2Pet. 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
Peter identifies himself first as a servant and secondly as an apostle of Jesus Christ. I would tend to consider the title of apostle as more honorable, but I think we are getting God’s heart, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that the title of servant is most honored before the LORD. The apostles were also servants. As is usually the case in these introductory statements to the epistles, the word for servant includes the idea of slave, bondservant; it’s a position of choice. The apostle is a designated ambassador, one who is sent; all believers are designated as ambassadors, representatives of the LORD here on earth.
2Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
To whom is Peter writing? Those that have determined in their hearts to follow Christ in faith. The word for precious in the Greek indicates “of equal value or honor.” In other words, he is writing to those who identify with the same faith he has in the Savior and who esteem Jesus in the same manner.
How was that faith obtained? Through the righteousness of our God and Savior/Deliverer, Jesus Christ.
Wuest: “The expression God and our Saviour is in a construction in the Greek text which demands that we translate, our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the expression thus showing that Jesus Christ is the Christian’s God; this, in opposition to the cult of the Caesar in which the Roman emperor was the god of the pagan Roman citizen.”
2Pet. 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
Again, as is often the case in the epistles, the introduction includes a desire for the recipients to experience the grace and peace of God in their lives. Hebrews, James, 1John, and 3John are the exceptions; Jude calls for mercy, peace and love.
Grace – A divine influence in the heart, and its reflection in the life. This is a gift we do not deserve.
Peace – My favorite definition from the Greek is “set at one again.” In other words, our fellowship with the LORD has been restored to the position mankind enjoyed before he chose to sin. We are “at one” with Him again.
As we so often hear and I have stated in other studies, one can’t experience the peace of God without first experiencing the grace of God.
Peter is wishing his fellow believers grace and peace in abundance. How can that abundance be obtained? Through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our LORD. How can we obtain that knowledge? Through the study of His Word and experiencing His provision for us in the different areas of our life—spiritually, physically, and materially.
Proverbs 2:3, 5 “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding…Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.”
The word for God indicates supreme divinity and the word for Lord indicates supreme authority, God. This is another statement of the oneness and uniqueness of the persons of the Trinity.
2Pet. 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
His divine power is unlimited. According to that unlimited power, He has gifted to us everything associated with life (our physical existence) and godliness (our spiritual character). How do we receive that gift? Again, through knowledge of Jesus. How do we obtain that knowledge? Again, Through the study of His Word and experiencing His provision for us in the different areas of our life—spiritually, physically, and materially.
How did we come to that saving faith? Through the calling of Jesus. Who is called? The following verses give my simplistic logic on God’s calling.
John 1:4 “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.”
John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
Romans 1:19-20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Jesus came as the light for every man that comes into the world. Even those born before the time of Jesus or who have not read God’s word are without excuse, because God has made Himself known through the wonders of the universe, especially in our world. ALL are taught of God; it’s up to the student to hear and learn or not (as every teacher or parent well knows). Those whom He “knew beforehand” (before the foundation of the world) would respond to His teaching were predestined, called, justified, and glorified. It was a done deal before creation because God is God; He is all knowing. (No I don’t really understand how that can be; I just know it is true because His word tells me so.)
I am not making light of all the learned men who expound with great theological fervor on this subject with wide and varying views. I am just expressing how the Spirit has enabled me to mesh together the truth of the scripture for my own understanding. I keep reminding myself that God meant for all people to understand His word. (See Topical Study – Predestination, Salvation and Security and Journal on Romans 8.)
What have we been called to? Glory and virtue. Glory indicates a position of honor and dignity with the privilege of praise and worship. Virtue indicates manliness and excellence—traits possessed by the original man, but sadly not so much in evidence today. Webster adds the ideas of “moral excellence; integrity of character; purity of soul; performance of duty.”
2Pet. 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
“Whereby” – Because of God’s gifting and calling…
God has given men and women of faith the greatest and most valuable promises. These promises enable us to be partakers (sharers) in fellowship with the divine nature. That nature allows us to escape the corruption and destruction that is a result of yielding to lust (longing for what is forbidden). How can that be? Because we are “new creatures” in Christ…
2Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
…and through the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
2Pet. 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
Recognizing all that we have in Christ, we are to give “all diligence” (eagerness and earnestness) to add the following character traits to our lives. These character traits will reflect the growth of our faith, the foundation necessary to acquiring these traits.
