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2 Peter Chapter
Two
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Adversary of the
True Knowledge
A. False teachers will secretly bring in
heretical doctrines (v.1
1. The ordained end of false teachers and
heresies (v.1);
2. The actions of false teachers and their
followers make the truth blasphemed (v.2);
3. The motive of false teachers’ spreading
heretical doctrines ---- covetousness (v
B. God’s response to the lawless men and things
(v.3b-11);
1. They will be punished as the angels who
sinned (v.3b-4).
2. They will perish as those who were ungodly
in the ancient world (v.5-8).
3. God draws a clear-cut line between reward
and punishment
so even the mighty angels dare not to despise authority
(v.9-11).
C. The pattern of the false teachers’ conduct
(v.12-22);
1. They speak evil of unknown things and
carouse in their own deceptions (v.12-13).
2. They entice unstable souls and have a heart
trained in covetous practices (v.14-16).
3. They speak great swelling words of emptiness
and allure through the lewdness men to become slaves of corruption (v.17-22).
II.
Verse by Verse Commentary
2Pet. 2:1
“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.”
YLT: “And there did come also
false prophets among the people
as also among you there shall be false
teachers
who shall bring in besides destructive sects
and the Master who
bought them denying
bringing to themselves quick destruction
”
Meaning of Words:
“false
prophets”: those who pretend to declare the divine words
those who pretend to be prophets
the lying prophets; “false teachers”: those who teach false
doctrines; “secretly bring in”:
creep in secretly; “destructive”: of perdition
of ruin; “heresies”: disunion
sects; “bring on themselves”: inflict … upon
themselves;
Literal Meaning:
“but there were also false prophets among the
people”
it was in the period of the Old Testament; “among the people”: among
the people of the Israelites; “false prophets”: those who pretend to be
prophets or take the liberty of speaking in the name of Jehovah or other false
gods (see Deut. 18:20-22);
“Even as there will be false teachers
among you”
it refers to any period after the period of the apostles; “among
you”: in the church; “false teachers”: false Bible teachers;
“Who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies”
“secretly bring in”
it means that the way of teaching is not
bright
but secret and covert. “Destructive heresies”
it points that the
content of teaching may harm the good faith and entice man to be away from
salvation; “heresy” is disunion or sect in the original
so here it means
creating divisions in the church.
“Even denying the Lord who bought them”
“them”: false teachers; “the Lord who bought them”
it does not mean that they
have been redeemed by the Lord
but that the Lord Jesus had died for all
(including them) (see Heb. 2:9). The Lord had already paid the cost of
redemption for them
but they would not receive it. Therefore
it is they
themselves keep them isolated from the Lord’s redemption. “Denying”: the
rebellion in the external words and works as well as the internal thoughts and
hearts;
“And bring on them swift destruction”
“swift”: impending;
Enlightenment in the Word:
1)
There
were false prophets among the people of God
and there are also false teachers
(false preachers) among the people of God (believers) now in like manner.
2)
Since
there are false preachers
let believers not receive the words of preachers
flippantly but judge and prove all things (see 1Cor. 14:29; 1Thess. 5:21).
3)
The
character of heresies is “secretly bringing in” and “destructive” ---- they
seem to be true
but prompt men to run to errors in the end.
4)
“Even
denying the Lord who bought them”
it proves that the most important thing for
a true Christian is: “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1Cor. 2:2).
5)
Though
the Lord Jesus died for all
His redemptive effect will only come to those who
have truly believed and received Him. The so-called “Universal Salvation” has
misunderstood the biblical truth.
6)
False
teachers may claim to know Jesus Christ by mouth. However
their souls may not
magnify “the Lord” and their words may not relate to the truth of redemption on
the cross.
7)
The
proof of the true knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ is magnifying the Lord
(see Luke 1:46) and living to the Lord and serving the Lord faithfully and
teaching others for the Lord.
8)
He
who brings in heresies destroys others as well as himself. He makes men the sons
of hell (Matt. 23:15) and brings on himself swift destruction and will be
judged to perdition (see v.3; 3:7).
9)
One
cannot serve God and Mammon. If someone desires to serve God as well as
himself
he has just brought on himself swift destruction.
2Pet. 2:2 “And many will follow
their destructive ways
because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.”
YLT:
“and many shall follow out their destructive ways
because of whom the way of
the truth shall be evil spoken of
”
Meaning
of Words: “follow”: imitate
yield to; “destructive”: sensual; “truth”: reality; “way”: path;
Literal
Meaning: “and many will follow their destructive
ways”
“many” include true believers; since believers have not proved the
heresies
they become confused in knowledge and then err in conducts. “Follow”:
follow false teachers; “destructive ways”: the false way
that is opposite to
“the way of truth” below;
“Because of
whom the way of truth will be blasphemed”
“the way of truth”: the right and true way;
“because of whom”: because of the false teachers and their followers; “be
blasphemed”: be dispraised by the false evaluations of strangers;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
No
common path
no common cause to cooperate. The way of truth is distinctly
different from that of evil. The only reason why many Christians even walk in
the evil way is that they receive the heresies so that they err from the right
path.
2)
One’s
conduct is often under the control of his thoughts ---- false thoughts cause
false works. Therefore
if one desires to behavior finely
he has to firstly
renew his thoughts and reject the heretical doctrines.
3)
False
teachers gain men by brainwashing first to make them believe and receive the
heretical doctrines. Thus the mind of men has been secretly changed ---- regard
falsehood as truth and take evil as integrity. Once they have fallen into the
“pit”
it is difficult to escape from it.
