What does "unstable" mean in 2 Peter 3:16?
2 Peter 3:16
NIV - 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
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Asked May 08 2013
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Martha Moyer
Supporter
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Colin Wong
Supporter
The word comes from the Greek term "asteriktos" which in this context means "unfixed", "vacillating". Most likely meaning folks who are fickle-minded.
Kevin O'Donnell
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I agree with Colin but wish to add that this weakness can be due to a lack of solid scriptural understanding and meditation. I also apply to young people to this word for we also see in 2 Peter 2, willful predators preying on the unstable.
Jean Atty
Supporter
Unstable here would mean not being firm in your service to God. It targets people with faith that goes with their emotions and daily occurrences. I would say shallow faith Christians who based their faith and understanding on their own intelligence, they are inconsistent people who cannot discernment from a real and true teaching of the gospel and some other human teaching without any influence of the Holy Spirit. There are those people who would look at a mirror and when the turn away forgot who they are or what they look like. (2Cor.3;14-18). A quick reading and meditation of James1:1-8 can also help understanding that word "unstable".
Adrien Coleman
Supporter
You're uncertain not stable in all your ways of thinking you can't make any decisions and keep it.When a strong wind comes you're toss to and from not knowing what to do.You've no solid foundation can easily be moved.
EL Mohel Castorena
Supporter
James 1:8 A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways. A non committed heart and mind makes for a very clumsy walk. Not knowing right from wrong.
Tim Beeker
Supporter
What he speaks of can be seen in both Is. 4:1 and 8:20 and many associated passages. Is. 4:1 speaks to those who do things their own way, with having an appearance of righteousness. 8:20 speaks to those things which we must study, in order not to be like those in 4:1.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
According to the Strong's Concordance, the word is astériktos: unstable, unsettled Original Word: ἀστήρικτος, ον Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: astériktos Phonetic Spelling: (as-tay'-rik-tos) Definition: unstable, unsettled Usage: (lit: unpropped), unsteady, unstable, unsettled. 793 astḗriktos (an adjective, derived from A "not" (A – alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet. A (alpha) is used as a prefix (called its "privative use") and typically means "no" or "not" (= "un-," "without"). [Greek words, whose first letter (of the root) is alpha, can not take an "alpha-privative" to negate them, so the only way to express their "antithesis" is using a negative particle before them (e.g. mē, ou)]) and 4741 /stērízō "confirm") – properly, not established (unstable), describing someone who (literally) does not have a staff to lean on – hence, a person who can not be relied on because they are not steady (do not remain fixed, i.e. unstable). As far as I can tell, the word "unstable," only occurs twice in the New Testament, here (2 Peter 3:16 and 2 Peter 2:14). And according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon (a good one) the term means "unstable" or "unsteadfast."
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
2nd Peter 3:16: As also in all letters speaking in them concerning these things,—In which [letters] are some things hard to be understood, Which the uninstructed and unstable wrest,—as also the other scriptures,—unto their own destruction. Rotherham Bible. God's Word also contains things that may seem "hard to understand," including some parts of Paul's writings. However, all Bible writers were inspired by the holy spirit. That same force helps true Christians today to grasp divine truths, making "even the deep things of God" more accessible and more transparent to our limited minds.—2 Pet. 3:16, 17; 1 Cor. 2:10. Sadly, false teachers evidently twisted Paul's writings about God's undeserved kindness, using them as an excuse for loose conduct. Perhaps Peter has this in mind when he writes his parting admonition. Note 2nd Peter 2:16-17: Ye therefore, beloved, taking note beforehand, be on your guard, lest with the error of the impious being led away ye fall from your own steadfastness; 18 But be growing in the favour and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:—Unto whom be the glory both now and unto a day that abideth. Rotherham Bible. Peter pointed out that the influence of ungodly people could corrupt his true servants or, at least, undermine their belief that the sanctification of God's name is near. How tragic it would be for them to fall from steadfastness or become unstable in their faith in these final days! Conclusion: In other words, "unstable" is not firm, steady, or secure. The Christian can become indecisive and unstable in the faith. Sadly, the unstable person permits his own wisdom and passionate desires rather than the wisdom of God's Word to influence his decisions.
Mark Vestal
Supporter
Peter starts the chapter by introducing those who begin to question the promise of Christ's return. Their faith (if any) in Christ begins to waiver in time. Reviewing the opposite of "unstable" helps to understand where Peter is coming from. Peter references Paul's epistles (Romans through Philemon), who on several occasions mentions the act of "stablishing" (stabilizing) believers. The specific trait that Paul is referring to is clearly stated as being stabilized in "faith". Peter also confirms what Paul says in describing the "unlearned" who "wrest" with scripture, which goes hand in hand with being unstable in true faith, as God appropriates measures of faith today (Rom 12:3) through His written Word: Rom 10:17 "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Paul warns that Satan's followers are those who disguise false doctrine through enticing words and wisdom of men. They "have a form of godliness", but should be "marked and avoided": 2 Tim 3:5-7 "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Col 2:4-8 "And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." Eph 4:14 "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" Rom 16:17-18 "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." 2 Cor 11:3-4 "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." Cont... 2 Cor 11:13-15 "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." Therefore, those who are "unstable" are simply those who are weak in faith and quick to follow Satan's "ministers of righteousness" and false doctrine (albeit subtle) that contradict God's "ministers of reconciliation" (2 Cor 5:18). The truth of salvation by God's grace through having faith alone in Christ alone (Eph 2:8-9), "the foundation", must be stabilized in the believer before any growth in faith can occur. 1 Cor 3:9-11 "For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
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