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Second Epistle of Peter - 2

False Workers

1. And there did come also false prophets among the people, as also among you there shall be false teachers, who shall bring in besides destructive sects, and the Master who bought them denying, bringing to themselves quick destruction,

But there were false prophets [5578]. Pseudoprophetes.

Also [2532].

Among [1722]. En; in, within.

The people [2992]. The Jewish people, Ammi. Of this, there is abundant testimony in the Old Testament Scriptures.

Even [2532]. Kai, the conjunction.

As there shall be false teachers [5572]. Pseudodidaskalos.

Among you [1722]. Within you. These false teachers will be present among those ecclesias to which Peter writes this Second Epistle, probably those located in Asia Minor, where his First Epistle was directed to "the aliens" scattered abroad in those various provinces.

You [3748]. You, the people now.

Privily shall bring in [3919]. From 3844; para, with; and 1521; eisago, to bring into. The idea is that an idea is brought in - something like a paraphrase - that is taught as a comparable truth; but in actual fact, when the idea is closely examined, it is found to be a counterfeit against the truth.

In damnable [684]. Apoleia; a destroying agent. From this word comes the name of Apollyon, the destroying angel Abaddon, of Revelation 9:11.

Heresies [139]. Hairesis; sect, heresy. The word is almost a transliteration of the Greek word. The destruction was done by those men who were following their own tenets or traditions of the existing Hebrew faith, in opposition to the tenets of the new founded faith of the sect of the Nazarene, which preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and the gospel of the kingdom of God to come on the earth.

Even [2532]. Kai, the conjunction "and"

Denying [720]. A denial is a refusal to permit any claim of responsibility toward the (cause). Denying that Jesus was the true messiah.

The Lord [1203]. Despotes. Despot. This is a very interesting word to use here in the place of the rather expected kurios or theos. But, a despot is the master who has an absolute claim upon another's person. In its original sense despot had no bad connotation. Our Lord and master, Jesus Christ, is a benevolent despot.

That bought them [59]. Agorazo; to buy in the marketplace. The Lord had purchased these "servants" for his work by "his own blood," Acts 20:28; Hebrews 9:12; 13:12; Revelation 1:5.

Bring upon [1863]. From 1909, on; and 71, to bring.

Themselves [1438]. The false teachers of the heresy.

Swift [5031]. Quick; speedy.

Destruction [684]. As above. Apoleia; the destructive agency. In judgment for their denial and the false teaching of the lie, their city and nation was quickly destroyed by the LORD Who had sent their lawful king to them. This destruction came to pass A.D. 70-73. First Peter is thought to have been written during the 60's; the Second Epistle even later, but prior to the destruction of Jerusalem.

2 and many shall follow out their destructive ways, because of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of,

And many [4183]. Polus; the many of Israel, who at that time, gave heed to the heresy. Shall follow [1811]. See under v. 15. To "tread in another man's footsteps," i.e., of the false teachers speaking against Christ.

Their pernicious ways [684]. As above. Apoleia; the destructive agency.

By reason [1223]. Dia. On account of (the false teachers).

Of whom [3739]. Them.

The way [3598]. Hodos: the way. "I am the way, the truth, and the life," John 14:6. The way of the Christians, who were first called such at Antioch, in Asia Minor, to whom he writes these Epistles.

Of truth [225]. Aletheia; "the truth in Christ," Romans 1:18; 9:1; 2 Cor. 11:10; Eph. 4:21; 1 Tim. 2:7. Men who are true to Christ will defend the Truth of the Holy Scriptures rather than any "truth" as presented in the preachings which follow in the footsteps of other men.

Shall be evil spoken of. [987]. Blasphemeo; blasphemed. Christians were either converted back to the sects of Judaism from which they had come out of, or they were denounced to the power of Rome for execution.

Paul was blasphemed and persecuted for his preaching of Christ in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra of Asia Minor. He did not expect to be delivered during the coming judgment upon Jerusalem, as his words in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 clearly indicate: "to await (Jesus) from the heavens,...who delivers us from the coming wrath." See also 2 Tim. 3:11; 4:17-18. Paul was imprisoned in Rome, A.D. 61, and executed after all appeal to Caesar failed. Peter was surely aware of Paul's trials during this time in which he writes; see 2 Peter 3:15-16.

3. and in covetousness, with molded words, of you they shall make merchandise, whose judgment of old is not idle, and their destruction doth not slumber.

