Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

2 PETER 3:17KJV
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2 Peter 3:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Peter 3:17 mean?

2 Peter 3:17 warns believers to be careful not to be misled by wrong teachings or bad influences, so that they do not lose their firm commitment to what they know is true. The verse encourages readers to stay alert and hold on to their faith, since they have already been warned about these dangers.

Peter is writing to Christians, calling them "beloved," and reminding them that they have been given advance notice about false teachings and the mistakes of wicked people. He urges them to be on guard so they do not get swept away by these errors and lose the stability and steadfastness of their faith.

The Greek behind 2 Peter 3:17

  • "Beware" (φυλάσσω, phylassō): This Greek word means to guard or watch carefully. Peter is urging readers to actively protect themselves, not just be passively cautious.
  • "Error" (πλάνη, planē): This word refers to wandering or straying from the right path, often used for being led astray by false ideas. It highlights that the danger is not just open rebellion, but subtle misdirection.
  • "Stedfastness" (στηριγμός, stērigmos): This word describes a state of being firmly fixed or stable. Peter is concerned that believers might lose their spiritual stability if they follow wrong influences.

Why 2 Peter 3:17 matters

  • 2 Peter 3:17 clarifies that even those who are well-taught and committed can still be at risk of being led astray, so ongoing vigilance is necessary.
  • The verse connects to the wider letter, where Peter repeatedly warns about false teachers and encourages believers to grow in knowledge and discernment.
  • By emphasizing "your own stedfastness," Peter shows that each believer is responsible for holding on to their personal faith and not relying only on others to keep them safe.

Where else these words appear

“wicked” Greek G113 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Peter 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:

“away” Greek G4879 · used in 3 verses

  • Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
  • Galatians 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.

“before” Greek G4267 · used in 5 verses

  • Acts 26:5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
  • Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
  • Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,

“error” Greek G4106 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 27:64 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
  • 2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.