4)
Heresy
produces evil way
and evil way produces lewdness. Such end it not too strange.
Today
even in Christianity “wickedness” and “lewdness” emerge in an endless
stream that the truth of the Lord is blasphemed.
5)
There
is only one “way of truth”
namely
Jesus Christ Himself (see John 14:6). If
one follows men but not the Lord
he has walked on the “evil path”.
Pet. 2:3 “By covetousness they will
exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been
idle
and their destruction does not slumber.”
YLT:
“and in covetousness
with moulded words
of you they shall make merchandise
whose judgment of old is not idle
and their destruction doth not slumber.”
Meaning
of Words: “covetousness”: greediness
practices
avarice; “deceptive”: feigned
fictitious; “exploit”: trade
buy and sell; “judgment”: condemnation
avenge; “idle”: delay
linger; “for a long time”: of old; “slumber”: fall asleep
delay;
Literal
Meaning: “by covetousness”
it shows that the primary cause of the heretical
doctrines is covetousness
namely
greediness. Such desire drives men to reject
the way of truth.
“They will exploit you with deceptive words”
“deceptive words”
cunning words out of skillful schemes for
the purpose of deceiving the hearts of the unsuspecting (see Rom. 16:18);
“you”: believers; “exploit”: gain in riches
reputation
position
followers
etc.;
“For a long time their judgment has not been idle”
“judgment”: the
response of God to men’s words and works; “for a long time”: in human history;
“has not been idle”
it has two meanings: a) the judgment of God is impending;
b) the execution of the judgment must come. Though it seems to be slack
it is
not slack
but longsuffering (see 3:9);
“And their destruction does not slumber”
“their destruction”: the tragic end of
false teachers; “does not slumber”: come soon;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who serves the Lord with a pure and
simple mind does not seek statuses in the church to earn money nor suppose that
gain is godliness (1Tim. 6:5)
but cares for the rights like copyright etc.
2) False teachers do not serve our Lord Christ
but their own belly
and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of
the unsuspecting (Rom. 16:18).
3) “Deceptive words”
the doctrines of false
teachers seem to be persuasively. In fact
they have distorted the truth in the
Bible on purpose and replace God’s will with men’s will.
4) Darby said
“The devil can not be more evil
when it carries the Bible”. The false teachers take the Bible on hand and sing
the household gospel songs and quote biblical terms fluently
seeming like the
messengers who defend the righteousness of the word. However
they are morally
corrupted at heart and have harmed the people.
5) There is a detailed description of the false
teachers and their heretical doctrines in verse two and three: a) the basic
reason for heretical doctrines ---- covetousness; b) the way of heretical
teachings ---- deceptive words; c) the influence of heretical doctrines ----
lead to destruction; d) the result of heretical doctrines ---- judgment and
destruction.
6) False teachers see only the present profit
but have not seen the loss in the end (see Matt. 16:25-26). True Christians
choose rather to suffer the present loss than to be rewarded in future (see
Matt. 16:25-26).
Pet. 2:4 “For if God did not spare
the angels who sinned
but cast them down to hell and delivered them into
chains of darkness
to be reserved for judgment;”
YLT:
“For if God messengers who sinned did not spare
but with chains of thick
gloom
having cast down to Tartarus
did deliver to judgment
having been
reserved
”
Meaning
of Words: “sin”: miss the mark;
“spare”: forgive
abstain
be chary of; “cast…down to hell”: be imprisoned in
the deep abyss; “darkness”: blackness
gloom; “be reserved”: be kept
be held:
Literal
Meaning: “for if God did not spare the angels who sinned”
“the angels who
sinned”: the angels who did not keep their proper domain (see Jude 6) but
followed Satan to rebel against God (see Rev. 12:4
9); “God did not spare”
even the angels who sinned should be punished by God
let alone men!
“But cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains
of darkness
to be reserved for judgment”
“hell” is “Tartarus” in the original
the deepest abyss of Hades
where
the fallen angels were temporarily reserved. “Chains of darkness”: the dark
abyss is the place where the fallen angels were held (see Jude 6); here even
though “hell” and “chains of darkness” are different words
they may refer to
the same place. “Be reserved for judgment”: wait for the judgment of the great
day (see Jude 6). Most probably
it may be the first phase of the judgment
before the great white throne (see Rev. 20:10-12).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
The
fallen angels should be imprisoned first and then be under judgment.
Imprisonment makes them unable to do whatever they like or deceive men (see
Rev. 20:3). The direct result of sins is disease and even death ---- this is
another form of imprisonment that makes sinners unable to do as they desire.
2)
God
does not accept persons (Gal. 2:6)
but reward everyone according to his works
(Rev. 22:12) and even the angels who sinned should also be punished. Though we
believers have been saved
we shall also give an account concerning the works
after we are saved. God will not disregard our works after we are saved (see 1Pet. 4:17).
Pet. 2:5 “and did not spare the
ancient world
but saved Noah
one of eight people
a preacher of righteousness
bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly;”
YLT:
“and the old world did not spare
but the eighth person
Noah
of righteousness
a preacher
did keep
a flood on the world of the impious having brought
”
Meaning
of Words: “ancient”: old;
“world”: age
generation; “flood”: inundation; “ungodly”: impious; “save”:
keep
reserve; “righteousness”: equity;
Literal
Meaning: “and did not spare the ancient world”
“not
spare”: punish the lawless things; “the ancient world”: the early times of human
history
at that time
nearly the whole world was corrupted (see Gen. 6:11-12).
“Bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly”
“bringing the
flood”: the flood was brought on the earth so destroy all flesh in which is the
breath of life (see Gen. 6:17); “ungodly”: he who is ungodly does not fear God
---- all evil works are thus produced.
“But saved Noah
one of eight people
a preacher of righteousness”
“saved”: deliver him from the disaster of
flood by indicating him to make an ark (see Gen. 6:14
19)
which typifies the
redemption fulfilled by Jesus Christ; “a preacher of righteousness”: declare
and proclaim righteousness; here “righteousness” means being upright before God
and men. It is not clearly recorded in the old scriptures how Noah preached
righteousness. Therefore
it may not refer to preachment by mouth
but show his
uprightness and faith by his lifestyle and building the ark for many years ----
that is why he is called the preacher of righteousness (see Gen. 6:9; Heb.
11:7); “one of eight people”
there were eight ones including Noah who were
delivered from the flood.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) According to the nature and works of us
we
are truly unworthy of God’s lenience. However
we are justified freely by the
divine grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus (see Rom. 3:23-24).
2) The manner of Christian’s life is the best
sermon of “preaching righteousness”. Therefore
our walking should be worthy of
the gospel of Christ and the grace we have been given (Phil. 1:27; Eph. 4:1).
Pet. 2:6 “and turning the cities of
YLT:
“and the cities of
Meaning
of Words: “condemn”: judge
against; “turn
… into ashes”: incarnate
consume; “those who afterward”: coming; “example”: pattern
exhibition;
Literal
Meaning:
“and turning the cities of
“Making them an example to those who afterward would live
ungodly”
“ungodly”: not
respect the will of God but follow the will of men (see 1Pet. 4:2-3); “make …
as example”
whatever the elders have suffered
those who do accordingly in the
last days will also suffer it again (see 1Cor. 10:11).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
When
the Scriptures here remind us to take precautions against the false teachers
(see v.1)
the case of condemnation caused by homosexuality is mentioned
giving a timely warning to the clergies of the Liberal Christianity. They have
gone against the biblical doctrines
but still regard them as Bible scholars.
2)
In
the sight of God
homosexuality is not only a kind of disease but also is an
abnormal reversal of human nature. Homosexuality is not another form of life
but an abominable sin before God.
3)
The
clergies and religious sects who hold that homosexuality should be pardoned
must be influenced by false teachers
so
they put human
views above God’s words. God will reward them.
Pet. 2:7 “and delivered righteous
YLT:
“and righteous
Meaning
of Words: “deliver”: save; “wicked”: lawless; “oppress”: torment
toss
pain; “righteous”:
just
equitable;
Literal
Meaning: “and delivered”
it indicates that the rest
were all condemned by God no matter whether they had committed homosexuality.
“Who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked”
this was the
difference of
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
We
are living in a deteriorating circumstance. Even though we have not been personally
associated with the evil tide
if we get used to it and become numb toward the
wickedness around
we will not be pleased by God.
2)
Newman
has such famous words: “the shocking heart toward sin is the best guarantee
against sins.” It is the beginning of corruption for believers of inactive conscience and blindness to sins.
3)
Even
though we are imperfect in works
if we keep upright in heart
we can still be
justified in the sight of God.
Pet. 2:8 “for that righteous man
dwelling among them
tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and
hearing their lawless deeds)--”
YLT:
“for in seeing and hearing
the righteous man
dwelling among them
day by day
the righteous soul with unlawful works was harassing.”
Meaning
of Words: “lawless”: be against
the law; “torment”: torture
pain;
Literal
Meaning: this verse is the footnote of the previous
verse
describing the inner response of
“For that righteous man
dwelling among them”
“that righteous man”
refers to Lot; “dwelling among them”: dwell in
“By
seeing and hearing their lawless deeds”
“seeing and hearing”
eyes and ears are organs of a man to have contact with
the outer world. A man with normal eyes and ears will see and hear things around
him. “Their lawless deeds”
people in
“Tormented
his righteous soul from day to day”
“his righteous soul”: his righteous and upright soul before God; “tormented …
from day to day”
it pointed that
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Believers
in the world cannot be separated from the people
but only dwell among them.
The real problem is that our spirits should “transcend the world” though our
bodies still “dwell in the world”.
2)
The
Lord said
“Blessed are they that mourn” (Matt. 5:4). We may often be unable to
hinder the corruption of men in the world
but at least we shall feel afflicted
at such condition. And the Lord will remember such mind and heart.
Pet. 2:9 “then the Lord knows how
to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under
punishment for the day of judgment
”
YLT:
“The Lord hath known to rescue pious ones out of temptation
and unrighteous
ones to a day of judgment
being punished
to keep
”
Meaning
of Words: “know”: see
perceive
discern; “deliver”: save; “temptation”: trial; “unjust”:
wicked; “punishment”: chastise
infliction;
Literal
Meaning: “then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of
temptations”
“the Lord knows”:
it means that the Lord knows the limitation of our heart and difficulties and
endurance. “Deliver the godly out of temptations”: the Lord will not suffer the
godly one to be tempted above what they are able (see 1Cor. 10:13); “deliver …
out of temptations”: deliver … out of the enticements and sufferings caused by
sinful circumstances (see James 1:14; Heb. 2:18);
“And to reserve the unjust under punishment”
“the unjust”: the lawless one (see v.8); “reserve …
under punishment”
according to the tense in the original
the judgment upon
the wicked has been on and will be kept until the final judgment.
