2 Peter

2 Peter front

Introduction to 2 Peter

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the book of 2 Peter

Introduction (1:1–2)
Reminder to live godly lives because God has enabled us to do so (1:3–15)
Reminder of the veracity of apostolic teaching (1:16–21)
Prediction of false teachers (2:1–3)
Examples of divine judgment (2:4–10a)
Description and denunciation of false teachers (2:10b–22)
Reminder that Jesus will return at the right time (3:1–13)
Concluding exhortation to live godly lives (3:14–17)

Who wrote the book of 2 Peter?

The author identified himself as Simon Peter. Simon Peter was an apostle. He also wrote the book of 1 Peter. Peter probably wrote this letter while in a prison in Rome, just before he died. Peter called this letter his second letter, so we can date it after 1 Peter. He addressed the letter to the same audience as his first letter. The audience probably was Christians scattered throughout Asia Minor.

What is the book of 2 Peter about?

Peter wrote this letter to encourage believers to live good lives. He warned them about false teachers who were saying Jesus was taking too long to return. He told them that Jesus was not slow in returning. Instead, God was giving people time to repent so that they would be saved.

How should the title of this book be translated?

Translators may choose to call this book by its traditional title, “2 Peter” or “Second Peter.” Or they may choose a clearer title, such as “The Second Letter from Peter” or “The Second Letter Peter Wrote.” (See: How to Translate Names)

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Who were the people Peter spoke against?

It is possible that the people Peter spoke against were those who would become known as Gnostics. These teachers distorted the teachings of Scripture for their own gain. They lived in immoral ways and taught others to do the same.

What does it mean that God inspired Scripture?

The doctrine of Scripture is a very important one. 2 Peter helps readers to understand that while each writer of Scripture had his own distinct way of writing, God is the true author of Scripture (1:20-21).

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

Singular and plural “you”

In this book, the word “I” refers to Peter. Also, the word “you” is always plural and refers to Peter’s audience. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’ and Forms of You)

What are the major issues in the text of the book of 2 Peter?

For the following verses, there are differences between some of the ancient manuscripts. The ULT text follows the reading that most scholars consider to be original and puts the other reading in a footnote. If a translation of the Bible exists in the language of wider communication in the region, translators may want to consider using the reading found in that version. If not, translators are advised to follow the reading in the ULT. * “to be kept in chains of lower darkness until the judgment” (2:4). Some ancient manuscripts have, “to be kept in pits of lower darkness until the judgment.” * “They enjoy their deceitful actions while they are feasting with you” (2:13). Some manuscripts have, “They enjoy their actions while they are feasting with you in love feasts.” * “Bosor” (2:15). A few other manuscripts read, “Beor.” * “The elements will be burned with fire, and the earth and the deeds in it will be revealed” (3:10). Other manuscripts have, “The elements will be burned with fire, and the earth and the deeds in it will be burned up.”

(See: Textual Variants)

2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

Introduction (1:1–2)
Reminder to live good lives, because God has enabled us to do so (1:3–15)
Reminder of the veracity of apostolic teaching (1:16–21)

Peter begins this letter in 1:1–2 by giving his name, identifying the people to whom he is writing, and offering a greeting. That was the way people typically began letters at this time.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Knowledge of God

Having experiential knowledge of God means to belong to him or to have a relationship with him. Here, “knowledge” is more than just mentally knowing about God. It is the knowledge of personal relationship in which God saves a person and gives him grace and peace. (See: know, knowledge, unknown, distinguish)

Living godly lives

Peter teaches that God has given believers all that they need for living godly lives. Therefore, believers should do everything they can to obey God more and more. If believers continue to do this, then they will be effective and productive through their relationship with Jesus. However, if believers do not continue living godly lives, then it is as though they have forgotten what God did through Christ to save them. (See: godly, godliness, ungodly, godless, ungodliness, godlessness and save, saved, safe, salvation)

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

The truth of Scripture

Peter teaches that the prophecies in Scripture were not made up by men. The Holy Spirit revealed God’s message to the men who spoke them or wrote them down. Also, Peter and the other apostles did not make up the stories they told people about Jesus. They witnessed what Jesus did and heard God call Jesus his son.

2 Peter 1:1

Σίμων Πέτρος

In this culture, letter writers would give their own names first, and they would refer to themselves in the third person. If that would be confusing in your language, you could use the first person. If your language has a particular way of introducing the author of a letter, you could also use that. Alternate translation: “I, Simon Peter, am writing this letter” or “From Simon Peter” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

Σίμων Πέτρος

Simon Peter is the name of a man, a disciple of Jesus. See the information about him in Part 1 of the Introduction to 2 Peter. (See: How to Translate Names)

δοῦλος καὶ ἀπόστολος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

This phrase gives further information about Simon Peter. He describes himself as being both a servant of Jesus Christ and one given the position and authority of being Christ’s apostle. (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

τοῖς…λαχοῦσιν

In this culture, after giving their own names, letter writers would then say to whom they were writing, naming those people in the third person. If that would be confusing in your language, you could use the second person. Alternate translation: “to you who have received” (See: First, Second or Third Person)

τοῖς ἰσότιμον ἡμῖν λαχοῦσιν πίστιν

That these people have received a faith implies that God has given that faith to them. Alternate translation: “to those to whom God has given a faith equal in value with us” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τοῖς ἰσότιμον…λαχοῦσιν πίστιν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun faith, you could express the idea behind it with a verb, such as “trust” or “believe.” Alternate translation: “to those whom God has made to trust” or “to those whom God has made to believe” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἡμῖν

Here, the word us refers to Peter and the other apostles, but not to those to whom he is writing. Alternate translation: “as we apostles have received” (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ

The word by indicates the means through which they received the faith. Alternate translation: “by means of the righteousness”

δικαιοσύνῃ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun righteousness, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective such as “righteous” or “right.” Alternate translation: “the righteous acts of our God and Savior” or “the right way of our God and Savior” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:2

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

In this culture, letter writers would offer a good wish for the recipient before introducing the main business of the letter. Use a form in your language that makes it clear that this is a greeting and blessing. Alternate translation: “May God increase his kind acts to you and make you more peaceful” (See: Blessings)

χάρις…καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

God is the one who will give grace and peace to believers. If your readers would misunderstand this, you can make that information explicit. Alternate translation: “May God increase his grace and peace” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns grace and peace, you could express the ideas behind them with equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “May God multiply his kind acts to you and give you a more peaceful spirit” (See: Abstract Nouns)

χάρις…καὶ εἰρήνη πληθυνθείη

Peter speaks of grace and peace as if they were objects that could increase in size or number. If this is confusing in your language, you can use a different metaphor that means that these things will increase, or use plain language. Alternate translation: “May God increase his grace and peace” (See: Metaphor)

ὑμῖν

Here the pronoun you is plural, since Peter is writing to believers in Jesus as a group. Generally, throughout the letter the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural for this same reason. (See: Forms of You)

ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν

If you would not use an abstract noun here, you can translate knowledge using a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “because you know God and Jesus our Lord” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ Θεοῦ, καὶ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν

This could mean: (1) “because of knowing God and Jesus our Lord” or (2) “through knowing God and Jesus our Lord.”

τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν

Here, our Lord means “the person who is lord over us” or “the person who rules over us.” (See: Possession)

2 Peter 1:3

ὡς…ἡμῖν τῆς θείας δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ…δεδωρημένης

Here, as indicates that this verse provides the reason for the expected result, which is Peter’s command in 1:5–7. Alternate translation: “Since his divine power has given to us” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἡμῖν

Here, us refers to Peter and all believers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

τῆς θείας δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

The pronoun his could refer to: (1) God. Alternate translation: “God’s divine power” (2) Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus, by his power as God” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τῆς θείας δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun power, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “God, because he can do anything,” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῆς θείας δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ…δεδωρημένης

Peter is speaking figuratively of God’s divine power as if it were a living thing that could give something to people. God is the one who is giving, and he uses his divine power to do so. Alternate translation: “God has used his divine power to give” (See: Personification)

πρὸς ζωὴν καὶ εὐσέβειαν

Here, the word for indicates the purpose for which God has given all these things to believers. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of life and godliness” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

πρὸς ζωὴν καὶ εὐσέβειαν

Here, godliness describes the word life. Alternate translation: “for a godly life” (See: Hendiadys)

εὐσέβειαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun godliness, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “acting honorably toward God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

διὰ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως

The word through here indicates the means by which God has given us all things for life and godliness. Alternate translation: “by means of the knowledge”

διὰ τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ καλέσαντος ἡμᾶς

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun knowledge, you can translate it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “through our knowing the one who called us” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ καλέσαντος ἡμᾶς

This phrase could refer to: (1) God. Alternate translation: “of God, who called us” (2) Jesus. Alternate translation: “of Jesus, who called us”

ἡμᾶς

Here, us refers to Peter and his audience, fellow believers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀρετῆς

Here, through indicates the means by which God called us. Alternate translation: “by means of his glory and excellence”

διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀρετῆς

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns glory and excellence, you could express the ideas behind them with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “because he is so great and so good” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:4

δι’ ὧν

Here, through indicates the means by which God gave his promises. Alternate translation: “by means of which”

δι’ ὧν

Here, which refers back to words from the previous verse. It could refer to: (1) “his glory and excellence.” Alternate translation: “through his glory and excellence” (2) “all the things for life and godliness.” Alternate translation: “by giving us all of these things” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἡμῖν

Here, us refers to Peter and his audience, fellow believers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

δεδώρηται

The pronoun he could refer to: (1) God. Alternate translation: “God has given” (2) Jesus. Alternate translation: “Jesus has given” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τὰ τίμια καὶ μέγιστα ἡμῖν ἐπαγγέλματα δεδώρηται,

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun promises, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “he has promised to us precious and great things” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἵνα διὰ τούτων γένησθε θείας κοινωνοὶ φύσεως

This is a purpose clause. Peter is stating the purpose for which God has given to us precious and great promises. In your translation, follow the conventions of your language for purpose clauses. Alternate translation (without a comma preceding): “in order that through them you might be sharers of the divine nature” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

διὰ τούτων

The word through here indicates the means by which you might be sharers of the divine nature. Alternate translation: “by means of them”

διὰ τούτων

Here the pronoun them refers back to the precious and great promises of the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “through these promises” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

θείας…φύσεως

The abstract noun nature refers to the inherent features of something or what it is like. Alternate translation: “of what God is like” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἀποφυγόντες τῆς…φθορᾶς

Peter speaks figuratively of people not suffering from the corruption that wicked desires cause as if they had escaped from that corruption. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could express this with a non-figurative expression. Alternate translation: “no longer being corrupted” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ

Here, the world could mean: (1) the place where we all live, where we are surrounded by sinful people and temptations to sin. Alternate translation: “that is all around us” (2) the system of values that people share who do not honor God. Alternate translation: “of the world’s ungodly value system” (See: Metonymy)

ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ

Here, by indicates the means by which the world became corrupt. It does not indicate the means by which Peter’s addressees escaped corruption. Alternate translation: “by means of lust”

φθορᾶς

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun corruption, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “things that corrupt you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:5

καὶ αὐτὸ τοῦτο δὲ

The phrase with respect to this very thing refers to what Peter has just said in the previous verses. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and now because of these things that God has done” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

σπουδὴν πᾶσαν παρεισενέγκαντες

The phrase applying all diligence indicates the means by which one is to do the action of supplying that follows. Alternate translation: “by means of applying all diligence”

σπουδὴν πᾶσαν παρεισενέγκαντες

Here, applying all diligence is an idiom that means doing one’s best or making the best effort. Alternate translation: “making every effort” (See: Idiom)

ἐπιχορηγήσατε ἐν τῇ πίστει ὑμῶν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun faith, you could express the idea behind it with a verb such as “trust” or “believe.” Alternate translation: “as you trust in Jesus, add” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὑμῶν

The pronoun your is plural here, since Peter is writing to believers in Jesus as a group. Generally, throughout the letter the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural for this same reason. (See: Forms of You)

τὴν ἀρετήν…τῇ ἀρετῇ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun goodness, you could express the idea behind it with an adjective phrase in both occurrences in this verse. Alternate translation: “doing what is good … doing what is good” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν δὲ τῇ ἀρετῇ τὴν γνῶσιν

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from earlier in the sentence. Alternate translation: “and supply in your goodness, knowledge” (See: Ellipsis)

τὴν γνῶσιν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun knowledge, you could express the idea behind it using a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “knowing more about God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:6

ἐν δὲ τῇ γνώσει τὴν ἐνκράτειαν

τῇ γνώσει

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun knowledge , you could translate it using a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “knowing more about God” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὴν ἐνκράτειαν…τῇ ἐνκρατείᾳ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun self-control, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase in both occurrences in this verse. Alternate translation: “controlling yourself … controlling yourself” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν δὲ τῇ ἐνκρατείᾳ τὴν ὑπομονήν