And through [1722]. En; in.

Covetousness [4124]. Pleonexia; the greedy desire to have the more (converts, in this situation).

They; the sectarians who preached against Christ as the true Messiah.

With feigned [4112]. Plastos; plastic, with molded speeches. Lectures and exhortations, by men of some influence and respectability, well-designed to preach the lie.

Words [3056]. Logos. See 3919 above. The idea is that an idea is brought in - shaped like a paraphrase - that is taught as a comparable truth; but in actual fact, when the idea is closely examined, it is found to be a counterfeit against the truth. This is the most cunning kind of wresting of the Word. Paul pointed out this kind of preaching, Phil. 1:15-17, which had as its intention to add affliction to his bonds while in prison in Rome. But it had its rewards too, for Paul, per v. 18.

Shall make merchandise of you [1710]. Emporeuomai; Buying and selling - as the "bodies and lives of men," per Rev. 18:13. There is no love of God expended in the religion of buying and selling of men's bodies and lives.

Whose [3739]. The judgment of the anti-Christ teachers and preachers.

Judgment [2917]. Krima. Crime; sentence of judgment.

Now of a long time [1597]. Ekpalai; from an old time... This word is the first indication that Peter is not talking just about the present appearance of things; he says that this "merchandising of you" is a matter which has been standing from ancient times... Antisemitism?

Lingereth not [691]. To hesitate or to loiter, unoccupied.

And their damnation [684]. Apoleia: destruction.

Slumbereth not [3573]. Nustazo; Is not in a supposed sleep. Isaiah 5:27 is a good example of this. God knew this end of Israel from the beginning; that the One He sent would be rejected... The judgment - from an old time - is not lingering; their destruction is not is a state of sleep. Peter elaborates upon these two things - the coming judgment and destruction of Jerusalem - in the following verses. He explains, by showing prior, like, conditions that called for the execution of punishment for disobedience against the Word of God.

4 For if God messengers who sinned did not spare, but with chains of thick gloom, having cast [them] down to Tartarus, did deliver [them] to judgment, having been reserved,

For if [1487]. If, the conjunction introduces the first condition.

God [2316]. Theos; a god. The God superior to the angels is the God Almighty, the Lord GOD. "Our God is a consuming fire." And, "The LORD shall judge His people" - Ammi.

Spared not [5339]. Pheidomai; to spare (not); to (not) exonerate.

Angels [32]. Angelos; only translated as messengers seven times out of 186 instances. Messengers is the preferred translation here, since the Bible does not teach that the angels are in any way prone to sin. The tradition of "evil angels" stands only upon a questionable translation of a Hebrew phrase and man's natural desire to blame another for his own proneness toward sin. There are a number of instances in the O.T. where human messengers sent by the LORD were rebellious against their assignment. Could we mention Jonah, for just one example? Or, the old prophet?

Sinned [264]. Hamartano; to miss the mark; to err; to be mistaken; to go the wrong way. Always with the sense that a goal had been set up beforehand, but that it was, by ill factors, not met.

Cast them down to hell [5020]. Tartaroo; from Tartaros, the mythical name for the deepest pit of the grave. These "messengers" were particularly blameworthy - probably the spies, who brought a bad report at a very crucial time in Israel's history.

Delivered [3860]. Paradidomi; to give over to.

Chains [4577]. A chain; the strongest type of bond.

Darkness [2217]. Zophos; as related to the density of the dark bondage.

To be reserved [5083]. Tereo: to keep; to be guarded for.

Judgment [2920]. Krisis; a crisis period; thus, a time of judgment. The activity described here is very much akin to the scene depicted in the Revelation, where the Dragon (entity) is bound and placed in a prison of the earth during the millennial reign of Christ. Probably Peter is alluding to the same type of confinement for the "angels" or "messengers" until the appointed "day" of judgment comes for them. Judg-ment, punishment, and destruction awaits them as a result of their sin.

5 and the old world did not spare, but the eighth person, Noah, of righteousness a preacher, did keep, a flood on the world of the impious having brought,

Spared not [5339]. Pheidomai; to spare; to exonerate (not).

The old [744]. Archaios; from whence comes 'archaic," "something that belongs to a former period" and "no longer in use."

World [2889]. Kosmos, the cosmos.

But saved [5442]. Phulasso; to watch over, to keep an eye on; guarded.

