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2 Peter Chapter
Two
2 Peter 2
The next two chapters set before us, on the other hand,
the two forms of evil that characterise the last days-the false and corrupt
teaching of bad men, and the unbelief which denies the return of the Lord on
the ground of the stability of the visible creation. The former really denies
the Master who bought them. It is no question here as to the title of the Lord,
nor of redemption. The simile is of a master who has purchased slaves at the
market, and they disown and refuse to obey him. Thus among the converted Jews
there would be false teachers, who disowned the authority of Christ-His rights
over them. Many would be led away by them; and as they bore the name of
Christians, the way of truth would be bought into disrepute by their means;
while in fact, by their covetousness and hypocritical words, they would make
merchandise of Christians for their private gain, count them as mere
instruments of it. But the resource of faith is always in God. Judgment would
overtake them. The examples of the fallen angels, of Noah and the deluge, of
Lot and Sodom, proved that the Lord knew how to deliver the righteous out of
their trials, and to reserve the unrighteous for the day of judgment.
That which would characterise this class of evildoers would be the
unbridled license of their conduct. They would indulge their carnal lusts, and
despise all authority in a way that angels would not dare to do. Still they
would call themselves Christians and associate with Christians in their
love-feasts, deceiving their own hearts, addicting themselves continually to
evil, promising liberty to others, but themselves the slaves of corruption.
Now, to be thus re-entangled in evil, after having
escaped it through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour, was worse than if
they had never known any thing of the way of truth. But it was according to the
true proverb-The dog had returned to his own vomit, and the sow that had been
washed, to her wallowing in the mire. They were apostates therefore, but here
the Spirit of God does not so much point out the apostacy as the evil, because
the government of God is still in view. In Jude the apostacy is the prominent
thing. Peter tells us that the angels sinned; Jude, that they kept not their
first estate. But God will judge the wicked.
── John Darby《Synopsis of 2 Peter》
2 Peter 2
Chapter Contents
Believers are cautioned against false teachers, and the
certainty of their punishment shown from examples. (1-9) An account of these
seducers, as exceedingly wicked. (10-16) But as making high pretences to
liberty and purity. (17-22)
Commentary on 2 Peter 2:1-9
(Read 2 Peter 2:1-9)
Though the way of error is a hurtful way, many are always
ready to walk therein. Let us take care we give no occasion to the enemy to
blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, or to speak evil of the way of
salvation by Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These
seducers used feigned words, they deceived the hearts of their followers. Such
are condemned already, and the wrath of God abides upon them. God's usual
method of proceeding is shown by examples. Angels were cast down from all their
glory and dignity, for their disobedience. If creatures sin, even in heaven,
they must suffer in hell. Sin is the work of darkness, and darkness is the
wages of sin. See how God dealt with the old world. The number of offenders no
more procures favour, than their quality. If the sin be universal, the
punishment shall likewise extend to all. If in a fruitful soil the people
abound in sin, God can at once turn a fruitful land into barrenness, and a
well-watered country into ashes. No plans or politics can keep off judgments
from a sinful people. He who keeps fire and water from hurting his people, Isaiah 43:2, can make either destroy his
enemies; they are never safe. When God sends destruction on the ungodly, he
commands deliverance for the righteous. In bad company we cannot but get either
guilt or grief. Let the sins of others be troubles to us. Yet it is possible
for the children of the Lord, living among the most profane, to retain their
integrity; there being more power in the grace of Christ, and his dwelling in
them, than in the temptations of Satan, or the example of the wicked, with all
their terrors or allurements. In our intentions and inclinations to commit sin,
we meet with strange hinderances, if we mark them When we intend mischief, God
sends many stops to hinder us, as if to say, Take heed what you do. His wisdom
and power will surely effect the purposes of his love, and the engagements of
his truth; while wicked men often escape suffering here, because they are kept
to the day of judgment, to be punished with the devil and his angels.
