2 Peter 2:20 kjv

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:20 nkjv

For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:20 niv

If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning.

2 Peter 2:20 esv

For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

2 Peter 2:20 nlt

And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.

2 Peter 2 verses

2 Peter 2 20 Meaning

This verse issues a grave warning: if individuals, having truly been freed from the defiling grip of the world's sinful ways through their genuine knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, later revert and become entangled and overpowered by those very defilements, their final spiritual state will be considerably worse than their original, unenlightened condition. It speaks to a heightened culpability and more severe consequences for those who willfully reject or fall away from the truth they once knew and experienced.

2 Peter 2 20 Context

The second chapter of 2 Peter is primarily a scathing denunciation of false teachers and their destructive doctrines. Peter warns the believers that just as there were false prophets in Israel, there will be false teachers among them, who secretly introduce destructive heresies, exploit believers with deceptive words, and indulge in sensuality. The chapter uses historical examples (the fall of angels, the Flood, Sodom and Gomorrah) to illustrate God's certain judgment on the unrighteous, especially those who distort truth and lead others into sin.

Verse 20 specifically describes the tragic trajectory of those who have experienced an initial release from sin's power and have gained a genuine understanding of Christ, but then allow themselves to be lured back into the very depravity they escaped. These individuals are either directly influenced by the false teachers, or they embody the kind of spiritual relapse that the false teachers themselves exemplify. Their prior enlightenment and liberation increase their culpability, making their return to sin more serious in God's eyes, and their final spiritual condition becomes dire and precarious. The verse highlights the perilous consequences of succumbing to enticement and backsliding after having tasted God's grace and known the path of righteousness.

2 Peter 2 20 Word analysis

• For if (ei gar - εἰ γάρ): Introduces a conditional statement, connecting the severe warning to the preceding description of judgment on unrighteousness (especially that of false teachers and their followers). It establishes a direct cause-and-effect relationship for a potential apostasy.
• after they have escaped (apophygontes - ἀποφυγόντες): A participle meaning "having fled from," "having gotten away from," "having escaped." This implies a definite, decisive act of liberation and disassociation from a previous state of bondage or defilement. It denotes a real, though perhaps not salvific in all cases, breaking away from worldly corruptions.
• the defilements (miasmaton - μίασματων): Means "pollutions," "contaminations," "filth," or "impurities." This refers to moral and spiritual corruptions originating from the fallen, ungodly system of the world, rather than merely physical uncleanness.
• of the world (tou kosmou - τοῦ κόσμου): Refers to the "world" not as creation, but as the corrupt, unregenerate human society and its anti-God value system, beliefs, and practices, alienated from God and hostile to His righteousness.
• through the knowledge (en epignosei - ἐν ἐπιγνώσει): Epignosis signifies not mere intellectual apprehension (gnosis), but a deeper, precise, full, and experiential knowledge or recognition. It implies an intimate and transformative understanding gained through personal experience and communion, acting as the powerful agent of escape from worldly defilements.
• of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: This full title underscores Jesus's supreme authority (Lord), His redemptive work (Savior), and His distinct identity (Jesus Christ). This explicit identification clarifies that the transformative "knowledge" is rooted specifically in Him and His gospel.
• they are again entangled (palin emplakentes - πάλιν ἐμπλακέντες): Palin means "again," highlighting a return to a prior state. Emplakentes means "having been interwoven," "ensnared," "entwined," or "caught in a net/snare." This vivid imagery describes someone once free becoming caught and inextricably bound again.
• in them (toutois - τούτοις): Refers back to "the defilements of the world." They become enmeshed once more in what they had successfully abandoned.
• and overcome (kai hettontai - καὶ ἡττῶνται): Means "and are conquered," "defeated," "vanquished," or "subjugated." It denotes a state where the individual has lost the battle against these defilements and is now dominated by them, having succumbed entirely to their power.
• the last state has become worse for them than the first: This powerful statement parallels Jesus's teaching in Mt 12:45 / Lk 11:26.
  • the last state (ta eschata - τὰ ἔσχατα): Refers to their current and ongoing spiritual condition after falling back into defilement.
  • has become worse (cheirona gegonen - χείρονα γέγονεν): Signifies a significantly degraded, more dangerous, and spiritually precarious state.
  • than the first (ton proton - τῶν πρώτων): Refers to their initial, pre-knowledge condition, when they were in worldly defilement but had not yet encountered or experienced liberation through Christ. The gravity of their relapse is magnified because it is a rejection after light and experience, implying greater culpability and therefore more severe consequences.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world: Highlights an initial, genuine breaking away from worldly pollutions, indicating a real change or conversion experience (or at least a substantial disengagement from former ways).
• through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: Establishes that the means of escape was through an authentic, transforming acquaintance with Christ, emphasizing His central role as Lord and Deliverer. This deep, personal knowledge empowers liberation.
• they are again entangled in them and overcome: Depicts a spiritual relapse characterized by a renewed, active ensnarement and subsequent defeat by the very sinful habits or philosophies they had previously abandoned. "Again" is crucial, implying a conscious return.
• the last state has become worse for them than the first: This is the stark consequence, signifying not only a reversal but a worsened spiritual standing. Their accountability is greater because they possessed the truth, yet chose to return to sin, incurring greater judgment than if they had remained ignorant.