Noah [3575]. Who was born in the eighth generation from Adam. See Genesis 5-9 for his history according to the sight of God.

The eighth [3590]. Klassen's Chronology of the Bible plainly shows that Noah was "the eighth." Peter does not count Adam, nor Noah as generated - but they are regarded as so by the deficient commentaries.

A preacher [2783]. Kerux; a herald, one who conveyed messages of right conduct. John the Baptist was the herald preparing the way of Jesus Christ.

Righteousness [1343]. Diakaiosune; the conditions both agreeable and pleasing to God, the Father. Noah's "world" rejected the conditions of the message sent. Judgment and destruction came as a result of that world's rejection of his preaching.

Bringing in [1863]. As stated above.

Flood [2627]. Kataklusmos; a flood, an inundation of destruction; hence, a cataclysmic judgment ordained by the LORD. The story of the flood is in Genesis 7-9.

World [2889]. Kosmos, the cosmos. God holds the whole cosmos responsible to obedience to Him.

Ungodly [765]. Asebes; an impious world.

6 and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah having turned to ashes, with an overthrow did condemn, an example to those about to be impious having set [them];

Turning into ashes [5077]. Tephroo; reducing to ashes: tephra.

Cities [4172]. These were cities of the plain which surrounded the Dead Sea.

Sodom [4670]. Five cities in all were subject to the destruction.

Gomorrha [1116]. These apparently were the two major cities then.

Condemned [2632]. Katakrine; to put the judgment against.

With an overthrow [2692]. Katastrophe; a turning against. The ashes spewed forth from the earth were turned against the cities to overcome them. The record of their sin is also recorded in Genesis 10-19. The Lord spoke too of this event, in the Gospel records.

Making [5087]. Tithemi; to lay or to put; (so, to make)

An ensample [5262]. Hupodeigma; to underline, as an emphatic pattern of warning.

Unto those [3588]. Mostly translated as which or who.

That should after [3195]. Mello; to be about to (do something expected...) Not usually translated, a directional pointer.

Live ungodly [764]. The verb of No. 765 above. Impiously, without knowing God.

7. and righteous Lot, worn down by the conduct in lasciviousness of the impious, He did rescue,

Delivered [4506]. Rhoumai; to deliver - by rescuing out of a trouble. See Matt. 6:13; and Romans 11:25-26, quoted from the O.T. God delivers the just during the appointed judgment of the unjust...

Just [1342]. Dikaios; just, because of right response and conduct; therefore righteous.

Lot [3091]. Lot was Abraham's nephew, his brother Haran's son.

Vexed [2669]. Pressured in conscience by the evil...

Filthy [766]. Aselgeia; having no restraints; lasciviousness in every sense of their manners.

Conversation [391]. Anastrophe; Habit; manner of life, conduct, behavior, deportment. 1 Timothy 4:12 provides a good example.

Wicked [113]. ; Those who are 'without any standing' before God; and so, are called "the wicked."

8 for in seeing and hearing, the righteous man, dwelling among them, day by day the righteous soul with unlawful works was harassing.

For that righteous man [1342]. Read as just - as in the preceding verse.

Dwelling among [1460]. Egkatoikeo; living with them, but not of them...

Among [1722]. En; in. Peter here shows the contrast between the sight and sound of the transfiguration to the sight and sounds of the cities of the plain.

Seeing [990]. Blemma; to look at casually; to glance.

Hearing [189]. Akoe; hearing by the ear (the evil sounds).

Vexed [928]. Basanizo; to torment; to put to a test, to stir up (the conscience). Righteous [1342]. Just.

Soul [5590]. Psuche; the breath which indicates that a body is living. Lot's very ability to breathe was endangered by the unlawful works done in these cities round about where he (and his children's families) dwelt among them.

From day to day [2250]. Every day!

Unlawful [459]. Anomos; having no principles or rules of guidance; rejecting law.

Deeds [2041]. Work; employment, business, all without restraints.

Lot, you will recall, "sat in the gate of Sodom." This phrase implies that he was either a gate-keeper, or a judge of ethics and morals, as the essential history in Genesis 19:1-9 reveals.

9 The Lord hath known to rescue pious ones out of temptation, and unrighteous ones to a day of judgment, being punished, to keep,

The Lord [2962]. Kurios; the LORD, the Father. Peter does not attribute any of these judgments to the power of Jesus Christ. He gives them all to the foreknowledge and counsel of the LORD for His working in His "great day" which is yet to come.

