1 Peter 2:21-23. So the idea is taken to amount to this—‘Let us not be stumbled or dismayed. adds, “and becomes abominable,” which has no equivalent in the existing Hebrew text; and it has been suggested that these words may misrepresent the Hebrew original of the second proverb here. Read Introduction to 2 Peter “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’” This verse clenches the idea that these latter verses deal with non-Christian false teachers. let thy name be as ointment poured forth. Commentary on 2 Peter 2:17-22 (Read 2 Peter 2:17-22) The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” 2 Peter 3:9 Commentary. Facts about false teachers. The pig that has got rid of the corruption outside it by means of a scrubbing cannot resist rolling in the manure heap…….Covetousness, sophistical arguments, pride in knowledge, gluttony, drunkenness, lust, arrogance against authority of all kinds, and, most of all, the danger of denying the lordship of the Redeemer----are these not all the paramount temptations of money-mad, sex-mad, materialistic, anti-authoritarian, twentieth-century man?’ (Green p. 121). What does 2 Peter 3:8 mean when it says a thousand years are a day? But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. If, however, the Book of Proverbs be the source of the quotation, it is worth while noting that no less than four times in as many chapters does St. Peter recall passages from the Proverbs in the First Epistle (1 Peter 1:7; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 Peter 4:18). SermonAudio.com - 2 Peter 2 Sermons. At the same time the godly are reminded to take heed to themselves, except they wish to be deemed dogs or swine. First 30-days on us! Read 2 Peter 2:22 commentary using Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament. Font Size. A list of the best commentaries on 2 Peter/Jude ranked by scholars, journal reviews, and site users. True proverb - Peter is stamping the proverb in 2Pe 2:22 as in accord with reality. cannot be charged with the use of the two rare words, and . They had, indeed, undergone a process of external reformation; but it was external merely, their heart all the while remaining unchanged, “like the washing of a swine, which you may make clean, but can never make cleanly (Lillie). You can find the best commentary on 2 Peter… Such is not the point of the proverb. Question # 10 Who does “they” refer to in 2 Peter 2:20-22? Pigs return to filth that they find outside themselves, even though their handlers may clean them up occasionally. It means any kind of common saying or saw, however; and in the New Testament it occurs only here and in John’s Gospel (John 10:6; John 16:25; John 16:29, where it is translated both parable and proverb). Pericope. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. Acts 2:14-15 ¶“ 14 But Peter, standing among the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them, 'Men of Judea, and all you who dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you and heed my words. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. The thought is perhaps of the scavenger dog which, when it can find no other food, returns to the remains over which it has previously vomited, or even to its own vomit lying in the road, for what nourishment it contains. For it were (that use of the imperfect without ἄν, answering to the Latin “faciebam, ni:” see on Romans 9:3) better for them not to have known the way of righteousness (viz. Better Never to Have Known the Way. But it is not probable that Irenæus knew our Epistle. About 2 Peter. Acts 3:11-16 Commentaries on 2 Peter/Jude. Study the bible online using commentary on 2 Peter 2:22 and more! 26:11 2 Peter 3:1-6 Commentary. 2 Peter 2:22. After Jesus rose from the grave, He had a special conversation with Peter about how the apostle would die: “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you, and bring you where you do not wish to go.” 2 Peter 2:1-6 The apostle foretelleth the appearance of false. The idea of their degraded and disgusting behaviour was clearly proverbial. 2:17-22 The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. Bishop Wordsworth suggested that the double proverb is an inexact quotation of two iambic lines—. The pattern began early, when Helel (commonly mistranslated as "Lucifer") did it, resulting in war with God!Then came Adam and Eve, who also did not submit to God. 2 Peter 2:1 - 2:22. Peter"s statement about the false teachers in this verse is his most derogatory of them, and it brings his warning to avoid these heretics to its climax. Search. He describes these seducers as impious in themselves, and very pernicious to others, 2 Peter 2:1 - 3. ), still less that it has been washed clean (as A.V. Commentaries on 2 Peter/Jude. Dogs return to corruption that comes from within them: vomit. Acts 2:22-28 Peter Proclaims Jesus’ Resurrection Power. Cf. Scripture: 2 Peter 2:11–22. ", To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb -, The dog is turned to his own vomit again -, But it is happened unto them, according to the true proverb, There hath happened to them that of the true proverb, ὥσπερ κύων ὅταν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπὶ τὸν ἑαυτοῦ ἔμετον καὶ μισητὸς γένηται, οὕτως ἄφρων τῇ ἑαυτοῦ κακίᾳ ἀναστρέψας ἐπὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἁμαρτίαν. The false teachers in view do both things. 