Question #10

Who does “they” refer to in 2 Peter 2:20-22?

I think that the text is clear, the “they” in 2 Peter 2:20-22 does not refer to Christians who have lost their salvation, rather, the “they” refers to the false teachers that Peter has been describing in great detail from the start of chapter two. Peter writes to the Church, he writes to Christians, he would not use the pronoun “they” to refer to those [to] whom he writes. In verse 22 he quotes Proverbs 26:11, this passage clearly talks about the fool who rejects the wisdom of God, not one who did except (sic) that wisdom and then reject the wisdom of God.

The Answer:

This question most likely comes from one who accepts the doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” The question demonstrates the lengths to which people will go toe establish false doctrine. The Enquirer engages in all sorts of machinations to establish that the “they” in the passage have never been saved. Would it not be simpler to let the passage speak for itself? 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. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (Italics added for emphasis.) Peter clearly says of the “they” that they had escaped the pollutions of the world. This cannot be simply a compliment for committing less heinous sins, having escaped from such. The escape was obtained through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To argue that “they” escaped the pollutions of the world but not the world is pure sophistry. Assuming arguendo that the “they” refers to false teachers, they were false teachers who at one time had “escaped the pollutions of the world” and later were “again entangled therein.” Peter even proclaims that “they” had known the way of righteousness and then turned away from it. Language could not be plainer. They were not “once saved, always saved.” Paul joins with Peter in acknowledging that Christians, even leaders in the church, can become false teachers. Acts 20:30. Proverbs 26:11, quoted by Peter, is not to the contrary. Throughout the history of the church some who have known the wisdom of God have turned away from the wisdom and made shipwreck of the faith. 1 Timothy 1:19-20.

Having said all of that, the scripture does speak of a way that the Christian can keep from falling or stumbling. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall. . . .” 2 Peter 1:5-10.