2 Peter Chapter 2 Part Two

 

2 Peter Chapter 2 Part Two

2 Peter 2:13 "And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;"

And shall receive (κομιούμενοι)

Lit., being about or destined to receive. See on 1Pet. 1:9 and compare 1Pet. 5:4. Some good texts read ἀδικούμενοι, suffering wrong. So, Rev., suffering wrong as the hire of wrongdoing.

the reward of... Immorality and arrogant boldness will not pay in the end. It will rob and destroy.

This is speaking of those who profess to know God but are really not His. Notice the statement (shall receive the reward of unrighteousness). We have seen this, recently in the churches. Men, who are professing to be leaders of the church, living very worldly lives.

They are attempting to cover their sins and deceive the people into believing they are in right standing with God. These false teachers are even worse than the people who have not made any commitment to God. Everything these men do is deceiving. They are not truly sold out to God. They bring a false message and are not only deceived themselves, but deceive others, as well.

Reward of unrighteousness (μισθὸν ἀδικίας)

Μισθὸς is hire, and so is rendered in Rev. Compare Mat, 20:8; Luke 10:7; John 4:36. It also has in classical Greek the general sense of reward, and so very often in the New Testament, in passages where hire or wages would be inappropriate. Thus Mat. 5:12; 6:1; 10:41. Hire would seem to be better here, because of the reference to Balaam in 2Pet. 2:15, where the word occurs again and requires that rendering. The phrase μισθός ἀδικίας, reward of wages of iniquity, occurs only here and in Peter's speech concerning Judas (Acts 1:18), where the Rev. retains the rendering of the A. V., reward of iniquity. It would have been better to render wages of iniquity in both places. Iniquity and unrighteousness are used in English almost synonymous; though etymologically, iniquity emphasizes the idea of injustice (inaequus), while unrighteousness (non-rightness) is more general, implying all deviation from right, whether involving an-other's interests or not. This distinction is not, however, observed in the Rev., where the rendering of ἄδικία, and of the kindred adjective ἄδικος, varies unaccountably, if not capriciously, between unrighteous and unjust.

riot in the... Sinning during the day without the cover of darkness was a sign of low-level wickedness in Roman society (1Thes. 5:7). But these false teachers are so consumed with lust and rebellion that they are pleased not to wait for the night. Their unbridled passions consume them.

As they that count it pleasure to riot (ἡδονὴν ἡγούμενοι τρυφήν)

The as of the A. V. is needless. The discourse proceeds from 2Pet. 2:13 by a series of participles, as far as following (2Pet. 2:15). Literally the passage runs, counting riot a pleasure.

Riot (τρυφήν)

Meaning rather daintiness, delicacy, luxuriousness. Even the Rev. revel is almost too strong. Compare Luke 7:25, the only other passage where the word occurs, and where the Rev. retains the A. V., live delicately. So, also, Rev. substitutes, in Jas. 5:5, lived delicately for lived in pleasure.

In the daytime

Compare Peter's words Acts 2:15; also, 1Thes.5:7.

Spots they are... Jude 10. That is, dirt spots and scabs. They are opposite to the character of Christ (1Pet. 1:19). The church should be like her Lord (Eph. 5:27).

Spots (σπίλοι)

Only here and Eph. 5:27. Compare the kindred participle spotted (Jude 1:23), and defiled (Jas. 3:6).

Blemishes (μῶμοι)

Only here in New Testament. The negatives of the two terms spots and blemishes occur at 1Pet. 1:19.

sporting themselves with… The false teachers, feigning to be teachers of truth while sitting with Christians at church love-feasts, were behaving arrogantly and immorally even on such occasions intended for Christian fellowship. Though attempting to cover their corruption with religious talk, they were filthy defects on these church gatherings (2Jhn. 9:11; Jude 12).

Sporting themselves (ἐντρυφῶντες)

From τρυφή, luxuriousness. See on riot. Rev., reveling.

With their own deceivings (ἐν ταῖς ἀπάταις αὑτῶν)

The Rev., however, follows another reading, which occurs in the parallel passage Jude 1:12: ἀγάπαις, love-feasts, the public banquets instituted by the early Christians, and connected with the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Rev. renders reveling in their love-feasts, though the American Committee insist on deceivings. On the abuses at these feasts, see 1Cor. 11:20-22. For αὑτῶν, their own, the best texts read αὐτῶν, them.

The church {all true believers} should be without spot or wrinkle. Jesus Christ {our perfect Lamb sacrifice} was without spot or wrinkle. He lighted the way for His followers.

feast with you... They attend your love feasts and pose as godly men while in your midst.

While they feast with you (συνευωχούμενοι)

The word originally conveys the idea of sumptuous feasting and is appropriate in view of the fact to which Peter alludes, that these sensualists converted the love-feast into a revel. Compare Paul's words, 1Cor. 11:21, one is hungry and another drunken. This seems to favor the reading ἀγάπαις. The word occurs only here and Jude 1:12.