τὴν ὑπομονήν…τῇ ὑπομονῇ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun endurance, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase in both occurrences in this verse. Alternate translation: “enduring hardship … enduring hardship” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν δὲ τῇ ὑπομονῇ τὴν εὐσέβειαν,

τὴν εὐσέβειαν

2 Peter 1:7

ἐν δὲ τῇ εὐσεβείᾳ τὴν φιλαδελφίαν

τὴν φιλαδελφίαν…τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun brotherly affection, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “being concerned for your brothers and sisters … being concerned for your brothers and sisters” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν δὲ τῇ φιλαδελφίᾳ τὴν ἀγάπην

τὴν ἀγάπην

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun love, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “loving others” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:8

ταῦτα γὰρ ὑμῖν ὑπάρχοντα καὶ πλεονάζοντα

The word For here indicates that Peter is giving a reason why his audience should obey the command given in 1:5–7. Alternate translation: “Because these things existing and increasing in you” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ταῦτα γὰρ ὑμῖν ὑπάρχοντα καὶ πλεονάζοντα, οὐκ ἀργοὺς οὐδὲ ἀκάρπους καθίστησιν

Peter is describing a conditional situation. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express it that way. Alternate translation: “For if these things are existing and increasing in you, then they will cause you to be neither barren nor unfruitful” (See: Connect — Hypothetical Conditions)

ταῦτα

Here, these things refers back to the faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love which Peter mentioned in 1:5–7. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

οὐκ ἀργοὺς οὐδὲ ἀκάρπους καθίστησιν

Peter speaks of a person who does not possess these qualities as if he were a field that will not produce a crop. If that is confusing in your language, you can use a different metaphor with that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “cause you to be neither unproductive nor useless” (See: Metaphor)

οὐκ ἀργοὺς οὐδὲ ἀκάρπους καθίστησιν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in positive terms. Alternate translation: “cause you to produce and bear fruit” (See: Double Negatives)

οὐκ ἀργοὺς οὐδὲ ἀκάρπους

The words barren and unfruitful mean basically the same thing. In combination with the negatives neither and nor, they are used together to emphasize that this person will not be unproductive but will experience great benefits from knowing Jesus. If it is confusing in your language to use two words together that mean the same thing, you can just use one word with that meaning. Alternate translation: “not unproductive” (See: Doublet)

εἰς τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἐπίγνωσιν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun knowledge, you could express the idea behind it using a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “in your knowing our Lord Jesus Christ” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:9

γὰρ

For indicates that Peter is giving another reason why his audience should obey the command given in 1:5–7. Peter gave a positive reason in 1:8 and gives a negative reason here. Alternate translation: “Because” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ᾧ…μὴ πάρεστιν ταῦτα, τυφλός ἐστιν

Here, he does not refer to a specific person, but to any person who does not have these things. Alternate translation: “anyone who does not have these things” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

ταῦτα

The phrase these things refers back to the faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, which Peter mentioned in 1:5–7. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τυφλός ἐστιν μυωπάζων

In this metaphor, Peter speaks of a person who does not possess these qualities as if the person were blind or nearsighted. He means this in a spiritual sense, that this person cannot see what is spiritually important. If that is confusing in your language, you can use a different metaphor with that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is like a blind or shortsighted person who cannot see their importance” (See: Metaphor)

τυφλός ἐστιν μυωπάζων

Although the words blind and nearsighted have similar meanings, blind is more extreme than nearsighted, and a person cannot be both at the same time. If it is confusing in your language to describe someone using both of these words in this way, you can use a word like “or” between them or show how they might work together. Alternate translation: “he … is blind or nearsighted” or “he … is blindly nearsighted” or “he … is so nearsighted that he is blind to what is spiritually important” (See: Hendiadys)

λήθην λαβὼν τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun forgetfulness, you could express the idea behind it in this phrase with a verb. Alternate translation: “having forgotten the cleansing” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ τῶν πάλαι αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun cleansing, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “that God has cleansed him from his old sins” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ τῶν πάλαι αὐτοῦ ἁμαρτιῶν.

Peter is speaking figuratively of forgiving sin as if sin were something that made people dirty and thus required cleansing from God. Alternate translation: “the forgiving of his past sins” (See: Metaphor)

2 Peter 1:10

διὸ

Peter uses Therefore to introduce a description of what his readers should do as a result of what he has just said. He is referring specifically to the two reasons for obedience given in 1:8–9. Alternate translation: “Because of these reasons” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἀδελφοί

Peter is using the term brothers figuratively as a way to directly address his fellow believers in Jesus. See the UST. (See: Metaphor)

ἀδελφοί

Peter is using the term brothers in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Be sure that this is clear in your translation so that your readers do not get the impression that Peter is addressing only men. If you use a non-figurative word such as “believers” to translate the metaphor brothers, you may need to use both the masculine and the feminine forms of that word in your language. If you retain the metaphor, you could state “my brothers and sisters.” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

βεβαίαν ὑμῶν τὴν κλῆσιν καὶ ἐκλογὴν ποιεῖσθαι

The words calling and election share similar meanings and both refer to God choosing believers to belong to him. Peter uses them together to emphasize this idea. If your readers would misunderstand this connection, you could use just one word and provide the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “make sure that God has really chosen you to belong to him” (See: Doublet)

ταῦτα γὰρ ποιοῦντες

ταῦτα γὰρ ποιοῦντες οὐ μὴ πταίσητέ ποτε

Peter is describing a conditional situation. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express it that way. Alternate translation: “For if you do these things, then you will certainly not ever stumble” (See: Connect — Hypothetical Conditions)

οὐ μὴ πταίσητέ ποτε

The combination of words here expresses strong emphatic negation. Alternate translation: “you will most certainly never stumble”

οὐ μὴ πταίσητέ ποτε

Here, stumble could mean: (1) abandoning faith in Christ. Alternate translation: “you will certainly not abandon faith in Christ” (2) committing sin. Alternate translation: “you will certainly not practice sinful behavior” (See: Metaphor)

2 Peter 1:11

γὰρ

For indicates that Peter is giving a reason why his readers should want to obey the commands given in 1:5–7 and 1:10. (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

οὕτως

Here, in this way refers back to the way of living that includes the faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, which Peter mentioned in 1:5–7. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πλουσίως ἐπιχορηγηθήσεται ὑμῖν ἡ εἴσοδος εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον βασιλείαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “God will richly provide to you the entrance into the eternal kingdom” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς τὴν αἰώνιον βασιλείαν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun kingdom, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase, such as “where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rules.” Alternate translation: “into the eternal place where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rules” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:12

διὸ

Peter uses Therefore to introduce the purpose of his letter. In order to encourage his readers to do everything he has said in 1:5–10, and especially because of the promise in 1:11, he wants to keep reminding them about these things. Use a natural form in your language to show that this introduces a result or purpose for saying what came before. Alternate translation: “Because these things are very important” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

τούτων

Here, these things refers back to what Peter has stated in the previous verses, specifically to faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, which Peter mentioned in 1:5–7. (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἐστηριγμένους ἐν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “you learned well” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐστηριγμένους ἐν τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ

Here, established is used figuratively to refer to one being firmly committed to something. Alternate translation: “you strongly believe the truth that you now have” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ

Here, in has the meaning of “in reference to” or “with regard to.” Alternate translation: “in reference to the present truth”

ἐν τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ

Here, present is used figuratively as if truth were an object that could be there with Peter’s audience. Here it does not refer to present time. Alternate translation: “in the truth that you have” or “in the truth that is with you” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν τῇ παρούσῃ ἀληθείᾳ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun truth, you could express the idea behind it with an adjective, such as “true.” Alternate translation: “in these true teachings” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:13

δὲ

But could mean: (1) Peter is contrasting what he just said in the previous verse with what he is about to say. His audience already knows the truth, but he wants to remind them again. Alternate translation, as in the UST: “Nevertheless.” (2) Peter is connecting this statement with what he said at the beginning of the previous verse. Peter is always ready to remind them of the truth, and he thinks it is correct to do so. Alternate translation: “And” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

ἐφ’ ὅσον εἰμὶ ἐν τούτῳ τῷ σκηνώματι

Peter speaks of his body as if it were a tent that he is wearing and will take off. Being in his body represents being alive. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you can indicate this directly. Alternate translation: “as long as I am in this body” or “as long as I live” (See: Metaphor)

διεγείρειν ὑμᾶς ἐν ὑπομνήσει

Peter uses arouse figuratively to refer to causing his readers to think about these things. If your readers would misunderstand this usage, you could translate this with a non-figurative expression. Alternate translation: “to remind you of these things so that you will think about them” (See: Metaphor)

διεγείρειν ὑμᾶς ἐν ὑπομνήσει

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun remembrance, you could express the idea behind it in this phrase with the verb “remind.” Alternate translation: “to remind you” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:14

εἰδὼς

In this clause Peter is giving a reason why he will always remind his audience of doctrinal truths in this letter, specifically faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, which Peter mentioned in 1:5–7. Alternate translation: “This is because I know” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ταχινή ἐστιν ἡ ἀπόθεσις τοῦ σκηνώματός μου

Peter speaks of his body as if it were a tent that he is wearing and will take off. Being in his body represents being alive, and taking it off represents dying. Alternate translation: “I will soon take off this body” (See: Metaphor)

ταχινή ἐστιν ἡ ἀπόθεσις τοῦ σκηνώματός μου

Putting off his tent is a nice way to refer to dying. If your readers would misunderstand this euphemism, you can indicate this directly. Alternate translation: “I will die soon” (See: Euphemism)

καθὼς καὶ ὁ Κύριος ἡμῶν, Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς, ἐδήλωσέν μοι

Suggested footnote: “Peter may be referring here to what Jesus told him, as recorded in John 21:18–19.”

2 Peter 1:15

δὲ καὶ

Likewise here could mean that: (1) this statement is in addition to what Peter just said in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Moreover” (2) this statement is contrasting what he just said in the previous verse with what he is about to say. Alternate translation: “But” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

ἑκάστοτε, ἔχειν ὑμᾶς…τὴν τούτων μνήμην ποιεῖσθαι

τούτων

Here, these things refers to what Peter has said in the previous verses, specifically the faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love which Peter mentioned in 1:5–7. (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

μετὰ τὴν ἐμὴν ἔξοδον

Peter uses the word departure as a nice way to speak of his death. If your readers would misunderstand this term, you could use a more common euphemism in your language, or state it directly. Alternate translation: “after my passing” or “after I die” (See: Euphemism)

2 Peter 1:16

γὰρ

For indicates that in 1:16–21 Peter explains to the believers why they should remember “these things,” which were mentioned in 1:5–7. Alternate translation: “This is because” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἐγνωρίσαμεν

Here, we refers to Peter and the other apostles. It does not refer to his readers. Alternate translation: “we apostles did not follow” (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

τὴν…δύναμιν καὶ παρουσίαν

The words power and coming work together to refer to the same thing; they may be translated as a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the powerful coming” (See: Hendiadys)

τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ δύναμιν καὶ παρουσίαν

In this clause Peter refers to the second coming of the Lord Jesus to earth. This future event was foreshadowed by the powerful appearance of Jesus known as the “transfiguration,” which is described in Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:1–8, and Luke 9:28–36. Peter was an eyewitness of that event.

τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Here, our refers to all believers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ἐπόπται γενηθέντες

This phrase indicates the means by which the apostles had made known to others the second coming of Jesus. The apostles based their teaching about the return of Jesus partly on their eyewitness experience. Alternate translation: “by means of becoming eyewitnesses”

τῆς ἐκείνου μεγαλειότητος

The pronoun that one refers to Jesus. Alternate translation: “of the majesty of Jesus” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τῆς ἐκείνου μεγαλειότητος

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun majesty, you could express the idea behind it with an adjective such as “majestic.” Alternate translation: “of his majestic nature” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:17

γὰρ

Here, For indicates that what follows in 1:17–18 is the reason that Peter can say in the previous verse that he was an eyewitness to the majesty of Jesus. Use a connector that indicates that this is a reason or explanation. Alternate translation: “I say this because” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

παρὰ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς

Father is an important title for God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

λαβὼν…παρὰ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς τιμὴν καὶ δόξαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns honor and glory, you could translate them with equivalent expressions that use verbs. Alternate translation: “and God the Father honored and glorified him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

φωνῆς ἐνεχθείσης αὐτῷ τοιᾶσδε ὑπὸ τῆς Μεγαλοπρεποῦς Δόξης

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “when he heard that voice come to him from the Majestic Glory” or “when he heard the voice of the Majestic Glory speak to him” or “when the Majestic Glory spoke to him” (See: Active or Passive)

φωνῆς ἐνεχθείσης αὐτῷ τοιᾶσδε ὑπὸ τῆς Μεγαλοπρεποῦς Δόξης

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “such a voice having been brought to him by the Majestic Glory, and this is what God said” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

ἐνεχθείσης αὐτῷ

The pronoun him refers to Jesus. If your readers would misunderstand this connection, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “having been brought to Jesus” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τῆς Μεγαλοπρεποῦς Δόξης

Peter refers to God in terms of his Glory. The glory of God is closely associated with God himself and here substitutes for his name. Alternate translation: “God, the Supreme Glory” (See: Metonymy)

ὁ Υἱός μου

Son is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God. (See: Translating Son and Father)

μου…μου…ἐγὼ

The pronouns my and myself refer to God the Father, who is the one speaking in the quotation. (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

2 Peter 1:18

ταύτην τὴν φωνὴν ἡμεῖς ἠκούσαμεν ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἐνεχθεῖσαν

With the words we ourselves, Peter is referring to himself and to the disciples James and John, who also heard the voice of God. Alternate translation: “we, James, John, and I, heard this voice that came from heaven” (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

ἐξ οὐρανοῦ, ἐνεχθεῖσαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “having come from heaven” or “that came from heaven” (See: Active or Passive)

σὺν αὐτῷ, ὄντες

This is a temporal phrase that can begin with “when.” Alternate translation: “when we were with him”

σὺν αὐτῷ

Here, him refers to Jesus, not God the Father. If your readers would misunderstand this reference, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “being with Jesus” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τῷ ἁγίῳ ὄρει

The mountain Peter refers to is the mountain on which Jesus was powerfully transformed in the event known as the “transfiguration.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this information explicitly. Alternate translation: “on the holy mountain on which Jesus was powerfully transformed” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 1:19

ἔχομεν βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον

The word translated as very certain could refer to: (1) something that is extremely reliable. In this case, Peter is saying in 1:18–19 that we have two reliable witnesses to Jesus’ glory: God’s own voice speaking on the mountain of transfiguration and the extremely reliable prophetic scriptures. Alternate translation: “We also have the most reliable prophetic word” (2) something that is confirmed by something else. In this case, Peter is saying that God’s voice on the mountain confirms, or makes even more trustworthy, the prophetic scripture that we already trusted completely. Alternate translation: “we have the prophetic word confirmed”

ἔχομεν

Here, we refers to all believers, including Peter and his readers. (See: Exclusive and Inclusive ‘We’)

βεβαιότερον τὸν προφητικὸν λόγον

Peter uses the phrase prophetic word to refer figuratively to the entire Old Testament. It does not refer only to those Old Testament books called “the Prophets,” nor only to the predictive prophecies within the Old Testament. Alternate translation: “the Scriptures, which the prophets spoke” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ᾧ καλῶς ποιεῖτε προσέχοντες

Here the relative pronoun which refers to the prophetic word mentioned in the previous phrase. Peter instructs the believers to pay close attention to the prophetic message, which is the Old Testament. (See: Pronouns)

ᾧ καλῶς ποιεῖτε προσέχοντες

Peter uses the statement you do well to tell his audience that they should pay attention to the Old Testament Scriptures. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could translate this phrase as a suggestion or command. Alternate translation: “to which you should pay attention” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

ὡς λύχνῳ φαίνοντι ἐν αὐχμηρῷ τόπῳ

Peter compares the prophetic word to a lamp that gives light in the darkness. Just as a lamp gives light in order for someone to see in a dark place, so the prophetic word gives believers guidance for how to live properly in this sin-filled world. If your readers would misunderstand this simile, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “a guide for you to know how to live in this world” (See: Simile)

ἕως οὗ ἡμέρα διαυγάσῃ

Peter speaks figuratively of Christ’s second coming by calling it the new day that comes in the morning. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “until the day Christ returns” (See: Metaphor)

φωσφόρος ἀνατείλῃ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

Peter speaks figuratively of Christ as the morning star, which is a star that indicates daybreak and the end of the night. Christ will rise by bringing light into the hearts of believers, ending all doubt and bringing full understanding of who he is. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way or change the metaphor to a simile. Alternate translation: “Christ brings full understanding to you like the morning star shines its light into the world” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν

Here, hearts is a metonym for people’s minds. Alternate translation: “in your minds” or “to help you understand” (See: Metonymy)

φωσφόρος

The morning star refers to the planet Venus, which is sometimes visible in the sky just before the sun rises, thus indicating that daybreak is near. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make this information more explicit. Alternate translation: “the star that appears just before the sun rises” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 1:20

τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες

Peter uses first here to refer to the degree of importance. It does not to refer to order in time. Alternate translation: “Most importantly, you must understand”

τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες

Peter is using a statement to give an instruction. If it would be helpful in your language, you can indicate this by translating it as a command. If you do so, it might be helpful to start a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Above all, know this” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

πᾶσα προφητεία Γραφῆς ἰδίας ἐπιλύσεως οὐ γίνεται

Here, one’s own interpretation could mean: (1) that the Old Testament prophets did not base any of their prophecies on their own interpretations of what God had said, but only prophesied what God revealed to them. If it would be more natural in your language, you could change the order of information. Alternate translation: “no prophet interpreted his prophecy according to his own interpretation” (2) that no individual person can interpret scripture on his or her own, but only with the help of the Holy Spirit and the larger community of believers. Alternate translation: “no one is able to explain any prophecy in the Bible through his own ability” (See: Information Structure)

ἰδίας ἐπιλύσεως

The word interpretation is an abstract noun that represents an action. If your readers would misunderstand this abstract noun, you could use a verb. Alternate translation: “no prophet interpreted his prophecy according to what he himself thought” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 1:21

γὰρ

For indicates that what follows is the reason that the statement of the previous verse is true. It could mean: (1) the prophets could not prophesy according to their own interpretations, because true prophecy could only come from the Holy Spirit. (2) no one can interpret prophecy without help from the Holy Spirit, because the prophecy came from the Holy Spirit. Alternate translation: “The reason for this is that” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

οὐ…θελήματι ἀνθρώπου ἠνέχθη προφητεία ποτέ

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form, and you could state who did the action. Alternate translation: “no prophet ever prophesied by the will of man” or “the will of man never produced any prophecy” (See: Active or Passive)

οὐ…θελήματι ἀνθρώπου ἠνέχθη προφητεία ποτέ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun will, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase, such as “what a man desires.” Alternate translation: “no prophecy was ever made according to what a man desires” (See: Abstract Nouns)

θελήματι ἀνθρώπου

Peter is using the term man in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “by human desire” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

ὑπὸ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου φερόμενοι, ἐλάλησαν ἀπὸ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωποι

Peter speaks figuratively of the Holy Spirit helping the prophets to write what God wanted them to write as if the Holy Spirit carried them from one place to another. Alternate translation: “men spoke from God by the Holy Spirit directing them” (See: Metaphor)

ἐλάλησαν ἀπὸ Θεοῦ ἄνθρωποι

In this phrase, Peter is leaving out a word that it would need in many languages in order to be complete. If this word is required in your language, it can be supplied from earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “men spoke prophecy from God” (See: Ellipsis)

2 Peter 2

2 Peter 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Prediction of false teachers (2:1–3)
Examples of divine judgment (2:4–10a)
Description and denunciation of false teachers (2:10b–22)

Peter continues this letter in 2:1–3 by predicting that false teachers will try to deceive the believers, just as false prophets did during the time true prophets were writing the Old Testament. Then in 2:4–10a Peter describes examples of God punishing those who acted similarly to the coming false teachers. Peter then closes this section in 2:10b–22 by describing the wicked character and deeds of these false teachers.

Special concepts in this chapter

Flesh

“Flesh” is a metaphor for a person’s sinful nature. It is not the physical part of man that is sinful. “Flesh” represents the human nature that rejects all things godly and desires what is sinful. This is the condition of all humans before they receive the Holy Spirit by believing in Jesus. (See: flesh)

Implicit information

There are several analogies in 2:4–8 that are difficult to understand if the Old Testament has not yet been translated. Further explanation may be necessary. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 2:1

δὲ

The term translated Now could refer to: (1) a new topic expressed by Now in the ULT. (2) a contrast between the false prophets in this clause and the true Old Testament prophets mentioned in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “But” (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

ἐν τῷ λαῷ

Here, the people refers specifically to the Israelites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” or “the Israelites” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας

Here, heresies refers to opinions that are contrary to the teaching of Christ and the apostles. Alternate translation: “opinions of destruction” (See: Translate Unknowns)

αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας,

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun destruction, you could express the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “destructive heresies” or “heresies that destroy” (See: Abstract Nouns)

αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας

Peter is using the possessive form to describe an opinion that is characterized by destruction. If your readers would misunderstand this term, you could use the adjective “destructive” instead of the noun “destruction.” Alternate translation: “destructive heresies” (See: Possession)

αἱρέσεις ἀπωλείας

Here, destruction could refer to: (1) the eternal damnation of those who teach or accept these heresies. Alternate translation: “heresies that result in their eternal damnation” (2) the destruction of the faith of those who teach or accept these heresies. Alternate translation: “heresies that destroy their faith in the Messiah”

τὸν ἀγοράσαντα αὐτοὺς Δεσπότην

Here, master refers to Jesus. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “master Jesus who bought them” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὸν ἀγοράσαντα αὐτοὺς Δεσπότην

Peter uses the phrase master who bought to speak figuratively of Jesus as the owner of the people he has saved from damnation by paying the penalty for their sins with his death. If it would be helpful to your readers, you can express this in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “Jesus who saved them” (See: Metaphor)

ἐπάγοντες ἑαυτοῖς ταχινὴν ἀπώλειαν

Here, bringing indicates that this clause is the result of the deeds of the false teachers described in the previous clauses. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make a new sentence here and state this connection plainly. Alternate translation: “As a result, they are bringing swift destruction on themselves.” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ταχινὴν ἀπώλειαν

Here,swift could mean: (1) their destruction will come soon. Alternate translation: “destruction that will happen soon” or “imminent destruction” (2) their destruction will be sudden or quick. Alternate translation: “quick destruction”

ἐπάγοντες ἑαυτοῖς ταχινὴν ἀπώλειαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun destruction, you could express the idea behind it with a verb, such as “destroy.” Alternate translation: “they are causing themselves to be destroyed soon” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 2:2

πολλοὶ

If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly, as the UST does, that this refers to people. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐξακολουθήσουσιν

Here Peter uses the word follow figuratively to refer to someone imitating the actions of someone else, like someone who walks behind another person in the same direction. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you can express this literally. Alternate translation: “will imitate their licentious acts” (See: Metaphor)

αὐτῶν ταῖς ἀσελγείαις

Here the pronoun their refers to the false teachers introduced in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you can express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the licentious acts of these false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ταῖς ἀσελγείαις

Here, licentious acts refers to immoral sexual actions that demonstrate a lack of self-control. Alternate translation: “uncontrolled sensual acts”

δι’ οὓς

Here, whom refers to the false teachers. It does not refer to the licentious acts in the previous clause. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate explicitly, as the UST does, that this refers to the false teachers. Alternate translation: “through these false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς ἀληθείας

Peter uses the phrase the way of truth here figuratively to refer to the Christian faith or how a Christian person lives his or her life. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you can express this literally. Alternate translation: “the true Christian manner of living” or “the true Christian faith” (See: Metaphor)

ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς ἀληθείας

Peter is using the possessive form to describe the way that is characterized by truth. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could use the adjective “true” instead of the noun “truth.” Alternate translation: “the true way” (See: Possession)

ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς ἀληθείας βλασφημηθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you can state this in active form and say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “unbelievers will slander the way of truth” (See: Active or Passive)

ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς ἀληθείας βλασφημηθήσεται

Peter speaks figuratively of the way of truth as if it were a person who could be slandered or shown disrespect. Alternate translation: “they will say bad things about the way of truth” (See: Personification)

ἡ ὁδὸς τῆς ἀληθείας βλασφημηθήσεται

Peter assumes that his audience will know that unbelievers will be the ones who slander the Christian faith when they see the sensual lives of the false teachers and their followers. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the way of truth will be slandered by unbelievers” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 2:3

ἐν πλεονεξίᾳ

Here, in indicates the reason for what the false teachers do. Alternate translation: “because of greed”

ἐν πλεονεξίᾳ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun greed, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective, such as “greedy.” Alternate translation: “because they are greedy” (See: Abstract Nouns)

πλαστοῖς λόγοις

Here, false words are the means by which the false teachers will exploit their victims. Alternate translation: “by means of false words”

πλαστοῖς λόγοις

Peter is using the term words to describe the teachings of the false teachers that were conveyed by using words. Alternate translation: “by false teachings” (See: Metonymy)

ἐμπορεύσονται

Here, they refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. If your readers would misunderstand this, you can state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “these false teachers will exploit you” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

οἷς τὸ κρίμα ἔκπαλαι οὐκ ἀργεῖ

Here, whom refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. If your readers would misunderstand this, you can state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “condemnation from long ago is not idle for these false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

οἷς τὸ κρίμα ἔκπαλαι οὐκ ἀργεῖ

Here, for whom indicates that the condemnation is directed again the false teachers. Alternate translation: “against whom condemnation from long ago is not idle”

οἷς τὸ κρίμα ἔκπαλαι οὐκ ἀργεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἀπώλεια αὐτῶν οὐ νυστάζει