“For the day of judgment”
“the day of judgment” refers to the day of the ungodly ones on which
they will be under judgment and punishment.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
We
do not know we will meet what temptations or trials
nor how to overcome the
temptations or trials
but “the Lord knows” ---- that is enough.
2)
The
Lord delivers “the godly ones” but rejects
“the unjust”. Man has to be born again first and then he shall obtain the
respect of God.
3)
God
will deliver the godly ones out of temptations and will not suffer them to be
tempted over what they are able. Instead
He will with the temptation make the
issue also so that we should be able to bear (1Cor. 10:13).
Pet. 2:10 “and especially those who
walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority.
They are presumptuous
self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of
dignitaries
”
YLT:
“and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness
and
lordship despising; presumptuous
self-complacent
dignities they are not
afraid to speak evil of
”
Meaning
of Words: “according
to”: after; “flesh”: body; “uncleanness”: filthiness; “lust”: evil desire; “despise”: disdain
scorn
disesteem; “authority”: ruler; “especially”:
particularly; “presumptuous”:
audacious
daring; “self-willed”:
arrogant
self-pleasing
self-willed; “speak evil of”: speak impiously; “dignitary”:
glory
honor
praise; “be afraid of”: tremble
fear;
Literal
Meaning: “and especially those who walk according to the flesh in
the lust of uncleanness and despise authority”
“flesh”: the physical body of a man with sin
after man’s corruption; the flesh lusts against the Spirit (see Gal. 5:17;
1Pet. 2:11). Spiritual believers do not allow flesh to be the leader or ruler
of anything (see
“They are presumptuous
self-willed. They are not afraid
to speak evil of dignitaries”
“presumptuous”: do not fear any result; “self-willed”: self-centered and self-pleasing; “dignitaries” include leaders in society and in the
church.
Peter used the present tense here
suggesting that false teachers had already appeared at that time in the church.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Let the person (soul) of
each believer walk in obedience to the Spirit
not the flesh (see
2)
There
are at least two characteristics of those who walk according to the flesh: a)
do the uncleanness of the desires; b) despise authority and be not afraid to
speak evil of dignitaries. It shows that such men cannot be controlled by themselves or others.
3)
He
who fears God walks today in the fear of God
but he will have peace in future.
He who walks according to the flesh does not fear in his present walking
but
he will taste the fear in future (see 3:7).
Pet. 2:11 “whereas angels
who are
greater in power and might
do not bring a reviling accusation against them
before the Lord.”
YLT:
“whereas messengers
in strength and power being greater
do not bear against
them before the Lord an evil speaking judgment;”
Meaning
of Words: “power”: forcefulness strength; “”might: mighty
word
great power; “reviling”: reproaching
impious; “Lord”: master;
“before”: in front of; “accusation”: charge;
Literal
Meaning: “where as angels
who are greater in power
and might”
“angels”: the angels who keep their domain (see Jude 6); “who are
greater in power and might”
it is compared with human beings. Normally
the
position and power of angels are greater than that of men (see Heb. 2:6-7)
but
they have become ministering spirits for believers (Heb. 1:14). Believers shall
judge the angels in future (1Cor. 6:3).
“Do not bring a reviling accusation against them before the Lord”
“not
bring a reviling accusation”
here it is compared with the accusation of false
teachers (see v.10). “Them” carries two meanings: a) the dignitaries (see
v.10); Satan was once the archangel
so Michael the archangel dared not bring
against him a reviling accusation (see Jude 9); b) false teachers; “not bring a
reviling accusation against them”
the angels are ministering spirits to send
out for service on account of believers (see Heb. 1:14). Even though they have
seen through the false teachers
they do not bring a reviling accusation
against them.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) The greater the
“power and might”
are
the more careful of speaking is. However
the more flippant one’s speaking
us
the less “power” he has.
2) The power and might of angels make them know
the fact of things
but they dare not accuse those who make mistakes.
Therefore
let us speak careful lest we should “speak evil of” others.
Pet. 2:12 “But these
like natural
brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed
speak evil of the things they do
not understand
and will utterly perish in their own corruption
”
YLT:
“and these
as irrational natural beasts
made to be caught and destroyed -- in
what things they are ignorant of
speaking evil -- in their destruction shall
be destroyed
”
Meaning
of Words: “natural brute”: irrational
unreasonable; “beasts”: animals; “destroy”: perish
ruin; “not
understand”: ignorant;
Literal
Meaning: “but these
like natural brute beasts made to be caught and
destroyed”
“these”: false teachers; “like natural brute”: the
lack of reason and rationality makes them “inhuman”
for all “men” speak and
walk after reason. “Natural…beasts”: they walk according to the nature of
animals without any thinking which is a particular ability owned by human
beings. “Made
to be caught and destroyed”
he who leads a life like beasts will be finally
treated as how the beasts are treated.
“Speak evil of the things they do not understand”
it shows that they
judge and comment on spiritual things they do not understand (see 1Cor. 2:14).
“And will utterly perish in their own corruption”
they hurt themselves when they hurt
others.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Even
men in the world walk according to “conscience” (see Rom. 2:15)
let alone we
believers (see Acts 23:1).
2)
Let
us not judge or comment on unknown things by ourselves to avoid sins.