They Are Deceitful

The wordplay in 2Pet. 2:12 sets up Peter’s point in 2Pet. 2:13, namely, that these false teachers will be caught in their own webs. They will be paid back with harm (adikoumenoi being damaged or suffering injustice misthon wages for the harm (adikias, injustice or wickedness; cf. 2Pet. 2:15) they have done. God will give them what they have done to others (cf. Gal. 6:7). Though the false teachers tried to pass themselves off as spiritual leaders possessing a special level of knowledge, they did not even hide their orgies under the cover of darkness but would carouse in broad daylight, while reveling in their pleasures (apatais, perhaps better trans. deceptions). And they did all this while obviously joining in the love feasts of the church (NIV marg.; cf. Jude 1:12). They were blots (spiloi) and blemishes (mōmoi; cf. 2Pet. 3:14). Like a stain on a clean shirt or a scratch on a tiny ring, they marred the Lord’s Supper by their very presence. This was one of the injustices they did to others.

2 Peter 2:14 "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"

eyes full of... The images of sinful acts are continually lingering before their eyes. They revel in imaginations of lustful acts.

Eyes

Another illustration of Peter's emphasis on sight. It is the instrument of evil no less than of good. Compare Mat. 5:28.

Adultery (μοιχαλίδος)

Lit., an adulteress, but used as an adjective Mat. 12:39; 16:4.

The false teachers had so totally lost moral control that they could not look at any woman without seeing her as a potential adulteress (Mat. 5:28). They were uncontrollably driven by lust, never resting from their sins.

That cannot cease (ἀκαταπαύστους)

Only here, in New Testament. Compare hath ceased (1Pet. 4:1).

beguiling unstable souls... They seduce the innocent, unwary, inexperienced, light, and trifling women and even men to surrender chastity.

Beguiling (δελεάζοντες)

Only here, 2Pet. 2:18, and Jas. 1:14. From δέλεαρ, a bait. An appropriate word from Peter the fisherman. Rev., enticing.

Unstable (ἀστηρίκτους)

A compound of the word at 1Pet. 5:10, stablish. and see on 2Pet. 1:12.

An heart they have exercised (καρδίαν γεγυμνασμένην ἔχοντες)

The A. V. is awkward. Better, Rev., having a heart exercised. Exercised is the word used for gymnastic training, from which gymnastic is derived.

The metaphor is from fishing and appears also in verse 18. To entice is to catch with bait. False teachers do not capture those strong in the Word, but prey on the weak, the unstable and the young in the faith (see 3:16; Eph. 4:14; 1Jhn. 2:13).

heart they have... The word trained was used for training in athletics. The false teachers have trained, prepared and equipped their minds to concentrate on nothing but the forbidden things for which their passions lust. They are well schooled in the craft of self-fulfillment.

With covetous practices

The A. V. follows the old reading, πλεονεξίαις. The best texts read πλεονεξίας, covetousness. Rev., therefore, rightly, in covetousness.

cursed children... This is a Hebraism for the curse of sin being the dominant thing in their lives, thus saying that they are damned to hell for their blatant wickedness (Gal. 3:10, 13; Eph. 2:1-3; 1Pet. 1:14).

Cursed children (κατάρας τέκνα)

Lit., children of cursing; and so Rev. See on Mark 3:17, and 1Pet. 1:14.

There are several key words in this, notice children. Children indicate sonship. This is still speaking of those who profess to know Jesus, and yet are not His at all. They are deceivers. Notice, these children are cursed, because of their evil lifestyle. The lust of the eyes has drawn them away from God and His Spirit into pleasing their own flesh.

These are among those who Jesus will tell to get away from Him, He never knew them, at judgment day. Their argument will be that they did mighty miracles in His name. The problem is not in them doing mighty miracles in His name, but because of their reasoning for doing the miracles.

God can see right through a phony. He knows what is in our heart. He knows what we do when it appears that no one is watching. The worst part of all of this is the fact they lead others into sin with them.

They Are Chronic Sinners

Invective poured from Peter’s pen as he summoned staccato phrases to condemn these heretics. Had there been any doubt up to this point about the salvation of these false teachers, Peter closed the door by indicating they were habitual sinners, their eyes consistently looking toward sinning. With eyes full of adultery is literally, having eyes full of an adulteress, that is, thinking only of adultery when they see women. They never stop sinning is literally, unceasing in sin, probably referring to their sinning with their eyes (Mat. 5:28). That such persons should be viewed as believers is diametrically opposed to the Johannine idea that habitual sinning does not mark one who is born of God (1Jhn. 3:9).

Their deceit was aimed at seducing (from deleazō, bait, entice; used only here and in 2Pet. 2:18) the unwary or unsteadfast (cf. 2Pet. 3:16), and they had become specialists in greed (cf. 2Pet. 2:3; lit., having a heart exercised in greed). Experts (exercised, KJV) translates gegymnasmenēn, from which comes gymnasium. They work out in covetousness, practicing and sharpening greedy skills. Yet they never have enough. No wonder Peter called them an accursed brood (lit., children of a curse, a Hebraism denoting certain destruction from the hand of God). Sensuality, deception, greed - all are deserving of God’s wrath.