2-peter 2:22 But 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. The experience of the Spirit began with a sound like a strong wind and tongues of fire extending to all members of the early Christian community as they gathered in the upper room (2:1-3). The term occurs only here, and the same is the case with that for ‘mire.’ This second proverb has no definite parallel in the Old Testament, and is taken, therefore, from the mouth of the people. The word for “vomit” here is possibly formed by the writer himself; that for “wallowing” is also a rare word. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb.—More literally, There has happened to them what the true proverb says; “but” is of very doubtful authority. The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was But it is happened unto them, according to the true proverb, &c.] Which is true, both in fact and in the application of it, and which lies in the Scriptures of truth, at least the first part of it, ( Proverbs 26:11) . Bigg takes = “having bathed itself in mud”. ‘It has happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.’. The LXX. He assures them of the punishment that shall be inflicted on them, 2 Peter 2:3 - 6. My soul is relieved in the view, that Jesus knows his sheep, and is known of them. 22.Proverb—These fitting illustrations (Proverbs 26:11) of the brutish sensuality and disgusting moral filthiness into which these apostates had sunk, close the horrible description. [Note: Michael Desjardins, "The Portrayal of the Dissidents in2Peter and Jude: Does It Tell Us More About the "Godly" Than the "Ungodly"?" A dog turning again to his own vomit. N.T. 2 Peter 2 – The Rise and Fall of False Teachers A. The term is the one which is applied to the Proverbs of Solomon by the Greek Version of the Old Testament. 2 Peter 2:22 REV and Commentary - It has happened to them according to the true proverb, A dog returns to his own vomit, and - Bible verse A list of the best commentaries on 2 Peter/Jude ranked by scholars, journal reviews, and site users. 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation. The author identifies himself as "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to Peter the Apostle, but there are charges that it is a work of Peter's followers between 60-90 CE. Two proverbial sayings follow. 2 Peter 3:17-18 Commentary. New King James Version (NKJV) Bible Book List. ), and then returns to the mud; but that having once bathed in filth it never ceases to delight in it. Precious Lord Jesus! If he is right, 2 Pet. 2 Peter 2:22 Context. Peterprobably wrot… The two proverbs are stated only as an illustration of what men did, not that they had to do . Feeling their own daily state of sin and corruption before God, and yet rejecting the only possible way of finding peace and pardon with God, in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ! give! Scripture: 2 Peter 2:11–22. Acts 2:37-47 Characteristics of the early Church. In the same way the sow, having been washed, has gone back to wallowing in the mud. There are hints in both 1 and 2 Peter that the false teaching of which Peter writes has at least a Jewish component. The former, as an unclean animal and the scavenger of Oriental towns, became a term of reproach, a name for one’s enemies (Psalms 22:16; Psalms 22:20), a figure of the profane or impure (Revelation 22:15; cf. 2 Peter 2:22 is the final verse in a section that describes the devastation that occurs in the life of an unbeliever who escapes the pollution of the world, when they come to an intellectual knowledge of the Lord Jesus, through an apostate teacher, but are not brought to saving faith in Him, because they are taught a counterfeit Christ and a fake gospel. Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary. [Note: Kelly, pp338,349.] 2 Peter 3:1-6 Commentary. Instead of the simple expression ‘the true proverb,’ we have the periphrasis ‘that of the true proverb,’ or ‘the matter of the true proverb,’ as it might be rendered; a form found also in the later Classics, as well as elsewhere in the New Testament (Matthew 21:21; cf. and, A sow having washed herself, to wallowing in the mire. Certain theological and textual problems in 2 Peter 2 may perplex the serious Bible student. One writer argued that, "Gnosticism, in whatever stage or form, had little or nothing to do with these communities." Only here. What does it mean that there will be scoffers in the last days? In context, he is speaking of a routine pattern of sin, specifically, with adultery, idolatry, and gainsaying. Update. Then they seduce others who have in like manner 'for a little time escaped from them that live in error' (2 Peter 2:18). John Piper May 23, 1982 25 Shares Sermon. Be reasonable. Follow Desiring God on Twitter. ‘It has happened to them according to the true proverb’-‘the content of the true proverb has been “verified or realized” in their case’ (Gr. (Die Pelag. He will keep them in the dark and cloudy day. For their point is, that the nature of the creatures was not changed, but that each, after a temporary separation, returned to the impurity which was according to its nature. may have discovered the original proverb in the following, appearing in some texts of Aḥiḳar. Peter Leads The Prayer Meeting. 