Doing the "Twist" with Paul

Qumran Bet wishes to inform you that we do not accept the NT nor do we see any
Savior but YHWH however we all must start somewhere. May what is written here
help you on your journey.

Have anyone ever quoted 2 Peter 3:15,16 to you?

3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our L-rd is salvation; even
as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto
him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in
them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the
other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Once anyone says anything against Paul's teachings, it seems to be

that these "magical verses" from the book of 2 Peter 3:15,16 have a
way of showing up. Whoever quotes them first, between any two
persons having an argument or discussion, seems to be on the way to
victory. These verses are almost always quoted whenever there is
disagreement about what the man Paul said. Basically, the person who
quotes them, uses them as a warning to support that Paul's letter are
the very word of Elohim. The seem to say, "Hey, be careful how you
INTERPRET what Paul said." I wonder if the phrase, "Robbing Peter
to pay Paul" originated from these "magical verses". Who knows.

At any rate, shall we take a closer look at 2 Peter?

I was told once, "To some 2 Peter is viewed as an addition by someone

other than Peter himself, and to them this verse would mean nothing,
but to those who do accept 2 Peter as being written by the apostle
Peter himself, then pay attention."

My reply was this. One does not have to decide on who wrote 2 Peter,
nor believe that Peter, the apostle, wrote 2 Peter himself, to accept the
message within 2 Peter, especially if there is alignment with Torah.

I consider 2 Peter as a warning to the people, albeit, not from outside,

but from inside dangers. Why are these verses (3:15,16), so often
quoted, always treated by themselves? Doesn't it seem odd to you that
the rest of the epistle is seldom spoken of? Why?

Please bear with me as I will attempt to take a look at the epistle as a

whole. This is NOT about WHO wrote the epistle but about WHAT it
says. I repeat, the approach I'll take is NOT about the author but about
WHAT the letter says in itself. In other words, about the message and
not the messenger, whoever may be. Since the verses in chapter
3:15,16 are toward the end of the letter, they will be addressed at their
proper place. Fair enough?

A basic outline of the letter is as follow:

I. Greeting 1:1,2

II. True vs. False Teaching 1:3-2:3

III. Exposing and Fate of False Teachers 2:4-22

IV. Warning against End-time deceivers 3:1-18

The author, after the greeting and encouragement to the believers to

be fruitful (1:3-15), states his own experience and how the "prophetic"
(adj., "of the prophets") word was confirmed to them (the author,
James and John) since reference is made to the "Transfiguration"
incident of the gospels, and advises believers to heed them, the
prophets, "as a light that shines in a dark place" (v.1:19). "But first
knowing", the author states, that "no prophecy of scripture is of any
private 'interpretation' " or in other words "that a discourse from divine
inspiration and declaring the purposes of Elohim in the writings had not
been originated by anyone"(v.1:20) but by the Holy Spirit borne on
"holy men of" Elohim as they "spoke". Notice it is not the words,
spoken or written, that are called "holy" but the "men". The author
makes it known that these men spoke and their utterances were
recorded in writing. This can be seen as the writings of the prophets of
the Hebrew Bible (Christian "Old Testament") since no "New
Testament" was in existence at the time this letter is said to have been
written (65-68 CE) and the only scriptures known to believers were the
Hebrew Bible and the Greek translation of it, the Septuagint.

Now we turn to the "meat" of 2 Peter, chapter 2. The author warns the
reader that there were "false teachers" presently among them and
there will be "false teachers" in times to come. Notice this is
"among" believers. Then he, the author, moves on to describe the
fate of these false teachers and compares them with the "ungodly" of
times past, Noah and Lot's time.

Starting in verse 2:12 and on, we find in very, I mean, very descriptive
language, a cataloging of the things done by these "false teachers",
their fate and we also see "name calling" done by the author that will
be helpful in our assessment of the epistle later on. Pay very close
attention at these verses please. It says:
 2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and
destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall
utterly perish in their own corruption;

13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count

it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes,
sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with
you;

14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin;
beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous
practices; cursed children:

15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following
the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of
unrighteousness;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s
voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a
tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

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.

