The above passage raises a very important question. Why does Peter say "the latter end is worse for them than the beginning"? After all we are talking about a person being lost. Lost is lost and why would it have been better to never have known the way of righteousness than simply dying without ever knowing the truth? Let me see if I can provide two answers to the above question.

Peter was talking about a child of God, a Christian, going back into the world and being lost again. Such would obviously teach against the doctrine of once saved, always saved. I know some preachers argue that this passage is not speaking of a Christian, but how could that be so. Only a Christian escapes the pollutions of the world; and only after a person leaves the world can they go back into it. Hebrews 4.4-6 teaches the same idea. Therefore, this passage is teaching that a child of God can sin and be lost.

A possible explanation of Peter's statement is that a person ignorant of the truth can be taught. There is hope that once they know their condition and how to be saved, they may obey the Gospel of Christ. No such hope exist for a person that knows the Gospel and elects to go back into the world and sin. The Hebrew writer says "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance" (Hebrews 6.4-6a). There is a time when no more can be taught or said. All one can do is hope the erring will realize their condition and return back to God.

Another possible explanation is looking at the final destiny of the lost. The person that knew the Gospel and died in a lost condition will go through eternity realizing what they gave up. They will suffer more mental anguish for their decision to forsake their Lord and Savior for the passing pleasures of sin. Such would be true. The case of Lazarus and the Rich man in Luke teaches that both men were aware of their condition. The rich man was concerned about his brothers and wanted Lazarus sent back to warn them. Such would leave one to believe a person could be in anguish for leaving the Gospel of Christ.

To quote Clinton Hamilton in his commentary on 2 Peter 2.20-21, "When one deliberately rejects what one knows is the truth, this condition is a more severe one than never having known the truth. One has rejected that salvation in Christ and there is no other. With purpose of heart to do this, there remains nothing for the person except utter ruin and destruction in hell."

Either explanation fits the passage. -- Dennis Tucker