12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 2 Peter 2:3 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 2 Peter 2:3, NIV: "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories.Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." 2 Peter 2:22 Commentary. instead of accus. Theywere Christians who lived in the country that we now call Turkey. Acta Thomae, 53. 2 Peter 3:7-8 Commentary. These wretched men were never what they professed to be. ], "Instead of being sheep, they were pigs and dogs ..." [Note: Wiersbe, 2:460.]. The dried mud protects the skin from the rays. Peter didnot say where he was sending the letter. Choose Bible Version for Popups. The interpretation of the second is an exegetical crux. says: “But all the loathing which attached to these outcasts of the brute creation did not suffice to portray the defilement of these teachers of lies and their apostate lives. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A dog returns to its own vomit ," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire. And, as thou knowest how to deliver the godly out of temptation; do thou keep them now, O Lord, in these awful seasons, when the Holy Ghost is admonishing the Church, that false teachers will arise, even among the people. 2 Peter 2:20 - For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. Dr. Rendel Harris (Story of Aḥiḳar, p. 2 Peter 2:10 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 18. As the example disturbs many, when men who had submitted to the obedience of Christ, rush headlong into vices without fear or shame, the Apostle, in order to remove the offense, says that this happens through their own fault, and that because they are pigs and dogs. Setu Petaia on October 16, 2019 at 2:16 pm This is one of the errors of John Calvin, a doctrine of his 5 points of Calvinism (PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS) that has blinded the denominational world. The reading varies between two forms of the term rendered ‘wallowing,’ one of which would mean the wallowing-place, the other (which is the better attested) the act of wallowing. No topics … what an awful thing it must be, in a church, calling itself Christian, to be under the direction of false teachers. * Chains of Tartarus: cf. Related Articles by Topic. Follow Desiring God on Facebook. There have always been false proph… What does it mean to grow in grace? The latter was forbidden to be eaten not only among the Jews, but also among the Arabs, the Phoenicians, and other Eastern nations. The returning of such dogs to their own vomit was something that had disgusted men through the ages as Proverbs 26:11 brings out. In 1 and 2 Peter, there is mention of Old Testament prophets and their prophecies (1 Peter 1:10-12; 2 Peter 1:16-21) with whom he expects his readers to be familiar. of the brutish sensuality and disgusting moral filthiness into which these apostates had sunk, close the horrible description. John Piper May 30, 1982 30 Shares God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him Learn more about Desiring God Desiring God. (1) The presence and work of false teachers. The second is apparently not derived from a Hebrew source. Jude 6; other manuscripts in 2 Peter read “pits of Tartarus.” Tartarus : a term borrowed from Greek mythology to indicate the infernal regions. 2-peter 2:22 But 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. It hence follows that no part of the sin can be ascribed to the gospel. Other Forerunner Commentary entries containing 2 Peter 2:22: Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 Ecclesiastes 7:8-10 Matthew : Mark : Luke 5:39 Hebrews 10:25 2 Peter 2:21 : 2 Peter 3:1 >> The Berean: Daily Verse and Comment Sign up for the Berean: Daily Verse and Comment, and have Biblical truth delivered to your inbox. If this be the source of the . II. 2 Peter 2:22, ESV: "What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”" The lectionary text for this week provides a compelling commendation to Christians to do what is right even if it brings suffering. The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again, and the sow that was What does it mean that Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5)? Practice betrays nature. The question is important whether is Middle or Passive? kulisma. 2 Peter 1:12-2:22 New International Version (NIV) Prophecy of Scripture. Lord! 2 Peter 2:7-9 The godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom. T he Wiersbe Bible Commentaryhad a modest beginning in 1972 when Victor Books pub-lished my commentary on 1 John and called it Be Real. It needed those other grosser features – the return to the disgorged meal; the greed for filth, where a temporary cleansing serves, as it were, to give a relish for fresh wallowing – these traits were needed ere the full vileness of those sinners could be expressed.” Lipscomb adds: “It should be observed that in both instances the animal was changed. You can find the best commentary on 2 Peter… 2 Peter 3:10 Commentary. Usener, p. 21). 