“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Bezer, who loved the wages of wickedness. But he was rebuked for his wrongdoing by a donkey–an animal without speech–who spoke with a human voice and restrained the prophet’s madness” (2 Peter 2:15-16 NIV).

After meeting with the emissaries of a Moabite king named Balak, the prophet Balaam weighed their offer to hire him to curse the people of Israel. Balaam then responded by saying, “‘Stay here overnight,’ Balaam said. ‘In the morning I will tell you whatever the Lord directs me to say.’ So the officials from Moab stayed there with Balaam” (Numbers 22:8).

The following verses continue by saying…

“That night God came to Balaam and asked him, ‘Who are these men visiting you?’ Balaam said to God, ‘Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent me this message: ‘Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come and curse these people for me. Then perhaps I will be able to stand up to them and drive them from the land.’

But God told Balaam, ‘Do not go with them. You are not to curse these people, for they have been blessed!’ The next morning Balaam got up and told Balak’s officials, ‘Go on home! The Lord will not let me go with you'” (Numbers 22:9-13).

But that saga was far from over…

“Then Balak tried again. This time he sent a larger number of even more distinguished officials than those he had sent the first time. They went to Balaam and delivered this message to him: ‘This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Please don’t let anything stop you from coming to help me. I will pay you very well and do whatever you tell me. Just come and curse these people for me!’

But Balaam responded to Balak’s messengers, ‘Even if Balak were to give me his palace filled with silver and gold, I would be powerless to do anything against the will of the Lord my God. But stay here one more night, and I will see if the Lord has anything else to say to me’

That night God came to Balaam and told him, “Since these men have come for you, get up and go with them. But do only what I tell you to do'” (Numbers 22:15-20).

Perhaps Balaam was a little too eager to meet with a king who was willing to pay him to curse the same people God wanted to bless. That (and the lure of some easy money) may explain what happened next.

“They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he was rebuked for his iniquity: a dumb donkey speaking with a man’s voice restrained the madness of the prophet” (2 Peter 2:15-16).

A cursory reading through the Scriptures reveals an amazing number of Biblical personalities who displayed some genuine character issues. One such individual was a prophet named Balaam. He will complete our final character sub-study here in 2 Peter chapter two. In looking at the events of Balaam’s life, we should find encouragement to apply the words of 1 Corinthians 10:11: “These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days” (CEV).

Balaam’s account begins in chapter twenty-two of the Old Testament book of Numbers. At that point in Biblical history, the nation of Israel had already defeated two Amorite kings along with their armies. The next monarch destined to be overthrown was a Moabite king named Balak. As you might expect, Balak was anxious about being the next in line to face elimination, as is evident from the following passage…

“Balak son of Zippor, the Moabite king, had seen everything the Israelites did to the Amorites. And when the people of Moab saw how many Israelites there were, they were terrified. The king of Moab said to the elders of Midian, ‘This mob will devour everything in sight, like an ox devours grass in the field!’”

“So Balak, king of Moab, sent messengers to call Balaam son of Beor, who was living in his native land of Pethor near the Euphrates River. His message said: ‘Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and are threatening me. Please come and curse these people for me because they are too powerful for me. Then perhaps I will be able to conquer them and drive them from the land. I know that blessings fall on any people you bless, and curses fall on people you curse.'”

“Balak’s messengers, who were elders of Moab and Midian, set out with money to pay Balaam to place a curse upon Israel. They went to Balaam and delivered Balak’s message to him” (Numbers 22:2-7 NLT and following).

So Balak sent some of his top ambassadors to a prophet named Balaam to request his assistance. We’ll look at Balaam’s response to that request next.

“then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries” (2 Peter 2:9-10).

2 Peter 2:9 is an oft-quoted portion of Scripture that has offered great reassurance to God’s people in the midst of their adversities: “…the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials” (NLT). This encouraging message has been a source of comfort to countless individuals throughout the years. Nevertheless, we would do well to consider this passage carefully to avoid reading something into this verse that isn’t there.

For instance, this passage tells us that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials; it does not say He will do so in every instance. In fact, history is filled with examples of God-honoring individuals who persevered through many different trials. It is also worth noting that Peter touched upon this reality in his first epistle as well.

Instead, this portion of Scripture serves to reassure us that the godly will not suffer the punishment that is reserved for the unjust. As one source observes, “We can trust in God’s deliverance of the godly because it is just as certain as His judgment of the ungodly.” ₍₁₎

From here, our author will resume his description of false teachers over the remaining verses of this chapter. That narrative continues in verse ten with a list of characteristic qualities that are commonly associated with such leaders. The “the lust of uncleanness” is listed first among those attributes, and represents a subject that has occupied Peter’s attention on more than one occasion.

Another characteristic of these individuals is their disdain for authority. While any institution populated by fallible human beings will likely feature some who mishandle their authority, that does not serve as a justification that permits us to dismiss authority in general. Unlike the false teachers referenced here in 2 Peter 2:10, we are not to be authorities unto ourselves.

Christ leads by example in this area. While the relationship between God the Father and God the Son is one of complete equality, the Son is willingly subordinate to the Father and freely submits to His authority. As Jesus Himself once said, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:3 NIV). So those who demonstrate “…nothing but contempt for authority” (Phillips) fail to follow Christ’s example in this area.

(1) Enduring Word Bible Commentary 2 Peter Chapter 2. (2022, July 13). Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/2-peter-2/

“(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)” (2 Peter 2:8).

Our text from 2 Peter 2:7-8 mentions Lot’s personal righteousness three times over the course of two verses. Lot’s Biblical record shows that he was a just man who was deeply distressed by the lawless conduct of those around him. Lot bravely sought to defend two strangers from a mob of sexual predators who subsequently threatened him as well. He heeded the warning he received from God’s messengers and urged others to do the same. Finally, Lot followed their directions in sharp contrast to his wife’s example.