Virtue – manliness, excellence (Webster: moral excellence; integrity of character; purity of soul; performance of duty)
Knowledge – knowing, science, understanding (Webster: clear perception of fact, truth, or duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance, enlightenment, learning, scholarship)
2Pet. 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
The list continues:
Temperance – Self control (Webster: Habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions)
Patience – cheerful endurance (Webster: uncomplaining endurance of evil or wrong, such as toil, pain, or poverty. The act or power of calmly or contentedly waiting for something due or hoped for.)
Godliness – piety, holiness (Webster: Careful observance of, or conformity to, the laws of God.)
2Pet. 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
The list closes with two more traits:
Brotherly kindness – love of the brethren (fellow believers)
Charity – affection, benevolence (Webster: a disposition which inclines men to put the best construction on the words and actions of others; generosity)
It would seem by the order of presentation that these are building blocks, one upon the other, of traits that will become evident in our lives as we grow in faith. The interesting thing to me is that charity is the last one in the chain. It would seem that charity, the truest love, is the most valuable trait attainable and is evidenced in our lives through the other virtues listed. This would be supported by Paul’s statement to the Corinthians:
1Corinthians 13:13 "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
2Pet. 1:8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we study the various meanings associated with these traits, it is easy to understand how possessing these traits would make us active, useful (the opposite of barren in the Greek) and fruitful in our knowledge of the LORD. In other words, our actions will prove our faith. It will be more than head knowledge; it will prove to be heart knowledge as expressed by how we live.
2Pet. 1:9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
The word for lacketh implies denial, a negative response. That tells me that the believer who lacks these traits has chosen to disobey or ignore God’s instructions. He is blind; I think from the Greek that this is a reference to mental blindness. The phrase “cannot see afar off” indicates a decision to “shut the eyes.” Again, it’s a choice not to submit his will to God. Many believers want to escape hell and experience the love and blessings of God, but they don’t want to give Him control of the areas in their life that would require self-control or self-denial on their part. This has to be referring to the believer, since he has “forgotten that he was purged or cleansed from his old sins.” He doesn’t want to think about the fact that it was his sin that put Jesus on the cross.
Actually, there appears to be no fruit in this believer’s life, and scripture says that we are known as His disciples by our fruit.
John 15:2 “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
It would seem that the believers who are lacking in the above character traits would fall into the category of those “saved as by fire.”
1Corinthians 3:15 “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
2Pet. 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Peter encourages the believer to be confident in their position in the LORD through their diligence, eagerness and earnestness to be obedient to Him. Acquiring these character traits and practicing them continually ensure that you will be identifiable as a new creation, a follower of God, and not mistaken for the lost soul you once were.
2Pet. 1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This verse continues to speak to those who have cultivated the character traits reflecting their growth in faith and culminating in true love. My paraphrase would be—Your eagerness and commitment to grow in faith allows you to enter eternity with the LORD Jesus with great reward.
2Pet. 1:12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.
I think Peter is speaking here with recognition of our human frailties and the fact that we are engaged in spiritual warfare. We can know the truth and be active in the things of the LORD but can get distracted from pursuing that course by the cares of this world, the attacks of the enemy or our own sinful nature. We are ever in need of being reminded of and encouraged to follow the truth. Peter is promising to make them accountable; he was determined not be negligent or careless in continually reminding them of God’s truth.
The Greek for “established” makes reference to strengthening. The more we put into practice the above-listed character traits, the stronger we will become as Christians, as ambassadors for Jesus.
As I was reading through this section again, I thought about how that is how I view my role as a Mom to my own children and my “adopted” children in the faith and as a daughter, sister, and aunt to the rest of my family. I try to take every opportunity to encourage my family in spiritual things and in the importance of God’s Word.
2Pet. 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance;
2Pet. 1:14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.
In these verses Peter is acknowledging the fact that he is nearing the end of his life. As long as he has breath, his intention is to rouse them from apathy or inactivity by reminding them of God’s truth. He knows that his time is short. How? We don’t know. Tradition tells us that Nero sentenced Peter to death in Rome. If so, maybe this letter was written from prison.
Note from J. Vernon McGee: This is why Peter’s focus was on the second coming and not the rapture.
