Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2 Peter 1:20
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.
2 Peter 2:1
There are ten characteristics that Peter lists about these false teachers.
1. They shall bring in damnable heresies.
verse 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.
2. They shall follow their own selfish ways, and speak evil of the truth.
verse 2: And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Parenthetical statement of the complete fairness of God’s judgment:
These men are subject to God’s judgment, as Peter stops to explain how God will judge fairly the righteous and the ungodly.
1. God spared not the angels that sinned. Thus he will not spare false teachers (v. 4).
2. God spared not the whole world while rescuing Noah (v. 5).
3. God spared not Sodom and Gomorrah while rescuing righteous Lot (v. 6).
Summation principle v. 9: (see below) God knows how to discriminate between godly and ungodly.
Paranthetical verses V. 4-9
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;
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;
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;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
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:
Signaled by the word “but” at the beginning of verse 10, Peter begins again to characterize these false teachers.
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
These false teachers characteristics (continued).
4. Angels are afraid to accuse others; but not so with these “brutes”.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 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;
5. They shall receive the reward of unrighteousness.
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;
6. They have eyes full of adultery and cannot cease from sin.
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:
7. They have forsaken the right way following Balaam.
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
8. They are like dry wells of water.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.
9. They make great boasts, alluring through lusts, capturing even the righteous.
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.
10. They falsely promise freedom, while they themselves are slaves of corruption.
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.
Parenthetical three verses explaining consequences to those in bondage:
1. First consequence: (v. 20), Those in bondage are entangled in the deceptions of the world worse than they were formerly.
2. Second consequence: v. 21, Those in bondage are subject to judgment that makes them doubly responsible, for they knew better.
3. Third consequence: v. 22, Those in bondage have returned to their former folly.
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.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.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.
To sum up, Peter has given us lists for three different types. First, and mainly, he gives us a list of ten characteristics of false teachers. That is the main subject of this chapter, and Peter, looking to the times after his imminent death, worries about the false teachers inundating the church. Second, Peter provides three examples of God distinguishing between evil and good behavior. He is able to ferret out such behavior, and will faithfully reward the righteous, and judge the wicked. Third, Peter tells of the judgments coming against those who choose to do wrong.
May I add one verse yesterday I read in Isaiah:
They have abandoned the Lord;
they have despised the Holy One of Israel;
they have turned their backs on Him.
Isaiah 1:4
What shall happen when the faithful become unfaithful? It won’t be pleasant. Turn today back to Him, that ye may find life.
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