However, Lot was also something of a weak and vacillating individual. For instance, Lot made several questionable decisions with no apparent desire to seek God’s direction or input. He also made an unconscionable offer to sacrifice his virgin daughters to those who would abuse them. In addition, we should note that Lot was hesitant in the face of a clear directive from God’s messengers and wavered in his compliance (see Genesis 19).

Finally, Lot underestimated (or disregarded) the detrimental influence of Sodom’s godless culture on his family, particularly his children. Their immersion in that immoral society clearly impacted their choices and decisions. Despite Lot’s personal integrity, the people of Sodom successfully instilled their values in his children, leaving him powerless to counteract their influence in his daughters’ lives.

Lot’s example should prompt us to consider the cultural influences that are imposed upon our families and respond accordingly. This may mean establishing a family devotional time, prioritizing church attendance, or removal of our children from academic structures that serve as a detriment to their spiritual lives. These are important considerations, and the example of Sodom’s cultural influence on Lot’s family should motivate us to take action in these and other areas.

We will close our look at this portion of Scripture with some final observations from Lot’s life…

“If we had only the OT account of Lot, we might not think him a true believer at all. In the Genesis account, he almost appears as a status-seeking opportunist, willing to put up with sin and corruption in order to make a place and name for himself in the world. But Peter, writing by inspiration, tells us that he was a righteous man who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked.

God saw that Lot had genuine faith, and that he loved righteousness and hated sin. To emphasize that Lot really was a righteous man in spite of appearances to the contrary, Peter repeats that his soul was tormented daily by the things he heard and saw in Sodom. The vile immorality of the people caused him deep suffering.” ₍₁₎

(1) William Macdonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary Edited by Arthur Farstad, Thomas Nelson Publishers [pg. 2297]

“and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man in anguish over the debauched lifestyle of lawless men, (for while he lived among them day after day, that righteous man was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)” (2 Peter 2:7 NET).

The Biblical book of Genesis continues with the scandalous account of Lot and his daughters in the aftermath of their escape from the city of Sodom…

“The next morning the older daughter said to her younger sister, ‘I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.’ So that night they got him drunk with wine again, and the younger daughter went in and had intercourse with him. As before, he was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.

As a result, both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father. When the older daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Moabites. When the younger daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Ben-ammi. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Ammonites” (Genesis 19:34-38 NLT).

The descendants of Moab and Ben-Ammi (the Moabites and the Ammonites mentioned above) eventually grew to become enemies of Abraham’s descendants, the Israelites. Nevertheless, God, in His sovereignty, brought some positive outcomes from these encounters between Lot and his daughters.

You see, the Old Testament book of Ruth tells us that Ruth was a descendant of the Moabites (Ruth 1:4). She later married a man named Boaz. Their relationship produced a son who became an ancestor of Israel’s king David and eventually, Jesus Himself (see Ruth 4:13-22). In addition, Israel’s King Solomon married a woman from Ammon (2 Chronicles 12:13). She had a son named Rehoboam who was also in Jesus’ ancestral lineage (see Matthew 1:7-16). So, despite the highly inappropriate nature of these interactions, God demonstrated His ability to orchestrate several positive outcomes.

As we consider this passage from 2 Peter 2:7-8 and contrast it with the events of Lot’s life, it becomes clear that he was a righteous individual who failed to anticipate the consequences of his decisions. That produced a chain of events that led to the loss of his wife, most of his family, and everything he worked to achieve. It also impacted his surviving children and their subsequent moral decisions.

One commentator summarizes these realities and prepares us for a look at some concluding applications from Lot’s life…

“It is to Lot’s credit that his conscience was not seared and his heart was not hardened by his surroundings. It seems, however, that his daughters and wife were not ‘distressed’ by their surroundings. Rather, they were influenced toward wrong by those wicked inhabitants.” ₍₁₎

(1) Bruce Oberst, Letters From Peter. College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Copyright 1962 pg. 167

“and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless” (2 Peter 2:7 NIV).

It’s relatively easy to trace Lot’s path as he ascended to a leadership role within the city of Sodom. Nevertheless, Lot was eventually reduced to living in a cave, along with the last two surviving members of his family. So what led to that dramatic fall? Well, the immediate answer to that question involves God’s destruction of Sodom. However, we can also say that Lot’s undoing resulted from a series of small decisions that ultimately led to some tragic results.

But those negative repercussions were far from over, for we’re about to see an example of the family values that Lot’s daughters acquired while living in Sodom…

“Later the older daughter said to the younger, ‘Our father is old, and there is no man in the country to sleep with us, the way everyone does'” (Genesis 19:31 NET).

So it seems that life inside a cave prompted Lot’s oldest daughter to conclude that her prospects for marriage were limited at best. Unfortunately, it also appears that Lot’s daughter never thought to seek God or ask for His provision to solve her dilemma. That led to a decision that clearly reflected her exposure to Sodom’s cultural influence…

“‘Come, let’s get him drunk with wine, and then we will have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.’ So that night they got him drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had intercourse with her father. He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again” (Genesis 19:31-33 NLT).

Before we continue, we should remember that Lot and his daughters had suffered the loss of their home and possessions. While we might assume that this family was left with virtually nothing, that assumption isn’t entirely accurate. While their resources may have been limited, it seems they did have enough alcohol on hand to get one of them drunk. That may be indicative of the poor quality of the local water, or it may offer a glimpse into their priorities and what they deemed important.

Nevertheless, the fact that Lot’s daughter had to get him intoxicated implies that she knew he would never willingly consent to a sexual encounter with her. Even though the prohibition against incestuous relationships didn’t come into effect until later, Lot was apparently aware that such relationships were wrong before God.

As for Lot’s daughter, her conduct can be attributed to the moral values that were instilled in her during her formative years in Sodom. Perhaps this is why the New Testament book of 1 Corinthians reminds us, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character'” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

“and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked” (2 Peter 2:7 ESV).

