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.
Ye {G5210} therefore {G3767}, beloved {G27}, seeing ye know these things before {G4267}, beware {G5442} lest {G3363} ye also {G1601}, being led away {G4879} with the error {G4106} of the wicked {G113}, fall from {G1601} your own {G2398} stedfastness {G4740}.
But you, dear friends, since you know this in advance, guard yourselves; so that you will not be led away by the errors of the wicked and fall from your own secure position.
Therefore, beloved, since you already know these things, be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing.
Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
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Hebrews 3:14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; -
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. -
2 Corinthians 11:13
For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. -
2 Corinthians 11:15
Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. -
1 Corinthians 15:58
¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. -
Ephesians 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; -
Matthew 7:15
¶ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
In 2 Peter 3:17, the Apostle Peter issues a solemn warning to believers, building upon his preceding discussion about the certainty of the Lord's return and the ultimate destruction of the present heavens and earth (2 Peter 3:10-13). Addressing them affectionately as "beloved," Peter emphasizes their prior knowledge of these eschatological truths and the dangers that accompany them.
Context
This verse serves as a crucial exhortation within Peter's second epistle, particularly in a chapter that addresses the scoffers who question the promise of Christ's second coming (2 Peter 3:3-4). Having established the divine patience and the impending judgment, Peter shifts to a practical application for the believers. He warns them against being swayed by the moral and doctrinal corruption propagated by the "wicked" – a direct reference to the false teachers and their destructive heresies described extensively in 2 Peter chapter 2. The implication is that a proper understanding of future events should lead to vigilance and holy living, not complacency.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The KJV term "stedfastness" (from Greek sterigmos) conveys the idea of being fixed, firm, or established. It’s the opposite of being tossed to and fro or carried away, as mentioned in other New Testament warnings (e.g., Ephesians 4:14). The verb "led away" (Greek: synapago) suggests being carried along or swept away, often implying a passive yielding to influence, which is precisely what Peter warns against.
Practical Application
For believers today, 2 Peter 3:17 serves as a timeless reminder of the need for spiritual discernment and perseverance. In an age filled with diverse teachings and philosophies, it is crucial to:
This verse is a powerful call to remain firm in the faith, anchored by the knowledge of God's revealed truth and the hope of Christ's glorious return.