,” &c.: grow downward howsoever; grow in humility, and God will both teach and “save the humble person,” Psa 25:1-22 Job 22:2 .
Fall ] As leaves fall from the trees in autumn.
a Hil. ad Constant. in libro, quem illi exhibuit.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
17, 18 .] Concluding exhortation : conveyed first in the form of a caution ( 2Pe 3:17 ), then in that of a positive exhortation to increase in grace and wisdom.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
17 .] Ye therefore, beloved, knowing (as ye do) beforehand (viz. the whole announcement of which this chapter has been full; the certainty that such false teachers will arise, and the course which they will take), take heed (be on your guard) lest ( aft. , here only. In Xen. Mem. i. 2. 37, we have, in Charicles’s famous answer to Socrates, ) being led away together with (it is a remarkable coincidence, that St. Peter, well acquainted as he was with St. Paul’s writings, should have written this word, which is the very one used by that Apostle (ref. Gal.) of Barnabas, at Antioch, when he with the hypocrisy of Peter and the other Jews) the error (not, the deceit , act., deceiving others: but the aberration, wandering out of the right way, so as to follow it and become partakers with it) of the lawless (reff.) ye fall from (reff.: aor., because the fall would be one and decisive) your own steadfastness (contrast to above: see note there):
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
2Pe 3:17-18 . Final exhortation . “Having then, brethren, been forewarned, be on your guard lest you fall from your own foundation, carried away by the error of lawless men. Grow in the grace and knowledge of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and in the day of eternity.”
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
2Pe 3:17 . This verse gathers up various thoughts that appear elsewhere in the epistle. repeats of 2Pe 1:20 , 2Pe 3:1 ; occurs 2Pe 2:7 ; 2Pe 2:18 . ( cf. Gal 2:13 ), “carried away”. , see note 2Pe 2:7 . , “steadfastness”; perhaps “foundation” is better, although in this sense we would expect . There is, however, a tendency in N.T. to confuse words in – – . Cf. (2Pe 2:22 ). (Phi 2:6 ). The foundation is the and of 2Pe 3:18 . is in emphatic contrast to the untrustworthy basis of the Libertine teaching.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
know. before. Greek. proginosko. App-132.
beware = be on your guard.
lest = in order that (Greek. hina) not (Greek. me, as in 2Pe 3:8).
led away. Greek. aunapagomai. See Rom 12:16. Gal 1:2, Gal 1:13.
wicked. See 2Pe 2:7.
fall. Greek. ekpipto. Occurances: Gal 1:5, Gal 1:4.
stedfastness. Greek. sterigmos. Only here. The verb in 2Pe 1:12.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
17, 18.] Concluding exhortation: conveyed first in the form of a caution (2Pe 3:17), then in that of a positive exhortation to increase in grace and wisdom.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
2Pe 3:17. ) ye, warned by the injury of others.-) knowing the danger beforehand.-, from your defence) [Stedfastness] Comp. 2Pe 3:16; 2Pe 1:12. This defence is grace. Comp. Jud 1:21.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
seeing: 2Pe 1:12, Pro 1:17, Mat 24:24, Mat 24:25, Mar 13:23, Joh 16:4
beware: Mat 7:15, Mat 16:6, Mat 16:11, Phi 3:2, Col 2:8, 2Ti 4:15
being: 2Pe 2:18-20, Mat 24:24, Mar 13:22, Rom 16:18, 2Co 11:3, 2Co 11:13-15
from: 2Pe 1:10, 2Pe 1:11, 2Pe 2:18-22, Act 2:42, 1Co 15:58, Eph 4:14, Col 2:5, Heb 3:14, 1Pe 5:9
Reciprocal: Pro 16:29 – General Luk 7:24 – A reed Luk 22:32 – strengthen Act 11:23 – and exhorted Act 13:43 – persuaded Rom 1:11 – to the Gal 5:4 – ye Phi 4:1 – so Col 2:7 – stablished 1Th 3:8 – if 2Ti 3:6 – led Jam 5:19 – err
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
FALLING AWAY
Ye therefore, beloved beware lest ye fall from your own stedfastness.