These two long phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the false teachers will certainly be condemned. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “their destruction from long ago is certain” (See: Parallelism)

οἷς τὸ κρίμα ἔκπαλαι οὐκ ἀργεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἀπώλεια αὐτῶν οὐ νυστάζει

You can translate these phrases with verbs in positive terms. Alternate translation: “their condemnation from long ago is active, and their destruction is awake” (See: Double Negatives)

τὸ κρίμα ἔκπαλαι οὐκ ἀργεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἀπώλεια αὐτῶν οὐ νυστάζει

Peter speaks of condemnation and destruction figuratively as if they are people who can be idle or sleep. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express the meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “condemnation from long ago is not ineffective, and their destruction is not delayed” (See: Personification)

οἷς τὸ κρίμα ἔκπαλαι οὐκ ἀργεῖ, καὶ ἡ ἀπώλεια αὐτῶν οὐ νυστάζει

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns “condemnation” and “destruction”, you could express the ideas behind them with verbal forms. Alternate translation: “they are not idly condemned from long ago, and they will not be destroyed too late” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 2:4

γὰρ

For indicates here that Peter is giving the reason for the result he implicitly described in the previous verse. He is saying why the destruction of the false teachers is certain. Alternate translation: “This is because” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

εἰ

Here, if indicates the beginning of a conditional sentence that extends from 2:4 to 2:10. Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “Since God did not spare the angels who had sinned” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

οὐκ ἐφείσατο

Here, spare means “to refrain from punishing.” Alternate translation: “did not refrain from punishing”

ἀγγέλων ἁμαρτησάντων

Peter uses who had sinned to distinguish the angels who were punished by God from those that were not. (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

σειροῖς ζόφου

Some of the best ancient manuscripts read “pits” instead of “chains.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it has. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading in the ULT. (See: Textual Variants)

σειροῖς ζόφου

This phrase could refer to: (1) chains in a very dark place. Alternate translation: “in chains in darkness” (2) a very deep darkness that imprisons them like chains. Alternate translation: “bound in darkness like chains” (See: Metaphor)

ταρταρώσας

The word Tartarus is a term from Ancient Greek religion that refers to the place where evil spirits and wicked men who have died are punished. Some Ancient Jewish literature written in Greek uses Tartarus as a term for the place where God punishes the wicked. Alternate translation: “he cast them into hell” (See: How to Translate Names)

παρέδωκεν

God is the one who handed over the angels who had sinned. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make that explicit in your translation. Alternate translation: “God handed over” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

παρέδωκεν

Here, Peter speaks figuratively of God imprisoning the angels who sinned like someone who has handed over a criminal to the prison guards for imprisonment. Alternate translation: “imprisoned” (See: Metaphor)

εἰς κρίσιν

This phrase gives the purpose or goal for which the sinning angels are being held in captivity. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of judgment” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

εἰς κρίσιν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun judgment, you could translate it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “to be judged” (See: Abstract Nouns)

εἰς κρίσιν τηρουμένους

This phrase refers to the sinful angels mentioned earlier in the verse. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “those sinful angels who are being kept for judgment” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

εἰς κρίσιν τηρουμένους

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active verbal form and you could indicate who is doing the action. Alternate translation: “those whom God is keeping for judgment” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Peter 2:5

καὶ

Here, and indicates the beginning of the second condition in a conditional sentence that extends from 2:4 to 2:10. Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “Since” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

ἀρχαίου κόσμου οὐκ ἐφείσατο

Here, world refers to the people who lived in it. Alternate translation: “he did not spare the people who lived in the ancient times” (See: Metonymy)

οὐκ ἐφείσατο

As in 2:4, the word spare here means “to refrain from punishing.” Alternate translation: “did not refrain from punishing”

οὐκ ἐφείσατο

Here, he refers to God. If it would be helpful for your readers, you can express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “God did not spare” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ὄγδοον, Νῶε

Here, eighth is an idiom used to refer to a group of eight people. It means that Noah was one of only eight people in the ancient world whom God did not destroy. If your readers would misunderstand this, you can express the literal meaning of the idiom. Alternate translation: “eight people, including Noah” or “with seven others, Noah” (See: Idiom)

Νῶε

Noah is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

Νῶε, δικαιοσύνης κήρυκα

This phrase gives us more information about Noah. It tells us that Noah proclaimed righteousness to the ungodly people of the ancient world. It does not distinguish this Noah from any other person named Noah. (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

δικαιοσύνης κήρυκα

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun righteousness, you could express the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. In this context, the term refers righteous deeds. Alternate translation: “a preacher of righteous deeds” or “a preacher of how to act rightly” (See: Abstract Nouns)

δικαιοσύνης κήρυκα

Peter could be using the possessive form to refer to: (1) a preacher who is characterized by righteousness. Alternate translation: “a preacher who is righteous” (2) a preacher who tells others to live righteously. Alternate translation: “one who urged others to live righteously” (See: Possession)

κατακλυσμὸν κόσμῳ ἀσεβῶν ἐπάξας

This clause indicates when God protected Noah and his other seven family members, when he brought a flood upon the world, as it is translated in the UST.

κόσμῳ ἀσεβῶν

Peter could be using the possessive form to refer to: (1) the human content of the ancient world. Alternate translation: “the world that contained ungodly people” (2) the world as being characterized by ungodliness. Alternate translation: “the ungodly world” (See: Possession)

2 Peter 2:6

καὶ

Here, and indicates the beginning of the third condition in a conditional sentence that extends from 2:4 to 2:10. Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “Since” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

καὶ πόλεις Σοδόμων καὶ Γομόρρας τεφρώσας καταστροφῇ κατέκρινεν

If it would be natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases. Alternate translation: “and he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction, having reduced them to ashes” (See: Information Structure)

πόλεις Σοδόμων καὶ Γομόρρας τεφρώσας

This phrase indicates the means by which God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Alternate translation: “by means of reducing the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes”

Σοδόμων καὶ Γομόρρας

Sodom and Gomorrah are the names of two cities. (See: How to Translate Names)

καταστροφῇ κατέκρινεν

Here, he refers to God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “God condemned them to destruction” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

καταστροφῇ κατέκρινεν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun destruction, you could translate the idea behind it with an verb, such as “destroy.” Alternate translation: “he condemned them to be destroyed” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὑπόδειγμα μελλόντων ἀσεβέσιν τεθεικώς

This clause indicates the result of what happened in the previous clauses of the verse. God’s destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah resulted in them being an example and a warning of what happens to others who disobey God. Alternate translation: “with the result that God set them as an example of the things that will happen to the ungodly” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἀσεβέσιν

Here, ungodly refers to wicked people in general, not to one specific wicked person. Alternate translation: “to an ungodly person” or “to ungodly people” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

2 Peter 2:7

καὶ

Here, and indicates the beginning of the fourth condition in a conditional sentence that extends from 2:4 to 2:10. Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “since” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

ἐρύσατο

Here, he refers to God. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation, as in the UST: “God rescued” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

Λὼτ

Lot is the name of a man. (See: How to Translate Names)

καταπονούμενον ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς

This clause is giving more information about Lot. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could begin a new sentence here to clarify this. Alternate translation: “He was being oppressed by the behavior of the lawless ones in licentiousness” (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

καταπονούμενον ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “the behavior of the lawless ones in licentiousness oppressed him” (See: Active or Passive)

ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς

Here, by could refer to: (1) the thing that was oppressing Lot, as in the ULT. (2) the reason why Lot was oppressed. Alternate translation: “because of the behavior of the lawless ones in licentiousness” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων…ἀναστροφῆς

If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the abstract noun behavior with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “by what the lawless ones did” or “by how the lawless ones acted” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς

Here, in indicates the content of what the lawless people were doing. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could translate in licentiousness with an adjective. Alternate translation: “the licentious behavior”

τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς

If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the abstract noun licentiousness with an adjective. See how you translated the plural form of this term in 2:2. Alternate translation: “the licentious behavior of the lawless ones” or “the wild sensual behavior of the lawless ones”(See: Abstract Nouns)

τῶν ἀθέσμων

Here, the lawless ones refers to the people who lived in the city of Sodom, where Lot lived. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “of the lawless people of Sodom” or “of the people who act as if there is no law in Sodom” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 2:8

γὰρ

Peter uses for here to provide background information about Lot’s life in Sodom. This is to help readers understand why Peter called Lot a righteous person in the previous verse. Peter is not using for here to indicate result. Use the natural form in your language for introducing background information. Alternate translation: “now” (See: Background Information)

βλέμματι γὰρ καὶ ἀκοῇ

If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate the abstract nouns seeing and hearing with verbal phrases. Alternate translation: “for by what he saw and what he heard” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὁ δίκαιος

This refers to Lot. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “righteous Lot” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐνκατοικῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς

This clause indicates the time when Lot dwelled in Sodom. Alternate translation: “when he lived among them”

αὐτοῖς

Here, the pronoun them refers to the inhabitants of Sodom. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could specify what the pronoun them refers to. Alternate translation: “the people of Sodom” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἐνκατοικῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἡμέραν ἐξ ἡμέρας

This phrase, day from day, is an idiom meaning “day after day” or “every day.” You may need to express this literally in your language. Alternate translation: “living among them day after day” or “living among them every day” (See: Idiom)

ψυχὴν δικαίαν…ἐβασάνιζεν

Here, soul refers to Lot’s thoughts and emotions. The immoral behavior of the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah disturbed him emotionally. Alternate translation: “was greatly disturbed” (See: Synecdoche)

ἀνόμοις ἔργοις

This phrase could mean: (1) the lawless works were the means by which Lot tormented his soul. Alternate translation: “with lawless works” (2) the lawless works were the reason why Lot tormented his soul. Alternate translation: “because of lawless works”

2 Peter 2:9

οἶδεν Κύριος

This verse and the next verse are the end of a conditional sentence that extends from 2:4 to 2:10. Peter is giving the result of the previous conditions being true. If you have made 2:4–10 into separate sentences, then you will need to indicate that 2:9 is the result of the previous conditions being true. Alternate translation: “Therefore, it is true that the Lord knows how” or “Since these things are true, it is also true that the Lord knows how” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

ἀδίκους δὲ εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως κολαζομένους τηρεῖν

Here, but could refer to: (1) a contrast between the previous clause and what follows, as in the ULT and UST. (2) a simple connection between the previous clause and what follows. Alternate translation: “and to keep the unrighteous ones to be punished in the day of judgment” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

πειρασμοῦ…ἀδίκους δὲ εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως κολαζομένους τηρεῖν

In this clause, Peter is leaving out some words that it would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous clause. Alternate translation: “a trial and the Lord knows how to keep the unrighteous ones to be punished in the day of judgment” (See: Ellipsis)

κολαζομένους

This is a purpose clause. Peter is stating the purpose for which God is keeping the unrighteous people. Alternate translation (without a comma preceding): “in order to be punished” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

ἀδίκους…κολαζομένους τηρεῖν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “to keep the unrighteous ones to punish them” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως

Here, in could refer to: (1) when the unrighteous ones will be punished. Alternate translation: “on the day of judgment” (2) the point in time up to which the unrighteous ones will be punished. Alternate translation: “until the day of judgment”

ἡμέραν κρίσεως

Peter is using the possessive form to describe a day that is characterized by judgment. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could use a phrase to explain it. Alternate translation: “the day when God judges mankind” (See: Possession)

2 Peter 2:10

δὲ

Here, but indicates a connection between the last clause of the previous verse and what follows. It does not indicate a contrast between “the unrighteous” in the previous verse and “those going after the flesh” in this verse. Alternate translation: “and especially those going after the flesh” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

τοὺς ὀπίσω…πορευομένους

Peter uses the phrase going after figuratively to refer to habitually doing something. This expression is frequently used in the Bible to describe people worshiping false gods or engaging in sexual immorality. If your readers would misunderstand this, you can express this plainly. Alternate translation: “those habitually engaging in” (See: Metaphor)

σαρκὸς

Here, flesh is used figuratively to refer to person’s sinful nature. If your readers would misunderstand this figure of speech, you could express this literally. Alternate translation: “their sinful nature” (See: Metonymy)

ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ μιασμοῦ

Here, in indicates that this phrase shows the means by which the wicked people go after the flesh. Alternate translation: “by means of practicing its lusts of defilement”

ἐν ἐπιθυμίᾳ μιασμοῦ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun defilement, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “in its lusts that defile” (See: Abstract Nouns)

καὶ κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας

Here, and indicates that this clause provides an additional characteristic of those mentioned in the previous clause. It does not indicate a second group of wicked people. These wicked people not only pursue their sinful desires, but also despise authority. Alternate translation: “and who also despise authority” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)

κυριότητος καταφρονοῦντας

Here, authority could refer to: (1) God’s authority, as suggested from the examples of rebelling against God in the previous verses. Alternate translation: “despising God’s authority” (2) angelic authority, as suggested by the insulting of “glorious ones” mentioned in the remainder of the verse. Alternate translation: “despising the authority of angels”

τολμηταὶ

Audacious ones marks the beginning of the second section of this chapter, which continues until the end of 2:22. In this section Peter describes the wicked character and deeds of the false teachers.