2Pet. 1:15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
Peter is committing himself to work hard to ensure that after he dies, these believers will always be able to call to mind God’s truth. I think part of that endeavor was fulfilled in the writing of his epistles. I’m sure another part of that endeavor involved personally training some of the future leaders in the church.
Another personal application—For as long as the LORD tarries, I consider these journals to be my spiritual legacy to my family for the same purpose.
2Pet. 1:16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
“Followed” = imitated, obeyed, yielded to
Peter is saying that “we” (he and all the other disciples) did not derive their wisdom from myth or fiction. When he and the other disciples revealed to them the miraculous power and the truth of Jesus’ coming, they were speaking as eyewitnesses of His majesty and glory.
Guzik: “Some people think the Gospel and the Biblical record are just ancient myths. They may admire their power as myths, but Peter rightly insisted that his message was no myth. It was history, seen by eyewitnesses. We can reliably reconstruct historical events from the testimony of eyewitnesses, who must be checked for truthfulness. The apostles and writers of the New Testament have been checked for centuries and have been found truthful.”
2Pet. 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pet. 1:18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.
Since this is Peter writing, I believe this is a reference to his eyewitness account of the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9) when Elijah and Moses appeared with Him. At that time Peter was privileged to hear God the Father speak audibly with a voice from heaven declaring Jesus worthy of honor (precious, highly esteemed) and glory (worthy of worship). He identified Jesus as His dearly beloved Son, in whom He was well pleased (approved, one who gave pleasure).
2Pet. 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Because of Jesus, we as believers can be extremely confident in the words of the prophets. Why would he say this? I think because Jesus fulfilled so many of the prophecies made by the prophets of old. This fact should make us pay attention to all that they said that has yet to be fulfilled.
Guzik: “There are at least 332 distinct Old Testament predictions regarding the Messiah that Jesus fulfilled perfectly. The combination of this evidence together, from a simple statistical perspective, is absolutely overwhelming. Professor Peter Stoner has calculated that the probability of any one man fulfilling eight of these prophesies is one in 100,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the 17th power). That number of silver dollars would cover the state of Texas two feet deep. Stoner says that if you consider 48 of the prophecies, the odds become one in 10 to the 157th power.”
Both Peter and John refer to Jesus as the day and morning star. Although the same Greek words are not used, I think the expectation is the same. It makes me wonder if it refers to a conversation between the LORD and his disciples that isn’t recorded in scripture, or is it just the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of the same truth to two different men. Doesn’t really matter. The return of the day/morning star is certainly the bright light and motivation in my life.
Revelation 2:28 “And I will give him (the overcomer) the morning star.”
Revelation 22:16 “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.”
2Pet. 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
Here Peter makes a statement of fact that is a blessing to me. Before reading or studying any prophecy, understand this. Prophecy made in the scripture is not meant for the private interpretation of any one man or group of men. It’s made for each and every one of us, His children. The only way this can make sense is for all who read the scripture to read it literally. Just as God spoke the Word through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; He also instructs and teaches us to understand the Word through the same Spirit.
As I was listening to Mark Hitchcock one morning, he made a statement regarding scripture that stood out to me. My paraphrase—Revelation is God’s impartation of truth to the mind of His prophets. Inspiration is God’s control of the words used to express that revelation. Illumination is God’s teaching through the Holy Spirit of the recorded scripture.
2Pet. 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The prophets of old didn’t speak words that they came up with on their own. These holy men of God spoke through the leading and inspiration of the Holy Ghost—He breathed the words into them.
2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
Clarke: “Far from inventing the subject of their own predictions, the ancient prophets did not even know the meaning of what they themselves wrote. They were carried beyond themselves by the influence of the Divine Spirit, and after ages were alone to discover the object of the prophecy; and the fulfillment was to be the absolute proof that the prediction was of God and that it was of no private invention.”
Spurgeon: “This is the foundation of our faith—that this Book is divinely inspired. Suffer nobody to make you doubt concerning this matter; for you must give up Christianity itself if you give up the inspiration of this Book. You have nothing else to fall back upon but this Book and your own personal verification of it by the work of the Holy Ghost in your own soul. To tamper with inspiration is to tamper with the heart of true religion. The least doubt upon that matter is fatal. I mean what I say, and I know how desperately this mischief is working in these days in which we live.” [And Spurgeon lived in the 1800s. It’s so much worse today!]
2Pet. 2:1 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.
