1
As there were false prophets among the people of God in former times, so there will also be false teachers among you. They will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and in this way they will bring swift destruction upon themselves.
2
Many will follow their shameful ways, and because of them the Way of Truth will be spoken against.
3
In their greed these false teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. But judgment against them has long been prepared, and their destruction does not slumber.
4
For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them into hell and delivered them into gloomy pits to be kept until the day of judgment;
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and if He did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly;
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and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by fire, and thus made them an example for those who would live ungodly lives afterward,
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but rescued righteous Lot, who was continually distressed by the lawless conduct of the wicked,
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for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by what he saw and heard of their lawless deeds—
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then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trial and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment,
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especially those who follow the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.
Bold and arrogant, they do not hesitate to speak abusively of glorious beings,
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whereas angels, though greater in strength and power, do not bring a slanderous accusation against them before the Lord.
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But these people are like irrational animals, like creatures born only to be caught and destroyed. They speak abusively about things they do not understand, and by their evil deeds they will perish like wild beasts,
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and will receive the wages of wrongdoing. They count it pleasure to revel in broad daylight. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.
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Their eyes are full of lust for adultery, and they never cease from sin. They entice the unstable. Their hearts are trained in greed. They are accursed children!
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Forsaking the right way, they went astray and followed the way of Balaam, son of Beor, who loved to receive wages for unrighteousness.
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But Balaam received a stern warning for his wrongdoing, for a mute beast of burden spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness.
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These false teachers are like springs without water, like mists driven by a storm; for them the blackest darkness has been reserved.
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For they speak arrogant, empty words, and they use sensual passions to entice those who have just escaped from people living in error.
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They promise freedom to others, while they themselves are slaves of corruption, for by whatever a person is overcome, to that he is enslaved.
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For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them, then their final condition is worse than the first.
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For it would have been better for them never to have known the Way of Righteousness than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
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For them the true proverb is fitting:
“A dog returns to its own vomit,
and a sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”
📖 2 Peter 2 – Warning against False Teachers
🧾 Summary of Contents
In this chapter, the apostle Peter:
- Warns that false teachers will arise among the congregation.
- Explains how God will surely judge the ungodly, as He did in the days of Noah and Sodom.
- Describes the character and fate of those false teachers very strongly.
📘 Explanation of the Contents
| Section | Verses | Brief Content |
|---|---|---|
| The rise of false teachers | 1–3 | They secretly bring in destructive teachings, deny the Lord, and lead many to destruction. |
| God does not leave evil unpunished | 4–10a | God judges the fallen angels, the world in Noah’s day, and the city of Sodom – and so also the false teachers. |
| The corrupt character of the deceivers | 10b–16 | They are full of lust, proud, despise divine authority, and follow the path of Balaam for gain. |
| The danger of their teaching | 17–19 | They promise freedom but instead enslave. They are like springs without water and clouds driven by a storm. |
| Their final fate is worse than their beginning | 20–22 | After knowing the truth but returning to live in sin, they become more miserable. |
🔥 Key Points
There will be false teachers in the church
They come from within, not from outside. This is a great hidden danger (v. 1).
False teaching brings destruction
They reject the Redeemer and corrupt the faith of many people (v. 1–2).
God’s judgment is real and historical
Peter uses three severe examples: fallen angels, the flood in Noah’s day, and Sodom-Gomorrah (v. 4–6).
God knows how to distinguish the righteous and the wicked
Just as Noah and Lot were saved, so believers will also be kept by Him (v. 7–9).
False teachers are full of pride and lust
They despise spiritual authority, follow the desires of the flesh, and are greedy like Balaam (v. 10–16).
They promise freedom but enslave
“For by whatever a person is overcome, by that he is enslaved.” (v. 19)
Rejecting the faith after knowing it = worse
Returning to sin after knowing Christ is worse than never having known (v. 20–22).
📖 Key Verse
“They promise freedom to others, while they themselves are slaves of corruption…”
— 2 Peter 2:19
“A dog returns to its vomit, and a washed pig returns to the mud pit.”
— 2 Peter 2:22
💡 Spiritual Meaning
This chapter is a strong and clear warning that not everyone who claims to be a spiritual teacher is from God. We must test teaching by the Word, and remain faithful to the truth of the Gospel. The Lord is just: He knows how to defend the righteous and judge those who lead others astray.