2 Peter 2 20 Bonus section

This verse, along with passages like Hebrews 6:4-6 and 10:26-31, strongly contributes to theological discussions on the nature of apostasy, the perseverance of the saints, and divine judgment. While interpretations vary, the consistent theme is that having experienced enlightenment and freedom in Christ creates a heightened accountability. The term "escaped" (apophygontes) suggests a genuine detachment from past ways, but not necessarily guaranteeing a perpetual state of grace if one chooses to revert. Peter uses hyperbole in stating their "last state worse than the first," powerfully conveying the severe spiritual peril and increased condemnation awaiting those who, having known better, return to embrace their former corruptions. It highlights that the greater the light one receives, the greater the condemnation if that light is spurned and walked away from. The integrity of Christian faith requires not just initial escape but persistent transformation.

2 Peter 2 20 Commentary

Second Peter 2:20 delivers a solemn and sobering warning regarding the severe consequences of spiritual relapse for those who have experienced genuine exposure to and liberation through the truth of Jesus Christ. It’s not a superficial involvement being described, but a discernible "escape" from worldly defilements empowered by an active "knowledge" of Christ. This "knowledge" (epignosis) implies a profound, transforming apprehension of His person and saving work. Such individuals have walked in the light, understood the path of righteousness, and tasted freedom from sin's bondage.

The gravity of the warning lies in the conditional phrase: "if they are again entangled in them and overcome." The imagery of being "entangled" speaks of becoming hopelessly enmeshed, while "overcome" means being thoroughly conquered and dominated by the very forces previously escaped. This suggests a full capitulation back to a life of moral contamination and unrighteousness, under the sway of deceitful desires or false teachings.

The core message, reinforced by the parable in Matthew and Luke, is that knowing the truth brings with it greater responsibility and accountability. A spiritual void, or a deliberate return to previous patterns after being cleansed, can lead to a state far more dangerous and deserving of greater judgment than initial ignorance. The warning is not explicitly about losing salvation (a matter for broader theological discussion), but rather about the profound and perilous spiritual condition of one who, having been enlightened by divine truth and experiencing freedom from the world's corruption, then chooses to abandon that freedom and fall back into its dominion. It underscores the critical need for perseverance, consistent growth, and vigilance against all forms of apostasy.

This verse should move us to:

• Diligently pursue and hold fast to the true knowledge of Christ (2 Pet 1:5-8).
• Actively guard against compromise with the "defilements of the world" (Jas 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15).
• Beware of false teachers and deceptive doctrines that lure people back into bondage (2 Pet 2:1-3, 18-19).
• Persevere in faith, knowing that intentional backsliding after enlightenment leads to severe spiritual danger.