Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - 2 Peter 2:1 - 2:3
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2Pe_2:1-3
1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. 2Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; 3and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
2Pe_2:1 "false prophets" True prophets are discussed in 2Pe_1:19-21. The OT mentions false prophets often (cf. Deu_13:1-5; Deu_18:19-22; 1Ki_18:19; 1Ki_22:6 ff; Jer_5:3; Jer_23:9-18), as does the NT (cf. Mat_7:15; Mat_24:11; Mat_24:24; Mar_13:22; Luk_6:26; Act_13:6; 2Pe_2:1; 1Jn_4:1; Rev_16:13; Rev_19:20; Rev_20:10). See hyperlink at 2Pe_1:10.
▣ "also arose among the people" This refers to the OT people of God. Notice the parallelism between the first two clauses (repeat "among"). Notice the false prophets came from among the people of God, and not from the outside.
▣ "false teachers" The clues in 2 Peter 2 show that these were incipient Gnostics. See Special Topic: Gnostics at 1Pe_3:22.
▣ "secretly introduce" This compound of para and eisagô has the connotation of "to sneak in alongside" (cf. Gal_2:4 and Jude 2Pe_2:4).
▣ "destructive heresies" The term "heresies" (divisions) is used in three ways in the NT.
1. as a religious sect or group (cf. Act_24:14; Act_26:5)
2. as divisions within Christianity (cf. 1Co_11:19)
3. as the teachings that are contrary to orthodoxy
They are usually a mixture of truth and error. Often, they magnify some truth to the exclusion of other biblical truths or a perversion related to Christology. Heresy always comes from within the Christian fellowship (cf. Mat_7:15-23; Mat_24:24; 1Ti_4:1-5; 1Jn_2:18-25). A description of their actions can be seen in (1) Contextual Insights E. and (2) Gal_5:19.
▣ "even denying the Master" This is a present middle (deponent) participle, which speaks of ongoing personal rejection of Christ by the false teachers. This refers either to denial of Jesus (1) by theology or (2) lifestyle (cf. Jud_1:4). This is the first of four descriptive phrases (2Pe_2:1-3) about false teachers denying the Master by
1. their actions and beliefs
2. their immoral ways
3. their greed
4. their self-deception
The title "master" is the term despotçs, which means "lord" or "master." It is used of slave owners (cf. 1Ti_6:1-2; Tit_2:9; 1Pe_2:18).
It is interesting to note that the term "master" is normally used for God the Father (cf. Luk_2:29; Act_4:24 [quoting the LXX of Exo_20:11 or Psa_146:6]). However, it is also used of Christ (cf. 2Ti_2:21; Jud_1:4; Rev_6:10). Here is another title of the Father transferred to the Son to assert His Deity.
▣ "who bought them" This is an aorist active participle. This seems, like 2Pe_2:20-22, to imply that they were once saved, but not now! This is a reference to (1) YHWH's saving His people in the OT or (2) Christ's redemptive work in the NT (cf. Mar_10:45; Act_20:28; 1Co_6:20; Eph_1:7; 1Ti_2:6; Heb_2:9; 1Pe_1:19; 1Jn_2:2; Rev_5:9). In the OT to buy someone back from slavery (i.e., ransom or redeem) referred to physical deliverance. Usually in the NT it refers to salvation. In the OT to sell someone into the hands of their enemies referred to judgment.
The NJB has the interesting translation "who bought them freedom." Apparently they see the context (2Pe_2:2-3) as relating to believers who live godless lives and bring reproach on Christ and Christianity. This then would refer to believers who die early because of their godless living and destructive influence.
▣ "bringing swift destruction upon themselves" No first century believer would has asked this question, but modern believers think about it a lot, especially related to how their group views assurance! Some link the phrase to "YHWH" or "the people," which would then refer to Exodus (i.e., Wilderness Wanderings).
The real question is, "Were the heretics truly saved?" I believe that biblical doctrines are given in dialectical or paradoxical pairs, which is characteristic of Eastern literature. Modern western readers and interpreters tend to propositionalize and decontextualize verses. I surely affirm the security of the believer, but am more and more uncomfortable with "once saved, always saved" because of passages like this. Security is evidenced by (not based on) godly living (cf. James and 1 John). Believers struggle and sin, but they continue to trust in Christ and respond (sometimes slowly) to the correcting of the Holy Spirit.
However, the Parable of the Soils (cf. Matthew 13) and the active, but lost, religionists of Mat_7:15-27, assure me that there do exist false professions of faith (cf. 2Pe_2:20-22; 1Jn_2:18-19).