3)
God
shall recompense us as we have recompensed others (see 18:6). However
whatever
we want men to do to us
do also to them (see Matt. 7:12).
Pet. 2:13 “and will receive the
wages of unrighteousness
as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the
daytime. They are spots and blemishes
carousing in their own deceptions while
they feast with you
”
YLT:
“about to receive a reward of unrighteousness
pleasures counting the luxury in
the day
spots and blemishes
luxuriating in their deceits
feasting with you
”
Meaning
of Words: “unrighteousness”: injustice
wrong
iniquity; “wages”: reward
pay; “daytime”: day by day; “carouse”: indulgence; “spots”: defect; “blemish”: blot
flaw; “feast”: revel
together
entertain sumptuously in company with; “deception”: delusion
deceivableness;
Literal
Meaning:
“and will receive the wages of unrighteousness”
as a man sows
so does he reap.
“As those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime”
“those”: false
teachers; “count
it pleasure to carouse in the daytime”
it is not partaking in the wedding feasts or the loving feasts in the church
but indulging in carousal and seeking fleshly pleasures (see Rom. 13:13-14);
“daytime”
normally
it is working time (see Neh. 4:22)
not pleasure time.
“They are spots and blemishes”
it points there are problems in their
character and thus unworthy of teachers of men (see Phil. 4:9; 1Tim. 4:12;
Titus 2:7-8).
“Carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with
you”
“while they feast with you”
take part in the loving feast in the church or
even the bread-breaking gathering; “carousing in their own deceptions”: do all the works in the church for the sake of
satisfaction of one’s lusts;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
Whatever
a man sows
that also shall he reap (Gal. 6:7). To him that works is the reward
(
2)
It
is the characteristic of false teachers that they say and do not (see Matt.
23:2-3). True spiritual teachers set themselves as examples and let works in
keeping with teachings (see 1Tim. 4:16).
Pet. 2:14 “having eyes full of
adultery and that cannot cease from sin
enticing unstable souls. They have a
heart trained in covetous practices
and are accursed children.”
YLT:
“having eyes full of adultery
and unable to cease from sin
enticing unstable
souls
having an heart exercised in covetousnesses
children of a curse
”
Meaning
of Words: “eyes
full of”: be filled in
eyes; “adultery”: criminal conversation
amour; “not cease from”: not stop; “entice”: entrap
allure
beguile; “unstable”: unfixed; “heart”: thoughts; “practices”: exercises; “children”: daughters
sons;
Literal
Meaning: “having eyes full of adultery
and that cannot cease from sin”
“adultery”
according to the original it is
“harlot”
which is used to refer to false gods or idols in the Old Scriptures
(see Hos. 1:2; 3:1) ---- have adorning and seek objects besides the true God.
And idolatry is often mentioned with adultery together (see 1Cor. 6:9; Col.
3:5; Rev. 2:14
20). Therefore
it is also right to translate the word as
“adultery”. Since the false teachers do not fear the true God
they have other
pursuits
including fleshly pleasures. And they can not help indulging in it
nor cease from sin.
“Enticing unstable souls”
“entice”: it means “the bait lures fishes” in
the original. The false teachers like to deceive believers by deceptions.
“Unstable souls”
believers who are young and weak in spirits
who can not
distinguish both good and evil (see Heb. 5:13-14) and are tossed and carried
about by every wind of doctrines (Eph. 4:14).
“They have a heart trained in covetous practices
and are
accursed children”
“have a heart trained in
covetous practices”: they are not
covetous occasionally but are full of covetousness and scheming to gain riches
fame
status
etc. (see 1Tim. 6:3-10); “and are accursed children”
they deserve the punishment of God (see
v.3
9; 3:7).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
If
believers have other pursuits besides the true God ---- e.g. “way to success”
“pleasures in life”
etc. ---- all such pursuits are of false teachers.
2)
Let
us grow in spiritual life with diligence so as not to be enticed by false
teachers.
3)
False
teachers like to quote the scriptures to prove their doctrines are right and
even the devil may quote the scriptures (see Matt. 4:6). Therefore
we have to
acquire full and perfect knowledge of the Scriptures so as to be firm in faith.
4)
The
love of money is the root of all evil
but godliness with contentment is great
gain (see 1Tim. 6:6
10).
Pet. 2:15 “They have forsaken the
right way and gone astray
following the way of Balaam the son of Beor
who
loved the wages of unrighteousness;”
YLT:
“having forsaken a right way
they did go astray
having followed in the way of
Balaam the of Bosor
who a reward of unrighteousness did love
”
Meaning
of Words: “forsake”: abandon; “right way”: straight way; “go astray”: err; “follow”: imitate
yield to; “love”: love with whole heart (the same word
with the divine love “agapao”);
“wages”: reward
pay;
Literal
Meaning: “they have forsaken the right way and gone astray”
“the right way”:
another expression of the way of truth (see v.2; Deut. 11:16; 1Sam. 12:23); the
manner of conduct is upright and innocent. “Have forsaken the right way”: reject the way of truth; “gone astray”:
go out of the right way;
“Following the way of Balaam the son of Beor”
“Balaam the son of Beor”
Balaam
the prophet
of Midian
was hired by Balak
the king of
“Who loved the wages of unrighteousness”
“loved the wages of unrighteousness”: hold gain to be piety (see 1Tim. 6:5);
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) He who is covetous in spiritual way has gone
astray.
