2 Peter2
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies, denying even the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
2And many shall follow their lascivious doings; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of.
3And in covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose sentence now from of old lingereth not, and their destruction slumbereth not.
4For if God spared not angels when they sinned, but cast them down to hell, and committed them to pits of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
5and spared not the ancient world, but preserved Noah with seven others, a preacher of righteousness, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
6and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly;
7and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked
8(for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds):
9the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment;
10but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement, and despise dominion. Daring, self-willed, they tremble not to rail at dignities:
11whereas angels, though greater in might and power, bring not a railing judgment against them before the Lord.
12But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, railing in matters whereof they are ignorant, shall in their destroying surely be destroyed,
13suffering wrong as the hire of wrong-doing; men that count it pleasure to revel in the day-time, spots and blemishes, revelling in their deceivings while they feast with you;
14having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; enticing unstedfast souls; having a heart exercised in covetousness; children of cursing;
15forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing;
16but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man’s voice and stayed the madness of the prophet.
17These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved.
18For, uttering great swelling words of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error;
19promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.
20For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first.
21For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22It has happened unto 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.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Peter 2.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Believers are cautioned against false teachers, and the certainty of their punishment shown from examples. (1–9). An account of these seducers, as exceedingly wicked. (10–16). But as making high pretences to liberty and purity. (17–22).
vv1-9
Though the way of error is a hurtful way, many are always ready to walk therein. Let us take care we give no occasion to the enemy to blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, or to speak evil of the way of salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These seducers used feigned words, they deceived the hearts of their followers. Such are condemned already, and the wrath of God abides upon them. God's usual method of proceeding is shown by examples. Angels were cast down from all their glory and dignity, for their disobedience. If creatures sin, even in heaven, they must suffer in hell. Sin is the work of darkness, and darkness is the wages of sin. See how God dealt with the old world. The number of offenders no more procures favour, than their quality. If the sin be universal, the punishment shall likewise extend to all. If in a fruitful soil the people abound in sin, God can at once turn a fruitful land into barrenness, and a well-watered country into ashes. No plans or politics can keep off judgments from a sinful people. He who keeps fire and water from hurting his people, Isa 43:2, can make either destroy his enemies; they are never safe. When God sends destruction on the ungodly, he commands deliverance for the righteous. In bad company we cannot but get either guilt or grief. Let the sins of others be troubles to us. Yet it is possible for the children of the Lord, living among the most profane, to retain their integrity; there being more power in the grace of Christ, and his dwelling in them, than in the temptations of Satan, or the example of the wicked, with all their terrors or allurements. In our intentions and inclinations to commit sin, we meet with strange hinderances, if we mark them When we intend mischief, God sends many stops to hinder us, as if to say, Take heed what you do. His wisdom and power will surely effect the purposes of his love, and the engagements of his truth; while wicked men often escape suffering here, because they are kept to the day of judgment, to be punished with the devil and his angels.
vv10-16
Impure seducers and their abandoned followers, give themselves up to their own fleshly minds. Refusing to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ, they act against God's righteous precepts. They walk after the flesh, they go on in sinful courses, and increase to greater degrees of impurity and wickedness. They also despise those whom God has set in authority over them, and requires them to honour. Outward temporal good things are the wages sinners expect and promise themselves. And none have more cause to tremble, than those who are bold to gratify their sinful lusts, by presuming on the Divine grace and mercy. Many such there have been, and are, who speak lightly of the restraints of God's law, and deem themselves freed from obligations to obey it. Let Christians stand at a distance from such.
vv17-22
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. As clouds hinder the light of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth. Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of darkness should be their portion in the next. In the midst of their talk of liberty, these men are the vilest slaves; their own lusts gain a complete victory over them, and they are actually in bondage. When men are entangled, they are easily overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them. A state of apostacy is worse than a state of ignorance. To bring an evil report upon the good way of God, and a false charge against the way of truth, must expose to the heaviest condemnation. How dreadful is the state here described! Yet though such a case is deplorable, it is not utterly hopeless; the leper may be made clean, and even the dead may be raised. Is thy backsliding a grief to thee? Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.
Key Words
ψευδοπροφήτης (pseudoprophḗtēs): a spurious prophet, i.e. pretended foreteller or religious impostor
καί (kaí): and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐν (en): "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
λαός (laós): a people (in general; thus differing from G1218 (δῆμος), which denotes one's own populace)
ὡς (hōs): which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἔσομαι (ésomai): will be
ψευδοδιδάσκαλος (pseudodidáskalos): a spurious teacher, i.e. propagator of erroneous Christian doctrine
ὑμῖν (hymîn): to (with or by) you
ὅστις (hóstis): which some, i.e. any that; also (definite) which same
παρεισάγω (pareiságō): to lead in aside, i.e. introduce surreptitiously
Cross References
2 Peter 2Direct parallel in Jude describing stealthy, ungodly teachers who turn grace into licentiousness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The Greek for 'the Lord that bought them' echoes Moses' description of God buying Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Direct parallel describing the fallen angels reserved in everlasting chains under darkness.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The historical account of Balaam being rebuked by his dumb ass speaking with man's voice.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Peter explicitly quotes this true proverb regarding the dog turning back to its own vomit.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah with fire, serving as an example of overthrow.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jude condemns false teachers who have run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel warning of the severe state of those who apostatize after receiving enlightenment.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Christ's warning that the latter end of a swept-clean house repossessed by spirits is worse.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Old Testament law warning that God allows false prophets to arise to prove your hearts.
Supported by John Calvin
Parallel warning of false brethren who were 'privily brought in' to spy out Christian liberty.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Noah, warned of God, prepared an ark, becoming an heir of the righteousness of faith.
Supported by John Calvin
Peter's first epistle mentioning the long-suffering of God in the days of Noah, saving eight souls.
Supported by JFB
Jude describes these false teachers as wandering stars to whom the blackness of darkness is reserved.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The servant who knew his lord's will but did not prepare will be beaten with many stripes.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Contrast: believers are to live honestly among Gentiles so they cannot speak evil of you.
Supported by JFB
Historical account of God being merciful to Lot and bringing him out of Sodom's destruction.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The Psalmist's grief over transgressors echoes Lot vexing his righteous soul over Sodom's deeds.
Supported by Matthew Henry