Knoweth [1492]. Eido; to know by the perceptive abilities. The LORD's "eyes" run to and fro throughout the earth, watching the sons of men...

Deliver [4506]. See Zechariah's prophecy of Israel's deliverance in Luke 1:67-75, made at the time of the birth of John the Baptist, per vv.76-79. Israel is still struggling - against God - to make its own "way of peace" with the nations of the present world..

Godly [2152]. The eusebes; the ones who worship God well.

Temptations [3986]. Peirasmos; a trial to prove an experience of knowledge. These examples show that - at the critical moment when judgment is about to fall upon the ungodly - God sends His messengers to warn and to remove the godly from among the ungodly to a safe haven. ...Think about this principle as you read Revelation 12:6.

And to reserve [5083]. Tereo; to guard in a hold; to have in a place of reservation, (i.e., The angel of Death keeps everyone until the time of judgment).

Unjust [94]. Unright. Peter is speaking of those who are "called" of God, who disobey the commandment to work no evil... Of such were the anti-Christ Jews who persecuted their brethren without a cause.

Unto the day [2250]. Every Bible-related epoch had its appointed "day" for judgment and the time of its punishment.

Judgment [2920]. Krisis; the crisis, the day when the LORD's wrath breaks forth because it can no longer be held in unbounded restraint.

Punished [2849]. Kolazo; to cut off, as in pruning. To dwarf or make smaller. The similar idea is elaborated in Romans 11:13, 22-25. The day of judgment will cut off many people from their expectations, by torment and death.

10. and chiefly those going behind the flesh in desire of uncleanness, and lordship despising; presumptuous, self-complacent, dignities they are not afraid to speak evil of,

But chiefly [3122]. Special attention is shown to a class of Jewish men who deliberately sinned against God, led by their own traditions...

Walk [4198]. Poreuomai; to walk along.

After [3694]. Opiso; after, behind, following what is before the face.

The flesh [4561]. Sarx; the soft tissues of the human body.

In the lust [1939]. Epithumia; the strong desire for what is forbidden to do.

Of uncleanness [3394]. Miasmos; an unclean activity. The Law of Moses taught the people what things were to be avoided in order to escape the pollutions of the world outside Jewry.

Despise [2706]. Disdained or had no mind for the ruling authority; or the Law.

Government [2963]. Kuriotes: lordship. See 1 Peter 3:22; Romans 13:1, "For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God." The Jewish leaders despised the Roman domination of the land, but yet said "We have no king, except Caesar."

Presumptuous [5113]. A daring person; one who goes beyond the boundary...

Selfwilled [829]. Self-pleasing; arrogant.

They are not afraid [5141]. They have no trembling fear...

To speak evil [987]. Blaspheme; to make evil speeches against godliness.

Dignities [1391]. Doxa; the glorious things of God's majesty and domain.

11 whereas messengers, in strength and power being greater, do not bear against them before the Lord an evil speaking judgment;

Whereas [3699].

Angels [32]. See under v.4.; angels who are heavenly beings and superior to men.

Greater [3187]. Greater, both in form and appearance.

Power [2479]. Ischus; in bodily strength.

Might [1411]. Dunamis; in abilities of power.

Bring [5342]. Phero; to bring forth or to carry back.

Railing [989]. See [987] above.Blasphemeo; an evilly spoken word.

Accusation [2920]. Krisis; a judgment, as under v.9.

Against them [2596]. Them who are false teachers.

Before [3844]. Of, at.

The Lord [2962]. See under v.9. The angels do not even take an evilly spoken report (against such men) to the presence of the LORD, Who is the Great Judge of all the earth! The presumptuousness of the anti-Christ teachers is a grossly overwhelming despite against the Word of God.

12 and these, as irrational natural beasts, made to be caught and destroyed--in what things they are ignorant of, speaking evil--in their destruction shall be destroyed,

But these [3778]. Peter is speaking of the false teachers against the truth in Christ. Natural [5446]. Not spiritual minded at all.

Brute [249]. Alogos; destitute of the Word; unreasoning men.

Beasts [2226]. Zoon; merely living as animals do.

Made [1080]. Gennao; to be born. Not called or foreordained to do well. Preceding Jerusalem's destruction, it was a "generation of vipers."