Just as there were false prophets in days of old and in Peter’s day, there will be false teachers that will show up among the believers. These teachers will come on the scene stealthily, without proper authority, and will introduce teachings and choices that, if followed, will result in spiritual death. Some will even deny that Jesus is LORD; they will deny the truth of His redemption of mankind. This will result in their own spiritual death—eternity in hell.
So often we think of prophets as only foretelling the future, but they are also responsible for forthtelling God’s truth—that which we most associate with teachers.
Note from listening to McGee: I hadn’t noticed, but he pointed out that the reference to prophets is past tense while the reference to teachers is future, indicating that the prophetic ministry as to foretelling ended with the apostles.
“even denying the Lord that bought them” – This is a statement regarding the truth that Jesus’ redemption was meant for all—even the false prophets. His atonement was not limited; it is available to ALL.
Guzik: "Even a person who has what appears to be a godly walk and relationship with Jesus Christ can still bring in destructive heresies. Often times good men who teach lies do the worst damage. Their lies are accepted far more easily because of the good character of these men.”
Ironside: “Heresy is like leaven. As the Apostle Paul tells us when combating Jewish legality which was spreading among the Galatians, ‘A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump’ (Galatians 5:9). Leaven is corruption, and its nature is to corrupt all with which it comes in contact. So it is with false doctrine.”
Chuck Smith: “If a false prophet only said false things, no one would be deceived by them. But usually what they say is ninety-five percent true. And thus they entice people and deceive people because most of what they say is true, but then they begin to interject that area of falsehood.”
2Pet. 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
“Follow” = obey, yield to, imitate
“Pernicious ways” = ruin or loss (physical, spiritual or eternal):—damnable(-nation), destruction, die, perdition, x perish
The sad fact is that MANY will believe and follow these false teachers, and the result will be their damnation. Because they claim to be followers of the truth, the truth will be mocked and rejected. That’s really sad. I believe this happens because believers and churches are unwilling to be “politically incorrect” or are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings or…... So, these false teachers, who are oh so clever, are allowed to continue in fellowship with the body until the body becomes poisoned. The word tells us that by their fruits we shall be able to identify these people. When they are identified, they should not be allowed to continue in fellowship with the body of Christ with the opportunity to lead others away from the truth.
Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
Jon Courson had a great quote that applies here: You can tell a wolf by what he eats. If he eats sheep, he is a wolf.
Constable quoting Lillie: “No doctrine, however senseless and monstrous, which under the guise of a religious faith ministers to the sensual appetites of men, will ever want followers."
2Pet. 2:3 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.
What motivates these false teachers? Covetousness, greed. They will invent their own versions of truth and give life to it. (A good example of someone with this ability is Arafat, who has created his own truths concerning Jerusalem; and people accept it, even though the facts of history tell a different story.) What do they do with this “so called” truth? They try to make money by appealing to the sensibilities and/or natural desires of man. I think one of the prime examples of this is the popularity of prosperity gospel preachers who appeal to man’s desire for wealth.
Their judgment is sure, certain. They may think they are getting away with their scam, but judgment will come quickly and surely (from God’s perspective).
Note from McGee: The Greek for the word feigned means molded (from which we get our word for plastic) and is applied to those who mold their words to what the people want to hear.
Smith: “The true shepherd wants to feed the flock of God; the false teacher wants to fleece the flock of God.”
Wiersbe: “False teachers are better known for what they deny than what they affirm. They deny the inspiration of the Bible, the sinfulness of man, the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on the cross, salvation by faith alone, and even the reality of eternal judgment. They especially deny the deity of Jesus Christ, for they know that if they can do away with His deity they can destroy the entire body of Christian truth. Christianity is Christ, and if He is not what He claims to be, there is no Christian faith.”
2Pet. 2:4 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;
Peter starts to make a comparison between these false teachers and other beings of God’s creation. He’s basically going to make the case that if God judged all these others, why would He spare these false teachers.
First, we are told of angels that sinned and were cast down to hell and put into chains of darkness to await their judgment. I personally think these are the same angels referred to in Jude.
Jude 1:6 “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.”
In reading through this verse again, I think the meaning could be that the angels are being reserved for the day of judgment—not just awaiting their own day of judgment. Maybe they make up the evil spirit horde that is released from the bottomless pit with the 5th trumpet judgment that is described in Revelation 9.
