2 Peter 3 17

2 Peter 3:17 kjv

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.

2 Peter 3:17 nkjv

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

2 Peter 3:17 niv

Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position.

2 Peter 3:17 esv

You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.

2 Peter 3:17 nlt

You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.

2 Peter 3 verses

2 Peter 3 17 Meaning

2 Peter 3:17 delivers a strong, compassionate exhortation from Peter to believers, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual vigilance. Building upon his preceding teachings regarding the certainty of Christ's return, impending judgment, and God's patience, Peter warns his readers against deception. The verse stresses that since they are "knowing this beforehand"—possessing prior knowledge of these divine truths and the rise of scoffers—they are responsible for safeguarding themselves. They must "beware lest you be carried away" or subtly led astray by the deceptive teachings and unbridled conduct ("the error of lawless people") propagated by those who deny divine law and Christ's precepts. The profound danger highlighted is the potential to "lose your own stability," signifying a catastrophic loss of one's firm foundation in faith and truth, which could lead to apostasy or spiritual shipwreck.

2 Peter 3 17 Context

2 Peter 3:17 stands as a pinnacle exhortation within Peter's concluding message to scattered believers. The broader context of Chapter 3 centers on addressing eschatological doubts and moral permissiveness. Peter first confronts "scoffers" (verse 3) who question the Lord's delayed return and the certainty of His coming judgment. He refutes their skepticism by citing the Genesis Flood (verses 5-7) as historical proof of divine intervention and judgment, and by explaining God's unique perception of time (verse 8), which manifests as divine patience (verse 9) to allow repentance. He then vividly reaffirms the inevitable and dramatic nature of the "Day of the Lord" (verses 10-12), followed by the promise of new heavens and a new earth (verse 13). After establishing these profound theological truths and the imperative for holy living (verse 14), Peter thoughtfully includes a defense of Paul's difficult epistles, warning against their distortion by the "ignorant and unstable" (verses 15-16). Thus, verse 17 directly applies these truths and warnings. It urges the readers, in light of God's patience and the coming judgment, and the ever-present danger of deceptive teachings that twist scripture, to remain vigilant against "the error of lawless people" lest they compromise their own faith and fall from their spiritual standing.

2 Peter 3 17 Word analysis

• You therefore, beloved, (ὑμεῖς οὖν, ἀγαπητοί - hymeis oun, agapētoi):

  • Therefore (οὖν - oun): This connective particle serves as a crucial link, signifying a logical deduction from Peter's preceding discourse (2 Pet 3:1-16). It prompts the readers to act "in light of" the eschatological certainties and the warning against scoffers already provided.
  • Beloved (ἀγαπητοί - agapētoi): A deeply personal and affectionate term, frequently used by apostles to address fellow believers. It underscores Peter's genuine pastoral care and profound spiritual affection, lending warmth and sincerity to the urgent warning that follows.

• knowing this beforehand, (προγινώσκοντες ταῦτα - proginōskontes tauta):

  • Knowing beforehand (προγινώσκοντες - proginōskontes): From the verb proginōskō, meaning to "know in advance" or "be aware of beforehand." This implies that the readers have already received explicit teaching about the reality of false teachers, their methods, and the certainty of divine judgment and the Lord's return. This foreknowledge places a solemn responsibility on them to heed the warnings.

• beware (φυλάσσεσθε - phylassesthe):

  • From phylassō, here in the middle voice imperative, meaning "guard yourselves" or "be on your guard." It is an active command, not a passive suggestion. It denotes diligent watchfulness and a conscious effort to protect oneself from spiritual peril. This command highlights the necessity of individual vigilance and responsibility in maintaining one's spiritual health.

• lest you be carried away (μὴ συντοποτραπῆτε - mē syntrapētē):

  • Lest (μὴ - mē): A negative particle indicating a prohibition or prevention. It introduces the specific danger to be avoided.
  • Carried away (συντοποτραπῆτε - syntrapētē, derived from synparapheromai): Means to be "swept along with," "carried astray with," or "entangled alongside." This vividly portrays the subtle, pervasive, and often imperceptible way that false teachings or immoral influences can gradually drift a believer off course, like a current pulling a vessel away from its intended destination. It's a subtle leading astray, not necessarily an active choice of rebellion.

• with the error (τῇ πλάνῃ - tē planē):

  • Error (πλάνῃ - planē): Refers to a "wandering" or "deviation" from truth, delusion, or deceit. It encompasses both doctrinal falsehood and the moral wandering that results from it. In the context of 2 Peter, it primarily denotes the specific theological perversions and accompanying moral licentiousness propagated by the false teachers Peter condemns.

