2:25 repentance. “Repentance” involves changing of one’s mind (literal meaning of metanoia). If this is genuine, it will be a Spirit-inspired conviction, not a superficial submission to better arguments. We must be “ready always to give an answer,…a reason of the hope,” but this should be provided “in meekness and in fear” (I Peter 3:15).

2:26 taken captive. This verse is rendered in various ways by different expositors. Probably it should be understood somewhat as follows: “And that they may be recovered from the devil’s snare, having been recaptured by [the servant of the Lord] to do [God’s] will.”