Peter warns that even Paul's inspired letters, which contain profound truths, can be twisted by those with unstable minds to their own ruin. This highlights the danger of approaching Scripture without humility and a teachable spirit, as even God's own words can be weaponized when misinterpreted.
as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter is defending the authority and trustworthiness of Paul's letters, warning that some people distort Paul's teachings, just as they twist other Scriptures, leading themselves down a path of destruction. He's urging his readers to be grounded in sound doctrine and not be swayed by those who misinterpret God's Word. This warning comes as Peter prepares to remind them of the apostles' reliable teaching and the certainty of Christ's return.
Peter points to Paul's letters as a source of divine truth, even acknowledging their complexity. What makes Paul's writings authoritative, and how does this impact our reading?
Peter doesn't shy away from the reality that some of Paul's teachings are difficult. Yet, he grounds their authority in the fact that Paul speaks "in all his letters" about these profound matters. This suggests a consistent, overarching message woven through Paul's diverse correspondence. It implies that these letters aren't just personal notes but divinely inspired instruction carrying the weight of God's Word. The consistency Peter highlights is key – it's not about isolated verses but the pattern of truth revealed across all his writings.
Peter issues a stark warning: some twist Scripture to their own ruin. What does this twisting look like, and who is most vulnerable?
The core issue here is not the difficulty of Scripture, but the intent and condition of the reader. Peter identifies the "ignorant and unstable" as those who twist the truth. 'Ignorant' points to a lack of knowledge, a spiritual illiteracy. 'Unstable' suggests a lack of firm grounding, easily swayed by every wind of doctrine. They don't just misunderstand; they actively twist the text, taking it out of context and distorting its meaning to fit their own flawed perspectives. This distortion has devastating consequences – "to their own destruction."
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Peter equates the twisting of Paul's letters with the twisting of 'the other Scriptures.' What does this tell us about the Bible as a whole?
This final phrase is crucial. Peter isn't just talking about Paul's letters; he's broadening the scope to include 'the other Scriptures.' This implies that the same principles of interpretation and the same dangers of distortion apply to the entirety of Scripture. The same Spirit who inspired Paul also inspired the Old Testament. Therefore, any attempt to twist one part of God's Word is a rejection of the authority of all of it. It underscores the unified, authoritative nature of the Bible, demanding careful, humble handling by all believers.
Understand the original words
graphai · Greek Noun
A general term for writings that are considered sacred, authoritative, and inspired by God; in the New Testament, it refers to the Old Testament and, by extension, the apostolic writings being produced.
astēriktos · Greek Adjective
A state of lacking spiritual firmness or being morally unsettled, susceptible to being swayed by false teaching or sinful impulses rather than being rooted in the truth of God.
strebloō · Greek Verb
To pervert, distort, or misinterpret the clear meaning of a text, often by intentionally twisting it to support a false or selfish agenda.
amathēs · Greek Noun
Those who lack understanding or spiritual perception, often due to a refusal to submit to God's revealed truth, resulting in spiritual ruin.
Peter's warning about twisting Paul's letters highlights the emerging challenge of biblical interpretation in the early church, even as Paul's writings were still relatively recent and circulating widely.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Letter to the Thessalonians
Paul writes his earliest known letters to the church in Thessalonica, addressing issues like the return of Christ and the nature of salvation.
c. AD 55-57
Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
During a period of intense turmoil and division within the Corinthian church, Paul writes letters that tackle complex theological issues and offer guidance on spiritual gifts and order.
c. AD 60-62
Paul's Letter to the Ephesians
Written from Roman imprisonment, Ephesians explores profound themes of unity in Christ, spiritual warfare, and the cosmic scope of God's plan.
c. AD 62-64— this verse
2 Peter Written
Peter pens his second letter, likely near the end of his life, warning against false teachers and reminding believers of the certainty of Christ's return.
c. AD 64
Great Fire of Rome
A devastating fire sweeps through Rome, leading Emperor Nero to persecute Christians, whom he scapegoated. This period of intense suffering and false accusation marked the church.
c. AD 67
Martyrdom of Peter and Paul
Tradition holds that both Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome during Nero's persecution, leaving behind a significant body of letters that became foundational for Christian theology.
This passage highlights the natural person's inability to grasp spiritual truths, echoing Peter's point about the 'ignorant and unstable' twisting Scripture because they lack spiritual understanding.
Galatians 1:6-7Paul warns against 'another gospel' and those who distort God's message, which directly parallels Peter's concern about people twisting the Scriptures to their own destruction.
2 Timothy 3:14-17This passage emphasizes the divine inspiration of all Scripture and its usefulness, providing a contrast to those who misuse it, as described by Peter.
Acts 20:30Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders about 'fierce wolves' who would arise and distort the truth directly supports Peter's message about destructive misinterpretations of scripture.
Peter warns that even Paul's inspired letters, which contain profound truths, can be twisted by those with unstable minds to their own ruin. This highlights the danger of approaching Scripture without humility and a teachable spirit, as even God's own words can be weaponized when misinterpreted.
Peter is defending the authority and trustworthiness of Paul's letters, warning that some people distort Paul's teachings, just as they twist other Scriptures, leading themselves down a path of destruction. He's urging his readers to be grounded in sound doctrine and not be swayed by those who misinterpret God's Word. This warning comes as Peter prepares to remind them of the apostles' reliable teaching and the certainty of Christ's return.
Peter is defending the authority and trustworthiness of Paul's letters, warning that some people distort Paul's teachings, just as they twist other Scriptures, leading themselves down a path of destruction. He's urging his readers to be grounded in sound doctrine and not be swayed by those who misinterpret God's Word. This warning comes as Peter prepares to remind them of the apostles' reliable teaching and the certainty of Christ's return.
"as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures." — Peter warns that even Paul's inspired letters, which contain profound truths, can be twisted by those with unstable minds to their own ruin. This highlights the danger of approaching Scripture withou…
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Last reviewed October 2026