My speculation is that these are the angels that procreated with the women of earth and polluted the families of man to the point that the line of Messiah would have been destroyed if God hadn’t sent the flood.
Genesis 6:4 “There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.”
Which leads right into the next verse.
2Pet. 2:5 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;
God didn’t hesitate to destroy all but eight people on earth when those on earth became so ungodly that mankind needed a fresh start if he were to ever have the hope of salvation. The phrase “old world” carries with it the idea of the original creation. Noah was delivered out of all the inhabitants of earth at that time. Why? Because he was one who proclaimed divine truth, righteousness, and holiness. Peter is clear to explain that God caused the flood to destroy the ungodly (those who were irreverent and wicked).
Genesis 6:5–6 & 8 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
Genesis 6:11–13 “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”
I think it is also true that Noah was genetically pure and, therefore, still able to produce a line of men untainted by the sin of the fallen angels through whom the Messiah could descend.
Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.”
2Pet. 2:6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
Next Peter reminds his readers of the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha. They were turned to ashes in an act of judgment and condemnation by a God-initiated catastrophic event. Why did God destroy them? To make them examples to all the other ungodly people in the world at that time.
Ezekiel identifies the sins of Sodom that brought about her destruction.
Ezekiel 16:49–50 “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.”
This should give the people of America great pause. The only area in which we seem to still exhibit a redeeming quality in comparison to Sodom is in the area of helping the poor and needy.
2Pet. 2:7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
2Pet. 2:8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
Just as God delivered Noah, the preacher of righteousness, He delivered “just” Lot when He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.
Just = equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively):—just, meet, right(-eous). Webster: equitable = marked by a due consideration for what is fair, unbiased, or impartial
I have never really thought about Lot much other than as a selfish young man. I never considered the fact that Lot was a righteous man and was vexed (tortured, tormented, in pain) by all that was happening around him. I always thought he should have “gotten out of Dodge.” Pastor Bob planted a new thought in my mind recently when teaching about the letter to the church at Pergamos in Revelation 2. God commended them for “holding fast my name” in the place that was recognized as “Satan’s seat.” Maybe Lot had been motivated by selfishness when he chose the land he wanted at Abraham’s bidding, but he obviously held on to his faith and the truth that he had received about God from Abraham. It was an evil place in which he lived, but he lived as a light in the darkness.
We should all be “Lots” in America today. It seems that we, as a nation, are getting closer and closer to the days of Noah…
Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
…and the status of Sodom and Gomorrah as we flagrantly choose to ignore God and/or refuse to recognize there is a God. We are approving things that are obviously evil in God’s eyes according to His word. How many of us experience torture and pain in our souls because of the evil around us? Are we truly living as lights in the darkness?
2Pet. 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
2Pet. 2:10 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.
After looking at Strong’s, I think the proper definition of the word temptations in verse 9 is evil experience, adversity. The word how is not in the Greek. My paraphrase—The LORD knows to deliver the godly from evil situations (and will). He knows to bring the unjust to punishment and damnation (and will). It would seem that the worst offenders are those that follow the dictates of their own carnal nature and lack of morals and despise being subject to any authority. They are bold, daring, self-willed (arrogant), and speak evil of the powers that deserve respect for the position they hold in God’s ordained order.
Boy, does that speak to America today (as well as many other parts of the world). “If it feels good, do it,” is a mantra I have heard expressed many times. We are becoming a society without morals. No one wants to submit to anyone or anything. We are bold in our speech and actions and dare anyone to say, “You can’t say or do that.” We are arrogant and selfish. Speaking evil of the things of the LORD or the authorities He has authorized on our behalf is a common thing.
I love this section of scripture. It is one of the great proofs to me that God will deliver “His church” before He ushers in the time of His wrath lurking somewhere in our future (very near future I believe).
2Pet. 2:11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
First, Peter makes a statement of fact. The angels are greater in power and might (includes miraculous power) than man. That is according to God’s plan. Although I know they would probably like to speak their mind regarding these false teachers and prophets (righteous indignation), they don’t complain to the LORD about having to watch them in their wicked ways. That would be stooping to the level of those wicked men. “Railing accusation” indicates the use of abusive, insulting, foul mouthed, slanderous words regarding the wicked acts and words of these false teachers—Which are exactly the kinds of words that these men are using about the truth of God. These angels know God’s truth.