The Biblical account of Lot presents us with an informative character profile. At an earlier stage in life, Lot traveled with his uncle Abraham as he lived the nomadic life of a shepherd. However, disputes eventually arose between Lot’s herdsmen and Abraham’s herdsmen as they competed for the same limited resources. Abraham then offered Lot his choice of pastureland and Lot readily accepted…

“Lot looked up and saw the entire Jordan Valley. All of it was well irrigated, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as far as Zoar (this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah). So Lot chose for himself the entire Jordan Valley. Lot set out toward the east, and they separated from each other” (Genesis 13:10-11 CEB).

Genesis 13:12 continues by saying, “…Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain” (NLT). So this passage tells us that Lot initially lived near Sodom after he departed from Abraham. However, the following chapter informs us that Lot was “…living in Sodom” (Genesis 14:12 NIV) some time later.

That brings us to Genesis chapter nineteen. When God’s angelic detectives arrived in Sodom to investigate the city, they were met by Lot, who was “…sitting at the city gate” (Genesis 19:1 GNT). While “sitting at the gate” may sound insignificant, this position held great importance and influence in the Old Testament era.

As you might expect, the “city gate” served as the primary thoroughfare through the fortified walls of an ancient city. The city gate was typically constructed as an arched entryway with room for seating within the arch. It was there that many of the legal, social, and commercial activities of the city took place. For instance, the city gate functioned as a public forum, a place where people could gather to discuss the news of the day.

It also served as a marketplace where vendors could display their wares. The gate was a hub for official business and public announcements, as well as a place where magistrates rendered judicial decisions and local authorities (or “elders“) gathered to witness legal transactions.

So it seems that Lot’s involvement with this city grew over time. First, he lived on the outskirts of Sodom. Then he moved into the city. Finally, he assumed a leadership role at the city gate. Thus, it appears that Lot was more than just an ordinary citizen who lived in Sodom; he had become a significant figure within that community.

“and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked” (2 Peter 2:7).

The focus of our next sub-study in 2 Peter chapter two involves Abraham’s nephew, Lot. We’ve already noted Lot’s prominent role in the account of Sodom and Gomorrah, for he was one of only three people to escape God’s judgment upon those areas. So how did Lot manage to survive that catastrophic destruction?

Well, it certainly wasn’t because Lot was eager to leave. In fact, God’s angelic representatives practically had to drag Lot and his family out of town because they hesitated to depart from the city. Instead, Genesis 19:29 explains the reason behind Lot’s narrow escape from Sodom: “When God destroyed the cities of the valley where Lot lived, he remembered his promise to Abraham and saved Lot from the terrible destruction” (CEV).

This tells us that Lot’s survival was linked (at least partially) to his uncle Abraham’s intercession for him. Thus, we should never underestimate the impact of our prayers on behalf of others. As we’re reminded in the Biblical book of James, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV).

The following verse then goes on to summarize Lot’s journey after he left the city.

“Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave” (Genesis 19:30 NIV).

So even though Lot (and the remaining members of his family) escaped to an obscure little village named Zoar, they apparently didn’t stay very long. Our text from Genesis 19:30 offers an explanation for their hasty departure: “Lot left Zoar because he was afraid to stay there” (GW). To better understand Lot’s fearfulness, let’s consider his arrival in Zoar from the perspective of those who lived there.

For instance, how do you think the citizens of Zoar felt when they discovered Lot was the only person (aside from his daughters) to survive the cataclysmic disaster that just destroyed their neighboring towns? Imagine if you were a superstitious resident of Zoar, or someone who lived in fear of provoking the “gods.” Would you welcome Lot as a new resident, or would you be more inclined to say, “You are followed by a curse. Take your misfortune elsewhere and leave.”

If Lot was afraid to stay in Zoar, then it probably means that his new neighbors were not very hospitable. That would explain why Lot and his daughters had to leave town in favor of living in a cave. This event thus serves to illustrate an important Scriptural truth: “…everything that was written in the past was written to teach us…” (Romans 15:4 NIV).

To make the most of that lesson, our next study will focus on the events that led to Lot’s change of address before we transition to the sordid events that followed.

“And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6 KJV).

Genesis 19:27-28 serves as an epilogue that will close our look at God’s judgment on the ancient cites of Sodom and Gomorrah…

“Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace” (Genesis 19:27-28).

So, the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah was so great that God decided to eradicate those cities after verifying the charges against them. But what was the sin that generated the outcry against those cities? Certainly, the attempted sexual assault of God’s angelic investigators served to reflect the city’s moral climate. However, the book of the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel offers another perspective to consider…

“‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen” (Ezekiel 16:49-50).

Arrogance. Gluttony. Unconcern for those who are less fortunate. Pride. Conceit. Self-indulgence. Those were the internal attitudes that contributed to the action taken against the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah- and they are the same internal attitudes we must guard against today.

This brings us to a conclusion drawn from our text in 2 Peter 2:4-6…

• If God has shown that He will imprison wicked angelic beings.
• If God has demonstrated that He will punish untold multitudes of sinful individuals in the form of a catastrophic flood.
• If God has proven that He will destroy entire cities in view of their moral corruption.

…then false teachers are facing a similar judgment from which they cannot escape unless they repent.

The next two verses will provide us with an opportunity to consider what happened to Lot after he left Sodom. But before we move on from our look at the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, one commentary leaves us with something to think about…

“Peter asks us to consider Sodom and Gomorrah, which God did not spare (2 Pet. 2:6; Gen. 19:24). This and fifty other biblical references to those twin cities make two things clear: they could have been saved in spite of their evil, and God wants future generations like ours to avoid their mistakes.” ₍₁₎

(1) Word in Life Study Bible, electronic ed. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1996), 2 Pe 2:6–9.

“and if He reduced the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes and condemned them to ruin, making them an example to those who were going to be ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6 HCSB).

Instead of fleeing the pending destruction of the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by heading to the mountains as he was told, Lot persuaded God’s angelic messengers to allow him to escape to a little town called Zoar instead…

“By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah–from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities–and also the vegetation in the land” (Genesis 19:23-25 NIV).