To be taken [259]. Choose of themselves a preferred way to take.

Destroyed [5356]. Phthora; to be subject to corruption.

Speak evil of the things [987]. Blaspheme.

That they understand not [50]. Agnoeo; without a mind, mindless; so have no understanding.

Shall utterly perish [2704]. Accordingly, will waste themselves.

On their own [848]. By going "on their own" path.

Corruption [5356]. Phthora; to be subject to corruption.

13 about to receive a reward of unrighteousness, pleasures counting the luxury in the day, spots and blemishes, luxuriating in their deceits, feasting with you,

And shall receive [2865]. Komizo; to take up in hand, to receive.

Reward [3408]. Misthos; payment for service; wages paid for work.

Unrighteousness [93]. Adikia; injustice, not right.

They that count [2233]. Hegeomia; (from which comes hegemony); to take the lead or first position in an activity.

Pleasure [2237]. Hedone; (from which comes hedonist); a libertine who only desires pleasurable things.

Riot [5172]. Truphe; to luxuriate, to self-indulge.

Day time [2250]. Hemera; the day. Such people as Peter describes here are like those who usually limit such activities to the night's time. But these put no such constraint upon themselves.

Spots [4696].

Blemishes [3470].

Sporting [1792]. Entrupho; from 1722 and 5172 above - literally "in self-indulgence."

With their Own [848]. Of themselves.

Deceivings [539]. Apate; To beguile, to deceive; to cheat (themselves).

Feast with you [4910]. Suneuocheo; to fare [i.e., feast] well with (you). Many of us have been led to believe that this passage refers to the Love Feast" of the Christian sect, but this may not necessarily be the actual thing which Peter had in mind.

Speaking as a libertine might, the situation could describe a feast set forth by those "false prophets" or "false teachers" to entertain those Jews who had followed the gospel of Jesus Christ to become Christians. The whole object of such feasting with the Christians would be to allure the weak and unestablished ones back into the ranks of the disobedient Jewish element which had participated in the condemnation and crucifixion of the Lord. They use the powers of seduction to regain these converts for themselves. The following several verses seem to bear out this supposition.

14 having eyes full of adultery, and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having an heart exercised in covetousnesses, children of a curse,

Having [2192]. To have and to hold, as an echo coming and going.

Eyes [3788]. The organ of the eye. They are busily at work...

Full [3324]. Filled. The eyeball, so to speak, is filled with the desire.

Adultery [3428]. Moichalis; adultery, (here with an "eyeful" connotation), wanting to have what does not lawfully belong to one, but belongs to another.

Cannot cease [180]. Akatapaustos; not having the ability to stop or rest. There is a reason for this inability...

Sin [266] Hamartia; the state of sin in the flesh.

Beguiling [1185]. Enticing. This is the working of the eyes...

Unstable [793]. People who have no stability in mind; weak, changeable.

Souls [5590]. Psuche; lives, those who have the breath of life, and so called "souls." Soul is the Old English word for self.

Heart [2588]. Kardia; the organ that pumps the blood. Quite often the word is used in the N.T. for the O.T. concept of the mind. It is the mind and its way of thinking which the serpent corrupted when it beguiled Eve into disobedient thinking and brought her to sin against God's commandment.

They have [2192]. See above.

Exercised [1128]. Gumnazo; to exercise vigorously.

Covetous [4124]. Pleonexia; the greedy desire to have more; avarice.

Cursed [2671]. Katara; that which is cursed.

Children [5043]. Tekon; an offspring; a child. Peter says that such false-dealing men are children of the Accursed One; the serpent's seed.

15 having forsaken a right way, they did go astray, having followed in the way of Balaam the [son] of Bosor, who a reward of unrighteousness did love,

Which have forsaken [2641]. Kataleipo; to leave behind; to abandon.

The right [2117]. Euthus; (the) straight.

Way [3598]. Hodos; a way or path laid out.

Gone astray [4105]. Plano; to deceive, to err.

Following [1811]. See under v.2. To "tread in another man's footsteps," i.e., of the false teachers speaking against Christ.

The way [3598].

Balaam [903]. Bosor [1007]. Read the story of his evil counsel in Numbers 22 through Numbers 24:25. His end is found at Numbers 31:8, 16. He was a sayer for sooth; a religious "gain" sayer; a hireling, caring not for the sheep.