2Pe 3:17
That which the Apostles had to place before the readers of their letters, all Christian teachers have to present to their disciples.
False doctrine was abroad in St. Peters time, and there were those who gave to it a ready ear; and the melancholy result was a departure from the faith.
I. There are two forms of spiritual decline:
(a) Error of doctrine.
(b) Wrongness of life.
If we do not think and judge aright, it is almost certain that we shall not walk and live aright.
II. The two evils are painfully apparent.They are many who have made shipwreck of faith; their hold on Divine truth, on heavenly wisdom, has become relaxed, has been lost; and with the decay and departure of their faith have gone all the meaning and excellency of life, and all hope in death.
III. There is a holy grief in the hearts of the good and true as they witness a course which has been continually declining. Let no one say, Though all men should yet will not I. Rather, Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. What Christ said to some, He says to us allWatch. To us all the Apostle says, Beware.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
2Pe 3:17. The foregoing remarks are said for the warning of the better class of disciples to whom Peter is sending this epistle. They should beware and not be led astray by designing false teachers who are “walking after their own lusts.” No person can be on both sides of a subject at the same time, hence in order to be sted-fast in the faith one must turn away from such evil characters.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
2Pe 3:17. Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things before, beware lest, carried away with the error of the lawless, ye fall from your own stedfastness. The epithet lawless (not merely wicked, as both the A. V. and R. V. put it) is that which was formerly applied to the men of Sodom in chap. 2Pe 2:7. It points, therefore, to the licentious character of the errorists. The phrase carried away with is an extremely forcible one. It is the phrase which Paul applies to the action of Barnabas when he dissembled with Peter himself at Antioch (Gal 2:13). It may suggest the picture of the error as a powerful current sweeping what it can into its bosom, and snatching the unwary off with it from the rock of their stedfastness. In Rom 12:16, which is its only other occurrence, it has a different sense. This particular term stedfastness occurs only here, out belongs to the same class with the previous unstable (2Pe 3:16), and the adjective used in 1Pe 5:10; 2Pe 1:12. With fall from compare Gal 5:4.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Our apostle concludes his epistle with an exhortation to watch against the errors and false doctrines of seducers, lest we, being led away thereby, do fall from our own stedfastness in the faith of the gospel. It ought to be our care not only to be sound in the faith, but stedfast in the faith; and, that we may be so, we are here directed.
1. To grow in grace, in all grace, in faith, hope, and love; for grace establishes the heart, and, accordingly, stedfastness and increase of grace are here joined together.
2. To grow in knowledge; the way to be kept stedfast is to grow in grace; and the best way to grow in grace, is to grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, to know him in his person, in his offices, in his undertaking, in his doctrine, in his example; such a knowledge as this is of Jesus Christ, is fundamental to all graces. They all begin in knowledge, and are increased by knowledge. Grow in grace and in the knowedge of Jesus Christ; behold how these two keep equal pace in the soul of a Christian, namely, grace and knowledge; in what degree one increases, the other increases proportionably. To the author and finisher of which grace, to the fountain and foundation of which knowledge, be ascribed all honour and glory both now and forevermore. Amen.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
2Pe 3:17-18. Therefore, seeing ye know these things before Respecting the coming of the Lord to judgment, in what an awful manner the scene will close, and what dreadful vengeance will be executed on all the wicked, and especially on those that pollute the Church of Christ, into which they have professed to enter; and that scoffers will arise and ridicule the promise of Christs coming, as also the danger there is of misunderstanding and misinterpreting the Scriptures, and so of being seduced and perverted thereby. Here St. Peter teaches that one great purpose for which the prophets were inspired to foretel the corruptions which were to arise in the church, and the evils which were to befall the sincere disciples of Christ, was to put them on their guard against these corruptions, and to arm them