“Rained down” implies that fiery objects came from the sky and devastated everything in that area. That brings us to one of the most interesting verses in the Bible…

“But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26 NIV).

Remember that God’s angelic investigators sent Lot and his family out of the city with specific instructions: “Run for your lives! Don’t even look back. And don’t stop in the valley. Run to the hills, where you’ll be safe” (Genesis 19:17 CEV). Yet, despite that clear and simple warning, Lot’s wife chose to disregard it.

Perhaps Mrs. Lot simply looked back at the city to see what had happened. However, one source tells us, “The word (for) ‘looked back’ has the connotation of ‘looking intently.’ It might possibly be rendered ‘lagged back,’ or maybe even ‘returned back.'” ₍₁₎ So Lot’s wife may have done more than cast a quick glance over her shoulder as she left the city. It’s possible that she actually stopped running or even began to return to Sodom.

While some may look at Mrs. Lot’s experience as nothing more than an interesting detail, Jesus used that historic event to illustrate one of His teachings…

“It was the same in the days of Lot. People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. On that day no one who is on the roof of his house, with his goods inside, should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should go back for anything. Remember Lot’s wife!” (Luke 17:28-32).

It’s possible that the culture, society, and way of life in Sodom had become so intertwined with Mrs. Lot’s identity that she struggled to leave it behind. Perhaps Lot’s wife was so deeply entrenched in the godless culture of Sodom that she simply could not bear to part with it- and she paid for that decision with her life.

(1) Morris, H. M. (1976). The Genesis Record: A Scientific and Devotional Commentary on the Book of Beginnings. [pp 355-356]

“God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them by burning them to ashes. He made those cities an example to ungodly people of what is going to happen to them” (2 Peter 2:6 GNB).

Genesis 19:4-11 chronicles an incident in which men from the town of Sodom attempted to commit a sexual assault against two angelic visitors who were conducting an investigative mission. That attempt (along with Sodom’s history of other criminal complaints) provided those angels with an opportunity to confirm the charges against the city and led to the following action…

“The two men said to Lot, ‘Do you have anyone else here–sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.’

So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, ‘Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!’ But his sons-in-law thought he was joking” (Genesis 19:12-14 NIV).

Unfortunately, Lot’s sons-in-law paid little attention to that message. Despite Lot’s efforts to warn them about their need to take God seriously, they opted to dismiss his warning as if it was a joke. But there was nothing funny about the events that were about to occur…

“With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, ‘Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.’ When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them” (Genesis 19:15-16 NIV).

Despite everything that had taken place, these angels had to take the members of Lot’s family by their hands and physically escort them out of town. Even though Sodom was about to become a giant smoking crater in the ground, it seems that Lot’s family had grown so attached to the city that they had trouble leaving it behind.

“As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, ‘Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!'” (Genesis 19:17-20 NIV).

So these angelic beings rushed Lot and his family out of town and left them with a specific directive: “Run for your lives or you’re going to get wiped out.”

“Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. He made them an example of what will happen to ungodly people” (2 Peter 2:6 NLT).

Following his attempt to reason with a group of sexual predators who were encamped outside his home, Lot made an offer that is nearly inconceivable…

“Look, I have two daughters who have never slept with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do what you like with them. But don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof” (Genesis 19:8 NIV).

How could Lot suggest something as horrific as this? Well, it’s possible that Lot’s prolonged stay in Sodom may have distorted his thinking to the point where he genuinely believed this offer was better than the alternative. Or perhaps Lot was so fearful that he said the first thing that came to mind without considering the unspeakable nature of this suggestion. It’s also possible that Lot had already discerned the true identity of his angelic visitors and felt compelled to protect them at any cost, even if it meant sacrificing his own daughters.

Nevertheless, Lot’s suggestion was clearly wrong and there is no way to justify or rationalize it. But as it turned out, these men rejected his offer anyway…

“‘Get out of our way,’ they replied. And they said, ‘This fellow came here as an alien, and now he wants to play the judge! We’ll treat you worse than them.’ They kept bringing pressure on Lot and moved forward to break down the door” (Genesis 19:9 NIV).

The passage conveys a sense of violent intensity. These individuals essentially said to Lot, “Get out of our way so we can gang-rape your two houseguests. And when we get done with them, we’re going to do the same to you- only worse.” So Lot’s attempt to calm this situation was clearly not going well. Fortunately, a rescue party was close at hand…

“But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door” (Genesis 19:10-11).

To this point, the only action taken by these angels against the residents of Sodom involved this defensive act of self-protection. This was obviously necessary because the men of Sodom persisted in their efforts to find Lot’s door even after they lost their sight. This highlights the tenacity of these individuals as they sought to fulfill their insatiable lusts.

“and if he turned to ashes the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah when he condemned them to destruction, having appointed them to serve as an example to future generations of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6 ESV).

So God dispatched two angelic investigators to conduct a reconnaissance mission into the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was then that Abraham began to mediate on behalf of any righteous individuals who may have lived within that area. Since God assured Abraham that He would not bring destruction upon the righteous along with the wicked, Abraham turned his attention to negotiating the numbers.

Those negotiations culminated in the following promise from God: “’For the sake of 10 good people,’ the Lord told him, ‘I still won’t destroy the city’” (Genesis 18:32 CEV). The following chapter reveals whether those residents fulfilled that minimum threshold…

“Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. And he said, ‘Here now, my lords, please turn in to your servant’s house and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way.’

And they said, ‘No, but we will spend the night in the open square.’ But he insisted strongly; so they turned in to him and entered his house. Then he made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate” (Genesis 19:1-3).

So God’s celestial operatives, disguised as ordinary human beings, entered the city where they encountered Abram’s nephew Lot. Evidently, there were no lodgings available, so these visitors arranged to stay outside in the public square. But Lot apparently had strong reservations about that idea- and we’ll soon discover why…

“Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them’” (Genesis 19:4-5 NIV).

