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. (2 Peter 3:16)
Gr. apōleia (see on ch. 2:1, 3). The Scriptures are designed to lead men to salvation (see on John 5:39; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17), but when they are perverted they lose their beneficent power, and he who misuses them follows a course that can end only in his destruction.
Other scriptures.
There has been much speculation as to which particular writings Peter has in mind. Some limit the reference to the OT, while others include what existed of the NT. A final conclusion may not be possible, but this much is clear, that Peter places Paul’s writings on a level with other inspired Scripture (see Vol. V, pp. 185, 186).
In regard to Paul’s writings, or perhaps, simply uninstructed, ignorant, on spiritual matters in general. The religion of Jesus Christ, when taken into the heart, refines and cultivates its possessor; but those who reject its precepts leave themselves a prey to temptations such as were presented by the scoffers and false teachers.
Hard to be understood.
Although these difficult matters are not identified, most commentators agree that they concern questions of moral laxity arising out of a misconstruction of Paul’s teaching on the second coming and on the Christian’s relation to law, subjects that occupy a prominent place in 1 Thessalonians and Galatians.
These things.
As noted in comment on v. 15 it is not certain to which topics Peter is referring, but if the reference is to the general subject of the second coming, that topic finds a place in all of Paul’s major letters, and there is no need for a more specific identification.
All his epistles.
In the large cities of the Roman Empire letters were readily copied for a small fee, and their rapid distribution was assured by means of the excellent communications provided by the network of Roman roads. It is therefore well within the bounds of possibility that most, if not all, of Paul’s epistles were in circulation even before his death. There is no way of deciding from these verses whether the great apostle was alive or dead at the time Peter wrote.
Wrest.
Gr. strebloō, “to torture,”“to put on the rack,”“to twist.” The unlearned and unstable distort the Scriptures by twisting and straining their meaning as an inquisitor tortures and strains his victim on the rack.