2 Peter 3:16

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

As he does in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. In them, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ὡς καὶ ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐπιστολαῖς, λαλῶν ἐν αὐταῖς περὶ τούτων· ἐν οἷς ἐστιν δυσνόητά τινα, ἃ οἱ ἀμαθεῖς καὶ ἀστήρικτοι στρεβλοῦσιν, ὡς καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς γραφὰς, πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν αὐτῶν ἀπώλειαν.

Transliteration

As also in all the epistolais, lalōn in them about these; in which estin dysnoēta some, which the amatheis and astēriktoi strebloustin, as also the loipas graphas, toward the idian of-them apōleian.

Grammar Details

• *epistolais*: dative, feminine, plural - letters/epistles
• *lalōn*: present active participle, nominative, masculine, singular - speaking/talking
• *estin*: present active indicative, 3rd person singular - is/are
• *dysnoēta*: nominative, neuter, plural - hard to understand/difficult
• *amatheis*: nominative, masculine, plural - ignorant/unlearned
• *astēriktoi*: nominative, masculine, plural - unstable/unsteadfast
• *strebloustin*: present active indicative, 3rd person plural - distort/twist
• *loipas*: accusative, feminine, plural - remaining/other
• *graphas*: accusative, feminine, plural - writings/scriptures
• *idian*: accusative, feminine, singular - own/personal
• *apōleian*: accusative, feminine, singular - destruction/ruin

Word Meanings

• *epistolais*: letters/epistles/written communications
• *lalōn*: speaking/talking/discussing
• *estin*: is/are/exist
• *dysnoēta*: hard to understand/difficult/complex
• *amatheis*: ignorant/unlearned/untaught
• *astēriktoi*: unstable/unsteadfast/not firmly established
• *strebloustin*: distort/twist/pervert
• *loipas*: remaining/other/rest of
• *graphas*: writings/scriptures/sacred texts
• *idian*: own/personal/private
• *apōleian*: destruction/ruin/perdition

Other Translations

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  As 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.

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to understand, which those who are unlearned and unstable twist, as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  As 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.

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  as{G5613} also{G2532} in{G1722} all{G3956} [his] epistles,{G1992} speaking{G2980} in{G1722} them{G846} of{G4012} these things;{G5130} wherein{G3739} {G1722} are{G2076} some things{G5100} hard to be understood,{G1425} which{G3739} the ignorant{G261} and{G2532} unstedfast{G793} wrest,{G4761} as{G5613} [they do] also{G2532} the other{G3062} scriptures,{G1124} unto{G4314} their{G846} own{G2398} destruction.{G684}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  As{G5613} also{G2532} in{G1722} all{G3956} his epistles{G1992}, speaking{G2980}{(G5723)} in{G1722} them{G846} of{G4012} these things{G5130}; in{G1722} which{G3739} are{G2076}{(G5748)} some things{G5100} hard to be understood{G1425}, which{G3739} they that are unlearned{G261} and{G2532} unstable{G793} wrest{G4761}{(G5719)}, as{G5613} they do also{G2532} the other{G3062} scriptures{G1124}, unto{G4314} their{G846} own{G2398} destruction{G684}.

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  yee almost in very pistle speakynge of soche thynges: amoge which are many thynges harde to be vnderstonde which they that are vnlearned and vnstable pervert as they do other scriptures vnto their awne destruccio.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  yee speakinge therof allmost in all Epistles, wherin are many thinges harde to be vnderstonde, which they that are vnlerned and vnstable, peruerte, as they do the other scriptures also, to their awne danacion.

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  As one, that in all his Epistles speaketh of these thinges: among the which some thinges are hard to be vnderstand, which they that are vnlearned and vnstable, wrest, as they do also other Scriptures vnto their owne destruction.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Yea almost in euery epistle, speakyng of such thinges: among which, are manye thynges harde to be vnderstande, which they that are vnlearned and vnstable, peruert, as they do also the other scriptures, vnto their owne destruction.

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  As 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.

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  as 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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  as 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.

• American Standard Version (1901)

  as 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.

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  And 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.

• World English Bible (2000)

  as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  speaking of these things in all his letters. Some things in these letters are hard to understand, things the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they also do to the rest of the scriptures.