τολμηταὶ αὐθάδεις

The words Audacious ones and Self-willed ones are exclamations that emphasize the bold pride of the false teachers. Alternate translation: “They are so audacious and self-willed!” or “How audacious and self-willed they are!” (See: Exclamations)

αὐθάδεις

Self-willed means “doing whatever one wants to do.” Alternate translation: “Those who do whatever they want”

οὐ τρέμουσιν

Here, they refers to the false teachers Peter introduced in 2:1. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “These false teachers do not tremble” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

δόξας…βλασφημοῦντες

This clause indicates the time when the false teachers do not tremble. Alternate translation: “when insulting glorious ones”

δόξας

Here, glorious ones could refer to: (1) spiritual beings, such as angels, demons, or both. Alternate translation: “glorious spiritual beings” (2) important human beings, such as church leaders. Alternate translation: “glorious people”

2 Peter 2:11

ἰσχύϊ καὶ δυνάμει μείζονες ὄντες

This clause could refer to: (1) a contrast between the description of the angels in this clause with their behavior in the next clause. Alternate translation: “despite being greater in strength and power” (2) a description of the angels. Alternate translation: “who are greater in strength and power” (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

ἰσχύϊ καὶ δυνάμει μείζονες ὄντες

Peter is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the surrounding context, which is a description of the false teachers. Alternate translation: “being greater in strength and power than these false teachers” (See: Ellipsis)

ἰσχύϊ καὶ δυνάμει μείζονες ὄντες

The words strength and power mean similar things. Peter is using them together for emphasis. Together, the words describe extreme power. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could translate this pair of words with a single expression. Alternate translation: “being much more powerful” (See: Doublet)

οὐ φέρουσιν κατ’ αὐτῶν…βλάσφημον κρίσιν

Here, them could mean: (1) the “glorious ones.” Alternate translation: “do not bring an insulting judgment against these glorious ones.” (2) the false teachers. Alternate translation: “do not bring an insulting judgment against these false teachers.” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

2 Peter 2:12

οὗτοι

Here, these refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. Alternate translation: “these false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

οὗτοι…ὡς ἄλογα ζῷα

Peter describes the false teachers by comparing them to unreasoning animals. Just as animals cannot think rationally, neither can these people. Alternate translation: “these false teachers are like animals who are not capable of thinking rationally” (See: Metaphor)

γεγεννημένα φυσικὰ εἰς ἅλωσιν καὶ φθοράν

This clause gives more information about the unreasoning animals and thus, by way of comparison, the false teachers. Alternate translation: “which have by nature been born for capture and destruction” (See: Distinguishing Versus Informing or Reminding)

γεγεννημένα φυσικὰ εἰς ἅλωσιν καὶ φθοράν

Here, by nature means that the unreasoning animals (and false teachers by comparison) were destined for capture and destruction due to their very nature as animals born for this purpose. Alternate translation: “according to their nature, these animals are born for capture and destruction”

εἰς ἅλωσιν καὶ φθοράν

This is a purpose clause. The word for here indicates that what follows it is the purpose for which these animals have been born. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of capture and destruction” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

εἰς ἅλωσιν καὶ φθοράν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns capture and destruction, you could express the ideas behind them with verbs. Alternate translation: “in order to capture and destroy them” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐν οἷς ἀγνοοῦσιν βλασφημοῦντες

This clause could refer to: (1) more information about the false teachers. Alternate translation: “who slander those things in which they are ignorant” (2) the reason the false teachers will be destroyed. Alternate translation: “because they slander those things in which they are ignorant”

ἐν οἷς ἀγνοοῦσιν

Here, those things could refer to: (1) the “glorious ones” of 2:10. Alternate translation: “who slander those of whom they are ignorant” (2) the Christian teachings that these false teachers are rejecting. Alternate translation: “who slander the teachings of which they are ignorant”

ἐν τῇ φθορᾷ αὐτῶν καὶ φθαρήσονται

Here, the pronouns they and their refer to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “these false teachers will also be destroyed in their destruction” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

καὶ φθαρήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form, and you can state who will do the action. Alternate translation: “God will also destroy them” (See: Active or Passive)

καὶ φθαρήσονται

Here, also is used for emphasis and may be translated as “indeed” or “surely.” Alternate translation: “they will indeed be destroyed” or “they will surely be destroyed”

ἐν τῇ φθορᾷ αὐτῶν

This clause indicates the time when the false teachers will be destroyed. Alternate translation: “at the time of their destruction”

ἐν τῇ φθορᾷ αὐτῶν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun destruction, you could express the idea behind it with a verb, such as “destroy.” Alternate translation: “when they are destroyed” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 2:13

ἀδικούμενοι μισθὸν ἀδικίας

Peter speaks of the punishment that the false teachers will receive figuratively as if it were a wage they had earned. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this in a non-figurative manner. Alternate translation: “receiving the punishment they deserve for their unrighteousness” (See: Metaphor)

ἀδικίας

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun unrighteousness, you could translate it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “of the wrong things they have done” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἡδονὴν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun pleasure, you can translate it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “something that pleases” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὴν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ τρυφήν

Here, reveling refers to immoral activity that includes gluttony, drunkenness, and sexual activity. If your readers would misunderstand this abstract noun, you can translate it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “their ability to revel in the day” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὴν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ τρυφήν

This phrase indicates the time when the false teachers were reveling. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could translate in as “during.” Doing these things “during the day” indicates that these people are not ashamed of this behavior. Alternate translation: “reveling during the day”

σπίλοι καὶ μῶμοι

Peter speaks of the false teachers as if they were stains or blemishes on a garment that cause shame for those who wear it. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could translate it as a simile. Alternate translation: “like stains and blemishes on clothes, which cause disgrace” (See: Metaphor)

σπίλοι καὶ μῶμοι

The words stains and blemishes share similar meanings. Peter is using them together for emphasis. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could translate them with a single expression. Alternate translation: “unsightly stains” (See: Doublet)

σπίλοι καὶ μῶμοι

For emphasis, here Peter is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the context. Alternate translation: “They are stains and blemishes” (See: Ellipsis)

ἐντρυφῶντες ἐν ταῖς ἀπάταις αὐτῶν

If your readers would misunderstand this, you can translate the abstract noun deceptions with an adjective like “deceptive.” Alternate translation: “reveling in their deceptive deeds” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 2:14

ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντες μεστοὺς μοιχαλίδος

Here, eyes refers figuratively to a person’s desires, and eyes full means that a person constantly desires one thing. Alternate translation: “constantly desiring an adulteress” (See: Metonymy)

ὀφθαλμοὺς ἔχοντες μεστοὺς μοιχαλίδος

This clause could mean: (1) the false teachers constantly desired to have immoral sexual relations with any woman they saw, thereby viewing every women as a potential adulteress. Alternate translation: “constantly desiring women with whom to commit adultery” (2) the false teachers were constantly looking for immoral women with whom to have immoral sexual relations. Alternate translation: “constantly seeking sexually immoral women”

δελεάζοντες ψυχὰς ἀστηρίκτους

This clause refers to the actions of the false teachers Peter introduced in 2:1. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “these false teachers entice unstable souls” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

δελεάζοντες ψυχὰς ἀστηρίκτους

Here, souls refers to persons. Alternate translation: “enticing unstable people” (See: Synecdoche)

καρδίαν γεγυμνασμένην πλεονεξίας ἔχοντες

This clause refers to the actions of the false teachers Peter introduced in 2:1. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “they have hearts trained in covetousness” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

καρδίαν γεγυμνασμένην πλεονεξίας ἔχοντες

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form, and you could state who did the action. Alternate translation: “they trained their hearts to be covetous” (See: Active or Passive)

καρδίαν γεγυμνασμένην πλεονεξίας ἔχοντες

Peter is using hearts figuratively to refer to whole persons, including their thoughts, desires, and emotions. The term can thus be translated here with the reflexive pronoun “themselves.” Alternate translation: “having trained themselves to covet” (See: Metonymy)

καρδίαν γεγυμνασμένην πλεονεξίας ἔχοντες

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun covetousness, you could express the idea behind it with a verb. Alternate translation: “having training their hearts to covet” (See: Abstract Nouns)

κατάρας τέκνα

Peter is using a Hebrew idiom in which a person is said to be a “child” of the thing that characterizes that person. Here children of cursing refers to people who are cursed by God. He is not speaking of people who curse others. Alternate translation: “accursed people” (See: Idiom)

κατάρας τέκνα

These words are an exclamation that emphasizes the wickedness of the false teachers. Alternate translation: “They are such cursed children!” or “What cursed children they are!” (See: Exclamations)

2 Peter 2:15

καταλειπόντες εὐθεῖαν ὁδὸν

Peter uses the metaphor Abandoning the straight way to give an image of walkers leaving a certain pathway. He speaks figuratively of the false teachers refusing to live their lives in obedience to the Lord as if they had stopped walking on the Lord’s path. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “refusing to live in obedience to God” (See: Metaphor)

εὐθεῖαν ὁδὸν

Here, the straight way refers to the way of living life that is right and pleasing to the Lord. Peter may also be using it here to refer specifically to the Christian faith, similar to his use of “the way of truth” in 2:2. Alternate translation: “the right way of the Lord” (See: Idiom)

ἐπλανήθησαν

Here, Peter continues the path metaphor from the previous clause. He figuratively describes the wicked lifestyles of the false teachers as if they had been led astray from the straight path. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could translate this in a non-figurative manner. Alternate translation: “they have been behaving wickedly” (See: Metaphor)

ἐπλανήθησαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “they went astray” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξακολουθήσαντες τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Βαλαὰμ τοῦ Βοσὸρ, ὃς μισθὸν ἀδικίας ἠγάπησεν

In this verse, Peter compares the false teachers to Balaam. Peter assumes that his readers will know that he is referring to a story recorded in the Old Testament book of Numbers. In that story, Balaam was hired by wicked kings to curse the Israelites. When God did not allow Balaam to do so, he used wicked women to seduce the Israelites into sexual immorality and idol worship so that God would punish them for their disobedience. Balaam did these wicked things because he wanted to be paid by the wicked kings, but he was eventually killed by the Israelites when they conquered the land of Canaan. You could indicate this explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers, particularly if they would not know the story. Alternate translation, as a statement: “following the way of Balaam son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness so much that he led the Israelites into immorality and idolatry in order to receive money” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐξακολουθήσαντες τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Βαλαὰμ τοῦ Βοσὸρ

Here, Peter uses the word followed figuratively to refer to someone imitating the actions of someone else, like someone who walks behind another person in the same direction. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you can express this literally. Alternate translation: “having imitated the way of Balaam son of Bosor” (See: Metaphor)

Βαλαὰμ…Βοσὸρ

Balaam and Bosor are the names of two men. (See: How to Translate Names)

τῇ ὁδῷ τοῦ Βαλαὰμ τοῦ Βοσὸρ

Here, Peter uses the way of Balaam figuratively to refer to how Balaam lived his life. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you can express this literally. Alternate translation: “the manner of living of Balaam son of Bosor” (See: Metaphor)

ὃς μισθὸν ἀδικίας ἠγάπησεν

Here, the pronounwho refers to Balaam. It does not refer to Bosor, nor to the false teachers. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this directly. If you begin a new sentence, you will have to replace the comma with a period. Alternate translation: “Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ὃς μισθὸν ἀδικίας ἠγάπησεν

Peter is using the possessive form to describe wages that are characterized by unrighteousness. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could use a phrase to explain it. Alternate translation: “who loved the unrighteous wages” (See: Possession)

μισθὸν ἀδικίας

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun unrighteousness, you could express the idea behind it with the adjective “unrighteous.” Alternate translation: “the unrighteous wages” or “the wages for unrighteous acts” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 2:16

ἔλεγξιν…ἔσχεν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun rebuke, you can express it as a verb and you could state who did the action. Alternate translation: “God rebuked him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἔλεγξιν…ἔσχεν

If your readers would misunderstand who did this, you could specify who rebuked Balaam. This clause could mean: (1) the donkey rebuked Balaam. Alternate translation: “a donkey rebuked him” (2) God rebuked Balaam through the donkey. Alternate translation: “God rebuked him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἰδίας παρανομίας

This transgression specifically refers to Balaam’s use of wicked women to lead the Israelites into sexual immorality and idolatry. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “for his wicked act of leading the Israelites into immorality” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὴν τοῦ προφήτου παραφρονίαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun irrationality, you could express the idea behind it with an adjective like “irrational” or “foolish.” Alternate translation: “the irrational action of the prophet” or “the foolish action of the prophet” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ἐκώλυσεν τὴν τοῦ προφήτου παραφρονίαν

Here, the prophet refers to Balaam. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “restrained the madness of the prophet Balaam” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 2:17

οὗτοί

These men refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “These false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

οὗτοί εἰσιν πηγαὶ ἄνυδροι

Peter speaks figuratively of the false teachers to describe their uselessness. People expect springs to provide water to quench thirst, but waterless springs leave thirsty people disappointed. In the same way, false teachers, although they promise many things, are unable to do what they promise. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could translate this in a non-figurative way or turn the metaphor into a simile. Alternate translation: “These men are disappointing, like springs without water” (See: Metaphor)

ὁμίχλαι ὑπὸ λαίλαπος ἐλαυνόμεναι

Peter gives a second figurative description of the uselessness of the false teachers. When people see storm clouds, they expect rain to fall. When the winds from the storm blow the clouds away before the rain can fall, the people are disappointed. In the same way, false teachers, although they promise many things, are unable to do what they promise. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could translate this in a non-figurative way, or turn the metaphor into a simile. Alternate translation: “they never give what they promise” or “they are disappointing like rain clouds that the storm drives away” (See: Metaphor)

οὗτοί εἰσιν πηγαὶ ἄνυδροι, καὶ ὁμίχλαι ὑπὸ λαίλαπος ἐλαυνόμεναι

These two metaphors mean similar things. Peter is using them together for emphasis. If your readers would misunderstand this connection, you could translate them with a single expression. Alternate translation: “These are men who surely never give what they promise” or “These are men who surely disappoint” (See: Doublet)

οἷς ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους τετήρηται

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form, and you can state who did the action. Alternate translation: “for whom God has reserved the gloom of darkness” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους

This could mean: (1) the gloom is characterized by darkness. Alternate translation: “the dark gloom” (2) the gloom is identical to the darkness. Alternate translation: “the gloom, which is darkness.”