Loved [25]. Agapao; love, the fondest form of affection.

Wages [3408]. Reward, see v. 13. He changed his mind when offered more money and favors.

Unrighteousness [93]. Of teaching unright; see v. 13 also.

16 and had a rebuke of his own iniquity--a dumb ass, in man's voice having spoken, did forbid the madness of the prophet.

But was rebuked [1649]. Reproved; refuted, verbally rebuked.

Iniquity [3892]. Paranomia; a breaking of the law. Balaam had been told, "Do not go..," Numbers 22:12. His act was a deliberate disobedience against the commandment.

Dumb [880]. Aphonos; voiceless, without sound.

Ass [5268]. The dumb animal, seeing the angel standing in Balaam's pathway, tried three times avoid Balaam's lead, but after being smitten by him, spoke out loud to justify herself from being a party led forth to do an evil work. Balaam's "eyesight" was not nearly so keen as the eyes of the ass plainly were!

Speaking [5350]. Phtheggomai; to make sounds...

Man's [444]. ...in a man's (tongue).

Voice [5456]. Phone; voice or sounds.

Forbad [2967]. To forbid, to restrain an action.

Madness [3913]. Paraphronia; to be beside himself; out of his senses: foolishness.

Prophet [4396]. He was a prophet from Pethor, of Aram, by the river of his land, possibly Aram-Naharaim. Young suggests that the land of Syria (west of The River, Euphrates) is meant by Aram. Today, possibly Armenia.

17 These are wells without water, and clouds by a tempest driven, to whom the thick gloom of the darkness to the age hath been kept;

These [3778]. These (kind of men)...

Wells [4077]. Pege; fountains.

Without water [504]. Waterless.

Clouds [3507]. Clouds.

Carried [1643]. Driven.

Tempest [2978]. Strong gusting winds.

Mist [2217]. Zophos; the evening darkness.

Darkness [4655]. Skotos; the nighttime's dark.

Reserved [5083]. Tereo; to guard in a hold; to have in a place of reservation, (i.e., as in v. 9. The angel of Death keeps everyone until the time of judgment), and then reclaims quite a few who are judged unworthy of an eternal life.

For [1519]. Eis; for, toward, into, to.

Ever [165]. Aion; ever. The age appointed under Death's care is also unending.

18 for overswellings of vanity speaking, they do entice in desires of the flesh--lasciviousnesses, those who had truly escaped from those conducting themselves in error,

For when they speak [5350]. Phtheggomai; make their sounds.

Great swelling [5246]. A swelling that is abnormally larger, but..,

Vanity [3153]. Metaiotes; empty or a vain (speech).

Allure [1185]. Entice with guile...

Through [1722]. En; in.

Lusts [1939]. The implanted desire for forbidden fruit.

Flesh [4561]. Flesh; the soft tissues of the body.

Wantonness [766]. Aselgeia; without any temperance; having no bridle.

Clean [3689]. Ontos; really being; actually.

Escaped from [668]. Escaped from.

Them who live [390]. Anastrepho; to be turned aside from...

In error [4106]. The verb of plano; to deceive, to err, of v. 15.

The attention of the deceivers is turned to those people who are not yet living comfortably in their new found faith, who have not yet set their minds and energies to the sacrifice required for the partaking in "the mind of Christ." Once the mind is set for obedience, even a rich man such as Abraham or Job, may not be gulled away from hearing and doing the Word of God. Read the parable of the Sower again.

19 liberty to them promising, themselves being servants of the corruption, for by whom any one hath been overcome, to this one also he hath been brought to servitude,

While they promise [1861]. Epagello. To promise. Peter's First Epistle, although never using this word, speaks throughout of the things related to the promises of God, if only the basic tenets of the faith are adhered to.

Liberty [1657]. Liberty is a freedom of choice. Adam and Even were at liberty to please themselves, until they were commanded concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Now, after their error, men everywhere are commanded to prefer God's wisdom in order to inherit eternal life.

They themselves [846]. The libertarians, who have licensed themselves to a greater freedom than permitted by Christ.

Servants [1401]. Doulos.

Corruption [5356]. Phthora.

For of whom [3739]. Of what, meaning the corruption itself.

A man [5100]. Certain ones; some of them...

Overcome [2274]. Hettao; to reduce to a weaker or least condition.

Same [3778]. This one who yields to the thinking of such "liberty..."