19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants
of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he
brought in bondage.

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through
the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them
than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy
commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The

dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to
her wallowing in the mire.

Was that strong language or what? Who would like to be describe as

the above? No one, I hope.
We are almost there, hang on. In chapter 3:1-9 we see the author
reiterating his purpose for writing the letter,

3:2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by
the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the
Lord and Saviour:

This is the second time the author makes reference and points to the
Hebrew Bible, in particular, to the Prophets (see 1:19).

Why is there an emphasis to "be mindful" of what the Prophets have

said? Simply, that we be not carried away by the "false teachers" and
their "destructive heresies" and "deceptive words".

2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as
there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in
damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring
upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil
spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words
make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time
lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

The author, by emphasizing and giving confidence to the believers on

the "word of Elohim" (3:5), moves on to give them assurance based on
the faithfulness of His word. (3:6-9)

In 3:10, we see a description of "the day of the L-rd" at the time of the
end, not the end time, when total destruction is described. In 3:11,12
the reader is confronted by,

3:11 '...what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation

and godliness, 12 looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of
G-d, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat?"

The next verse, 3:13, once again the reader is pointed to the promise
of YHWH found in the Prophets:

3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens
and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the
former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
We are at the brink of the "magical verses" I talked about at the
beginning of this post, 3:15,16. Have I asked you, the reader, for
patience yet? I ask of you for even more now.

Verse 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be
diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and
blameless.

We see that the author begins by pointing to the account of "ye look
for such things". Reference is made to the "new heavens and new
earth" of verse 3:13 (above). He, the author, calls the reader to make
haste, to exert one’s self, endeavor, give diligence to be found "without
SPOT and BLAMELESS". What does the phrase "without spot and
blameless" mean? Yes, we could go outside 2 Peter and define those
two terms by other writings. Should we do that? 2 Peter tells us what
these are, we need not go outside the epistle that defines them. Oh
yes, where is it? I had already written it, but here it is again:

2:12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and

destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall
utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 And shall receive the reward
of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day
time. Spots THEY ARE and blemishes, sporting themselves with their
own deceivings while they feast with you;

Are spots and blemishes" referring to sins or people? The words "they
are" are added in the KJV, but are we able to come to an answer with
what I am about to address. Is the author saying the false prophets
have these spots and blemishes or is he calling someone "spots and
blemishes"?

In the reading of the Greek, we can tell these are not adjectives
describing the false teachers, but in fact the author is "name calling"
them "Spot and Blemishes". Some may not believe these are nouns
for the false teachers but that conclusion can only obtained if one goes
to other writings where these words are used differently and in
different context. Here in 2 Peter these are "names" for the false
teachers among them, who by their conduct damage others morally
and wreck them, as it were.

Is it any wonder that in verse 3:14 the author exhorts the believers to
be "found without spot and blameless" (the same Greek word is used
for "blameless" as for "without blemishes").

Would you, the reader, be kind and allow me to go outside 2 Peter,

where support to this view of "name calling" occurs? Since we are not
 dealing about authorship here, I point to the book of Jude, which itself
has been under scrutiny as far as authorship as well, we find this there:

Jude 1:11 Woe unto THEM! for THEY have gone in the way of Cain, and
ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the
gainsaying of Core. 12 THESE are SPOTS in your feasts of charity, when
THEY feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are
without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth,
without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (c.f. 2 Peter 2:13)

Now let's turn to verse 3:15, the verse that brings Paul into this picture:

3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our L-rd is salvation; even
as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto
him hath written unto you;

Here the author makes reference to "the longsuffering of our L-rd is

salvation". It is on this point that he makes reference to what Paul has
written which affirms "the longsuffering of our L-rd is salvation" or "his
slowness in avenging wrongs".

Ro 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance

and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee
to repentance?

