Chapter 2

2 Peter 2:1-3 

Chapter 2 of 2^nd Peter is exclusively speaking of false teachers, great and unimaginable sins and transgressions and the temporal fate men who commit such incur.  Taking any individual verse out of the whole, you would mistakenly conclude Peter is speaking about the sins of the wicked, non-elect who hate God and have no hope beyond this life. 

Because such extremes of sin are discussed, it’s important to remember to whom Peter is writing, and the subject matter thus far.  He’s writing to Gentiles, newly converted to the truth, who have little or no background in the Jewish law or traditions.  He is warning them of the dangers of returning to the former life of sin and he uses particular phrases in this chapter that re-establish our context.

1)     People who deny the Lord that bought them.  This has to be speaking of God’s elect children who have known the truth and fallen away.

2)     People (2:15) which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray.  The wicked never know the right way.

3)     Cursed children.  Read out of context, we might assume one cursed of God is doomed to an eternal hell.  But the title “children” reflects a relationship, albeit a bad one.  Peter could have easily used another word there if his intention was to portray the wicked non-elect.

4)     2Pe 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.  

5)     2Pe 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.

These verses clearly speak of people who have known and obtained knowledge of the Lord and left the righteousness to return to the world, their final state or condition is worse than before they came to the knowledge of the truth.  Keep these parameters in mind as you read Chapter 2.

2Pe 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.  The church should watch for this danger in every age.  Peter doesn’t say there might be false teachers, but says there shall be.  Elders and members who are skillful in rightly dividing the word of truth will spot such heresies and rebuke them. 

2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.  The truth of the gospel of Christ, the covenant of redemption, the doctrine that proclaims God is glorious and victorious in the rescuing of his elect people is taught by only a small minority in the world.  Many have followed the errors and false doctrines of men into another gospel, which is not another.  Today, families divide over differences in which man made religion is better. 

2Pe 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.  God’s people are merchandise.  Numbers mean money.  God is not honored in their efforts to ‘make children’ or save the world of mankind to heaven and immortal glory.  Those promoting false gospel will find judgment in their lives.