Lexical Summary dusnoétos: Hard to understand, difficult to comprehend Original Word: δυσνόητος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance hard to understandFrom dus- and a derivative of noieo; difficult of perception -- hard to be understood. see GREEK dus- see GREEK noieo HELPS Word-studies 1425 dysnóētos (an adjective, derived from 1418 /dys-, "difficult" and noētos, "understanding," see 3539 /noiéō) – properly, hard-to-understand; difficult to grasp; hard to mentally process, i.e. what is intellectually difficult to capture the true sense of (used only in 2 Pet 3:16). 2 Pet 3:16: "As also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand (1425 /dysnóētos), which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction" (NASU). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dus- and the same as anoétos Definition hard to understand NASB Translation hard to understand (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1425: δυσνόητοςδυσνόητος, δυσνοητον (νοέω, hard to be understood: 2 Peter 3:16. (χρησμός, Lucian, Alex. 54; (Diogenes Laërtius 9, 13 δυσνοητον τέ καί δυσεξηγητον; (Aristotle, plant. 1, 1, p. 816{a}, 3).) STRONGS NT 1425a: δυσφημέωδυσφημέω, δυσφήμω: (present passive δυσφημοῦμαι); (δύσφημος); to use ill words, defame; passive robe defamed, 1 Corinthians 4:13 T WH Tr marginal reading (1 Macc. 7:41; in Greek writings from Aeschylus Agam. 1078 down.) The adjective occurs once, in 2 Peter 3:16. Peter observes that in Paul’s epistles “some parts … are hard to understand,” acknowledging both the depth of apostolic teaching and the challenge it may present to readers lacking spiritual stability. Relationship to Pauline Letters and the Emerging Canon By labeling Paul’s writings “hard to understand” yet grouping them with “the rest of the Scriptures,” Peter implicitly affirms their inspired, canonical status. This early recognition of Paul’s letters as Scripture underscores the unity of New Testament revelation and highlights apostolic interdependence. Peter’s comment also signals that complexity does not diminish authority; rather, it invites reverent study. Warning Against Distortion of Scripture Peter notes that “ignorant and unstable people distort” these difficult portions “to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). The verb translated “distort” conveys violent twisting, implying willful misuse rather than innocent misunderstanding. The verse therefore functions as a sober caution: mishandling divine truth has eternal consequences (compare Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19). Hermeneutical Implications 1. Humility—Acknowledging difficulty encourages dependence on God for insight (Psalm 119:18; James 1:5). Historical Reception Early church writers—such as Origen and Augustine—recognized challenging Pauline themes (for example, predestination, law and grace). Conciliar creeds and confessions later provided doctrinal summaries to guard against the errors Peter foresaw, including antinomianism and legalism. Pastoral Application Believers encountering difficult texts should: Ministry Significance Teachers are stewards of mysteries made known in Christ (1 Corinthians 4:1). Faithful exposition must neither oversimplify profound doctrines nor leave congregations in confusion. Rather, the goal is clarity that leads to obedience, knowing that souls can be led astray when truth is distorted. Theological Reflection • Divine Revelation—Depth is inherent to God’s counsel; finite minds meet infinite wisdom. Summary The single appearance of this term in 2 Peter 3:16 highlights the depth of apostolic doctrine, the necessity of careful interpretation, and the peril of corrupting Scripture. It calls the Church to humble perseverance in study, reliance on the Spirit’s illumination, and vigilant protection of the faith once for all entrusted to the saints. |
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