Romans 12:19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Mark Hitchcock made the reference back to the “dignities,” which he identified as fallen angels. Even fallen angels still occupy a higher position in the creative order than man, as I referenced in the previous verse. He pointed out how so much of false teaching today is directed toward assuming authority over spiritual powers that only God possesses. Paul understood this truth as recorded in his letter to the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
He knew that he had no authority over this emissary of Satan and that it was to God’s authority that he must appeal for release—and eventually yield for strength to endure.
2Pet. 2:12 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;
“these” = the false prophets and teachers
Peter is comparing them to natural (instinctive nature) brute (irrational, unreasonable) beasts (animals, living things) that were born in the same state in which they were expected to perish—in other words, dumb animals.
They speak evil things about things and truth they really don’t understand; they are ignorant. Because they refuse to hear and understand God’s truth, they will be destroyed in their own depravity.
2Pet. 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;
These false teachers will get the wages they earned through their immorality and wrongdoing—destruction. They’ll get their just reward (which is a result of their warped thinking). They please their senses by indulging in their desires in the day time, using the money they’ve fleeced from the flock. They are bold and unashamed; they don’t even try to hide their misuse of this money.
John 3:19b “…and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
They are stains and blemishes in the fellowship of believers, disgraceful people. They are indulging in their luxuries and desires, believing their own delusions, and yet claiming fellowship with the believers.
2Pet. 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:
These evil men have eyes full of adultery; they claim allegiance to God’s truth but can’t refrain from their sin—like a man who pledges faithfulness to one woman (or vice versa) and continues to seek relationships with other women. In the process they entrap, delude, and entice others to follow them in their wickedness. In their heart (thoughts) they have “exercised” fraudulence, extortion and greed. I thought the word for exercised was very interesting; it includes the idea of “practice naked.” It gives me the impression that their motivations are “out there” for everyone to see. Their actions become dominated by motivations of hate and greed.
“cursed children” – The practices of these false teachers are those that place them in the category of the eternally cursed.
Jeremiah 48:10 “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the LORD deceitfully….”
Revelation 22:14-15 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
2Pet. 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;
2Pet. 2:16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
These men have been taught the truth, but have chosen not to follow it. They probably didn’t intend to stray so far off the path; but when you reject God’s truth, you have no chance of developing strength and understanding in spiritual things. They chose instead to follow the way of Balaam (see Numbers 22).
Balaam’s error was greed. The “way of Balaam” is a reference to the means he used to satisfy that greed. He practiced the art of divination, being able to reveal secrets and tell the future, and used his powers to make a profit. The King of Moab tried to get him to curse Israel, but God told him he couldn’t—so he didn’t. But it didn’t keep him for looking for other ways to get the reward. His nature was unchanged toward the truth, even though he recognized God as God. It’s a hard thing to understand. You can have head knowledge without heart knowledge.
James 2:19 “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
Wiersbe: “It is interesting to compare the three men Peter named in this chapter—Noah, Lot, and Balaam. Noah kept himself completely separated from the apostasy of the world of his day. He boldly preached God’s righteousness and was faithful in his walk and witness, even though no one but his family followed the Lord. Lot knew the truth and kept himself pure, but he did not keep himself separated; he lost his family as a result. Lot hated the wickedness of Sodom, yet he lived in the midst of it and, by doing so, exposed his daughters and wife to godless influences. Balaam not only followed the ways of sin, but he encouraged other people to sin! He told Balak how to seduce the nation of Israel and his plan almost succeeded. Lot lost his family, but Balaam lost his life.”
2Pet. 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
These men are:
“wells without water” – Individuals who are not functioning as they were intended.
“clouds that are carried with a tempest” – They have no clear-cut direction; they follow whatever wind of doctrine suits their fancy.
They are doomed to live in the shadows, in the darkness forever. With what is darkness equated? Evil. It’s a reference to eternity without the Savior, the light of the world.
There are so many comparisons with this chapter and the book of Jude!!!
2Pet. 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.
“great swelling” = bulging over, i.e. (figuratively) insolent:—great swelling.
“insolent” = Haughty and contemptuous or brutal in behavior or language; overbearing; domineering; grossly rude or disrespectful.