2 Peter 2:15 "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;"

have forsaken the... Greek: kataleipo. See pt. 3, Backsliders.

The right way is an Old Testament metaphor for obedience to God (Acts 13:10).

Right (εὐθεῖαν)

Lit., straight, which is the radical meaning of right.

Are gone astray (ἐπλανήθησαν)

See on Mark 12:24.

way of Balaam... Three great sins of Balaam (Num. 22:1-24:25):

1. The way of Balaam (2Pet. 2:15). This was the love of the wages of unrighteousness and coveting the gifts of Balak (2Pet. 2:15; Num. 22:7, 22:17, 22:37; 24:11).

2. The error of Balaam (Jude 1:11). This was accepting the wages of unrighteousness for his services in giving the secret of how to get God to curse Israel (Jude 1:11; 2Pet. 2:15; Num. 31:8, 31:16).

3. The doctrine of Balaam (Rev. 2:14). This was to teach Balak that if he would give his most beautiful women to the Israelite men and cause them to commit idolatry and adultery that God Himself would curse Israel (Num. 25:1-9; 21:8, 21:16).

Following in the verse above, means follow out to the end.

Following (ἐξακολουθήσαντες)

See on 2Pet. 1:16; and 2Pet. 2:2. Compare Jude 1:11.

Baalam: Jude 11. Balaam served as an illustration and example of such false prophets. He was an Old Testament compromising prophet for sale to whomever paid him, who preferred wealth and popularity over faithfulness and obedience to God (Num. 22 -2 24). Through a talking donkey, God kept him from cursing Israel.

Baalam had drawn the Israelite's into a fleshly religion. I believe this is what is spoken of here. Religion which appeals to the flesh is probably Christianity in form only.

The way

Note the frequent occurrence of the word way in the story of Balaam (Numbers 22), and Peter's use of the same phrase, as here, the right ways of the Lord, in Acts 13:10.

True Christianity has to do with crucifying the flesh and living in the spirit. The flesh must die that the spirit might live. I tell our people, if it is pleasing to the flesh, run as far as you can the other way. Flesh and spirit are mortal enemies. The battle that every Christian faces is the battle between pleasing our flesh or pleasing the spirit.

Notice again forsaken, which lets us know they were on the right track, they just left that straight and narrow path for a wider path. Again, this is speaking of the apostate in the church. Many times, the wages money draws us away from the truth.

They Are Mercenary

Here Peter invoked a fourth Old Testament illustration, but this time he moved from Genesis to Numbers (chaps. 22-24). These false prophets were like animals (2Pet. 2:12), and their prototype, Balaam son of Beor, was reproved by an animal (Num. 22:28, 22:30). In addition to his mercenary mentality (he loved the wages misthon of wickedness adikias; cf. the same Gr. words in 2Pet. 2:13), Balaam actually urged the Moabites to trick Israelite men into illicit relationships with Moabite women, thereby introducing immorality into the camp (Num. 31:16; cf. 25:1-3; Rev. 2:14).

2 Peter 2:16 "But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet."

rebuked for his... We will find in the Scriptures the determined Baalam who was stopped by God from doing a very foolish thing. The Lord did not want him to go, and he went anyhow.

Was rebuked (ἔλεγξιν ἔσχεν)

Lit., had a rebuke. The word for rebuke only here in New Testament.

For his iniquity (ἰδίας παρανομίας)

Rev., his own transgression. His own, see on 2Pet. 1:3. Transgression, from παρά., contrary to, and νόμος, law. Only here in New Testament. Compare the kindred verb παρανομέω, also occurring but once, Acts 23:3, where see note on contrary to the law.

Look, with me, at what happened.

Num. 22:22-33 "And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants [were] with him." "And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way." "But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall [being] on this side, and a wall on that side." "And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again." "And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where [was] no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left." "And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff." "And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?" "And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee." "And the ass said unto Balaam, [Am] not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was] thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay." "Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face." "And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because [thy] way is perverse before me:" "And the ass saw me and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive."

This prophet had gone astray, as these last few lessons have been teaching us about the false prophets. This, Balaam, is determined to follow evil. Some of our ministers are determined to teach a false doctrine. I wonder if it will be necessary for an ass to speak to us, before we will listen?

The dumb ass

Inserting an article not in the text, and omitted by Rev.

Ass (ὑποζύγιον)

Lit., beast of burden. An animal subjected to the yoke. From ὑπό, beneath, and ζυγόν, a yoke. See on Mat. 21:5.