Commentary on 2 Peter 2:10-16
(Read 2 Peter 2:10-16)
Impure seducers and their abandoned followers, give
themselves up to their own fleshly minds. Refusing to bring every thought to
the obedience of Christ, they act against God's righteous precepts. They walk
after the flesh, they go on in sinful courses, and increase to greater degrees
of impurity and wickedness. They also despise those whom God has set in authority
over them, and requires them to honour. Outward temporal good things are the
wages sinners expect and promise themselves. And none have more cause to
tremble, than those who are bold to gratify their sinful lusts, by presuming on
the Divine grace and mercy. Many such there have been, and are, who speak
lightly of the restraints of God's law, and deem themselves freed from
obligations to obey it. Let Christians stand at a distance from such.
Commentary on 2 Peter 2:17-22
(Read 2 Peter 2:17-22)
The word of truth is the water of life, which refreshes
the souls that receive it; but deceivers spread and promote error, and are set
forth as empty, because there is no truth in them. As clouds hinder the light
of the sun, so do these darken counsel by words wherein there is no truth.
Seeing that these men increase darkness in this world, it is very just that the
mist ofdarkness should be their portion in the next. In the midst of their talk
of liberty, these men are the vilest slaves; their own lusts gain a complete
victory over them, and they are actually in bondage. When men are entangled,
they are easily overcome; therefore Christians should keep close to the word of
God, and watch against all who seek to bewilder them. A state of apostacy is
worse than a state of ignorance. To bring an evil report upon the good way of
God, and a false charge against the way of truth, must expose to the heaviest
condemnation. How dreadful is the state here described! Yet though such a case
is deplorable, it is not utterly hopeless; the leper may be made clean, and
even the dead may be raised. Is thy backsliding a grief to thee? Believe in the
Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on 2 Peter》
2 Peter 2
Verse 1
[1] But
there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false
teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying
the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
But there were false prophets also — As well as true.
Among the people — Of
Israel. Those that spake even the truth, when God had not sent them; and also
those that were truly sent of him, and yet corrupted or softened their message,
were false prophets.
As there shall be false — As well as true.
Teachers among you, who will privately briny
in — Into the church.
Destructive heresies — They first, by denying the Lord, introduced destructive heresies, that
is, divisions; or they occasioned first these divisions, and then were given up
to a reprobate mind, even to deny the Lord that bought them. Either the
heresies are the effect of denying the Lord, or the denying the Lord was the
consequence of the heresies.
Even denying —
Both by their doctrine and their works.
The Lord that bought them — With his own blood. Yet these very men perish everlastingly. Therefore
Christ bought even them that perish.
Verse 2
[2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of
truth shall be evil spoken of.
The way of truth will be evil spoken of — By those who blend all false and true Christians together.
Verse 3
[3] And
through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:
whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth
not.
They will make merchandise of you — Only use you to gain by you, as merchants do their wares.
Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth
not — Was long ago determined, and will be executed
speedily. All sinners are adjudged to destruction; and God's punishing some
proves he will punish the rest.
Verse 4
[4] For
if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and
delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Cast them down to hell — The bottomless pit, a place of unknown misery.
Delivered them —
Like condemned criminals to safe custody, as if bound with the strongest chains
in a dungeon of darkness, to be reserved unto the judgment of the great day.
Though still those chains do not hinder their often walking up and down seeking
whom they may devour.
Verse 5
[5] And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher
of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
And spared not the old, the antediluvian,
world, but he preserved Noah the eighth person - that is, Noah and seven
others, a preacher as well as practiser, of righteousness.
Bringing a flood on the world of the ungodly — Whose numbers stood them in no stead.
Verse 9
[9] The
Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the
unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
It plainly appears, from these instances,
that the Lord knoweth, hath both wisdom and power and will, to deliver the
godly out of all temptations, and to punish the ungodly.
Verse 10
[10] But
chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise
government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak
evil of dignities.
Chiefly them that walk after the flesh — Corrupt nature; particularly in the lust of uncleanness. And despise
government - The authority of their governors.
Dignities —
Persons in authority.
Verse 11
[11]
Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing
accusation against them before the Lord.
Whereas angels —
When they appear before the Lord, Job 1:6; Job 2:1, to give an account of what they have seen and done
on the earth.
Verse 12
[12] But
these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of
the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
Savage as brute beasts - Several of which in
the present disordered state of the world, seem born to be taken and destroyed.
Verse 13
[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;
They count it pleasure to riot in the day
time — They glory in doing it in the face of the
sun. They are spots in themselves, blemishes to any church.
