2 Peter 3:16 Meaning: Hard Truths in Scripture
as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things. In those, there are some things that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unsettled twist, as they also do to the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
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.
as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
as also in all the epistles, speaking in them concerning these things, among which things are certain hard to be understood, which the untaught and unstable do wrest, as also the other Writings, unto their own destruction.
as also in all [his] epistles, speaking in them of these things; among which some things are hard to be understood, which the untaught and ill-established wrest, as also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.
Meaning in one sentence
Peter warns against twisting Paul's hard passages and calls us to handle all Scripture with humility and care.
Context
Peter is finishing his second letter by urging believers to hold fast to the hope of Christ's return. He has just mentioned that his 'beloved brother Paul' wrote to them about the same things. Now he adds that Paul's letters contain some matters that are not easy to grasp. Instead of dismissing those hard parts, Peter points out a danger: people who are untaught and unstable twist them, just as they twist the rest of the Scriptures. The result is their own ruin. This verse sits at a crossroad: it honors Paul's writings as Scripture, admits honest difficulty, and warns against mishandling God's word. Peter himself had experienced Paul's correction, yet he calls him 'our beloved brother' and places his letters alongside 'the other Scriptures.' This is one of the earliest places in the New Testament where a New Testament writing is called Scripture.
Key Words
The Greek word for 'hard to understand' appears only here in the whole New Testament. It describes something that takes effort to follow, not because the writer was unclear, but because the subject runs deep. Paul wrote about the end of the age, the resurrection, and God's long purposes. These are big things. The word for 'twist' is even stronger: it originally meant to hoist with a windlass or to rack someone on a torture device. You do violence to a text when you force it to say what it doesn't mean. And the people who do this are called 'untaught' and 'unstable', not lacking human education, but lacking the Spirit's instruction and solid grounding. When you come to a hard passage, the question is not how smart you are, but how willing you are to be taught and how firmly you stand on the truth you already know.
How Christians Read This Verse
Many Christian traditions see this verse as a key witness that Paul's letters were already recognized as Scripture. Catholics and Protestants both affirm that. Some early commentators point to Paul's teaching on the end times and the law as the 'hard things' in view. Anglican writers note that the 'unlearned and unstable' were probably people who used Paul's freedom to justify license, bending grace into an excuse for sin. Across traditions, there is agreement that Peter's warning stands for all readers: approach the hard parts with humility, not with a twisted agenda. The difficulty of a passage is no excuse to mishandle it.
A common misunderstanding
Some people think this verse means that ordinary Christians should avoid the hard parts of the Bible altogether, leaving them to experts only. In fact, Peter does not tell anyone to stop reading. He names the problem: ignorance and instability in the reader, not obscurity in the text. The solution is to grow in grace and knowledge, as the very next verse says. Difficult passages are not off-limits; they are places where we learn dependence on God and the community of faith.
Living This Out
This week, when you run into a Bible passage that makes you scratch your head, do not skip it or twist it to fit your ideas. Stop and ask yourself: 'What am I bringing to this text, humility or stubbornness?' Read it slowly. Compare it with other passages. Ask a trusted friend or pastor what they see. God gave us the hard parts not to frustrate us but to keep us humble and dependent on Him and on each other. Let the difficulty drive you toward the truth, not away from it.
Main takeaway: Paul's writings are Scripture, and even their difficult parts are meant to be handled carefully, not twisted to suit us.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Have you ever read a part of the Bible that was hard to understand? That is okay. Peter said even Paul wrote some things that are hard. The important thing is to ask God to help you understand, and not change the Bible to mean what you want it to mean.
For ages 9, 12
Peter calls Paul's letters 'Scripture,' which is a big deal, he put them on the same level as the Old Testament. But he also warns that some people twist Paul's words to make them say what they want. That is like taking a puzzle piece and forcing it where it does not fit. When you do not understand a verse, it is better to wait and ask for help than to bend it out of shape. The hard parts are not meant to push you away; they are meant to teach you to trust God and learn from others.
Questions People Ask
Why does Peter call Paul's letters 'Scripture'?
This is one of the earliest examples where a New Testament book is placed alongside the Old Testament as God's Word. It shows the early church recognized Paul's writings as inspired and authoritative, even while Peter acknowledges some parts are difficult to understand.
What are the 'things hard to understand' in Paul's letters?
Commentators suggest topics like the end times, the resurrection body, the law and grace, and the man of sin. These are deep subjects that require careful study. Paul himself admitted some of his statements were hard to grasp (2 Peter 3:16).
Does this verse mean the Bible is too difficult for ordinary people to read?
Not at all. Peter's warning is against twisting Scripture, not against reading it. The problem is in the reader's heart, not the book's clarity. With humility and help, anyone can understand the essential teachings that lead to salvation.
What does 'wrest' mean in the King James Version?
Wrest is an old word for twist or distort, like wringing something out of shape. It comes from the Greek strebloō, which means to hoist with a windlass or to rack someone, a violent image. It is a strong warning not to force the Bible to say what it was never meant to.
How can I avoid twisting Scripture?
Read verses in their full context, compare them with other passages, seek help from mature Christians, and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you. Approach God's word with humility and a willingness to be corrected. That is the opposite of the 'untaught and unstable' attitude Peter warns about.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study