Answer
Second Peter 3:16 states, “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” (ESV). In this verse, Peter is referring to Paul’s letters (see verse 15), which, importantly, he categorizes as “Scripture.” Peter also says that Paul’s epistles contain some things that are “hard to understand” (verse 16). Some people were taking these difficult statements and twisting and distorting them. Peter warns that twisting and distorting Scripture will lead to destruction.
The purpose of 2 Peter is to warn believers about false teachers who challenge the truth of the gospel. In chapter 3, Peter specifically deals with “the day of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:10), which he also calls “the day of God” (verse 12). That day is coming, despite what scoffers said (verse 3). It is in this context that Peter warns against the distortions of “ignorant and unstable people” (verse 16). Peter urges all believers to remain steadfast, growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
Peter’s acknowledgement that some of Paul’s writings are difficult to understand (2 Peter 3:16) is significant. It shows that the early church recognized both the depth of special revelation and the complexity of some theological doctrines. The difficulty of some portions of Scripture might lead to misinterpretation, so readers must take care. This is especially true when the Scriptures are being handled by those who are “ignorant and unstable.” The term ignorant suggests a lack of knowledge or understanding (see Ephesians 4:18), while unstable indicates a lack of firm grounding in the faith (James 1:8). An ignorant and unstable person is susceptible to twisting the Scriptures to his own destruction. In the context of 2 Peter 3:16, Scripture-twisters were denying the coming day of judgment.
Twisting, or distorting, the Scriptures refers to the intentional or unintentional misinterpretation and misapplication of biblical texts. This is not merely about misunderstanding the text but also involves a manipulation of the text to serve personal agendas, justify sinful behaviors, or propagate false teachings. Peter warns that such “twisting” leads to destruction. We should understand this destruction in two ways: present and eternal. The present danger of twisting the Scriptures is that it leads others away from the truth of the gospel, causing disunity within the body of Christ. The eternal danger of twisting the Scriptures is eternal punishment in hell.
In Scripture, there are many instances of people who twisted the Scriptures to their own destruction. Jeremiah 23:36, for example, addresses those who were misrepresenting the Word of God: “Each one’s word becomes their own message. So you distort the words of the living God, the Lord Almighty, our God.” In Matthew 23:13–36, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and teachers of the law for their misinterpretations and hypocritical applications of the Scriptures. They had added human traditions to God’s law, burdening people and obscuring the law’s true intent.
Paul personally contended with false teachers who had distorted his doctrine. Speaking to the Galatians, Paul says, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6–7, ESV). Paul says that anyone who distorts the gospel of Christ should be “accursed” (verse 8, ESV). This language is similar to Peter’s warning that twisting the Scriptures will lead to destruction.
When we intentionally or unintentionally distort the Word of God, we cause harm both to ourselves and others. For this reason, we must “present [ourselves] to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV).
