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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comJamieson Fausset Brown Commentary - 2 Peter 2:1 - 2:1
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
2Pe 2:1-22. False teachers to arise: Their bad practices and sure destruction, from which the godly shall be delivered, as Lot was.
But - in contrast to the prophets “moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Pe 1:21).
also - as well as the true prophets (2Pe 1:19-21). Paul had already testified the entrance of false prophets into the same churches.
among the people - Israel: he is writing to believing Israelites primarily (see on 1Pe 1:1). Such a “false prophet” was Balaam (2Pe 2:15).
there shall be - Already symptoms of the evil were appearing (2Pe 2:9-22; Jud 1:4-13).
false teachers - teachers of falsehood. In contrast to the true teachers, whom he exhorts his readers to give heed to (2Pe 3:2).
who - such as (literally, “the which”) shall.
privily - not at first openly and directly, but by the way, bringing in error by the side of the true doctrine (so the Greek): Rome objects, Protestants cannot point out the exact date of the beginnings of the false doctrines superadded to the original truth; we answer, Peter foretells us it would be so, that the first introduction of them would be stealthy and unobserved (Jud 1:4).
damnable - literally, “of destruction”; entailing destruction (Phi 3:19) on all who follow them.
heresies - self-chosen doctrines, not emanating from God (compare “will-worship,” Col 2:23).
even - going even to such a length as to deny both in teaching and practice. Peter knew, by bitter repentance, what a fearful thing it is to deny the Lord (Luk 22:61, Luk 22:62).
denying - Him whom, above all others, they ought to confess.
Lord - “Master and Owner” (Greek), compare Jud 1:4, Greek. Whom the true doctrine teaches to be their OWNER by right of purchase. Literally, “denying Him who bought them (that He should be thereby), their Master.”
bought them - Even the ungodly were bought by His “precious blood.” It shall be their bitterest self-reproach in hell, that, as far as Christ’s redemption was concerned, they might have been saved. The denial of His propitiatory sacrifice is included in the meaning (compare 1Jo 4:3).
bring upon themselves - compare “God bringing in the flood upon the world,” 2Pe 2:5. Man brings upon himself the vengeance which God brings upon him.
swift - swiftly descending: as the Lord’s coming shall be swift and sudden. As the ground swallowed up Korah and Dathan, and “they went down quick into the pit.” Compare Jud 1:11, which is akin to this passage.