Speaking (φθεγξάμενον)

The verb is found in Peter only, here and 2Pet. 2:18, and in Acts 4:18, a Petrine narrative. It is well chosen, however. The verb denotes the utterance of a sound or voice, not only by man, but by any animal having lungs. Hence, not only of men's articulate cries, such as a battle-shout, but of the neigh of the horse, the scream of the eagle, the croak of the raven. It is also applied to sounds made by inanimate things, such as thunder, a trumpet, a lyre, the ring of an earthen vessel, showing whether it is cracked or not. Schmidt (Synonymik) says that it does not indicate any physical capability on the part of the man but describes the sound only from the hearer's standpoint. In view of this general sense of the verb, the propriety is apparent of the defining phrase, with man's voice.

Forbad (ἐκώλυσεν)

Rather, hindered, or, as Rev., stayed Compare Acts 8:36, Rom. 1:13, Rev.

Madness (παραφρονίαν)

Only here in New Testament. But compare the kindred verb παραφρονέω (2Cor. 11:23), in the phrase, I speak as a fool. From παρά, besides, and φρήν, the mind; and so equivalent to the phrase, beside oneself.

The donkey… spoke (phthenxamenon, was making a sound; also used in 2Pet. 2:18), stopping the prophet in his madness (paraphronian, lit., being apart or away from right thinking; used only here in the NT). A mere donkey, a dumb animal, was smarter than Balaam! The false teachers, like Balaam, had sinned so long and so intensely that their sin had become a form of insanity. Also, today many people have so thoroughly given themselves over to avarice and debauchery that their lifestyles are spiritually insane. Money and sex (even in the name of religion) continue to bring spiritual ruin to many people. This is the error of Balaam (Jude 1:11), his way which is diverse from the straight way.

2 Peter 2:17 "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever."

are wells without... Two symbols of false prophets/teachers:

1. Wells without water

2. Clouds without rain

In the desert it is distressing to find wells without water and clouds that dissipate without rain. So are false teachers who are as unprofitable as an empty well and as a dissipated cloud. See note, Mat. 7:15. In this verse, Peter uses two poetic figures (springs and mists) which represent a precious commodity in the Middle East. A spring or well without water would be a major disappointment in a hot and dry land. Likewise, false teachers have a pretense of spiritual water to quench the thirsty soul, but they actually have nothing to give.

A well that does not provide water is a great disappointment. I think that is what God is saying here. False teachers are a great disappointment to God. Clouds that do not produce rain are speaking of the same thing. Water symbolizes the Word of God. This could be speaking of those ministers who do not bring the Word of God, and the great disappointment they are to God.

Wells (πηγαὶ)

Better, as Rev., springs; yet the Rev. has retained well at John 4:14, where the change would have given more vividness to Christ's metaphor, which is that of an ever up-leaping, living fountain.

Without water

As so often in the East, where the verdure excites the traveler's hope of water. Compare Jer. 2:13, and the contrast presented in Isa. 58:11; Pro. 10:11; 13:14.

Clouds

The A. V. has followed the Tex. Rec., νεφέλαι, as in Jude 1:12. The correct reading is ὁμίχλαι, mists, found only here in New Testament. So Rev.

With a tempest (ὑπὸ λαίλαπος)

Rev., by a storm. The word occurs only twice elsewhere – Mark 4:37; Luke 7:23 - in the parallel accounts of the storm on the lake, which Jesus calmed by his word. There on the lake Peter was at home, as well as with the Lord on that occasion; and the peculiar word describing a whirlwind - one of those sudden storms so frequent on that lake (see Mark 4:37) - would be the first to occur to him. Compare Paul's similar figure, Eph. 4:14.

False teachers are further called servants of corruption because, despite their profession of salvation, they have become entangled in the world and overcome by it. Therefore, their latter end is worse than their beginning profession, because they have now embarked on a course of action that denies their profession of Christ.

The illustrations of the dog and the sow vividly portray their folly. 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; Pro. 26:11; Peter’s own).

mist of darkness... The coming of clouds of mists would seem to promise rain, but sometimes the storm would blow the clouds on by, leaving the land dry and hot. The false teacher might seem to promise spiritual refreshment, but were all show with no substance (Jude 12). The darkness is hell (Mat. 8:12; Jude 13).

Blackness (ζόφος)

See on 2Pet. 2:4 and compare Jude 1:13.

Of darkness (τοῦ σκότους)

Lit., the darkness, denoting a well-understood doom.

Is reserved (τετήρηται)

Lit., hath been reserved, as Rev. See on 1Pet. 1:4; and 2Pet. 2:4.

Forever

The best texts omit.

Destruction by false teachers

Though the ultimate judgment of heretics is assured, Peter wrote as he did because of the damage they continued to wreak in the church. Certain types of people seemed to be especially selected for recruitment by false teachers. Having explained the avenues of God’s deliverance from ungodly people and offered a vivid description of false teachers, Peter now explained the destruction that such false teaching can bring into the church.