2 Peter 2:22. 1 Peter 2:22, KJV: "Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" 1 Peter 2:22, NASB: "WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH;" In Proverbs 26:11 we have a saying apparently so similar to this, that it has been usual to speak of Peter as quoting it here. But they will be extremely apt to go back again; and when they do, they prove that they never had true religion, or were made "partakers of the divine nature." The first proverb is found in Proverbs 26:11. A dog ejected that which was foul, the sow had been washed. 2 Peter 3:11-13 Commentary. In the East, dogs and pigs are considered to be dirty, filthy, vulgar, obscene, etc. “ The sure foundation of God “has not given way. 2 Peter 2. Reason of these last words. So, the readers of both letters were probably the same people. Find Top Church Sermons, Illustrations, and Preaching Slides on 1 Peter 2:22-25. There has happened unto them that of the true proverb. Preferred Bible Version: Translate Site. Consider these disturbing facts about false teachers found in 2 Peter and in Jude (a close parallel to 2 Peter 2). The sense is, “not that the creature has washed itself clean in water (so apparently the R.V. teachers, the impiety of them and their followers, and the judgments that would overtake them. the Christian life: cf. p. 443). pp. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands. The Paperback Bible presents the Bible by the Book and is designed to be portable, readable, and truly personal with ample margins for notations. also Matthew 8:33; Matthew 16:23; Romans 8:5). It is not the sinlessness of Christ by itself that is here set as an example before the servants, but His sinlessness in combination with His ill-treatment, or rather, His meekness under the combination. 2 Peter 2:22. by Grant Richison | Jul 18, ... Bless you sir for the commentary. Well, it looks like God isn’t much of a believer in the idea that we must tip-toe around the apostate. Verse 1. Even though the Holy Spirit takes a major role in this event, the focus clearly is on Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:14-16 Commentary. —This verse is not to be taken by itself, but in the closest conjunction with the following. Journal for the Study of the New Testament30 (June1987):95.]. Log In/Sign Up . 2-peter 2:21 For 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. A full third of it is comprised of quotes from the Old Testament. wallowing. A friend of my own, with a knowledge of animals, tells me that the pig is often washed in certain forms of dishealth, to open the pores of the skin. 2 Peter 2:11 Many manuscripts beings in the presence of; 2 Peter 2:13 Some manuscripts in their love feasts; 2 Peter 2:15 Greek Bosor; 2 Peter 2:22 Prov. Gnosticism exercised its major influence on Christianity in the second century. 1 Peter 2:22 Parallel Verses [⇓ See commentary ⇓] 1 Peter 2:22, NIV: "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.'" 2 Peter 3:7-8 Commentary. III. Bigg suggests (ed., p. 228) that the Proverbs of Solomon had been unified by some Jewish paraphrast, and this one of the pig added to the canonical collection. What has simply happened is what the old proverb said, they have reverted to nature. 2 Peter 2:22. Today’s passage is part of Peter’s sermon following the original, powerful experience of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. vi. The dog is turned to his own vomit again. The False Teachers' Ungodly Lifestyle: NETBible. Scripture 2 Peter 2 Sort Bible Verse. Greek. That each returned to its former manner of life reveals that the old nature “returned” in each case that animal returned to its “former offensive habits”, just like these false teachers did.’ (Woods p. 178), 1. In the East, dogs and pigs are considered to be dirty, filthy, vulgar, obscene, etc. It is not so strange that dumb animals would act as here described, but men may be expected not to imitate them. The Focus on Jesus Christ in Acts 2:22-36, part 3 of 3, focuses on the prediction, fulfillment and significance of Jesus the Messiah's death, resurrection and ascension.. Introduction. Compare Mark 9:20. Search Site with Google. ” ‘It has happened to them according to the true proverb’-‘the content of the true proverb has been “verified or realized” in their case’ (Gr. “For in the same way as gold when plunged in mire does not lay aside its beauty, but preserves its own nature, the mire having no power to injure the gold, so they say that they, no matter what kind of material actions they may be involved in, cannot suffer any harm, nor lose their spiritual essence.” (chap. My soul! Search Site with Google. how safe and secure are all thine, kept by thine own power! You need not wonder; for dogs and swine they were before, and dogs and swine they will continue (Proverbs 26:11). They 'scarcely' (2 Peter 2:18) have escaped from their filthy folly, when they again are entangled in it. The rejection notices would say, “Too harsh and judgmental!” “Too negative!” “Too critical of others’ ministries!” “Where is the grace?” “Rewrite in a kinder, gentler tone!” As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Search. Peter quoted Proverbs in his first letter (2 Pet. Revelation 1:12-note And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. Destructive Doctrines. ", "Instead of being sheep, they were pigs and dogs ...", "Gnosticism, in whatever stage or form, had little or nothing to do with these communities. described. 