As it turned out, these angels didn’t need to spend the night outside in order to complete their assessment. Instead, these citizens took it upon themselves to demonstrate their character. From the youngest to the oldest, these men sought to engage in a homosexual assault against these angelic beings. That brought an immediate response from Lot…

“Lot went outside to meet them and shut the door behind him and said, ‘No, my friends. Don’t do this wicked thing'” (Genesis 19:6-7 NIV).

Lot first tried to adopt a neighborly approach in referring to these individuals as “my friends.” He also appealed to their moral consciences by saying, “…don’t do such a wicked thing!” (GNB). Lot then made a counter-proposal that is almost beyond belief. We’ll look at that proposal next.

“and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly” (2 Peter 2:6).

2 Peter 2:4-8 references the ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as our third historical example of God’s judgment upon the unjust. This begins the first of three sub-studies that will explore some of the significant people and events mentioned here in 2 Peter chapter two. Our journey begins in Genesis 13:12-13 where we are introduced to the great Old Testament patriarch Abram (later to be known as Abraham), and his nephew Lot…

“Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the LORD.”

That sets the stage for what follows…

“The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground” (Genesis 18:1-2 NIV).

Our narrative continues in Genesis 18:20-21…

“Then the LORD said, ‘The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know'” (NIV).

Like many legal cases today, this proceeding began with the investigation of a complaint: “There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true” (GNB). Genesis 18:22 then follows by telling us, “The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD” (NIV).

That marked the opening stage of this investigation. However, Abraham had something to ask his divine Visitor before that inquiry proceeded any further…

“Then Abraham approached him and said: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked? What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?'” (Genesis 18:23-24 NIV).

Abraham’s response to this investigation tells us something important. First, it implies that he was aware of God’s holy character. It also implies that Abraham knew what life was like in Sodom. It seems that Abraham knew enough about God and enough about Sodom to predict what would happen when that investigation ended.

And as we’ll see, he was right to be concerned.

“and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).

2 Peter 2:5 offers another illustration of the fate that awaits false teachers: God did not spare the wicked inhabitants of the ancient world, but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, along with seven others.

The Old Testament book of Genesis tells us that humanity had reached an unprecedented level of wickedness in the period leading up to Noah’s flood. For instance, Genesis 6:5 tells us, “…the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” God was so grieved by this relentless display of evil that He resolved to eliminate the entire human population by means of a catastrophic flood.

Genesis 6:17 records that decision: “I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.” The only exception was “…Noah [who] found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). So the idea is this: if God punished the ancient world with such severity, there is no reason to believe that He would spare these false teachers from a similar fate.

Much like the angelic illustration given to us in the previous verse, the account of Noah’s flood serves as a precedent. It illustrates the fate of those who distort God’s Word to suit their preferences or amass financial and material wealth. This adds to the significance of Jesus’ message from Matthew 24:38-39….

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away…”

Even though 2 Peter 2:5 identifies Noah as a “preacher of righteousness,” the people of his day were indifferent to his message. Instead, they went about the normal affairs of daily life without consideration for God or His will for their lives. Because of this, they never saw His judgment coming until it was too late. Thus, we are reminded of a important cautionary message from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes…

“Remember your Creator while you are young, before the bad times come–before the years come when you say, ‘I have wasted my life'” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 ERV).

“and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).

2 Peter 2:5 offers another illustration of the fate that awaits false teachers: God did not spare the wicked inhabitants of the ancient world, but saved Noah, a preacher of righteousness, along with seven others.

The Old Testament book of Genesis tells us that humanity had reached an unprecedented level of wickedness in the period leading up to Noah’s flood. For instance, Genesis 6:5 tells us, “…the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” God was so grieved by this relentless display of evil that He resolved to eliminate the entire human population by means of a catastrophic flood.

Genesis 6:17 records that decision: “I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.” The only exception was “…Noah [who] found favor in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8). So the idea is this: if God punished the ancient world with such severity, there is no reason to believe that He would spare these false teachers from a similar fate.

Much like the angelic illustration given to us in the previous verse, the account of Noah’s flood serves as a precedent. It illustrates the fate of those who distort God’s Word to suit their preferences or amass financial and material wealth. This adds to the significance of Jesus’ message from Matthew 24:38-39….

“For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away…”

Even though 2 Peter 2:5 identifies Noah as a “preacher of righteousness,” the people of his day were indifferent to his message. Instead, they went about the normal affairs of daily life without consideration for God or His will for their lives. As a result, they never saw His judgment coming until it was too late. Thus, we are reminded of a important cautionary message from the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes…

“Remember your Creator while you are young, before the bad times come–before the years come when you say, ‘I have wasted my life'” (Ecclesiastes 12:1 ERV).

“In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed” (2 Peter 2:3 NLT).

In a world where modern technology is widely used to create artificial, human-like interactions, this reference to those who invent “fabricated stories “(NIV) may seem all too familiar. This reference is derived from the word plastos in the original language of this passage and serves as the foundation for our modern-day word “plastic.” Thus, we can say that such teachers employ “plastic words” as a tool to ensnare their followers.

In addition to the word “fabricated,” other translations of this passage incorporate the words “deceptive” (NET), “made-up” (CSB), or “feigned” (KJV) to communicate this idea. One source offers a brief, but thorough, analysis of this concept…

“The word translated ‘feigned’ is plastos, from which our word plastic is derived. It properly signifies moulded, [or] formed (as from clay, wax, or stone), From this came the idea of what was formed (in the mind) and related as if true; hence, invented, fabricated, counterfeited, delusive. Feigned words, then, are words which are manufactured by the speaker (or writer) to deceive. They are seemingly useful and profitable (to the unenlightened mind) but they are hollow and useless.” ₍₁₎

This has led several commentators to observe that such teachers may use genuine Christian vocabulary, but they don’t use the same dictionary. In other words, false teachers often redefine familiar concepts like “God” or “Christ” in ways that differ from the Biblical definitions of those words. Therefore, a simple question such as “What do you mean by that?” can help uncover such deceptions when speaking with others.

