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.
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