2:17-22 The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. READER! 22. Commentary on 2 Peter 2:17-22 (Read 2 Peter 2:17-22) The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. 2 Peter 2:22 Commentary. 21.] So the original gives the proverb in the abrupt form of a participle without a finite verb. What does 2 Peter 1:20 mean about interpreting Scripture? 26:11, а второе Петр привел сам. But it is happened unto them, according to the true proverb, &c.] Which is true, both in fact and in the application of it, and which lies in the Scriptures of truth, at least the first part of it, ( Proverbs 26:11) . They never had a change of heart, or were "born of God.". Acts 2:29-36 Four proofs of the Resurrection and Ascension. Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1–10. To the priests of Egypt, too, swine’s flesh was the most hateful of all meats. WM. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” N.T. ’ . 1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 1 Peter 2:22, ESV: "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." To prevent this, I. Ex. ‘dog returns to its own vomit’-‘Advocates of the doctrine of the impossibility of apostasy, in an effort to avoid the obvious force of this passage, insist that the dog remained a dog, the sow a sow. It seems like the "an heart they have exercised with covetous practices" is multiteired. is Middle (Moulton, Proleg. Both were probably current sayings. Men may break off outward sins and profess religion without becoming holy. (22) Who did no sin. ), and then returns to the mud; but that having once bathed in filth it never ceases to delight in it." for grace, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, to brave every opposition of men; and faithfully, fully, and unceasingly to proclaim the Lord our Righteousness. Bible > Pulpit Commentary > 2 Peter 2 2 Peter 2 Pulpit Commentary. Again, the point of the proverb is to illustrate to . The word for “mire,” not a very common one, is used by Irenæus of the Gnostic false teachers of his day, who taught that their fine spiritual natures could no more be hurt by sensuality than gold by mire. New King James Version. However, another scholar wrote in his excellent commentary that he saw some Gnostic influence. That each returned to its former offensive habits does not alter the fact that a change had occurred.”. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. The description of the dogs and pigs is generally true of the behavior in these animals. Peter compared the false teachers to unclean dogs and swine (cf. Destruction Is not Sleeping. 2 Peter 2 is the second chapter of the Second Epistle of Peter in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. Sermon 1 Peter 2:21-25 Following Jesus Check out these helpful resources Biblical Commentary Sermons Children's Sermons Hymn Lists 1 Peter 2:21-25 Following Jesus The Rev. Now viewing scripture range from the book of 2 Peter chapter 2:1 through chapter 2:22... 2 Peter Chapter 2. Browse Sermons on 1 Peter 2:22-25. 2 Peter 2 is the second chapter of the Second Epistle of Peter in the New Testament of the Christian Bible.The author identifies himself as "Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ" and the epistle is traditionally attributed to Peter the Apostle, but there are charges that it is a work of Peter's followers between 60-90 CE. 2 peter 2 would suggest to me at first glance that indeed for one to choose to walk after the flesh would result in slavery to that sin resulting in self deception as the power of sin rules. He will bring them home, and bring them in, to his everlasting kingdom. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 2 Peter 2:22(NASB) Verse Thoughts Both saved and unsaved people use this well-known saying, from Proverbs, to show concern for a friend, or acquaintance, who has returned to an unsavoury relationship or pulled back into some unwholesome activity - it has happened to them according to the true proverb, "a dog returns to its own vomit," and, "a sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire. It needed those other grosser features – the return to the disgorged meal; the greed for filth, where a temporary cleansing serves, as it were, to give a relish for fresh wallowing – these traits were needed ere the full vileness of those sinners could be expressed.”, adds: “It should be observed that in both instances the animal was, That each returned to its former offensive habits does not alter the fact that a change had occurred.”, John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, E.M. Zerr's Commentary on Selected Books of the New Testament.