Another author makes use of a courtroom scenario to emphasize this point…

“When attorneys find themselves trying to defend something untrue, they either (1) make a claim that isn’t supported by the evidence, (2) errantly redefine key terms to conform to their argument, or (3) make claims that are logically inconsistent. Listen for these three characteristics… and be ready to point out their errors with gentleness and respect.” ₍₂₎

Finally, this verse explains the why such teachers act in this manner: “to get hold of your money.” That desire might be expressed in an effort to sell merchandise, build an audience, or commercialize their endeavors in various ways. While it is good and appropriate for ministries to make their financial needs known in a respectful, God-honoring manner, there is no place for greed, coercion, or manipulation in the pursuit of financial support.

(1) Bruce Oberst, Letters From Peter. College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Copyright 1962 pg. 162

(2) Wallace, J. W. (2017). Forensic Faith. pg. 187

The Apostle Peter concluded verse three by assuring his readers of God’s judgment upon false teachers. Now he will back that statement with several examples beginning in verse four…

“For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (2 Peter 2:4).

This passage implies that certain demonic entities have been confined to imprisonment until the time of their final sentence. That leads us to the following conclusion: if God intends to punish sinful angels who surpass human beings in power and ability, then false teachers will not evade such consequences, either.

This brings us to an interesting aspect of this passage. You see, most Biblical references to “hell” are derived from the word Gehenna in the original language of the New Testament. Gehenna is the Greek form of a Hebrew word that means “the valley of Hinnom.” In Israel, the Hinnom Valley once served as the place where the ancient Israelites sacrificed their infant children to a pagan deity named Molech. ₍₁₎

In the New Testament era, the Hinnom Valley was used as a designated landfill for the city of Jerusalem. All the refuse generated by the city eventually found its way to that location. It also functioned as a place of final disposal for dead animals, the bodies of executed criminals, and the human waste generated by the residents of the city. Fires burned continuously within the valley in order to consume that tremendous amount of daily refuse. Taken together, these elements made the Hinnom Valley suitable for use as an illustration of hell. All that is unfit for heaven will eventually find its way there.

However, the word translated “hell” here in 2 Peter 2:4 is unique to this passage. That word is tartarus, a word borrowed from Greek mythology. Tartarus was depicted in ancient literature as a realm that was far below Hades, the abode of those who had passed from this life. It was there within the depths of Tartarus that the most vile and wicked beings received eternal punishment for their deeds.

Tartarus was portrayed as a dark abyss, a place of torment, incarceration, and eternal darkness. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this is the word-picture that Peter associated with the ultimate fate of false teachers. Though God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11), His justice (2 Thessalonians 1:5–9) requires punishment for false teaching- and 2 Peter 2:4 illustrates the severity of that penalty.

(1) See Leviticus 20:1-5, 2 Chronicles 28:1-3, and 2 Kings 23:10 for references to this practice.

“And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep” (2 Peter 2:3 ESV).

The word “exploit” refers to the act of taking advantage of others in a selfish or unethical manner. The Biblical definition of this word relates to those who use a person or a thing for personal gain. ₍₁₎ As a result, this passage associates false teachers with those who victimize others instead of fulfilling their responsibility to minister to those who have been entrusted to their care.

This portion of Scripture thus alerts us to the manipulative nature of these individuals. That warning was echoed by others within the ancient church who wrestled with such teachers as well. For example, Ignatius, the bishop of the ancient city of Antioch, is said to have delivered a message to the church of Smyrna that remains relevant to this day…

“Now note well those who hold heretical opinions about the grace of Jesus Christ which came to us; note how contrary they are to the mind of God. They have no concern for love, none for the widow, none for the orphan, none for the oppressed, none for the prisoner or the one released, none for the hungry or thirsty… Therefore, those who deny the good gift of God perish in their contentiousness…

It is proper therefore, to avoid such people and not to speak about them either privately or publicly. Do pay attention, however to the prophets and especially to the gospel, in which the Passion has been made clear to us and the resurrection has been accomplished. Flee from divisions, as the beginning of evils.” ₍₂₎

In light of these things, our text from 2 Peter 2:3 tells us that such teachers fail to acknowledge the inherent dignity of human beings who are created in the image of God. As a result, they feel free to conduct themselves in an exploitative manner. But the following excerpt from the book of the Old Testament prophet Micah reveals God’s attitude towards those who travel that path…

“What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night, thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so. When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance. But this is what the Lord says: ‘I will reward your evil with evil; you won’t be able to pull your neck out of the noose. You will no longer walk around proudly, for it will be a terrible time’” (Micah 2:1-3 NLT).

Therefore, we can be assured that those who abuse their influence or authority to exploit others under the guise of religion will answer to God for their actions.

(1) G1710 – emporeuomai – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1710/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) Holmes, M. W. (2007). The Apostolic Fathers. Baker Academic. pp. 255, 257

“By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:3).

Our text from 2 Peter 2:3 references “covetousness” as a representative characteristic of false teachers. This word encompasses a wide variety of inappropriate desires and is often associated with its presence within the Ten Commandments: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17).

Many translations of this passage employ the word “greed” to convey the idea behind this term. You see, “covetousness” refers to a self-indulgent desire to obtain more of something we already possess. It may also encompass a desire to possess something (or someone) that belongs to someone else. This word is thus used to identify one who is eager to have more, especially what belongs to others. ₍₁₎

The New Testament book of Hebrews cautions us against developing an attitude of covetousness when it tells us, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you'” (Hebrews 13:5). Paul the Apostle issued a corresponding reminder to the church at Ephesus when he said, “For this you know, that no… covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5).

Jesus also provided us with a warning regarding covetousness, one that revealed the misguided ambitions of those who are driven to accumulate financial wealth and/or material possessions: “…He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses'” (Luke 12:15).

The Biblical letter of 2 Corinthians echoes a similar message from Paul regarding those who pursue financial gain under the guise of religion…

“You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us” (2 Corinthians 2:17 NLT).