Referenced Verses

• 2 Pet 2:14 : 14 They have eyes full of adultery, never ceasing from sin. They entice unstable souls and have hearts trained in greed. They are accursed children.
• Heb 5:11 : 11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you have become dull in hearing.
• Matt 15:6 : 6 they are not to honor their father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
• Jer 23:36 : 36 But you must no longer refer to the 'burden of the LORD,' for each man’s word becomes his own burden, and you pervert the words of the living God, the LORD of Hosts, our God.
• Hab 1:4 : 4 Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so justice comes out distorted.
• Matt 15:3 : 3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
• Jude 1:4 : 4 For certain people have secretly slipped in among you—those who were written about long ago as being destined for this condemnation. They are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into a license for immorality and denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
• Jas 1:8 : 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all their ways.
• 1 Pet 1:1 : 1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the chosen exiles scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
• 1 Pet 2:8 : 8 and, 'a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were determined to do.
• 2 Pet 2:1 : 1 But just as there were false prophets among the people, there will also be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
• Matt 22:29 : 29 Jesus answered them, 'You are mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.
• Rom 8:1-9 : 1 So now, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, weakened as it was by the flesh, God did. By sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as a sin offering, He condemned sin in the flesh. 4 This was so that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 The mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 Because the mindset of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Him. 10 But if Christ is in you, even though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who lives in you. 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 You did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.' 16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17 If we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings so that we may also share in His glory. 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for the revelation of the children of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it—in hope 21 that the creation itself will also be liberated from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God's children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 And not only that, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already see? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspeakable groanings. 27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. 28 And we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; and those He called, He also justified; and those He justified, He also glorified. 31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: 'For Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither powers, neither things present nor things to come, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
• 1 Cor 15:1-9 : 1 Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel that I preached to you, which you also received and in which you stand. 2 Through this gospel you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether then it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 12 Now if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless, and so is your faith. 15 Furthermore, we are found to be false witnesses about God, because we have testified against God that He raised Christ from the dead, but He did not raise Him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, at His coming, those who belong to Christ. 24 Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. 25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For He has put everything under His feet. Now when it says that 'everything' has been put under Him, it is clear that this does not include God Himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When everything is subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to the One who subjected everything to Him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? 30 And why are we in danger every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus merely from a human point of view, what benefit is that to me? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.' 33 Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.' 34 Wake up righteously, and do not sin, for some are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. 35 But someone will ask, 'How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?' 36 Foolish one, what you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow the body that will be, but a bare seed—perhaps of wheat or something else. 38 But God gives it a body as He has determined, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: humans have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds have another, and fish have another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The glory of the sun is one kind, the glory of the moon is another, and the glory of the stars is yet another; for star differs from star in glory. 42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead: what is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: 'The first man, Adam, became a living being'; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that comes first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 Now I say this, brothers and sisters: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 55 Where, O death, is your sting? Where, O grave, is your victory? 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
• Phil 3:19 : 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their appetite, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.
• 1 Thess 4:1-5 : 1 Finally, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, just as you received instructions from us on how you ought to live and please God, that you would excel even more. 2 For you know the commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is God’s will: your sanctification—that you abstain from sexual immorality. 4 That each of you knows how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
• 2 Tim 3:5-7 : 5 They will have a form of godliness but deny its power. Stay away from such people. 6 They are the kind who creep into homes and capture weak-willed women who are burdened with sins and led astray by various desires. 7 Always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
• Gen 49:4 : 4 'Unstable as water, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father's bed; you defiled it—he went up onto my couch.'
• Exod 23:2 : 2 Do not follow the majority to do evil, and do not testify in a dispute to turn aside after the majority to pervert justice.
• Exod 23:6 : 6 Do not deny justice to your poor among you in their lawsuit.
• Deut 16:19 : 19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
• 1 Kgs 10:1 : 1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship with the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.
• 2 Kgs 1:1-9 : 1 After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Ahaziah fell through the lattice in the upper chamber of his palace in Samaria, injuring himself. He sent messengers, instructing them, 'Go and inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will recover from this illness.' 3 But the angel of the LORD told Elijah the Tishbite, 'Go up and meet the messengers of the king of Samaria and say to them, "Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron?"' 4 Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'You will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will surely die.' And Elijah departed. 5 When the messengers returned to the king, he asked them, 'Why have you returned?' 6 They answered, 'A man came to meet us and said, "Go back to the king who sent you and tell him: This is what the LORD says: 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are sending messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Therefore, you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will surely die.'"' 7 The king asked them, 'What kind of man was it who came to meet you and told you this?' 8 They replied, 'He was a man with a garment of hair and a leather belt around his waist.' The king said, 'It was Elijah the Tishbite.' 9 Then the king sent a captain with his fifty men to Elijah. He went up to Elijah, who was sitting on the top of the hill, and said to him, 'Man of God, the king says, "Come down."' 10 Elijah answered the captain, 'If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!' Then fire came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty. 11 Once again, the king sent another captain with fifty men to Elijah. The captain approached and said to him, 'Man of God, the king says, "Come down quickly!"' 12 Elijah replied, 'If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!' And fire of God came down from heaven and consumed the captain and his fifty men. 13 A third time, the king sent a captain with fifty men. This third captain approached, fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, 'Man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your eyes.' 14 He continued, 'Behold, fire has come down from heaven and consumed the first two captains and their men. But now, please let my life be valuable in your eyes.' 15 The angel of the LORD said to Elijah, 'Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.' So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king. 16 Elijah said to the king, 'This is what the LORD says: "You have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to consult? Because of this, you will not leave the bed you are lying on. You will surely die."' 17 So Ahaziah died, just as the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken had declared. Since he had no son, Jehoram succeeded him as king in the second year of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. 18 The rest of the events of Ahaziah's reign and what he did are written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel.
• Ps 56:5 : 5 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?