ὁ ζόφος τοῦ σκότους

Here, Peter uses gloom and darkness figuratively to refer to hell. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this directly. Alternate translation: “for whom God has reserved the gloom of darkness of hell” (See: Metaphor)

2 Peter 2:18

γὰρ

Here, For indicates the reason why the false teachers are reserved for punishment in the gloom of darkness, as mentioned in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “This is so because” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ὑπέρογκα…ματαιότητος φθεγγόμενοι

This clause indicates the means by which the false teachers entice others to sin. Alternate translation: “by means of speaking arrogant things of vanity”

ὑπέρογκα…ματαιότητος

Peter is using the possessive form to describe arrogant speech that is characterized by vanity. Alternate translation: “vain, arrogant things” or “vain and arrogant things” (See: Possession)

ματαιότητος

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun vanity, you could express the idea behind it with an adjective, such as “vain.” (See: Abstract Nouns)

δελεάζουσιν ἐν ἐπιθυμίαις σαρκὸς

Here, the pronoun they refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “these false teachers entice by the lusts of the flesh” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἐν ἐπιθυμίαις σαρκὸς

Here, flesh is used figuratively to refer to a person’s sinful nature. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this literal meaning for the metaphor. Alternate translation: “by the lusts of their sinful natures” (See: Metaphor)

ἀσελγείαις

Here, licentious acts refers to immoral sexual actions that demonstrate a lack of self-control. See how you translated this term in 2:2. Alternate translation: “uncontrolled sensual acts”

τοὺς ὀλίγως ἀποφεύγοντας τοὺς ἐν πλάνῃ ἀναστρεφομένους

Here, Peter speaks figuratively of people who recently became believers as those barely escaping from sinful humanity. He also refers to unbelievers who still live according to their sinful desires as those living in error. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this in a non-figurative manner. Alternate translation: “people who recently ceased living sinfully as other people do” (See: Metaphor)

2 Peter 2:19

ἐλευθερίαν αὐτοῖς ἐπαγγελλόμενοι

This clause refers to another means by which the false teachers enticed their followers, continuing from the previous verse. Alternate translation: “They also entice them by promising freedom to them”

ἐλευθερίαν αὐτοῖς ἐπαγγελλόμενοι

Here, freedom is a metaphor for the ability to live exactly as one wants. Alternate translation: “promising to give them the ability to live exactly as they want to live” (See: Metaphor)

ἐλευθερίαν αὐτοῖς ἐπαγγελλόμενοι

Here, the pronoun them refers to those people who are deceived by the false teachers. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “promising freedom to those whom they deceive” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

αὐτοὶ δοῦλοι ὑπάρχοντες τῆς φθορᾶς;

Peter uses the word themselves here to emphasize the irony of spiritually enslaved people promising spiritual freedom to others. Alternate translation: “while they themselves are slaves of destruction” (See: Reflexive Pronouns)

δοῦλοι

Peter speaks figuratively of people who live sinfully as if they were slaves to sin who need to escape from their captivity. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this as a simile. Alternate translation: “like slaves” (See: Metaphor)

δοῦλοι…τῆς φθορᾶς

Peter is using the possessive form to describe slaves that are characterized by destruction. Alternate translation: “slaves that will be destroyed” (See: Possession)

ᾧ γάρ τις ἥττηται, τούτῳ δεδούλωται

Peter speaks of a person as being enslaved when anything has control over that person, he speaks of that thing as the master of that person. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could translate this non-figuratively or as a simile. Alternate translation: “For if a person is overpowered by something, that person becomes controlled by that thing” or “For if a person is overpowered by something, that person becomes like a slave to that thing” (See: Metaphor)

ᾧ γάρ τις ἥττηται, τούτῳ δεδούλωται

If your readers would misunderstand this passive sentence, you could express this with an active form. Alternate translation: “For if something overpowers a person, that thing enslaves that person” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Peter 2:20

γὰρ

Here, For could refer to: (1) another explanation of Peter’s statement “themselves being slaves of destruction” in the previous verse, (2) a transition from what Peter said in the previous verse to what he is going to say in this verse. Here, For does not indicate the reason or result of what was said in the previous verse. Alternate translation, as in the UST: “And”

εἰ…ἀποφυγόντες τὰ μιάσματα τοῦ κόσμου, ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τούτοις δὲ πάλιν ἐμπλακέντες ἡττῶνται, γέγονεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ἔσχατα χείρονα τῶν πρώτων

Peter is speaking as if this were a hypothetical possibility, but he means that it is actually true. If your language does not state something as a condition if it is certain or true, and if your readers might misunderstand and think that what Peter is saying is not certain, then you can translate his words as an affirmative statement. Alternate translation: “they have escaped the impurities of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but having become entangled and overcome by them again, the last has become worse for them than the first” (See: Connect — Factual Conditions)

εἰ…ἀποφυγόντες τὰ μιάσματα τοῦ κόσμου

Using a similar metaphor to that in 2:18, here Peter speaks figuratively of believers as if they had been slaves to the defilements of the world and have escaped that captivity. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this in a non-figurative manner. Alternate translation: “if they have ceased living in the defiling manner of the world” (See: Metaphor)

τὰ μιάσματα τοῦ κόσμου

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun defilements, you could express the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the things that sinful human society does to defile itself” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τὰ μιάσματα τοῦ κόσμου

Here, the world refers to human society, which has been corrupted by sin. Alternate translation: “the defiling practices of sinful human society” (See: Metonymy)

ἐν ἐπιγνώσει τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun knowledge, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. See how you translated similar phrases in 1:2. Alternate translation: “by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος

Here, our Lord means “the person who is lord over us” or “the person who rules over us.” The conjunction and indicates that our also applies to Savior, meaning “the person who saves us.” Alternate translation: “of the person who rules over us and saves us” (See: Possession)

τούτοις…πάλιν ἐμπλακέντες ἡττῶνται

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form, and you could supply the doer of the action from earlier in the verse. Alternate translation: “these things having entangled them again; these things have overcome them” (See: Active or Passive)

πάλιν ἐμπλακέντες

Here, Peter speaks figuratively of people who seem to have been believers but have returned to living sinfully as if they have become entangled in a net. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this is a non-figurative manner. Alternate translation: “if they have begun to live sinfully again” (See: Metaphor)

τούτοις

Here, the pronoun these things refers to “the defilements of the world.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could specify this in your translation. Alternate translation: “by these defilements of the world” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

αὐτοῖς

Here, the pronoun them refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1 and discussed in 2:12–19. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “these false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

γέγονεν αὐτοῖς τὰ ἔσχατα χείρονα τῶν πρώτων

Here, the adjectives last and first function as nouns. They are plural, and ULT supplies the noun things in each case to show that. If your language does not use adjectives in this way, you could supply a more specific singular noun. Alternate translation: “the final condition for them is worse than their original condition” (See: Nominal Adjectives)

2 Peter 2:21

γὰρ

Here, For indicates the reason why the last condition of the false teachers was worse than their first condition, as mentioned in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “This is so because” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

αὐτοῖς

Here, the pronoun them refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “for these false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τὴν ὁδὸν τῆς δικαιοσύνης

Peter is using the possessive form to describe the way that is characterized by righteousness. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could use a phrase to explain it. Alternate translation: “the righteous way” (See: Possession)

τὴν ὁδὸν τῆς δικαιοσύνης

Peter speaks figuratively of life as a way or path. This phrase refers to the way of living life that is right and pleasing to the Lord. Peter may also be using it here to refer specifically to the Christian faith, similar to his use of “the way of truth” in 2:2 and “the straight way” in 2:15. Alternate translation: “the manner of living that pleases the Lord” (See: Idiom)

ἐπιγνοῦσιν

This clause indicates that the next clause describes an event that happened after the event of this clause. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “after having known it”

ὑποστρέψαι ἐκ τῆς…ἁγίας ἐντολῆς

Here, to turn away from is a metaphor that means to stop doing something. Alternate translation: “to stop obeying the holy commandment” (See: Metaphor)

τῆς…ἁγίας ἐντολῆς

Peter uses the holy commandment to speak of the commands of God in general. He is not referring to one specific commandment. These commands were delivered by the apostles to the believers. Alternate translation: “the holy commands” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

τῆς…ἁγίας ἐντολῆς

If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express the ideas behind the abstract noun commandment with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “what God commanded” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῆς παραδοθείσης αὐτοῖς ἁγίας ἐντολῆς

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express this with an active form, and you could state who did the action. Alternate translation: “the holy commandment that the apostles delivered to them” (See: Active or Passive)

2 Peter 2:22

συμβέβηκεν αὐτοῖς τὸ τῆς ἀληθοῦς παροιμίας

Here, This refers to the proverb Peter states later in this verse. It does not refer back to a statement from the previous verse. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “What this true proverb says has happened to them” or “This true proverb describes what happened to them” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

αὐτοῖς

Here, the pronoun them refers to the false teachers introduced in 2:1. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “to these false teachers” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

κύων ἐπιστρέψας ἐπὶ τὸ ἴδιον ἐξέραμα, καί, ὗς λουσαμένη, εἰς κυλισμὸν βορβόρου

Peter uses two proverbs to illustrate what the false teachers have done. These proverbs make a figurative comparison: Just as a dog returns to eat its own vomit and a washed pig rolls in the mud again, so these false teachers, who once stopped living a sinful life, have now gone back to living sinfully. Although they knew “the way of righteousness,” they went back to doing the things that defile them morally and spiritually. If your readers would misunderstand the meaning, you could translate these proverbs as similes. Alternate translation: “They are like dogs that eat their own vomit or like clean pigs that go back to rolling in the mud.” (See: Proverbs)

κύων

A dog is an animal that is considered to be unclean and disgusting by Jews and many cultures of the Ancient Near East. Therefore, calling someone a dog was an insult. If dogs are unfamiliar to your culture and you have a different animal that is considered unclean and disgusting or whose name is used as an insult, you could use the name of this animal instead. (See: Translate Unknowns)

ὗς

A pig is an animal that is considered to be unclean and disgusting by Jews and many cultures of the Ancient Near East. Therefore, calling someone a pig was an insult. If pigs are unfamiliar to your culture and you have a different animal that is considered unclean and disgusting or whose name is used as an insult, you could use the name of this animal instead. (See: Translate Unknowns)

2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Reminder that Jesus will return at the right time (3:1–13)
Concluding exhortation to live godly lives (3:14–17)

Special concepts in this chapter

Fire

People often use fire to destroy things or to make something pure by burning off the dirt and worthless parts. Therefore, when God punishes the wicked or purifies his people, that action is often associated with fire. (See: fire, firebrands, firepans, fireplace, firepot)

Day of the Lord

The exact time of the coming day of the Lord will come as a surprise to people. This is what the simile “like a thief in the night” means. Because of this, Christians are to be prepared at all times for the coming of the Lord. (See: day of the Lord, day of Yahweh and Simile)

2 Peter 3:1

ἀγαπητοί

Beloved ones refers here to those to whom Peter is writing, which can be extended to all believers. If your readers would misunderstand this term, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Beloved fellow believers” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἐν αἷς

Here, which refers to both this letter and the previous letter that Peter had written to this group of believers. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could start a new sentence to say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “In both of these letters” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

διεγείρω ὑμῶν ἐν ὑπομνήσει τὴν εἰλικρινῆ διάνοιαν

Here, Peter uses arouse figuratively, as if the minds of his readers are asleep, to refer to causing his readers to think about these things. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could translate this with a non-figurative expression. See how you translated this term in 1:13. Alternate translation: “to remind your sincere mind of these things so that you will think about them” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν ὑπομνήσει