So, these false teachers took advantage of their followers in order to enrich themselves. ₍₂₎ The same is true among their modern-day counterparts. A genuine Biblical leader will always point others towards Christ. If a leader’s primary focus is on money or something else, then we must exercise caution to ensure we do not fall prey to various forms of exploitation.

(1) G4123 – pleonektes – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv). (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4123/kjv/tr/0-1/

(2) See Earl D. Radmacher, Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House, Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999), 1696.

“And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed” (2 Peter 2:2).

As fallible human beings, it is often difficult to see things as they are, and not as we wish them to be. For instance, spiritual leaders who are popular, eloquent, or personable may naturally garner our respect and admiration. As a result, we may be inclined to overlook doctrinal heresies in their messages because we want to believe they are well-intentioned individuals who are simply mistaken in certain areas. However, such teachings are inherently destructive, no matter how much we’d like to believe otherwise.

Consider Jesus’ cautionary message regarding the narrow gate that leads to eternal life and the warning that immediately follows…

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:13-15).

The Apostle Peter tells us that many will elect to follow the destructive ways of such “ravenous wolves.” Unfortunately, a decision to follow that path impacts others as well. 2 Peter 2:2 highlights one such effect when it tells us that false teachers and their followers will “… bring discredit on the way of truth” (Phillips).

While the world has changed since Peter first wrote this epistle, one thing remains the same: people judge Christ by those who claim to represent Him. False teachers give genuine Christianity a bad name, for they not only spread destructive heresies among naïve or uniformed Christians, but may lead those outside the Christian community to dishonor (GW), slander (CEB), or blaspheme (ESV) the way of truth.

You see, those outside the church may look upon the conduct of such teachers and find an excuse to malign the God they claim to represent. Paul the Apostle addressed a similar issue in his epistle to the Romans when he said, “You are so proud of knowing God’s laws, but you dishonor him by breaking them. No wonder the Scriptures say that the world speaks evil of God because of you” (Romans 2:23-24 TLB).

Non-Christians are often highly skilled in identifying religious leaders who are not what they appear to be. With this in mind, we would do well to take an outsider’s perspective in evaluating spiritual teachers (as well as ourselves) for areas where others might legitimately find fault.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and will bring swift destruction on themselves” (2 Peter 2:1).

2 Peter 2:1 identifies another characteristic of false teachers: they deny the sovereign Lord who bought them. In a general sense, this tells us that such teachers do not teach the truth about Christ. This leads us to a simple and effective method to help identify false teachers. One of the fastest ways to uncover what someone truly believes about Christianity is to simply ask, “Who is Jesus?”

For instance, there are self-proclaimed Christian organizations that believe Jesus was “a” God. While that belief may seem unobjectionable at first glance, it does not correspond with what we read in the Scriptures. You see, Jesus isn’t simply a god, He is the God (John 1:1, Romans 9:5, Titus 2:13). This reiterates an important point from an earlier study: a key characteristic of many heretical teachings is the denial of Jesus’ divinity.

The heretical teachers of 2 Peter 2:1 professed to be Christians in word but denied the Lord who bought them in deed. While this portion of Scripture does not specify the doctrines these teachers denied, it clearly involved one or more aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry. In other words, their doctrine and conduct revealed their profession of faith in Christ to be fraudulent. Perhaps we might say that He bought them, but they never bought Him.

This portion of Scripture also refers to the fact that these teachers will “bring swift destruction on themselves.” The word rendered “swift” in this passage is tachinos in the original language of this verse. Other forms of this word are translated “soon” in Revelation 1:1 and “speedily” in Luke 18:8. This word also forms the basis for our modern-day word “tachometer.”

A tachometer is a gauge that monitors the revolutions per minute (or “RPM”) in an internal combustion engine. This suggests that the destruction of these heretical teachers may not take place immediately. But once that judgment begins, it will gather momentum rapidly, just like a tachometer measures the escalating speed of an engine. Thus, in the words of one source, “Man brings upon himself the vengeance which God brings upon him.” ₍₁₎

Finally, we should remember that Peter once denied Jesus three times at an earlier point in his life. Therefore, he speaks with the voice of experience in counseling his readers to beware of such individuals.

(1) Jamieson, F. a. B. (2000, February 19). Commentary on 2 Peter 2. Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/jfb/2Pe/2Pe_002.cfm

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1 ESV).

This passage and its reference to those who “secretly bring in destructive heresies” helps unveil a strategy employed by heretical teachers. But unlike their first-century counterparts, modern-day false teachers can easily reach countless numbers of individuals through the use of 21st century technology.

Social media, broadcast media, and streaming media represent some of the more prominent transmission paths for such teachings. Other, traditional forms of communication include books, magazines, and face-to-face interaction. Then, as now, these methods permit false teachers to “subtly introduce dangerous heresies” (Phillips). The difference is that such teachers now have the ability to exploit modern technology to market and deliver such messages with greater effectiveness.

Thus, it is important to read the Scriptures regularly in order to fulfill the principle given to us in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Study to show yourself approved by God, a workman who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (MEV). If we neglect to engage regularly with God’s Word, the risk of being ensnared by such teachers becomes even greater.

That brings us to a lengthy excerpt from the following source that merits close attention. While the author’s definition of “false teaching” occasionally strays into the realm of subjective opinion in secondary areas where others may hold different (but valid) doctrinal beliefs, the following observations are on point…

“One of the most common contributors to the spread of false teaching in the church is a general lack of Bible knowledge and discernment among the people. It might seem counterintuitive to say that students should be able to correct teachers when they bring falsehood into the church, but that is exactly what the Bible teaches us. When Paul was in Berea, his teaching was not merely accepted on his own authority, but his listeners examined it daily by the Scriptures to see whether it was true (Acts 17:11). For this, they were praised by Luke as being ‘more noble.’