The Targets Of Destruction

The accursed brood (2Pet. 2:14) is able to make an impact because of the deceptive nature of its approach and the vulnerability of its targets. False teachers are springs without water and mists driven by a storm (cf. Jude 1:12-13). In both cases one would look for some benefit or blessing (a cool drink from the spring; a refreshing shower from the clouds) but in each case he is disappointed. The very nature of hypocrisy is that one does not have what he pretends to have. Once again (cf. 2Pet. 2:1, 2:3, 2:9, 2:12-13) Peter wrote of their coming judgment. The blackest darkness (lit., blackness or gloominess [zophos; cf. gloomy in 2Pet. 2:4] of darkness) is reserved for them (cf. Jude 1:13). This blackness is presumably hell.

2 Peter 2:18 "For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error."

For when they... False teachers cannot give the water of life, but they can damn souls by the methods used in this verse.

When they speak (φθεγγόμενοι)

Rev., better, uttering. See on 2Pet. 2:16.

swelling words of... Jude 16. That is, ostentatious verbosity. The false teachers deceive the weak with high sounding words that masquerade as scholarship or profound spiritual insight, and even as direct revelation for God.

Great swelling (ὑπέρογκα)

Only here and Jude 1:16. The word means of excessive bulk. It accords well with the peculiar word uttering, since it denotes a kind of speech full of high-sounding verbosity without substance. Φθεγγόμενοι, uttering, is significantly applied alike to Balaam's beast and to these empty declaimers.

They may contradict the plain historic teachings of Scripture which in some cases they are not able to explain properly because of their lack of adequate training and divine wisdom (1Cor. 2:14). In reality, they say nothing genuinely scholarly, or spiritual, or divine.

Nevertheless, in spite of all the empty talk, false teachers entice others to their philosophies by appealing to people on the baser level. Seduction, rather than the winsomeness of truth, is their ploy. They offer people a kind of religion that they can embrace and still hold on to their fleshly desires and sensuality. Peter may also be implying that false teachers particularly aim to seduce women through sensual methods.

they allure through... Or enticing, which is a metaphor from fishing and appears also in verse 18. To entice is to catch with bait. False teachers do not capture those strong in the Word, but prey on the weak, the unstable and the young in the faith (see 3:15; Eph. 4:14; 1 John 2:13).

through much wantonness... Greek: aselgeia, licentiousness, lustfulness.

Wantonness is speaking of sins of the flesh. It is a very dangerous thing for the church to use things that appeal to the flesh to get people to attend church. The world and the evil desires of the flesh have no place in the church.

escaped from them… The preferred translation is barely escaping or trying to escape. This is a description not of saved people, but of people who are vulnerable because they have high levels of guilt and anxieties – people with broken marriages, people who are lonely and tired of the consequences of sin and are looking for a new start, even for religion or help from God. The false teachers exploit these kinds of people.

Were clean escaped.

The A. V. follows the Tex. Rec., ὄντως ἀποφυγόντας; ὄντως meaning really, actually, as Luke 24:34; and the participle being the aorist, and so meaning were escaped. But the best texts all read ὀλίγως, in a little degree, or just, or scarcely; and ἀποφεύγοντας, the present participle, are escaping; and denoting those who are in the early stage of their escape from error and are not safe from it and confirmed in the truth. Hence, Rev., correctly, who are just escaping. Ὀλίγως, only here.

live in error... This error refers to the vile affections of the homosexual sins, as is clear here and in Rom. 1:27.

All of this is speaking of happening within the church. This is not the world, but the church. It is speaking of the devil using false prophets in the church, who appeal to the flesh of man, leading those who have been in right relation with God away from the Truth.

As in the propagation of all heresy, human speech is the weapon that false teachers aim at their targets: they mouth (phthengomenoi, make a sound; also used in 2Pet. 2:16) empty (mataiotētos, futile, worthless, without results; cf. Eph. 4:17) boastful (hyperonka, swollen; still another hapax legomenon by Peter) words. Such high-sounding words by which they sought to impress and deceive people were actually worthless, being no different from the sound a donkey makes! These false teachers sought to lure the unstable by appealing to (deleazousin, baiting, enticing, also used in 2Pet. 2:14) the lustful (aselgeiais; cf. 2Pet. 2:7) desires of sinful human nature. The teachers themselves were licentious and they tried to encourage Christians to be the same.

Such propaganda and sensual license appeal to some people who are just learning the gospel and weighing its claim on their lives. The enticed people who are… escaping from those who live (lit., are constantly living, pres. part.) in error are not believers, according to most commentators. Some Bible students, however, say the ones enticed by the heretics are already converts to Christ, who by their conversions have recently escaped from their pagan companions who live in falsehood.

2 Peter 2:19 "While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage."

While they promise... False teachers promise liberty from the condemnation of sinful lusts, but they themselves are not free.

liberty, they themselves... False teachers promise those trying to escape the struggles of life, the very freedom they seek.

servants of corruption... The false teachers can’t deliver the freedom they promise, because they themselves are enslaved to the very corruption which people are trying to escape.

man is overcome… Whoever puts himself, in the name of freedom, into the hands of a false teacher, who is a prisoner himself, also becomes a prisoner. Bondage to corruption awaits all followers of false teachers.