False teachers have caused and still cause great turmoil in the church. In 1 John there are several tests for true believers.
1. willingness to confess sin (1Jn_1:5; 1Jn_2:22)
2. lifestyle obedience (1Jn_2:3-6)
3. lifestyle love (1Jn_2:7-11)
4. victory over evil (1Jn_2:12-14)
5. forsaking the world (1Jn_2:15-17)
6. perseverance (1Jn_2:19)
7. doctrine (1Jn_2:20-24)
Peter also lists the inappropriate actions of these false teachers (see Contextual Insights, E). If it is true that the gospel is a (1) person; (2) a message about that person; and (3) a lifestyle emulating that person, then these false teachers violated all three. Can someone be "bought" by Jesus and deny Jesus? This is the problem. Salvation is free and for all who will respond in repentance, faith, obedience, and perseverance. But, maturity is a cost-everything discipleship. We must hold tightly to both of these biblical truths. Doctrine comes in tension-filled pairs because Christianity is not only a biblical theology (cf. Romans 6), but a daily struggle (cf. Romans 7) for godliness. Salvation is a relationship, not an isolated decision!
2Pe_2:2 "Many will follow" Oh, the tragedy of leading others astray (cf. Mat_18:6-7). Peter uses this compound term often (cf. 2Pe_1:16; 2Pe_2:2; 2Pe_2:15; 2Pe_2:21; Mat_18:6).
NASB "their sensuality"
NKJV "their destructive ways"
NRSV "their licentious ways"
TEV "their immoral ways"
NJB "their debauched behavior"
The term aselgeia can be translated "licentiousness," "debauchers," or " sensuality," implying out-of-bounds sexual activity (cf. 2Pe_2:2; 2Pe_2:7; 2Pe_2:18; 1Pe_4:3; Jud_1:4). It is often included in the lists of sins of pagan society (cf. Rom_13:13; 1Co_12:21; Gal_5:19).
▣ "because of them the way of truth will be maligned" It is crucial how believers live. They are to reflect the family characteristics of God (i.e., faith in Jesus restores the image of God in mankind, cf. 1Ti_6:1; Tit_2:5).
▣ "the way of truth" "The Way" was the early name used for Christians (cf. Act_9:2; Act_18:25-26; Act_19:9; Act_19:23; Act_22:4; Act_24:14; Act_24:22). It reflects the OT concept of biblical faith as a clearly marked path that we must follow (cf. Psa_119:105; Pro_6:23). This phrase refers to the gospel message. Obviously a godly lifestyle is an integral aspect of salvation (Eph_1:4; Eph_2:10).
▣ "will be maligned" Pagans misunderstood believers and accused them of immoral practices. The lives of these false teachers added to these misconceptions.
2Pe_2:3 "in their greed" This term has a negative connotation in both the Septuagint and the NT. False teachers are characterized by desire for more and more at any cost (cf. 2Pe_2:14; Mic_3:11; 1Ti_6:5; Tit_1:11; Jud_1:16). This term is used often in the NT (cf. Mar_7:22; Luk_12:15; Rom_1:29; 2Co_9:5; Eph_5:3; Col_3:5; 1Th_2:5; 2Pe_2:3; 2Pe_2:14) because it characterizes the self-centered nature of fallen humanity. This can refer to financial greed, sexual greed, or places of honor (i.e., teachers) within the churches.
▣ "they will exploit you" The King James Version has "make merchandise of you." We get the English word "emporium" from this Greek word.
NASB "with false words"
NKJV, NRSV "deceptive words"
NJB "untrue tales"
The adjective denotes that which is molded or made (cf. Rom_9:20). We get the English word "plastic" from this Greek term. The false teachers caused problems within the believing community and in society. Their lives brought reproach on the gospel and their lies perverted the gospel message.
▣ "their judgment" There have always been false teachers among the people of God. They were condemned in the OT (cf. Deu_13:1-18). Their temporal, as well as eschatological, judgment is sure and not delayed (cf. Gal_6:7). In this text both "judgment" and "destruction" are personified.
This is a spiritual principle. God is ethical-moral and so is His creation. Humans break themselves on God's standards. We reap what we sow. This is true for believers (but does not affect salvation) and unbelievers (cf. Job_34:11; Psa_28:4; Psa_62:12; Pro_24:12; Ecc_12:14; Jer_17:10; Jer_32:19; Mat_16:27; Mat_25:31-46; Rom_2:6; Rom_14:12; 1Co_3:8; Gal_6:7-10; 2Ti_4:14; 1Pe_1:17; Rev_2:23; Rev_20:12; Rev_22:12).