Because the author calls Paul "beloved" should not misguide any to
say, "You see!, he is fully endorsing Paul". Well, he is, but about "the
longsuffering of our L-rd is salvation" and nothing else.

Besides, the term "beloved" is used in 2 Peter six (6) times. Once about
"Jes-s" (1:17) in reference to the "Transfiguration" incident, once about
Paul (3:15) and four times to the readers of the letter (3:1, 8, 14 and
17). Does that mean the author endorses the readers more than Paul
since he called them "beloved' four times, three times more than Paul?
Non-sense.

Continuing,

3:16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in

which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are
unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.

Speaking in his (Paul's) epistles about what? "These things", namely,

the day of the L-rd, the new heavens and new earth and the
longsuffering of the L-rd toward us. There's nothing new concerning
THESE subjects in Paul's epistles or writings that the Hebrew Bible does
not deal with, as the author had made reference to the Prophets
before.

But a difference about the writings of Paul is made. Paul epistles speak
of the things the author of 2 Peter wrote about ("the longsuffering of
our L-rd is salvation"). But the author also tell us something else about
Paul epistles. That there were "some things hard to be understood".
Are those things hard to be understood the same as "these things" of
verse 15? No. With the phrase, "in which are some things", a
difference is made between the longsuffering of the lord and the things
hard to be understood, "which they that are unlearned and unstable
wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction."

There is another point of interest in this verse (3:16). The use of a word
already seen earlier in 2 Peter. This is the reference to the "unstable",
those who "wrest" or "twist" the things hard to understand, in the
epistles of Paul, to their own destruction. We saw earlier what the
"false teachers" and/or the "spots and blemishes" do among the
people:

2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin;
beguiling UNSTABLE souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous
practices; cursed children:

Again,

3:16 As also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in

which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are
unlearned and UNSTABLE wrest, as they do also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.

These "false teachers" and/or the "spots and blemishes" allure, entice,
deceive. Isn't this interesting? The very people the "false teachers" are
reported to deceive, are the same people the author of 2 Peter says
are twisting Paul's epistles. But, wait a minute. If the false teachers are
beguiling unstable souls, and the unstable are twisting Paul's epistles
to their own destruction, how can the epistles of Paul be of any good to
them? He is a false teacher. He doesn't bring clarity to the people,
rather, he brings confusion. His teachings are not safe, since they
could lead any unlearned, at best to confusion, at worst to destruction.
It is these souls that the author has concern for, and warns,

Concluding:
3:17 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.

Though the word translated "therefore", is used in the English

translation several times in 2 Peter, in the Greek there are only two
instances of usage in the whole epistle. In verse 3:11 where the KJV
has "Seeing then" is the first occurrence. Here it is used as the
introducing word to a conclusion. The only other instance the Greek
text of 2 Peter has this word is in 3:17, where we see "therefore"
meaning "consequently" or "these things being so".

So since we have been warned, throughout the WHOLE epistle of 2

Peter, about these "false teachers" and/or "spots and blemishes" that
allure, entice, deceive the people with their "things hard to
understand",

2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the
servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is
he brought in bondage.

This my beloved brothers and sisters I did for many years, being
overcome by Paul's writings and his "things hard to be understood". I
will not be beguiled by Paul's boastful words but may YHVH's words
overcome us all and not those of man. IF Paul taught Torah, I have no
need of Paul since Torah is available to me, Praise be Yahh!

To do what most do with the words from those verses, I dare not do any
longer to my neighbor. Why? Because I will not just take a few verses
and "twist" them to favor my "doctrines" against anyone, specially the
teachings of Paul. By quoting verses like those to anyone, it would be
calling the other person unlearned, dumb, unstable, without
understanding, in not so many words. What an insult to a person it is
to use this words against. At the same time, when one uses those
verses, the one who quotes them, set themselves above the other
person. As if all knowledge and interpretation has been given to that
person and of course, to Paul as well.

Shalom.
Ethienne