2) Teachers of heresies have a common
characteristic ---- covetousness for wages of unrighteousness. They themselves
have been enticed away from the right way and they still entice others to walk
in the wrong way.
Pet. 2:16 “but he was rebuked for
his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice restrained the madness
of the prophet.”
YLT:
“and had a rebuke of his own iniquity -- a dumb ass
in man's voice having
spoken
did forbid the madness of the prophet.”
Meaning
of Words: “iniquity”: transgression; “rebuked”: reproach; “dumb”: voiceless; “voice”: sound
noise; “restrained”: prevent
keep from
hinder; “madness”: insanity
foolhardiness;
Literal
Meaning:
“but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man's voice
restrained the madness of the prophet.”
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1)
God
often prevents us from sinning through uncommon situations. However
we often
regard it accidental and do not know to learn some lessons from the uncommon
circumstances.
2)
Any
work that does not obey the will of God is abnormal “madness”.
Pet. 2:17 “These are wells without
water
clouds carried by a tempest
for whom is reserved the blackness of
darkness forever.”
YLT:
“These are wells without water
and clouds by a tempest driven
to whom the
thick gloom of the darkness to the age hath been kept;”
Meaning
of Words: “without water”: no
rainwater; “well”: fountain; “carry”: drive; “blackness”: gloom; “darkness”:
shadiness
obscurity; “reserve”: preserve
keep;
Literal
Meaning: “these are wells without water”
“these”: false teachers; “without water”:
they have vain appearance and yet bring no real profit but harm to men.
“Clouds carried by a tempest”
it shows that their doctrines are as
valueless as “clouds”
not as rainwater that will moisten the land
but appear
as a shroud over the land that blurs man’s vision. Besides
they are easily to
be blown away by tempests and thus the promises to men become a vapor suddenly
(see v.19).
“For whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever”
“the blackness of darkness”
it indicates
that their future is full of darkness and they are worthy of eternal punishment
in the dark hell. “For whom is reserved”
it points that their end is fixed and
in due course of time it will be manifested.
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Heretical doctrines are not only unable to
quench men’s thirst but also misused as traps everywhere
which are difficult
for those who have fallen into them to escape.
2) Heretical doctrines have little help to
men’s problems
but throw men into thick clouds and in a dilemma without any
“light” before them.
3) Heretical doctrines are like the clouds carried by a tempest and are mysterious and elusive
which make
men follow in blindness without fixed direction and not know where to go and
what to do.
4) Heretical teachers today have made the dim
and vague situation for men
but have made the everlasting miserable end of
blackness.
Pet. 2:18 “For when they speak great
swelling words of emptiness
they allure through the lusts of the flesh
through lewdness
the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in
error.”
YLT:
“for overswellings of vanity speaking
they do entice in desires of the flesh
-- lasciviousnesses
those who had truly escaped from those conducting
themselves in error
”
Meaning
of Words: “emptiness”: vanity
depravity; “swelling”: insolent
bulging over; “allure”: entice
deceive; “error”: delusion
deception;
Literal
Meaning: “for when they speak great swelling words of emptiness”
it shows that their
speaking is so exaggerated that the hearers loathe them.
“They allure through the lusts of the flesh
through
lewdness”
they lead men to pay more attention to men’s
physical needs and fleshly lusts than spiritual pursuit.
“The ones who have actually escaped from those who live in
error”
“ones who have actually
escaped from those who live in error”
and “unstable souls” (v.14) have the same meaning: those who have just believed
the Lord for a short time and are young in life
or those who have barely
overcome sins and are unstable in souls;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) There are three characteristics of heretical
teachers and liberal sects: a) they provide luxurious wording and extensive
evidences to attract the hearers
but actually they bring men to vanity; 2)
they entice the hearers to set the mind upon the fleshly needs and desires and
seek the satisfaction of soul in the present lifetime; c) they deceive those
who have superficial knowledge of spiritual things and those who have not
forgotten the leeks and onions and garlic of Egypt (see Num. 11:5).
2) There is an abnormal situation in
Christianity ---- generally
the heretical teachers and preachers of liberal
sects have nimbler tongues so as to attract more interest of the hearers.
3) Now the secret for preachers of absorbing
new members and increasing the number is to preach more sermons concerning
success and solicitude but preach seldom the cross or the denial of the flesh.
Therefore
a sea of people are drawn to them. However
a church with such a
large number of people is not pleased by the Lord (see Luke 13:23-24).
Pet. 2:19 “While they promise them
liberty
they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is
overcome
by him also he is brought into bondage.”
YLT:
“liberty to them promising
themselves being servants of the corruption
for by
whom any one hath been overcome
to this one also he hath been brought to
servitude
”
Meaning
of Words: “promise”: declare
announce upon
engage to do something; “corruption”: ruin
perish; “slaves”: bondmen: “brought into
bondage”: enslave
become servant;
Literal
Meaning: “while they promise them liberty”
“liberty”: be not restrained by “moral
laws”; they proclaim that they can do everything we please in Christ
for He
has released us (see Gal. 5:1).
“They themselves are slaves of corruption”
it indicates that
they seem to be free but actually are still under the bondage of corruption as
the slaves of the flesh and sins and the world and Satan.
“For by whom a person is overcome
by him also he is
brought into bondage”
here this verse is
explaining the meaning of “slaves” ---- be under the bondage and have to obey
and keep the commands of the master;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Christians have no freedom of not hearing
the Lord ---- if men are not governed by the Lord
they will be salves of
corruption. If men are willing to be slaves of Christ
they have got true
freedom (John 8:36).