• of lawless people (τῶν ἀθέσμων - tōn athesmōn):

  • Lawless (ἀθέσμων - athesmōn): From athesmos, signifying "without law," "unprincipled," "unrestrained," or "immoral." This term sharply identifies the nature of those propagating the "error." They are individuals who disregard divine commandments and established moral norms. Their "lawlessness" underscores that doctrinal error frequently manifests in unethical conduct, as seen with the false teachers in 2 Peter 2 who promoted sensual indulgence.

• and lose your own stability. (καὶ ἐκπέσητε τοῦ ἰδίου στηριγμοῦ - kai ekpesēte tou idiou stērigmou):

  • And lose (καὶ ἐκπέσητε - kai ekpesēte): From ekpiptō, meaning "to fall out from," "fail," "fall away," or "lose one's position." This highlights the serious consequence: not just a temporary stumble, but a potentially devastating spiritual failure or abandonment of faith.
  • Your own (τοῦ ἰδίου - tou idiou): An emphatic pronoun that personalizes the warning, underscoring that each individual's stability is uniquely their responsibility and at stake.
  • Stability (στηριγμοῦ - stērigmou): Refers to "firmness," "steadfastness," "establishment," or "settled state." It denotes a secure, unshakeable grounding in faith, truth, and righteous living. To "lose" this stability implies spiritual collapse, doctrinal uncertainty, or ultimately, apostasy from the true faith.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand": This phrase sets the stage, underscoring both the foundation and the responsibility of the believers. Peter's loving address ("beloved") makes the subsequent stern warning a genuine act of pastoral care. "Knowing this beforehand" (prior knowledge of prophetic fulfillment and deceptive influences) removes any excuse for negligence, placing a greater obligation on the believer for self-guarding.
• "beware lest you be carried away with the error of lawless people": This forms the core caution. The imperative "beware" signifies an active and continuous vigilance required from believers. The danger is portrayed as a subtle "being carried away," indicating that doctrinal and ethical drift often occurs incrementally and unconsciously, propelled by the deceitful influence ("error") of those ("lawless people") who deny both divine truth and moral boundaries. This connection between "error" and "lawlessness" emphasizes that faulty doctrine invariably leads to corrupt living.
• "and lose your own stability": This is the stark consequence Peter aims to prevent. The potential "loss" (ἐκπίπτω - fall from) is severe, impacting the believer's unique, personal "stability" (firm foundation). This "stability" encompasses doctrinal soundness, moral integrity, and steadfast perseverance in the Christian faith. The phrase thus highlights that succumbing to the "error of lawless people" leads not just to a lapse, but to a critical undermining of one's entire spiritual posture and grounding in Christ.

2 Peter 3 17 Bonus section

• The verb "be carried away" (συντοποτραπῆτε, related to synparapheromai) is found primarily in ethical contexts, depicting deviation through association or peer influence, highlighting the contagious nature of false teaching and immorality.
• Peter's direct warning echoes Paul's consistent emphasis on standing firm against false doctrine and immoral living (e.g., Eph 4:14, Col 2:8). This shared concern underscores the widespread threat of heresy in the early church.
• "Stability" (στηριγμός) implies more than just intellectual understanding; it includes an ethical uprightness and perseverance in trials. It's a spiritual grounding that resists destabilizing forces.
• This verse subtly reinforces the value of divine foreknowledge and revealed truth as crucial anchors in a world prone to deception. Ignorance is presented as dangerous; knowledge is for vigilance.
• The placement of this verse, immediately after referencing Paul's difficult epistles, suggests that twisted interpretations of legitimate scripture contribute significantly to the "error of lawless people" and pose a direct threat to a believer's “stability.” Accurate hermeneutics and solid theological understanding are thus paramount.
• The use of "your own stability" indicates that spiritual security is not guaranteed; it requires individual attentiveness and active preservation against external and internal pressures.

2 Peter 3 17 Commentary

2 Peter 3:17 delivers Peter’s heartfelt and concluding charge, encapsulating the entire thrust of his epistle: Christians must be spiritually alert. Following his extensive teachings on the reality of Christ’s return and God’s patient grace, Peter now applies these truths to practical living. The phrase “knowing this beforehand” indicates that believers have been divinely enlightened about impending dangers—specifically, the rise of scoffers and false teachers. This prior knowledge demands a proactive response: they must “beware” or actively guard themselves. The danger isn't necessarily overt rebellion, but rather the subtle peril of being “carried away” by the “error,” or doctrinal deviation, propagated by “lawless people.” These individuals are characterized by both theological falsehood and a disregard for God's moral law, demonstrating that doctrinal error often manifests as ethical compromise. The ultimate stakes are high: succumbing to such influences leads to a grave spiritual consequence, the loss of one's “stability”—the firm, unwavering foundation of their faith. Thus, the verse serves as a crucial reminder for all believers to cultivate discernment, hold fast to sound doctrine, and persevere in holy living to avoid spiritual derailment.