with fortitude to bear persecutions. Beware Be on your guard; lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, (, the lawless,) fall from your own steadfastness In the faith and practice of the gospel; that steadfastness which, by Gods assistance, you have hitherto retained. But To prevent this falling away; grow in grace In every Christian temper; and in order thereto, conscientiously and diligently use the means appointed. And in the knowledge of Christ That is, in faith, the root of all piety and virtue; faith implying that knowledge of him which is communicated by the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, mentioned Eph 1:17, and promised Joh 16:14. To him be glory, , to the day of eternity An expression naturally flowing from that sense which the apostle had felt in his soul throughout this whole chapter. Eternity is a day without night, without interruption, without end. Amen Dr. Benson remarks, that when this word is placed at the beginning of a sentence, it is an earnest asseveration. In the conclusion of a sentence, it imports an earnest wish that it may be so. The doxology, with which this epistle concludes, is evidently directed to Christ, as are some of the other doxologies in Scripture.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
ARGUMENT 6
GROWTH IN GRACE
17. Therefore, you beloved, knowing beforehand watch, lest having been led away by the delusion of the ungodly, you may fall from your own establishment.
18. But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is much to be lamented that a subject so transcendently important as growth in grace is so little understood, involved in fogs and clouds of theological heresies, superinducing incalculable popular bewilderment, and filling our pulpits with nonsensical twaddle. While the commandment to be holy rings throughout the inspired volume, we have but this one instance of a direct literal commandment to grow in grace. The solution of this problem becomes easy when we consider that sanctification is the one great and indispensable condition of growth. If the farmer wants his crop to grow he must clean all the filth out of it. Then it will do its own growing. 1Pe 5:10. We have perfection, followed by establishment, confirmation and settlement in holiness. The growth of a tree comes on after it has been transplanted, established, rooted, and settled in the soil, so the winds, instead of blowing it down, will only loosen the roots and prepare them with greater vigor to interpenetrate the deep interior and coil round the everlasting rocks, bidding defiance to howling tempests. Meanwhile the tree rises in his majesty, towering above his comrades, the monarch of the forest. In perfect harmony with these great facts, fundamental in the plan of salvation, Peter here administers this commandment, Grow in grace, not to the people who have the grace to grow in, but to those who have been born again, sanctified wholly and established in holiness. Now they are in fix to grow rapidly, continuously and perpetually. All this you see follows as a legitimate sequence from the statement, Grow in grace lest ye may fall from your own steadfastness, i.e., establishment, which Peter locates after entire sanctification. God save the preachers from misrepresenting Peter. This they do when they use this text, preaching growth in grace, to the unsanctified. We must first meet the conditions before we can make headway in enlargement, i.e., get regenerated, sanctified and established in holiness. Then growth will follow with ever-increasing rapidity through time and all eternity.
Fuente: William Godbey’s Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 17
The error of the wicked; that is, the error referred to above,–their becoming careless and unconcerned about the displeasure of God, because his sentence is not speedily executed.
Fuente: Abbott’s Illustrated New Testament
VI. CONCLUSION 3:17-18
Peter concluded his epistle with a summary of what he had said and a doxology. He did so to condense his teaching for his readers and to redirect their living to glorify God again.
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Much of what Peter had written was warning that he summarized here. His appeal was tender throughout this epistle (cf. 2Pe 3:1; 2Pe 3:8; 2Pe 3:14). The threat to his readers was the false teachers (ch. 2). Peter’s mental picture was of a torrent of false teaching knocking believers off their feet and sweeping them away. The possibility of loss of salvation is not in view, but loss of steadfastness is.
This is the fourth and last time Peter addressed his readers as "beloved" in this chapter, and in each instance he gave them a challenge. He told them to remember (2Pe 3:1-2), to be informed (2Pe 3:8), to be diligent (2Pe 3:14), and to beware.