Correspondence: 2 Pet. 2:20 vs. John 10:28; John 15:2; Concision

From: Young Christian: Volume 23, 1933

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Correspondence: 2PE 2:20-22 vs. JOH 10:28; JOH 15:2; PHI 3:2

From: Correspondence

Correspondence: 2 Pet. 2:20 vs. John 10:28; John 15:2: Concision

From: Young Christian: Volume 32, 1942

Correspondence: 2 Pet. 2:20 vs. John 10:28; John 15:2; Concision

From: Correspondence

• 2 min. read • grade level: 8

Question: How do you understand 2 Peter 2:20, 22²⁰For 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. (2 Peter 2:20)
²²But 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. (2 Peter 2:22), when John 10:28²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28) gives positive assurance of the believer’s eternal security. H. E.

Answer: You must ever remember that Scripture cannot contradict itself. Hence, when you read in John 10 such words as these, “My sheep shall never perish,” your heart should rest in the full assurance of the eternal security of the very feeblest of Christ’s blood-bought sheep. Many other scriptures establish the same precious truth.

Evidently, then, 2 Peter 2:20-22²⁰For 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. ²¹For 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. ²²But 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. (2 Peter 2:20‑22) cannot possibly clash with John 10²⁰And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? ²¹Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind? ²²And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. (John 10:20‑22) and kindred passages. But what does it teach? Simply that when professors of religion return to their old habits, they are in a worse condition than if they had never made a profession at all. It is obvious that true Christians are not in question here. A “dog and a sow” cannot be looked upon as “sheep,” however they may profess “the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Question: Please explain John 15:2²Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2). H. H.

Answer: The real secret of the difficulty felt by so many in this scripture is that they seek to make it a question of eternal life and security, whereas it is simply a question of fruit bearing. If we do not abide in the vine we shall prove fruitless branches, and all such branches the Husbandman removes from the place of fruit bearing. The question of salvation is not touched.

Question: What is the meaning of “the concision” in Phil. 3:2²Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (Philippians 3:2)?

Answer: The concision mean those who are trying to improve the flesh by cutting off bad habits. The truth teaches us that the death of Christ is the end of the flesh before God, and that our old man is crucified with Him. (Rom. 6:6⁶Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)) The circumcision in Phil. 3:3³For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3) recognize this. Col. 2:11¹¹In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (Colossians 2:11) means dead with Christ. “The concision” do not know this, but teach the improvement of man without redemption.

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