2 Peter 3:16
What does 2 Peter 3:16 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Peter 3:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Peter 3:16 means
Peter notes that Paul speaks of these same themes in all his letters. He candidly admits that some parts are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own ruin—just as they also distort the other Scriptures. This statement both honors Paul’s writings as Scripture and warns against mishandling them. The problem is not with the truth but with the readers’ character and approach. Scripture can be abused to justify error; therefore, believers must be humble, taught, and steady. Recognizing difficulty should lead to careful study, not rejection. The end of Scripture-twisting is destruction, underscoring the high stakes of faithful interpretation.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
KJV
King James Version · 1611As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And as he said in all his letters, which had to do with these things; in which are some hard sayings, so that, like the rest of the holy Writings, they are twisted by those who are uncertain and without knowledge, to the destruction of their souls.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862as also in all the epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, among which things are certain hard to be understood, which the untaught and unstable do wrest, as also the other Writings, unto their own destruction.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890as also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; among which some things are hard to be understood, which the untaught and ill-established wrest, as also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
Context
Continuing from verse 15, Peter affirms Paul’s agreement while warning that unstable people twist his letters, as they do the other Scriptures (v16). This prepares the readers for the concluding exhortation: since they are forewarned, they must guard themselves from being carried away by the error of the wicked (v17). The final verse (v18) will give the positive path—ongoing growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, ending with a doxology.
v.15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you;
v.16This passage
v.17Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 15:6
he shall not honor his father. And ye have made void the word of God because of your tradition.
- Psalms 56:5
All the day long they wrest my words: All their thoughts are against me for evil.
- 1 Corinthians 15:1
Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand,
- Habakkuk 1:4
Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth perverted.
- Hebrews 5:11
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.
- Matthew 15:3
And he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
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