Is overcome (ἥττηται)

Lit., is worsted; from ἥσσων, inferior. Only here, 2Pet. 2:20, and 2Cor. 12:13.

When Christianity becomes too liberal, it has compromised with the world. The liberty to do what they want to do and still be a church member is a very dangerous thing. The way to Jesus is a straight and narrow path. When we start compromising with the world, we become servant to sin. Many of the things being done today in the churches to bring larger crowds in are nothing more than compromise. When we compromise, we are no longer in right standing with God.

Brought into bondage (δεδούλωται)

Enslaved

Every man must choose between two ethical principles. Whichever one he chooses is master, and he is its bondservant. Compare Mat. 6:24; 7:18.

obedience unto righteousness - Sin unto death

The antithesis is not direct - sin unto death, obedience unto life; but obedience is the true antithesis of sin, since sin is disobedience, and righteousness is life.

The Techniques of Destruction

The techniques of false teachers are only workable with the naive, for the heretics are like a 300-pound man selling diet books - they promise… freedom but are themselves hopelessly enslaved by depravity (John 8:34-36). Their empty and boastful promises of liberty are reminiscent of Satan’s words to Eve (Gen. 3:5). Slavery is not merely chattel ownership but is the mastery of one’s will by any person, idea, or substance (Rom. 6:16; 1Cor. 6:12).

2 Peter 2:20 "For 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."

if after they... Backsliders

One of 1,522 ifs in the Bible, plainly indicating that all can, and some do escape the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Yet some are again entangled therein, becoming worse than they were before they found Christ.

Twelve proofs that These Are Backsliders:

1. In, 2Pet. 1:5-15, it is clear that Peter lays down conditions to be met if one is not to fall.

2. In, 2Pet. 2:4, Peter warns men that God sent three great catastrophes upon angels and men because of their backsliding and sins. One may argue that the antedeluvians and Sodom and Gomorrah were not backsliders and had nothing to backslide from, but this argument cannot possibly hold true of the angels that sinned, which, as is acknowledged by all, were created sinless and holy and in God’s grace and blessings. They sinned and are now in hell (2Pet. 2:4; Jude 1:6-7). Angels are definitely called sons of God in Gen. 6:1-4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7. Hence son-ship, whether by creation or adoption, will not keep God from damning any angels or men who rebel and sin and who do not get right with Him.

3. Greek: kataleipo, to forsake; abandon; give up; to leave. Translated forsake (2Pet. 2:15; Heb. 11:27); reserve (Rom. 11:4); leaving places one has been in (Mat. 4:13; Acts 2:31; 21:3); leaving things behind (Mark 14:52; Luke 5:28; 15:4; Acts 6:2; 24:27; 25:14; 1Thes. 3:1; Heb. 6:1); and leaving people one has been with or among (Mat. 16:4; 19:5; 21:17; Mark 10:7; 12:19; Luke 10:40; 20:31; John 8:9; Acts 18:19; Eph. 5:31; Tit. 1:5). The Greek word for right way also means straight way (Mat. 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4-5; Acts 8:2; 9:11; 13:10). One could not forsake or abandon the straightway if he had not been in it.

4. Greek: planao, to stray from; wander. Translated go astray (2Pet. 2:15; 1Pet. 2:25; Mat. 18:12-13); wander (Heb. 11:38); be out of the way (Heb. 5:2); seduce (1Jhn. 2:26; Rev. 2:20); deceive (Mat. 24:4-5, 24:11, 24:24; Mark 13:5-6; Luke 21:8; John 7:12, 7:47; 1Cor. 6:9; 15:33; Gal. 6:7; 2Tim. 3:13; Tit. 3:3; 1Jhn. 1:8; 3:7; Rev. 12:9; 13:14; 18:23; 19:20; 20:3, 20:8, 20:10); and to err from the truth (Mat. 22:29; Mark 12:24, 12:27; Heb. 3:10; Jas. 1:16; 5:19). If they went astray from the right and straight way, they were one time in it.

5. Greek: apopheugo, escape; flight from; a place of refuge. Used only by Peter in 2Pet. 1:4; 2:18, 2:20. The first verse proves that escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust is at the time one partakes of the divine nature (2Pet. 1:4). Can it be possible that people at such a time are not saved or born again?

6. Greek: epignosis, full and true knowledge (see, Col. 3:10). This confirms that they were one time believers or they would not have had the experiences of like precious faith, grace, peace, and godliness which come with such knowledge, as proved in 2Pe. 1:1-4.

7. The words again entangled therein, and overcome (2Pet. 2:20), prove they were once free from such pollutions or they could not be entangled and overcome in and by them again (see, Gal. 4:19).