2) If a man has been a slave of corruption
he
has not right to choose right or evil ---- he desires the former and is unable
to (see Rom. 7:18-19)
and he cannot help doing the latter ---- finally
he
will perish.
Pet. 2:20 “For if
after they have
escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ
they are again entangled in them and overcome
the latter
end is worse for them than the beginning.”
YLT:
“for
if having escaped from the pollutions of the world
in the acknowledging
of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
and by these again being entangled
they
have been overcome
become to them hath the last things worse than the first
”
Meaning
of Words: “if”: suppose
provided; “knowledge”:
discernment; “of
the world”: the worldly system; “entangled”: entwined
involved; “latter end”: last
uttermost;
Literal
Meaning: “for if … they … through
the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
“if”: it is suppositive
not factual.
“They”
it should be false teachers instead of “those who have escaped from
those who live in error” (see v.18); “knowledge” is not objective knowledge
but subjective and personal knowledge (namely
the full and perfect knowledge);
“the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” is a complete address to the Lord Jesus
appearing in the New Testament for mere three times
all in the Second Epistle
of Peter (see 1:11; 2:
“After … have escaped the pollutions
of the world”
“have escaped the pollutions
of the world”: escape from the
world having enmity against God (see James 4:4) and the defilement of sins (see
1John 2:16).
“They are again entangled in them and overcome”
it means that they
have become slaved of corruption (see v.19) and are dominated to submit to its
commandments in their conversations.
“The latter end is worse for them than the beginning”
“the latter end”: the condition of someone
who has believed the Lord but finally apostatized; “than the beginning”: the
condition of someone before he has not known the Lord;
Note that this verse cannot be used to prove
there is also possibility of losing salvation for those who have believed the
Lord. This paragraph aims to point that false teachers call themselves
Christians and think they know Christ and true faith. However
their works has
gone against the truth completely. They knowledge they have profit them
nothing
and they will receive a stricter judgment (see James 3:1).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) If a man does not do what he has known
his
knowledge profits him nothing. To him who knows to do good and does not do it
to him it is sin (James 4:17).
2) The common people are regulated by the
standard of national laws and social morality and slightly restricted by inner
conscience. However
there is nothing able to restrict the false teachers who
declare they are Christians but walk unworthily.
3) The parable by the Lord Jesus ---- “after
the unclean spirit is cast out of the man
he comes with seven other spirits
more wicked than himself
and they enter and dwell there. And the last state is
worse than the first” (see Matt. 12:43-45) ---- is fulfilled on the false
teachers.
Pet. 2:21 “For it would have been
better for them not to have known the way of righteousness
than having known
it
to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.”
YLT:
“for it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of the
righteousness
than having acknowledged
to turn back from the holy command
delivered to them
”
Meaning
of Words: “known”:
know clearly; “turn
from”: convert
revert; “holy
commandment”:
sacred precept; “better”: nobler
stronger;
Literal
Meaning: “for it would have been better for them not to have known
the way of righteousness”
“have known” it
suggests that responsibility after “having known it” is to put it into
practice.
“Than having known it”
“the way of righteousness” and “the right
way” are the same (see v.15)
describing the characteristics of the way and
life style from different perspectives: a) “the way of righteousness”
it
indicates that; b) “the way of righteousness”: the way of being righteous before
God and men; “the right way”: the way that is in keeping with the truth;
“To turn from the holy commandment delivered to them”
“turn from”: it suggests that they had
once received the truth and then forsaken it
namely
apostasy. “Delivered to
them”
it indicates that the gospel had been preached to them
but they
received it apparently not truly (see Rom. 10:14-18). “The holy commandment”:
the sacred commandment or life regulation in God’s word;
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) Besides the portion of eternal life
the
gospel also includes the responsibilities of the present life. However
many
Christians pay more attentions to things they will receive
but ignore the
responsibilities they shall fulfill today.
2) For everyone to whom much is given
from him
much will be required. And to whom much has been committed
of him they will
ask the more (Luke 12:48). The
3) If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a
doer
he is deceiving himself (see James 1:22-23). Today
there are many
Christians hearing the word
but few doing the word.
4) Teaching believers to keep the word is more
important than preaching the word only. And the best way of teaching believers
to keep the word is preachers learn to practice firstly (see 1Tim. 4:16).
Pet. 2:22 “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."”
YLT:
“and happened to them hath that of the true similitude; `A dog did turn back
upon his own vomit
' and
`A sow having bathed herself -- to rolling in mire.'”
Meaning
of Words: “proverb”: adage
parable; “true”: real; “vomit”: food disgorged; “washed”: bathe
cleanse; “wallow”: roll; “happen”: befall;
Literal
Meaning: “according to the true proverb”
“proverb”
the adage popular
at that time; “according to”
the proverb is proper to describe the situation
of false teachers.
“A dog returns to his own vomit”
it is quoted from the Book of proverbs
(Pr0. 26:11). “Dog” is unclean in the Old Testament (see Lev. 11:27)
which is
used to address the false teachers like the Jewish legalists in the New
Testament. “Returns to his own vomit”
it shows that the dog likes uncleanness
by nature.
“A sow
having washed
to her wallowing in the mire”
it has not appeared in the Scriptures
and probably it was a proverb at that time. “Sow” is also unclean in the Old
Testament (see Lev. 11:7)
which is used to address the wicked knowing not God
(see Matt. 7:6); “having
washed
to her wallowing in the mire”
it likes wallowing in the mire by nature.