Sporting themselves with their own deceivings — Making a jest of those whom they deceive and even jesting while they are
deceiving their own souls.
Verse 15
[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;
The way of Balaam the son of Bosor — So the Chaldeans pronounced what the Jews termed Beor; namely, the way
of covetousness.
Who loved —
Earnestly desired, though he did not dare to take, the reward of unrighteousness
- The money which Balak would have given him for cursing Israel.
Verse 16
[16] But
was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the
madness of the prophet.
The beast —
Though naturally dumb.
Verse 17
[17]
These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom
the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
Fountains and clouds promise water: so do
these promise, but do not perform.
Verse 18
[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.
They ensnare in the desires of the flesh — Allowing them to gratify some unholy desire. Those who were before
entirely escaped from the spirit, custom, and company of them that live in
error - In sin.
Verse 19
[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 them liberty — From needless restraints and scruples; from the bondage of the law.
Themselves are slaves of corruption — Even sin, the vilest of all bondage.
Verse 20
[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.
For if after they —
Who are thus ensnared.
Have escaped the pollutions of the world — The sins which pollute all who know not God.
Through the knowledge of Christ — That is, through faith in him, 2 Peter 1:3.
They are again entangled therein, and
overcome, their last state is worse than the first —
More inexcusable, and causing a greater damnation.
Verse 21
[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.
The commandment —
The whole law of God, once not only delivered to their ears, but written in
their hearts.
Verse 22
[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, the sow —
Such are all men in the sight of God before they receive his grace, and after
they have made shipwreck of the faith. Proverbs 26:11.
── John Wesley《Explanatory Notes on 2 Peter》
Chapter 2. Things to Watch Out
A Dog Returns
to Its Vomit
A Sow Goes Back to the Mud
I. False
Teachers Deny the Lord
II. Follow the
Way of Balaam
III.
Destruction of False Teachers
── Chih-Hsin
Chang《An Outline of
The New Testament》
The Destructiveness Of False Teachers (2:1-3)
INTRODUCTION
1. I suggested in the first lesson of this series that the theme of 2nd Peter could be "Beware, But Grow", based upon Peter's concluding remarks in 2 Pe 3:17-18 2. As we enter the second chapter, we find Peter's attention turned to "false teachers", and the need to beware of them... a. Just as there were "false prophets" in Old Testament times, we can expect "false teachers" in our day - 2 Pe 2:1 b. The term for "false teacher" is pseudodidaskalos {psyoo-dod-id-as'-kal-os} and is defined as "a spurious teacher, i.e. propagator of erroneous Christian doctrine:--false teacher" 1) In the Bible, the term is found only in this passage 2) Peter's use of it and his description of these "false teachers" throughout this chapter strongly suggests that: a) It means more than simply someone who happens to teach error out of ignorance of the truth (such as someone sincerely mistaken) b) He has in mind those who know full well what they are doing and are purposely trying to mislead others! 3. While it may be true that there are "blind leaders of the blind" (Mt 15:13-14), Peter is not describing "blind leaders" per se, but individuals much more sinister! [In this lesson we shall consider the first three verses of this chapter, in which we learn about "The Destructiveness Of False Teachers". Beginning with...] I. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES (1,2)
A. DEFINING "HERESY"... 1. The word in Greek is hairesis {hah'-ee-res-is} which means: a. Choosing, choice b. That which is chosen c. A body of men following their own tenets (sect or party), used of: 1) The Sadducees - Ac 5:17 2) The Pharisees - Ac 15:5 3) The Christians - Ac 24:5 d. Dissensions arising from diversity of opinions and aims (e.g., denominational division as it exists today) 2. It not only refers to a "sect" or "party", but sometimes to the doctrine(s) that produce the division 3. That seems to be the way Peter uses it here: referring to the doctrines the false teachers would "bring in" that would cause division B. "EVEN DENYING THE LORD WHO BOUGHT THEM" (1) 1. This may refer to either: a. What their doctrine promoted b. What their doctrine produced in those who followed it 2. We know that soon after Peter wrote there were those (precursors of the "Gnostics") who literally denied some things about the Lord - cf. 2 Jn 7 3. Were these "false teachers" at one time true Christians? a. The phrase "who bought them" certainly suggests so! - cf. Ac 20:28; 1 Co 6:20; 1 Pe 1:18-19 b. They are later described as those who had "escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior..." - 