2 Peter 2:10-19 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

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Peter's Indictment Of The False Preachers (2 Peter 2:10-19).

Peter accuses the false teachers, who are in total contrast to Noah and Lot, both of whom had had connections with angelic beings in one way or another, but had not become obsessed with such things, of a number of things:

· Firstly that they treated spiritual beings and their doings lightly. They were arrogant in their dealings with the spiritual world, and especially with regard to Satan. The impression given is they saw themselves as having access into that spiritual world through their ‘knowledge' and felt able to treat spiritual beings with contempt because of their own spiritual superiority. There is a warning here not to become involved with that world or with the occult. As we are warned as a result of Genesis 6:1-4, and here, mankind are not to try to pierce the veil that separates them from the ‘other world'.

· Secondly that they lived lives of sin and debauchery, caught up in a round of pleasures, deceiving others in order to persuade them to do the same, free and easy in sexual matters, and possessed by a love of wealth.

· Thirdly that like Balaam they had sold themselves to evil for the sake of prosperity and reward, something which even a dumb ass knew was folly.

Today we are likely to come across all three, for we live in a world which seeks after every new thing, and makes light of the spiritual dangers of the occult, which has simply let itself go in seeking the pleasures of the flesh, and whose love for wealth is destroying its very soul.

Related Commentaries of 2 Peter 2:10

2 Peter 2:10-19

10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.b Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against themc 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;

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;

14 Having eyes full of adultery,d and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:

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;

16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were cleane escaped from them who live in error.

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.