8. The statement, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning, proves that they were once saved and could have had a better ending than the beginning if they had not become entangled again in the pollutions of the world (2Pet. 2:20). What would have been their end in the unsaved state? What was to be their end after going back to the sins of the former life? What would have been the end if they had stayed free from the pollutions of the world until death?

9. Peter’s explanation of why it would have been better not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn away, becoming entangled and overcome by sins again, proves that they were once saved and in the way of righteousness, actually knowing the Christian way (2Pet. 2:21).

10. The illustration of the sow and the dog proves that they were once saved and that they had gone back into sin again, like a dog returns to his vomit and the washed sow to her wallowing in the mire (2Pet. 2:22). If this does not illustrate Christians going back into sin again, it has no point. To argue that it does not refer to Christians returning to sin again on the pretext that the sow always remains a sow and the dog always remains a dog proves nothing, for the same is true of lost sheep, coins, and men Luke 15:1-32). They always remain what they are when found as do sows and dogs. In none of these illustrations is there a change made in the sow, dog, sheep, coin or lost boy. The point is that the sheep, the coin, and lost boy were found, and the sow and the dog went back to their old ways. Even a born-again person is not changed into another species. He is still a human being. He is simply cleansed from sin like the sow that was washed (1Jhn. 1:7, 1:9; Rev. 1:5). If he wants to remain cleansed from sin he must walk in the light and in the Spirit (1Jhn. 1:7; Gal. 5:16-26; Rom. 8:12-13). To argue that the sow was never washed or the dog was never free from vomit is meaningless. Is it not possible to wash a sow from all mire and is it not possible that she could go back into the mire again? Is it not possible for this to be done more than once? Is not the same principle true of a dog or anything else?

11. The warning of 2Pet. 3:14 proves that some might not be without spot and blameless.

12. The warning of 2Pet. 3:16 proves that it is possible to go into sin and fall from steadfastness in Christ.

pollutions Greek: miasmata, things that infect, pollute, and defile. It is used still today of the contagion of dangerous diseases and of decaying bodies, stagnant water, and putrid matter. The world is here pictured as putrid and full of contagion of sin and uncleanness (2Pet. 2:20; 1:4).

again, entangled therein... Greek: empleko, to plait or weave in; interweave; entangle. Here and 2Tim. 2:4. This shows to what extent they had escaped from the pollutions of the world and were then entangled again.

Entangled (ἐμπλακέντες)

Only here and 2Tim. 2:4. The same metaphor occurs in Aeschylus (Prometheus): For not on a sudden or in ignorance will ye be entangled (ἐμπλεχθήσεσθε) by your folly in an impervious net of Ate (destruction).

and overcome, the... Greek: hettao, to make worse; vanquish. Translated overcome (2Pet. 2:19-20) and inferior (2Cor. 12:13).

pollutions of the... Defilement's has the idea of putrid or poisonous vapors. Morally, the world gives off a deadly influence. Peter notes that at some point in time, these false teachers and their followers wanted to escape the moral contamination of the world system and sought religion, even Jesus Christ (on their terms, not His).

Pollution's (μιάσματα)

Only here in New Testament. Compare 2Pet. 2:10. The word is transcribed in miasma.

But these false teachers had never genuinely been converted to Christ. They heard the true gospel and moved toward it, but then rejected the Christ of that gospel. That is apostasy, like the people of Heb. 10:26-27. Their last end is far worse than the first.

Hebrews chapter 6 has a great deal to say about turning from God back into sin, and the danger of that.

Heb. 6:4-8 “For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost," "And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come," "If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame." "For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:" "But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned."

In both Hebrews and 2 Peter, it is speaking of those who were in bondage to sin and received freedom from that sin in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. When we receive Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we are freed from the bondage of sin. We become a new creature in Christ.

To turn away from so great salvation back into a life of sin is very dangerous. It would be as if we were crucifying Jesus all over again. The Word of God has helped us become a new creature in Christ. To turn back into a sinful way of life, after having full knowledge of God is very serious.

Christianity is a daily walk in the footprints that Jesus left for us. I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to bring the world in the church. The world is full of sin. Stop trying to be like the rest of the world, Christian. In fact, stop living your life and let Christ live in you.

The Termination Of Destruction

Of whom are these verses speaking? Four views are possible.

(1) Some suggest that the word they refer to the false teachers rather than the targets of their attack (e.g., Edwin A. Blum, 2 Peter in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 12:282).

(2) But the connection between the end of 2Pet. 2:18 (people who are just escaping from those who live in error) and the beginning of 2Pet. 2:20 (if they have escaped the corruption of the world) seems to favor a reference to the unstable, unsaved people who were listeners of the gospel (2Pet. 2:18).

(3) Others think the reference might encompass both the false teachers and their converts, who can lose their salvation. This, however, runs counter to many passages that assure believers of eternal salvation.