“But it has happened to them”
“it” indicates that the dog is accustomed to
uncleanness inside and sow is accustomed to filth outside
“them” refers to
false teachers; “it has happened to them”
false teachers are internally and
externally filthy in the sight of God (see v. 3
12; 3:7).
Enlightenment
in the Word:
1) John Calvin said
“The gospel is a medicine
cleaning the spirit as well as a basin of water cleansing the sins”. False
teachers declare that they believe the gospel apparently. However
their evil
nature and words expose that they have not truly received the gospel
even
worse than sows and dogs.
2) Good beginning ---- vomit of the dog and
washing of the sow ---- does not show that the problems have been resolved. We
have to continue to observe ---- whether it has returned to his vomit and
whether it has wallowed in the mire. The change of Christians’ life will be
manifested in all their life.
3) Some leaders in Christianity may repent
openly after their evil works are exposed. However
the real fact will be
revealed sooner or later.
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
Four Reasons for False Teachers’ Sins
A. Deception ----
secretly bring in destructive heresies (v
B. Denial of the Lord ---- even
denying the Lord who bought them (v.1b);
C. Destruction ---- their
destructive ways (v.2);
D. Covetousness
---- exploit men with deceptive words (v.3);
The Manners of False Teachers’ Deception
A. Who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies (v.1);
B. Who use deceptive words (v.3);
C. Who speak evil of others (v.10
12);
D. Who are in their own deceptions (v.13);
E. Who entice
unstable souls (v.14);
F. Who speak swelling words of emptiness (v
G. Who allure through the lusts of the flesh
through lewdness
the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in
error (v.18b);
H. Who promise men liberty (v.19);
False Teachers Characteristics
A. Who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies (v
B. Who deny the Lord who bought them (v.1b) ---- who call the Lord by mouth
but
do not magnify the Lord in hearts and works;
C. Who walk in destructive ways (v.2) ---- they are dissolute in conduct
without any restriction of the truth;
D. Who are covetous (v.3) ---- who make a trade of the word of God
(2Cor. 2:17);
E. Who exploit believers with deceptive words
(v.3b) ---- who create new items
names and sayings (see Acts 18:15);
F. Who walk according to the flesh in the
lust of uncleanness (v
G. Who despise authority (v.10b) ---- who are supercilious and
self-centered;
H. Who are presumptuous
self-willed (v.10b) ---- who act as they please and
despise the laws and politics;
I. Who are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries (v
J. Who are like natural brute beasts (v.12) ---- there is no evidence that they
walk in the Spirit (see Gal. 5:16
25);
K. Who count it pleasure to carouse in the
daytime (v
L. Who carousing in their own deceptions (v.13b) ---- who boast of the capability of
deception;
M. Who have eyes full of adultery and
that cannot cease from sin (v
N. Who entice
unstable souls (v.14b) ---- who
entice those who are young in spirit;
O. Who have a heart trained in covetous
practices (v
P. Who have forsaken the right way (v.15) ---- who reject the way of the cross
and turn to “Success Theology”;
Q. Who are wells without water (v
R. Who are clouds carried by a tempest (v
S. Who speak great swelling words of emptiness (v
T. Who allure men through the lusts of the flesh
through lewdness (v.18b) ---- who drive men from the pursuit
of spiritual things to that of pleasures in this age;
U. Who allure the
ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error (v
V. Who promise men
liberty
they themselves are slaves of corruption (v.19) ---- who are unable to do what they say
and able to describe the “beautiful gate” and yet unable to enter in (see Acts
3:2).
W. Who have known the way of righteousness but still turn from the holy commandment
delivered to them (v.21) ---- who are
have known the way of righteousness and are not governed by it;
X. A dog who returns to his own vomit (v
Y. A sow
having washed
to her wallowing in the mire (v.22b) ---- who repent according to man
and then commit again (see 2Cor. 10);
False Teachers’
Attitudes
A. Toward God:
1. Who even deny the
Lord who bought them (v.1);
2. Who turn from the holy commandment
delivered to them (v.21);
B. Toward men:
1. Who exploit you with deceptive words (v.3);
2. Who despise authority and speak evil of dignitaries (v.10);
3. Who bring corruption to men (v.12);
4. Who entice unstable souls and those who have
actually escaped
from those who live in error (v.14
18);
5. Who promise them liberty (v.19);
C. Toward oneself:
1. Who walk according to the flesh in the
lust of uncleanness (v.10);
2. Who are spots and blemishes (v.13);
3. Who have a heart trained in covetous practices (v.14);
4. Who are slaves of corruption and are again entangled in and overcome by the pollutions of the world (v.19
20);
D. Toward things:
1. Who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies (v.1);
2. Who speak evil of the things they do not
understand (v.12);
3. Who count it pleasure to carouse in the
daytime and carouse in their own deceptions (v.13);
False Teachers’ Six
Great Sins
A. Lust of uncleanness ---- who walk according to the flesh
in the lust of uncleanness and have eyes full of adultery (v
B. Speaking evil of ---- who speak evil of dignitaries and the things they do not understand (v.10b
12);
C. Corruption ---- who entice
unstable souls (v.12b
14);
D. Unrighteousness ---- who are spots and blemishes and cannot cease from sin (v.13-14);
E. Covetousness ---- who love the wages of unrighteousness (v.14b-15);
F. They have forsaken the
right way and gone astray (v
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Mary Zhou