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun remembrance, you could express the idea behind it in this phrase with a verb. See how you translated this term in 1:13. Alternate translation: “to remember” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὑμῶν…τὴν εἰλικρινῆ διάνοιαν

Although the word pure usually refers to something being uncontaminated or not mixed with something else, Peter uses it figuratively here to indicate that his readers have minds which have not been deceived by the false teachers. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “your undeceived minds” (See: Metaphor)

2 Peter 3:2

μνησθῆναι

Here, Peter is stating a purpose for which he is writing this letter. Alternate translation (without a comma preceding): “that you should remember” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

τῶν προειρημένων ῥημάτων, ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων προφητῶν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the words that the holy prophets spoke previously” (See: Active or Passive)

τῶν προειρημένων ῥημάτων

Peter is using words here to describe the prophecies of the Old Testament prophets that were conveyed by using words, especially those prophecies about the future return of Christ. Alternate translation: “the prophecies spoken previously” (See: Metonymy)

ὑπὸ τῶν ἁγίων προφητῶν

Here, prophets refers to the Old Testament prophets whom Peter also referred to in 1:19–21. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “by the holy Old Testament prophets” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τῆς τῶν ἀποστόλων ὑμῶν ἐντολῆς τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ Σωτῆρος

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the command of our Lord and Savior, which your apostles gave to you” (See: Active or Passive)

τῆς…ἐντολῆς τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ Σωτῆρος

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun command, you could express the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “what our Lord and Savior commanded” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῆς…ἐντολῆς τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ Σωτῆρος

Peter uses command here to speak of the commands of Jesus in general. He is not referring to one specific command. These commands were delivered by the apostles to the believers. Alternate translation: “the commands of the Lord and Savior” (See: Generic Noun Phrases)

τοῦ Κυρίου

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun Lord, you could express the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the person who rules” (See: Abstract Nouns)

Σωτῆρος

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun Savior, you could express the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “the person who saves” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῶν ἀποστόλων ὑμῶν

This phrase indicates the means by which the command of the Lord and Savior was given to Peter’s readers. Alternate translation: “by means of your apostles”

τῶν ἀποστόλων ὑμῶν

Here, your apostles could refer to: (1) the apostles who proclaimed the teachings of Christ to Peter’s readers or ministered to them in some way. Alternate translation: “the apostles who serve you” (2) all apostles, who belong to all Christians. Alternate translation: “the apostles of us all” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 3:3

τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες

Peter uses first here to refer to the degree of importance. It does not to refer to order in time. See how you translated this in 1:20. Alternate translation: “Most importantly, you must understand”

τοῦτο πρῶτον γινώσκοντες

Peter is using a statement to give an instruction. If it would be helpful in your language, you can indicate this by translating it as a command. If you do so, it might be helpful to start a new sentence here. See how you translated this in 1:20. Alternate translation: “Above all, know this” (See: Statements — Other Uses)

ἐλεύσονται…ἐν ἐμπαιγμονῇ ἐμπαῖκται

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun mockery, you could express the idea behind it with a verb. Alternate translation: “mockers will come and mock” (See: Abstract Nouns)

κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας αὐτῶν πορευόμενοι

Here, Peter uses going figuratively to refer to habitually doing something, like someone who walks toward something. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you can express this literally. Alternate translation: “those habitually living according to their own lusts” (See: Metaphor)

κατὰ τὰς ἰδίας ἐπιθυμίας αὐτῶν πορευόμενοι

Here, lusts refers to sinful desires that are opposed to God’s will. Alternate translation: “living according to their own sinful desires” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

2 Peter 3:4

καὶ λέγοντες

Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “and they will say” (See: Quotations and Quote Margins)

ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπαγγελία τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ?

The mockers ask this rhetorical question to emphasize that they do not believe that Jesus will return. Alternate translation: “There is no promise of his coming!” or “The promise of his coming is not true!” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπαγγελία τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ?

Here, Where is used idiomatically to ask what has happened to the promise. The mockers are not asking for the location of something. If your readers would misunderstand this idiom, you could translate this in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “What happened to the promise of his coming?” or “What has come about regarding the promise of his coming?” (See: Idiom)

ποῦ ἐστιν ἡ ἐπαγγελία τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ

Here, promise refers to the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus will return. Alternate translation: “Where is the fulfillment of the promise of his coming?” (See: Metonymy)

ἡ ἐπαγγελία τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ

Here, the pronoun his refers to Jesus. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the promise of Jesus’ coming” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τῆς παρουσίας αὐτοῦ

Here, his coming refers to the return of the Lord Jesus to earth. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the return of Jesus to earth” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀφ’ ἧς γὰρ οἱ πατέρες ἐκοιμήθησαν

Here, the fathers is used figuratively. It could refer to: (1) the Old Testament ancestors of the Israelites, often called “the patriarchs.” Alternate translation: “For since Israel’s patriarchs fell asleep” (2) those leaders of the first generation of Christians who had died by the time Peter wrote this letter. Alternate translation: “For since the first Christian leaders fell asleep” (See: Metaphor)

οἱ πατέρες ἐκοιμήθησαν

Here, fell asleep is a euphemism meaning they died. You could either use a similar euphemism for death in your language or say this in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “the fathers died” (See: Euphemism)

πάντα οὕτως διαμένει ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς κτίσεως

Here, all things is an exaggeration the mockers use to argue that nothing in the world has ever changed, so it cannot be true that Jesus will return. (See: Hyperbole)

ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς κτίσεως

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun creation, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “since God created the world” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 3:5

λανθάνει γὰρ αὐτοὺς τοῦτο, θέλοντας

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “For they willingly hide this from themselves” (See: Active or Passive)

θέλοντας ὅτι οὐρανοὶ ἦσαν ἔκπαλαι

Peter is leaving out some of the words that this clause would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the end of the verse. Alternate translation: “that the heavens existed long ago by the word of God” (See: Ellipsis)

γῆ…συνεστῶσα τῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ λόγῳ

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the word of God formed the earth” (See: Active or Passive)

ἐξ ὕδατος καὶ δι’ ὕδατος συνεστῶσα

This clause refers to God causing the land to come up out of and through the water, gathering the bodies of water together to make the land appear.

τῷ τοῦ Θεοῦ λόγῳ

Here, the word of God refers to the God’s specific commands by which the earth was created. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “by the commands of God” (See: Metonymy)

2 Peter 3:6

δι’ ὧν

Here, which refers both to God’s word and water. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “through the word of God and water” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ὕδατι κατακλυσθεὶς

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form and you could state who did the action. You may need to begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “God flooded the world with water” (See: Active or Passive)

ὁ τότε κόσμος

Here, at that time refers to the time when the world existed before the flood. It does not refer to the exact time when the universe was created. Alternate translation: “the world that existed then”

ὕδατι κατακλυσθεὶς

This phrase indicates the means by which the ancient world was destroyed. Alternate translation: “by having been flooded by water”

2 Peter 3:7

οἱ δὲ νῦν οὐρανοὶ καὶ ἡ γῆ

Here, But indicates that Peter is contrasting the past destruction of the ancient world he mentioned in the previous verse with the future destruction of the present world. If your readers would misunderstand this contrast, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “In contrast, the present heavens and the earth” (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

οἱ…νῦν οὐρανοὶ καὶ ἡ γῆ, τῷ αὐτῷ λόγῳ τεθησαυρισμένοι εἰσὶν, πυρὶ

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form and say who has done the action. Alternate translation: “God, by that same word, has reserved the present heavens and the earth for fire” (See: Active or Passive)

τῷ αὐτῷ λόγῳ

Here, word refers to “the word of God,” which Peter said in 3:5–6 was the means by which the heavens and earth were created and a flood destroyed the world. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “by the same word of God” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πυρὶ

Here, for indicates the purpose for which God has been reserving the present heavens and earth. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of fire” (See: Connect — Goal (Purpose) Relationship)

πυρὶ

Here, Peter uses fire to refer to what fire does, which is burn. Alternate translation: “for burning with fire” (See: Metonymy)

τηρούμενοι εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form and say who is doing the action. It might also be helpful to begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “God is keeping them for the day of judgment” (See: Active or Passive)

εἰς ἡμέραν κρίσεως

Here, for could refer to: (1) the purpose for which God is keeping the present heavens and earth. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of the day of judgment” (2) the point in time up to which God is keeping the present heavens and earth. Alternate translation: “until the day of judgment”

ἡμέραν κρίσεως καὶ ἀπωλείας τῶν ἀσεβῶν ἀνθρώπων

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns judgment and destruction, you could express the ideas behind them with verbal phrases. Alternate translation: “the day when God judges mankind and destroys the ungodly men” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τῶν ἀσεβῶν ἀνθρώπων

Although the term men is masculine, Peter is using the word here in a generic sense that includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “of the ungodly people” (See: When Masculine Words Include Women)

2 Peter 3:8

ἓν…τοῦτο μὴ λανθανέτω ὑμᾶς

Alternate translation: “do not fail to understand this one fact” or “do not ignore this one thing”

ὅτι μία ἡμέρα παρὰ Κυρίῳ ὡς χίλια ἔτη

Here, with the Lord means “in the judgment of the Lord.” Alternate translation: “that from the Lord’s point of view, one day is like a thousand years”

μία ἡμέρα παρὰ Κυρίῳ ὡς χίλια ἔτη, καὶ χίλια ἔτη ὡς ἡμέρα μία

These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The repetition is used to emphasize that God does not perceive of time the same way that humans do. What might seem to be a short or long time for people would not seem so for God. If your readers would misunderstand this connection, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “one day and 1,000 years are alike for the Lord” (See: Doublet)

2 Peter 3:9

οὐ βραδύνει Κύριος τῆς ἐπαγγελίας

Here, promise refers to the fulfillment of the promise that Jesus will return. See how you translated it in 3:4. Alternate translation: “The Lord does not delay to fulfill his promise” (See: Metonymy)

ὥς τινες βραδύτητα ἡγοῦνται

Here, some refers to the “mockers” introduced in 3:3 and anyone else who believed that the Lord is slow to fulfill his promises, because Jesus had not yet returned. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “as some, such as these mockers, consider slowness” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ἀλλὰ μακροθυμεῖ εἰς ὑμᾶς

Peter is leaving out a word that this clause would need in many languages in order to be complete. This word can be supplied from the beginning of the verse. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could state who is the one being patient and begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “But God is patient toward you” (See: Ellipsis)

μὴ βουλόμενός τινας ἀπολέσθαι

This clause indicates the reason why God is delaying the return of Jesus. Alternate translation: “because he does not want any to perish” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἀλλὰ πάντας εἰς μετάνοιαν χωρῆσαι

Peter is leaving out words that this clause would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the previous clause. Alternate translation: “but he wants all to move on to repentance” (See: Ellipsis)

ἀλλὰ πάντας εἰς μετάνοιαν χωρῆσαι

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun repentance, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “but all to repent” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 3:10

δὲ

Here, But indicates a contrast between what the mockers believed about God and what God will really do. Although the Lord is being patient and wants people to repent, he will indeed return and bring judgment. (See: Connect — Contrast Relationship)

ἥξει…ἡμέρα Κυρίου ὡς κλέπτης

Peter speaks of the day when God will judge everyone as if it were a thief who will come unexpectedly and take people by surprise. If your readers would misunderstand this simile, you could express this in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly” (See: Simile)

κλέπτης, ἐν ᾗ

Here, which refers to “the day of the Lord”. If it would be helpful for your readers, you could express this explicitly and begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “a thief. In the day of the Lord” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

στοιχεῖα…λυθήσεται

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in an active form and you could indicate who will do the action. Alternate translation: “God will destroy the elements” (See: Active or Passive)

στοιχεῖα…λυθήσεται

Here, elements could refer to: (1) the basic elements that make up the natural universe. Alternate translation: “the components of nature will be destroyed” (2) the heavenly bodies, such as the sun, moon, and stars. Alternate translation: “the heavenly bodies will be destroyed”

στοιχεῖα δὲ καυσούμενα λυθήσεται

Here, being burned up refers to the means by which the elements will be destroyed. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and the elements will be destroyed by means of burning” or “and the elements will be destroyed by means of fire”

γῆ καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται

God will see all the earth and all the deeds of everyone, and he will then judge everything. If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active terms. Alternate translation: “God will find the earth and the deeds in it” (See: Active or Passive)

γῆ καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται

Here, deeds refers to the actions of people on the earth. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the earth and what people have done in it will be found” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

γῆ καὶ τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔργα εὑρεθήσεται

Here, found indicates that the removal of the heavens and elements will leave the earth and what has been done on it exposed for God to see and judge. Alternate translation: “the earth and the deeds in it will be exposed” or “the earth and the deeds in it will be revealed”

2 Peter 3:11

τούτων οὕτως πάντων λυομένων

This clause indicates the reason for the expected result that follows in the rest of the verse. Peter tells his readers that God’s future destruction of heaven and earth should result in them living holy and godly lives. Alternate translation: “Because of all of these things being thus destroyed” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

τούτων οὕτως πάντων λυομένων

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form and you could state who will do the action. Alternate translation: “Since God will thus destroy all of these things” (See: Active or Passive)

τούτων

Here, these things refers to the heavens, the elements, and the earth mentioned in the previous verse. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “these things that I have just described” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ποταποὺς δεῖ ὑπάρχειν ὑμᾶς?