Brought in bondage [1402]. Douloo; (the verb of 1401 above); is a servant.

20 for, if having escaped from the pollutions of the world, in the acknowledging of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and by these again being entangled, they have been overcome, become to them hath the last things worse than the first,

For if [1487]. If or whether this condition should exist.

Have escaped [668]. Apopheugo; to have escaped from.

Pollutions [3393]. Miasma. See v. 10; the uncleannesses.

World [2889]. Kosmos. The cosmos; in all the forms of life which were created in the beginning for an ordered support of the earth's systems, men have corrupted.

Through [1722]. En; in.

Knowledge [1922]. Epignosis; the full knowledge of both the theory and the practice of the faith in Christ.

Lord [2962]. The Master, to whom obedience is required.

Saviour [4990]. Deliverer to safety.

Jesus [2424].

Christ [5547].

Again [3825]. Palin; to repeat; to do a second time.

Entangled [1707]. Empleko; to be entangled or to be implicated within (again).

Therein [5125].

Overcome [2274]. As in v. 19. The first state has come over them again.

The latter end [2078]. Eschatos; the last end; the point where things end...

Worse with them [5501]. Cheiron; a greater evil than before.

Than the beginning [4413]. Protos; the first state.

21 for it were better to them not to have acknowledged the way of the righteousness, than having acknowledged [it], to turn back from the holy command delivered to them,

For it had been [2258]. For it was ...

Better [2909]. By conditions, better.

To have not known [1921]. The verb of epignosis, v. 20. Not to have known is a more acceptable defense at judgment - fewer stripes are due for ignorance - but a heavier punishment is due for reverting to ways of error. See Luke 12:41-48, the Lord's own words concerning this condition. Note that Peter had asked the question!

The way [3598]. Above.

Righteousness [1343]. Above.

Known [1921]. Above.

To turn [1994]. To turn over, that is, to upset.

Holy [40]. What is set apart as devoted to God.

Commandment [1785]. Entole; order, precept. What holy commandment? There is a mind set which does not ever consider the words of the Lord as corollary to the Ten Commandments. "Be ye ready, therefore, also, for the Son of Man comes at an hour when ye think not." This theme is found throughout the N.T. writings, yet how many regard the Lord's speeches as a commandment? The lack of readiness (preparation) leaves many virgins outside the door at his coming.

Delivered unto them [3860]. Paradidomi; to give; to produce; to deliver over from (another). Jesus reinterpreted the Word of God, the Father, as "new wine," a "new doctrine," a "new testament" for the obedience of his people, for the hearing and seeing, and the doing.

22 and happened to them hath that of the true similitude; `A dog did turn back upon his own vomit,' and, `A sow having bathed herself--to rolling in mire.'

But [1161]. To the contrary.

It is happened [4819]. It (the return to worldliness) stands together.

unto them according to the True [227]. True; a thing that has been proven.

Proverb [3942]. Paroimia; a proverb or little parable.

The dog [2965].

Turned again [1994].

To his own [2398].

Vomit [1829].

Sow [5300].

That was washed [3068].

To her wallowing [2946].

In the mire [1004].

The dog goes back to what was ejected from him; the washed pig returns to the earthy elements. The unclean spirit is again consumed; there is a return to the earth.

From the ashes, to ashes, and from the dust, to dust.

Peter was the apostle delegated to serve his Jewish brethren, and he did this with zeal. There are some who might consider that this second chapter of Peter's Second Epistle is somewhat of a harangue. But one must remember that Peter was at one time of an imprudent and a passionate nature. He apparently was also an affectionate, caring man, whose wife followed him on his mission journeys. In this portion of the letter he shows that the youthful impetuousness of his younger days has been well tempered by his own full knowledge in the service of his Lord, Jesus Christ, for whom he whole-hearted devoted his remaining years. He cared for the people, spelling out the differences between the world's practices and those things which are expected of the true servant of Christ; and he did this with a great vigor. This manner of teaching from the O.T. Writings, and reminding of new things from the N.T. writings, is an excellent example for the modern day disciple to follow after.

Peter has thoroughly explained the dangers which will confront the people. He has warned them to follow the right pathway. In the last section of this letter he will tell them where to find the proofs for doctrine and teaching; and he will explain somewhat about the meanings of certain O.T. Scriptures, so that the people may avoid condemnation in the resurrection, during the judgment of the world.