2 Peter 2:11 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Whereas angels— It is a rule of interpretation, that the plainer and larger account of any thing should be taken, to explain that which is more brief and obscure. Accordingly, Jude, 2 Peter 2:9 ought to be consulted in order to interpret this text. For, havingcondemnedsomewhopretendedto be Christians, for despising dominion, and railing against dignities, as St. Peter does in the preceding verse, he adds, Whereas, when Michael the archangel, contending with the devil, disputed about the body of Moses, he dared not to bring against him a railing accusation; but said, The Lord rebuke thee: and as what follows in Jude agrees with what follows here, 2 Peter 2:12 there can be no doubt of their treating of the same thing. This therefore seems to be the connection: "If the holy angels, who are greater in strength and power than the fallen angels, dare not allow themselvesto rail against them, when they justly reprove and condemn their wicked actions, but behave with the greatest modesty and decency; how unjust is it, that men, who are possessed of no power or authority, should allow themselves such a liberty of railing against princes and magistrates, who are exalted to power and dignity, and are the ministers of God set over men for the common good?"—See Jude 1:9.