“wantonness” = without restraint, recklessness, abusive freedom
These false teachers speak haughtily and contemptuously with a domineering attitude. Their words are empty of truth. They try to entice and delude people to follow them by appealing to the desires of their senses. Their actions are without restraint and reckless. They exercise their freedom abusively. These men are persistent. It doesn’t matter to them that a person has made a decision to follow God’s truth. They keep up the pressure, blatantly appealing to the sinful nature with which we are born to lure believers away from the truth.
Again, I can’t help but make comparisons to America today. We have been known as a Christian nation. My perspective is that men more often than not started out in the ministry through God’s calling. As time has progressed and we have learned to make profit through the ministry, I am afraid that more and more people are choosing the ministry as a means to an end—wealth and fame; and fewer and fewer are choosing the ministry as those called by God. There are probably many who started out with a call from God, yet have had their ministry corrupted because of the lure and traps of the enemy. I know we are in a battle with our own sin nature, as Paul so eloquently expressed in Romans 7; but I also believe Satan and his army are actively at work as well. What better victory for him than to “take down” one that has professed allegiance to the LORD.
Romans 7:14-20” For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”
In his letter to the Ephesians Paul clearly defined the struggle of the believer as a spiritual one.
Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
2Pet. 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.
“they” = the false teachers
“them” = audience of the false teachers
“liberty” = moral freedom
These false teachers are teaching a life of freedom from the guidelines set down in scripture by perverting the truth of scripture. They are living a life that has bound them to sure destruction—their lives are decaying. Each step one takes away from the truth of God’s word makes it easier to take another step and then another and so on.
The Greek for the word overcome states “to make worse, vanquish, rate lower, be inferior.” Basically, when one falls under the spell of the false teacher, he is accepting his position as inferior to that teacher. He becomes a servant to that teacher in that he is dependent on the teacher to tell him what is acceptable and what is not.
In Christ, we are all on equal footing. We are subject only to God and His will for us as stated in His holy Word.
1John 2:27 “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
2Pet. 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.
My paraphrase--Once a person has been presented with the truth, the knowledge of the LORD and Savior Jesus Christ, and acknowledges that truth to the point that they begin to separate themselves from the pollutions (moral foulness) of the world, if they then allow themselves to reject God’s truth, their end is worse than their beginning.
This verse makes me think of the parable of the sower in Matthew 13. These people are pictured by the seed that was sown on stony ground
Matthew 13:20-21 “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”
What was their beginning? Lack of knowledge and understanding of the truth of God. What is their ending? Choosing to reject the truth of God, His word, and living life accordingly. Either way, the person is lost. How is one way of being lost worse than another? Maybe the answer is in connection to the day of judgment as alluded to in Matthew.
Matthew 10:14–15 “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”
Wiersbe: “Temporary reformation without true repentance and rebirth only leads to greater sin and judgment. Reformation cleans up the outside, but regeneration changes the inside.”
2Pet. 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.
Peter tells us that the difference is in the “knowing.” That’s the point of reference. If we have no knowledge of truth on which to base our actions, then we suffer no mental anguish over the choices we make; we just suffer the consequences. When we deliberately choose to go against what we know is true and right, then we understand, whether we admit it or not, the resulting consequences of those actions and know that things could have been different.
Notice that the truth is delivered unto them. There has to be an instrument of teaching or instruction.
Hebrews 6 is directly connected to this passage.
Hebrews 6:4-6 “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.”
This is a clear reference to people who have made changes in their lives based upon their knowledge of Jesus as Savior and LORD, yet are still not saved. The wording “it had been better for them not to have known” ties directly to the wording in this section “impossible for those who were once enlightened… If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance....” I think this is a direct reference to the hardening of the heart that happens in the process, and the next verse in 2Peter seems to affirm this thought process.
2Pet. 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 first half of this verse is a quote from Proverbs.
Proverbs 26:11 “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”
The second half of the verse emphasizes the first.
The whole verse emphasizes the truth of being born again and becoming a new creation. You can train a dog and clean a dog up and feed it the best of foods, but you can’t change its nature. A dog is a dog; it’s going to do the disgusting things that dogs do. You can take a pig and clean it up; but as soon as you turn the pig loose, it’s going to search for the mud. A pig likes mud.
Until we are born again and become a new creature in Christ, we are going to continue to be subject to the sin nature that we inherited from our fathers (all the way back to Adam).
2Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”