2 Pe 2:20 C. WHY THEIR DOCTRINES ARE "DESTRUCTIVE" (2) 1. Because "many will follow their destructive ways"... a. Instead of following the Lord as they should b. Who is the only way of salvation c. Thus separating themselves from the true source of salvation 2. Because of them "the way of truth will be blasphemed" a. Those in the world will speak evil of who profess to follow Christ, thinking that the false teachers are a fair representation of Christianity ("If that is what it means to be Christian...") a. Or they will speak evil of the divisions that will occur ("Hey, if you Christians have the truth, why can't you agree on what it is?") [Knowing that such "false teachers" will come, and that their doctrineswill be destructive, what indications can we look for to be able to identify them? Peter describes for us...] II. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE METHODS (1,3)
A. THEY WILL WORK "SECRETLY" (1) 1. "...who will secretly bring in destructive heresies" 2. Knowing that error cannot stand the light of the truth, they will resort to working "behind the scenes" 3. Truth has nothing to fear from investigation, so if one believes they have the truth they will not object to open and fair evaluation 4. If a teacher is not willing to let his doctrine be examined openly by others, let that be a warning sign! B. THEY WILL APPEAL TO "COVETOUSNESS" (3) 1. "By covetousness they will exploit you..." 2. Trained in covetousness themselves, they will allure through this "lust of the flesh" - cf. 2 Pe 2:14,18 3. They will offer things that the flesh often desires: wealth, health, power, influence 4. Sounds a lot like the "gospel of health and wealth", doesn't it? C. THEY WILL USE "DECEPTIVE WORDS" (3) 1. "...they will exploit you with deceptive words" 2. Peter later adds "...they speak great swelling words of emptiness" - cf. 2 Pe 2:18 3. They will be smooth talkers, who know exactly what they are doing: deceiving those follow them! 4. If a person cannot give you "book, chapter, and verse", but must appeal to "theological mumble-jumble", watch out! [With this awareness of the false teachers' "modus operandi", we are less likely to be deceived by them. Of course, being well-grounded in the truth of the gospel is the best protection against being misled! Finally, we notice that Peter describes...] III. THEIR DESTRUCTIVE END (1,3)
A. THEY WILL "BRING ON THEMSELVES SWIFT DESTRUCTION" (1) 1. Not only will their doctrines destroy others, but themselves as well 2. When the destruction comes, it will be "swift" a. How often have we seen the world of the "false teacher" fall apart so quickly! b. E.g., as in the case of Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart 3. While their destruction will be swift when it is "executed", the execution itself may not come as quickly as we might like, which may explain why Peter goes on to reassure that... B. "THEIR JUDGMENT HAS NOT BEEN IDLE, AND THEIR DESTRUCTION DOES NOT SLUMBER" (3)
1. When there are "false teachers", God is not idle, nor does He slumber when it comes to their judgment and destruction 2. As Peter goes on to describe in 2 Pe 2:4-9, God did not spare those who were guilty 3. But He may choose to delay the execution of judgment upon the ungodly, if He feels that by doing so some may repent - cf. 2 Pe 3:7-9 4. But when the time is right, judgment and destruction will be swift! - e.g., 2 Pe 3:10 CONCLUSION
1. This is not the end of Peter's discourse concerning "false teachers", for he will have more to say concerning: a. The Doom Of False Teachers - 2 Pe 2:4-9 b. The Depravity Of False Teachers - 2 Pe 2:10-17 c. The Deceptions Of False Teachers - 2 Pe 2:18-22 -- The Lord willing, we shall consider each of these things in future lessons 2. But in considering "The Destructiveness Of False Teachers", we have been warned such teachers exist and that if we are not careful, we will "follow their destructive ways"! The only sure prevention is to follow Him who is "the way, the truth, and the life", and to "continue steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" - cf. Jn 14:16; Ac 2:42
The Doom Of False Teachers (2:4-9)
INTRODUCTION
1. In warning that "false teachers" will arise, leading many to follow their destructive ways, Peter also spoke of their coming judgment... a. "...bring on themselves swift destruction" - 2 Pe 2:1 b. "for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber." - 2 Pe 2:3 2. To illustrate that the "false teachers" face certain condemnation, Peter gives three examples of the righteous judgment of God in the past... a. The angels who sinned - 2 Pe 2:4 b. The ancient world - 2 Pe 2:5 c. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah 3. In this lesson... a. We will briefly review what is known about these three "case histories" of divine judgment b. And offer hope by noticing Peter's observations concerning the righteous who found themselves in the midst of these judgments [Let's begin, then, by reviewing the first "case history"...] I. THE ANGELS WHO SINNED (4)
