What Does 2 Peter 2:2 Mean in the King James?
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The Greek calls their “pernicious ways” unrestrained conduct, then uses a different word for truth’s way: their behavior makes that path a target of slander.
THE MEANING
Many follow unrestrained desires, and the way of truth is spoken against because of them. The verse shows that what people associate with the truth shapes what they say about it.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that the public reputation of the truth is untouched by the conduct of those associated with its way.
THE ROOT
ἀσελγείαις
aselgeiais
GROWS FROM
ἀσελγ-
aselg-
Licentious, unrestrained conduct.
“pernicious ways” in this verse is aselgeiais. The English “ways” sounds like a path, but this Greek word names unrestrained behavior. The verse uses a different Greek word for “the way of truth,” sharpening the link: the conduct is what gives rise to slander against the path.
ALSO GROWS
aselgeia: Licentiousness or debauchery.
ἀσέλγεια
This is the singular form of the conduct many follow.
aselgēs: Licentious or unrestrained.
ἀσελγής
This related adjective describes the character of the behavior named in the verse.
ὁδός
hodos
GROWS FROM
ὁδ-
hod-
A road, path, or course of travel.
Here, truth has a way: a course that is traveled, not only a statement that is affirmed. The contrast with ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia, unrestrained conduct) shows how people’s actions can bring reproach on that course.
ALSO GROWS
hodēgeō: To lead or guide.
ὁδηγέω
A guide directs someone along a path, making the way something traveled.
hodoiporeō: To travel or journey.
ὁδοιπορέω
This compound carries the path into the act of making a journey.
βλασφημηθήσεται
blasphēmēthēsetai
GROWS FROM
βλασφημ-
blasphēm-
To speak injuriously of; to defame or slander.
“evil spoken of” in this verse is blasphēmēthēsetai. The Greek names public injury through speech: the way of truth itself becomes the object of reproach because of the conduct associated with it. The same verb family appears when Romans says God’s name is blasphemed “through you.”
ALSO GROWS
blasphēmeō: To speak abusively of or blaspheme.
βλασφημέω
This is the verb family behind the form translated “evil spoken of.”
blasphēmia: Slander or blasphemy.
βλασφημία
This noun names the injurious speech that the verse says the way of truth will receive.
THE PATTERN
Conduct associated with a divine name or way shapes what others say about it.
Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed.For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.THE THREAD
For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.Romans uses the same verb family, βλασφημέω (blasphēmeō, to speak abusively of or blaspheme). Together, the verses show that conduct associated with the truth can become the reason people speak against its way and its name.
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