(4) Another view is that new believers are warned against being caught up into a life of carnality… only to find that there is even less pleasure, less fulfillment than before they were saved (Duane A. Dunham, An Exegetical Study of 2Pet. 2:18-22, Bibliotheca Sacra 140. January-March, 1983:51).

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."

it had been... In their first efforts to walk with Christ they had been enabled to wrest themselves away from their evil life; but now they were sunk down, overpowered, and blind, with a blindness the more terrible because they had known what it was to have sight. Their last state was unspeakably worse than the first.

to turn from... Literally to turn back. This verse describes the perversion and defection of the false teachers. They professed the Christian experience (the way of righteousness, Mat. 21:32), and even had access to the true teachings of Scripture. But by their lives they demonstrated that they ultimately had chosen to reject Christ (Heb. 10:26-31).

Such false teachers as Peter were describing were not made outside Christianity. They are always bred in the church, half in and half out; but eventually they reject the truth and try to seduce others in their attempt to fulfill their self-gratification.

Righteousness is putting on the righteousness of Christ, putting us in right standing with God. To be full of Christ and His teachings and then turn back into the world would be choosing the flesh over the spirit. Jesus said: If you love me, keep my commandments. We must walk daily in the light of Jesus.

John 15:22 "If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin."

Jesus gave His body on the cross for all believers in Christ. His blood washed our sin away. It no longer exists. To boldly choose to go back into a sinful way of life, after we are freed from sin, would require a total turning away from God. It would mean we had chosen the devil and his ways, rather than God's ways.

John 8:44 "Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

Whether they in 2Pet. 2:20 refers to the teachers or their victims, both groups had available to them knowledge about Jesus Christ, which could produce liberty and life. But when that knowledge was rejected, their end was deeper corruption (again entangled in it and overcome) and presumably a more severe degree of punishment. Indeed, they would have been better off never to have known the gospel, the way of righteousness, and the sacred (holy) commandment (i.e., the apostolic message) than to have known the truth and have deliberately violated it.

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 dog is... Partially quoted from Pro. 26:11. This verse is quoted here in 2Pet. 2:22 where it refers to backsliders going back into sin.

Twelve Examples of Returning to Sin

1. Aaron and Israel (Deut. 32:16-18; Exo. 32:32-33; 1Cor. 10:1-11; Jude 1:5)

2. Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-20)

3. Korah and company (Num. 16:1-50)

4. King Saul (1Sam. 10:13-24; 16:12-23; 1Ch. 10:13-14)

5. Many disciples of Jesus (John 6:66)

6. David (2Sam. 11-12; Psm. 51:1-19)

7. Judas (Psm. 41:9; 55:12-14; 69:25-28; 109:8; Mat. 26:24; John 13:18; Acts 1:1-26)

8. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-14)

9. Many Galatians (Gal. 1:6-9; 5:4; 6:7-8)

10. Many early Christians (1Tim. 1:19-20; 5:8-20; 6:1-21; 2Tim. 2:18-21)

11. Demas (2Tim. 4:10

12. Whole churches (Rev. 2-3)

This is speaking of Christians who were not 100% committed to the Lord.

Dog … Sow... Two graphic analogies of an apostate. The first is from Proverbs 26:11 shown below and the second about the sow is Peter’s own.

Proverbs 26:11 "As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly."

This reminds me so much of the seed that was planted by the wayside that sprang up, and then very soon withered away. The lust of the flesh has allured this person back into the world. In both instances, the dog and the sow have returned to the unregenerate life. They have returned to a sinful way of life.

According to the true proverb (τὸ τῆς ἀληθοῦς παροιμίας)

Lit., that of the true proverb, or the matter of the proverb. For a similar construction see Mat. 21:21, that of the fig-tree; Mat. 8:33, the things of those possessed. On proverb see Mat. 13:3.

Vomit (ἐξέραμα)

Only here in New Testament.

Wallowing (κυλισμὸν)

Only here in New Testament.

Mire (βορβόρου)

Only here in New Testament. This use of dogs and swine together recalls Mat. 7:6.

Jews considered both dogs and pigs among the lowest of creatures (cf. Mat. 7:6) so Peter chose these animals to describe people who knew the truth and turned away from it. The first proverb, A dog returns to its vomit, is taken from Pro. 26:11. The second proverb, A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud, was presumably commonly known by Jews in the first century. The underlying principle of both is the same: these apostates (whether false teachers, their victims, or both) never were what they seemed to be and returned to what they had been all along. Dogs and pigs can be scrubbed but not kept clean, for it is in their very nature to return to unclean living. Such apostates are in a tighter bondage, they are farther from the truth, and they are deeper in spiritual filth than ever before.

Believers today do well to heed Peter’s warning against false teachers, to learn how to discern truth for themselves, and to teach it to others. The false teachers will themselves meet destruction and others will be destroyed by them. But Christians can wage spiritual warfare more effectively if they know their spiritual enemies, the techniques that heretics use, and the end result of their deception.