A. VERY LITTLE IS ACTUALLY SAID ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THEANGELS' SIN...
1. Jude makes reference to it in his epistle - Ju 6 a. Somehow, some angels "did not keep their proper domain" b. They "left their own habitation" 2. A common interpretation is that this refers to what is found in Gen 6:1-4 a. Where "sons of God" is taken to refer to angels (as used in Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7) b. In support of this interpretation (cf. Expositor's Bible Commentary)... 1) It was common in Jewish literature (Enoch 6:2; 1 QapGen col. 2) 2) The three examples (angels, Flood, and cities of the plain) all come one after another in the early chapters of Genesis c. In rebuttal (cf. New Testament Commentary, Kistemaker)... 1) The angels are spiritual beings without physical bodies and are incapable of procreation 2) Jesus taught that at the resurrection, people, like the angels in heaven "neither marry nor be given in marriage" - Mt 22:30 d. But then again, it might be asked... 1) If angels could take on bodies to eat, why not to procreate? - cf. Gen 18:1-8 2) These are angels who "left their proper domain", could not what Jesus said be true only of angels who are not rebellious? 3. Another view is that the sin of angels is something that took place before The Fall... a. As vividly portrayed in John Milton's "Paradise Lost" b. The scriptural evidence is very vague, dependent upon passages that may be taken out of context B. WHAT IS VERY CLEAR ARE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ANGELS' JUDGMENT! 1. God did not spare them, "but cast them down to hell" a. The word for "hell" is tartaroo {tar-tar-o'-o} b. "Tartarus, thought of by the Greeks as a subterranean place lower than Hades where divine punishment was meted out, was so regarded in Jewish apocalyptic as well" (BAG, p. 813) c. Peter may have simply chosen to use this well-known concept to convey the point that the angels are in a place of torment 2. God "delivered them to chains of darkness" a. The NIV says "gloomy dungeons", which is a possible translation b. Jude describes it as "everlasting chains under darkness" - Ju 6 3. There they remain, "reserved for judgment" a. As Jude puts it: "for the judgment of the great Day" - Ju 6 b. Similar to the description of Jesus in Lk 16:19-31, where the wicked rich man was in torment awaiting the judgment at the Last Day [Peter's argument here is "from the greater to the lesser": If God didnot spare angels who beheld His glory when they sinned, He will certainly punish false teachers who purposely lead His people astray! And now, our next "case history"...] II. THE ANCIENT WORLD (5)
A. GOD USED THE FLOOD TO JUDGE THE UNGODLY... 1. The "ancient world" is that antediluvian world described in Gen 6:5-7, 11-12 a. In which "the wickedness of man was great in the earth" b. Where "every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" c. And where the earth was "corrupt before God" and "filled with violence" d. Which so grieved God that He found it necessary to destroy both man and beast 2. Again, Peter's argument is "from the greater to the lesser" a. If God destroyed the whole world because of their ungodliness... b. ...will he not destroy these false teachers who "deny the Lord who bought them"? B. BUT GOD SPARED NOAH... 1. The same flood that was used to destroy the world was used to spare Noah! - cf. 1 Pe 3:20 2. Here is where we begin to find comfort for those who find themselves surrounded by the ungodly... a. God took notice of Noah - cf. Gen 6:8; 7:1 b. Noah was one who walked with God, even in the midst of a perverse generation c. He was a "preacher of righteousness", both in deed and word 3. So while God was bringing judgment upon the ungodly... a. He did not lose sight of the godly! b. He provided for their deliverance from the judgment that came! [In this way we are encouraged to remain faithful in two ways: not only will God bring doom upon the "false teachers", but He will preserve those who remain faithful. This two-fold assurance is continued as we consider the final "case history"...]