Peter is using the question form for emphasis. If your readers would misunderstand this emphasis, you could translate his words as a statement or an exclamation and communicate the emphasis in another way. If it you translate these words as a statement, then you will need to change the question mark at the end of the next verse into a period. Alternate translation: “it is certainly necessary for you to be” (See: Rhetorical Question)

ἐν ἁγίαις ἀναστροφαῖς καὶ εὐσεβείαις

Peter is leaving out words that this clause would need in many languages in order to be complete. These words can be supplied from the context. Alternate translation: “living with holy behaviors and godly acts” (See: Ellipsis)

2 Peter 3:12

προσδοκῶντας καὶ σπεύδοντας

Here, waiting for and hastening are two things Peter wanted his readers to do while also living holy and godly lives, as stated in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “while expecting and hastening”

δι’ ἣν

Here, which refers to “the day of God” from the previous clause. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because of that day” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

πυρούμενοι

This phrase indicates the means by which the heavens will be destroyed. Alternate translation: “by means of being set on fire”

οὐρανοὶ πυρούμενοι, λυθήσονται

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form and say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “God will destroy the heavens with fire” (See: Active or Passive)

στοιχεῖα…τήκεται

καυσούμενα

This phrase indicates the means by which the heavens will be destroyed. Alternate translation: “by means of being burned up by heat”

2 Peter 3:13

καινοὺς…οὐρανοὺς καὶ γῆν καινὴν, κατὰ τὸ ἐπάγγελμα αὐτοῦ προσδοκῶμεν

Peter put the direct object of the main verb at the front of this sentence for emphasis. If your language uses a similar construction for emphasis, it would be appropriate to have it here in your translation. But if this construction would be confusing in your language, you could express this emphasis in another way and change the structure of the sentence. Alternate translation: “according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth” (See: Information Structure)

κατὰ τὸ ἐπάγγελμα αὐτοῦ

Here, the pronoun his could refer to: (1) God. Alternate translation: “according to God’s promise” (2) Jesus. Alternate translation: “according to Jesus’ promise” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

τὸ ἐπάγγελμα αὐτοῦ

Here, promise could refer to: (1) God’s promise to create a new heavens and earth, as promised in Isaiah 65:17 and Isaiah 66:22. Alternate translation: “his promise of new heavens and a new earth” (2) the promise of Jesus’ second coming, as in 3:4. Alternate translation: “his promise of the return of Jesus”

ἐν οἷς δικαιοσύνη κατοικεῖ

Here, righteousness is spoken of figuratively as though it were a person who could dwell somewhere. If this might be confusing for your readers, you could express this meaning in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “in which righteousness exists” (See: Personification)

ἐν οἷς δικαιοσύνη κατοικεῖ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun righteousness, you could translate the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “in which everyone is righteous” or “in which everyone does what is right” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 3:14

διό

Peter uses Therefore to introduce a description of what his readers should do as a result of what he has just said. He is referring specifically to the discussion of the coming day of the Lord given in 3:10–13. Alternate translation: “Because of these reasons” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἀγαπητοί

Here, beloved ones refers to those whom Peter is writing to, which can be extended to all believers. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. See how you translated this in 3:1. Alternate translation: “beloved fellow believers” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

ταῦτα

Here, these things refers back to the events related to the coming day of the Lord, which Peter described in 3:10–13. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “these things that will happen on the day of the Lord” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

σπουδάσατε ἄσπιλοι καὶ ἀμώμητοι αὐτῷ εὑρεθῆναι

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in an active form. Alternate translation: “be diligent so that God will find you spotless and blameless” (See: Active or Passive)

ἄσπιλοι καὶ ἀμώμητοι

The words spotless and blameless share similar meanings. Peter is using them together for emphasis. If your readers would misunderstand this connection, you could translate them with a single expression. Alternate translation: “completely pure” (See: Doublet)

αὐτῷ

Here, the pronoun him could refer to: (1) Jesus. Alternate translation: “by Jesus” (2) God. Alternate translation: “by God” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἐν εἰρήνῃ

Here, in peace could refer to: (1) having peace with God. Alternate translation, as in the UST: “at peace with God” (2) feeling peace in one’s heart. Alternate translation: “with peace in your heart”

2 Peter 3:15

τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν μακροθυμίαν, σωτηρίαν ἡγεῖσθε

Because the Lord is patient, the day of judgment has not yet happened. This gives people an opportunity to repent and be saved, as Peter explained in 3:9. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “consider the patience of our Lord as an opportunity to repent and be saved” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν μακροθυμίαν, σωτηρίαν ἡγεῖσθε

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract nouns patience and salvation, you could translate the ideas behind them with equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “that our Lord is patient to save people” (See: Abstract Nouns)

σωτηρίαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun salvation, you could translate the idea behind it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “to save people” (See: Abstract Nouns)

ὁ ἀγαπητὸς ἡμῶν ἀδελφὸς Παῦλος

Peter is using the term brother figuratively to refer to Paul as a fellow believer in Jesus. Alternate translation: “our beloved fellow Christian brother Paul” (See: https://git.door43.org/Door43-Catalog/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor/01.md)

κατὰ τὴν δοθεῖσαν αὐτῷ σοφίαν

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form and you could state who did the action. Alternate translation: “according to the wisdom that God gave to him” (See: Active or Passive)

κατὰ τὴν δοθεῖσαν αὐτῷ σοφίαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun wisdom, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective, such as “wise.” Alternate translation: “according to the wise words having been given to him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 3:16

ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐπιστολαῖς

Here, the context suggests that Paul is the author of the letters. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “in all Paul’s letters” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

λαλῶν ἐν αὐταῖς περὶ τούτων

Here, these things could refer to: (1) the events related to the day of the Lord discussed in 3:10–13 and called “these things” in 3:14. Alternate translation: “these things that will happen on the day of the Lord” (2) the need to live godly lives and consider that God’s patience is for saving people, as discussed in 3:14–15. Alternate translation: “these things I have just said about living blamelessly and about God’s patience” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἃ οἱ ἀμαθεῖς καὶ ἀστήρικτοι στρεβλοῦσιν

Here, which refers to the things in Paul’s letters that are difficult to understand. If your readers would misunderstand this phrase, you could express this explicitly and start a new sentence. Alternate translation: “The ignorant and unstable ones distort these difficult things found in Paul’s letters” (See: Pronouns — When to Use Them)

ἃ οἱ ἀμαθεῖς καὶ ἀστήρικτοι στρεβλοῦσιν

Here, distort is used figuratively to describe changing the meaning of a statement in order to give a false meaning like twisting something so that it changes shape. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “which the ignorant and unstable ones interpret falsely” (See: Metaphor)

ὡς καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς Γραφὰς

Here, the other scriptures refers to both the entire Old Testament and the New Testament texts that had been written by the time Peter wrote this letter. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “as also the other authoritative scriptures” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν αὐτῶν ἀπώλειαν

Here, to indicates that this clause provides the result of the “ignorant and unstable ones” falsely interpreting the scriptures. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “resulting in their own destruction” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

πρὸς τὴν ἰδίαν αὐτῶν ἀπώλειαν

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun destruction, you could express the idea behind it with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “so that they will be destroyed” (See: Abstract Nouns)

2 Peter 3:17

οὖν

Here, Peter uses therefore to introduce a description of what his readers should do as a result of what he has said, which could be: (1) the destruction of those who falsely interpret the scriptures mentioned in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “Because those who falsely interpret the Scriptures will be destroyed” (2) the previous content of the entire letter, especially the sure destruction of the false teachers. Alternate translation: “Because of all these things I have told you” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἀγαπητοί

Here, beloved ones refers to those whom Peter is writing to, which can be extended to all believers. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. See how you translated this in 3:1 and 3:14. Alternate translation: “beloved fellow believers” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)

προγινώσκοντες

Here, Peter is giving the reason why his readers should heed his command in the next phrase. Alternate translation: “since you know beforehand” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

ἵνα μὴ…ἐκπέσητε τοῦ ἰδίου στηριγμοῦ

Here, Peter speaks figuratively of steadfastness as if it were a possession that believers could lose. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express it in a non-figurative way. Alternate translation: “so that you might not stop being steadfast” (See: Metaphor)

ἵνα μὴ…ἐκπέσητε τοῦ ἰδίου στηριγμοῦ

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun steadfastness, you could express the idea behind it with the adjective “steadfast.” Alternate translation: “so that you might not lose your own steadfast faith” (See: https://git.door43.org/Door43-Catalog/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-abstractnouns/01.md)

τῇ τῶν ἀθέσμων πλάνῃ συναπαχθέντες

This clause indicates the reason why people might lose their own steadfastness. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could express this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because of being led astray by the error of the lawless ones” (See: Connect — Reason-and-Result Relationship)

τῇ τῶν ἀθέσμων πλάνῃ συναπαχθέντες

If your language does not use this passive form, you could state this in active form. Alternate translation: “the error of the lawless ones having led you astray” (See: Active or Passive)

τῇ τῶν ἀθέσμων πλάνῃ συναπαχθέντες

Here, Peter uses led astray figuratively to describe people being deceived into living wickedly by false teachers as if they had been led away from the straight path. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could translate this in a non-figurative manner. Alternate translation: “having been deceived into living wickedly by the error of the lawless ones” (See: Metaphor)

τῇ τῶν ἀθέσμων πλάνῃ

This phrase indicates the means by which one might be led astray. Alternate translation: “by means of the error of the lawless ones”

2 Peter 3:18

αὐξάνετε…ἐν χάριτι, καὶ γνώσει τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος, Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Here, grow is used figuratively to express experiencing or having something in increasing amounts. If your readers would misunderstand this metaphor, you could express this in a non-figurative manner. Alternate translation: “have more and more of the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (See: Metaphor)

ἐν χάριτι, καὶ γνώσει

Here, in means “with reference to.” Alternate translation: “with reference to the grace and knowledge”

χάριτι

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun grace, you could translate it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “kind acts” (See: Abstract Nouns)

γνώσει

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun knowledge, you could translate it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “what you know” (See: Abstract Nouns)

τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν καὶ Σωτῆρος

Here, our Lord means “the person who is lord over us” or “the person who rules over us.” The conjunction and indicates that our also applies to Savior, meaning “the person who saves us.” If you include both of these phrases in your translation, then you will also need to put a comma at the end of the second phrase. Alternate translation: “of the person who rules over us and saves us,” (See: Possession)

αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα

If your readers would misunderstand the abstract noun glory, you could translate it with an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “May everyone glorify him” (See: Abstract Nouns)

εἰς ἡμέραν αἰῶνος

Here, to the day of the age is an idiom that means “forever.” If your readers would misunderstand this idiom, you could use an equivalent idiom or use plain language. Alternate translation: “to eternity” or “forever” (See: Idiom)

open-licensed biblical content

2 Peter

2 Peter front

Introduction to 2 Peter

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of the book of 2 Peter

Who wrote the book of 2 Peter?

What is the book of 2 Peter about?

How should the title of this book be translated?

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Who were the people Peter spoke against?

What does it mean that God inspired Scripture?

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

Singular and plural “you”

What are the major issues in the text of the book of 2 Peter?

2 Peter 1

2 Peter 1 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

Special Concepts in this Chapter

Knowledge of God

Living godly lives

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

The truth of Scripture

2 Peter 1:1

2 Peter 1:2

2 Peter 1:3

2 Peter 1:4

2 Peter 1:5

2 Peter 1:6

2 Peter 1:7

2 Peter 1:8

2 Peter 1:9

2 Peter 1:10

2 Peter 1:11

2 Peter 1:12

2 Peter 1:13

2 Peter 1:14

2 Peter 1:15

2 Peter 1:16

2 Peter 1:17

2 Peter 1:18

2 Peter 1:19

2 Peter 1:20

2 Peter 1:21

2 Peter 2

2 Peter 2 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Special concepts in this chapter

Flesh

Implicit information

2 Peter 2:1

2 Peter 2:2

2 Peter 2:3

2 Peter 2:4

2 Peter 2:5

2 Peter 2:6

2 Peter 2:7

2 Peter 2:8

2 Peter 2:9

2 Peter 2:10

2 Peter 2:11

2 Peter 2:12

2 Peter 2:13

2 Peter 2:14

2 Peter 2:15

2 Peter 2:16

2 Peter 2:17

2 Peter 2:18

2 Peter 2:19

2 Peter 2:20

2 Peter 2:21

2 Peter 2:22

2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Special concepts in this chapter

Fire

Day of the Lord

2 Peter 3:1

2 Peter 3:2