All believers must read the Scriptures for themselves and compare what is being taught to the Scriptures. This does not require a radical skepticism, but it does mean that believers are not to unhesitatingly trust every word of mere men. They are to trust only the Scriptures in such a way. A problem arises when believers do not have the willingness or the ability to search the Scriptures for themselves. This leads to a dependence on human authority and allows false teaching to take root and spread. The educational goal of the church should be not just to transmit knowledge of the Bible but also to transmit a love for the Bible and an eagerness to study it.” ₍₁₎

(1) The Origin and Presence of False Teaching | Tabletalk. (2022, March 5). Tabletalk. https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2018/04/origin-presence-false-teaching/

“But false prophets arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. These false teachers will infiltrate your midst with destructive heresies, even to the point of denying the Master who bought them. As a result, they will bring swift destruction on themselves. (2 Peter 2:1 NET).

Our text from 2 Peter 2:1 speaks of false teachers “…who will subtly introduce dangerous heresies” (Phillips). A “heresy” is a belief or teaching that does not correspond with Biblical doctrine. For example, God may not be depicted as an eternal, all-powerful Being. Instead, He may be portrayed as an entity who has achieved a higher state of consciousness. Other aberrant teachings characterize God as a life-force or a spirit that encompasses everything and everyone.

In addition, heretical teachings often give greater (or equal authority) to a revelation or a book other than the Bible. This is reflective of groups such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Scientists, or the various branches of Mormonism. Each of these groups self-identify as “Christian” but base many of their teachings on other religious texts.

Finally, heresies often represent Jesus as someone other than who He is. For instance, He may be seen as a created being or someone who has attained the so-called “Christ consciousness.” Or perhaps He is simply viewed as another messianic figure among many. A key characteristic of many heretical teachings is a denial of Jesus’ divinity.

Much like a stealth fighter jet, those who promote such teachings deploy them secretly. It’s not that these aberrant teachings remain hidden; on the contrary, those who hold such beliefs often do so openly. The issue is that their destructive nature is frequently disguised by a religious façade. Such heresies misrepresent the truth about God and circumvent our ability to establish a relationship with Him in Christ.

The Scriptures consistently warn us regarding such things. In addition to what we read here in the book of 2 Peter, a portion of the Biblical book of Romans offers another example…

“Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away from the Christian faith by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them. People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people” (Romans 16:17-18 GW).

As another commentary observes…

“Even a broken clock is correct twice a day, or so the saying goes. False teaching is particularly dangerous because rarely will false teachers speak no truth at all. That truth is spoken on occasion, however, does not make one approved by God, for even the vilest of sinners have the capability to know and teach true things because they bear the image of the One who is Truth. Remember to take into account the motivations of your teachers as well as the words they speak.”₍₁₎

(1) “Gain From Wrongdoing.” Tabletalk, August 4, 2005. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/gain-wrongdoing.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction” (2 Peter 2:1).

God’s Word offers a great deal of insight into many of the spiritual dangers we may encounter. Our text from 2 Peter 2:1 serves as a case in point, for It highlights the deceptive nature of those who present themselves as spiritual leaders, but are not what they seem.

You see, a dynamic or charismatic speaker may sound convincing, but convincing speakers aren’t always sincere or Biblically accurate. Because of this, it’s important to measure such teachings against the Scriptures.

2 Peter chapter two offers a wealth of information that can help us in that effort. The first bit of information is straightforward: “there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you.” Just as false prophets emerged in the Old Testament era, false teachers also arose in the New Testament era and persist to this day.

Much like the New Testament letter of 2 Peter,  the Old Testament book of the prophet Jeremiah highlights the characteristics and methods employed by spiritual hucksters. According to Jeremiah 23:16-40, those qualities included…

• Messages that devalued their listeners (Jeremiah 23:16).
• “Prophetic messages” that were conceived in the prophet’s own mind (Jeremiah 23:16).
• Messages that falsely proclaimed peace and safety to those in spiritual danger (Jeremiah 23:17).
• “Prophecies” from those who had not been called by God (Jeremiah 23:21).
• Lying in God’s name (Jeremiah 23:25).
• Deceitfulness (Jeremiah 23:26).
• False teachings that were accepted and propagated by others (Jeremiah 23:27).
• Speaking falsely in God’s name (Jeremiah 23:31).
• Recklessness (Jeremiah 23:32).
• Pronouncements offered no spiritual value and led others into error (Jeremiah 23:32).
• Perversions of God’s Word (Jeremiah 23:36 [see also Deuteronomy 13:1-5, Deuteronomy 18:20-22, and Micah 3:5-11]).

Another indictment is found in the book of the prophet Isaiah…

“But they also have erred through wine, And through intoxicating drink are out of the way; The priest and the prophet have erred through intoxicating drink, They are swallowed up by wine, They are out of the way through intoxicating drink; They err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filth; No place is clean” (Isaiah 28:7-8).

Therefore, we should not be content to simply accept those who sound “religious” and quote verses from the Bible. In the words of one commentator, “History, the apostle says, is going to repeat itself. Just as the Mosaic dispensation had its false prophets, you will have your false teachers – those who inculcate false doctrines.” ₍₁₎

(1) Bruce Oberst, Letters From Peter. College Press, Joplin, Missouri, Copyright 1962 pg. 159

Earlier in chapter one of this epistle, the Apostle Peter shared one of his objectives in writing this letter: “I know that I shall soon put off this mortal body, as our Lord Jesus Christ plainly told me. I will do my best, then, to provide a way for you to remember these matters at all times after my death” (2 Peter 1:12-15 GNT). One of “these matters” involves the subject of 2 Peter chapter two: false teachers.

Having assured his readers that his testimony regarding Christ was no myth or fable (2 Peter 1:16), Peter next moved to affirm the reliability of God’s Word (2 Peter 1:20-21). Now, he will turn his attention to the characteristics and methods associated with false teachers, thus equipping his readers (both ancient and modern) with the tools to identify them.

As we move through this chapter and its portrait of false teachers, we will find several broad applications. For instance, this portion of Scripture tells us that false teachers…

• Will always exist.
• Secretly introduce destructive heresies.
• Deny the one true God in some way.
• Will draw many followers.
• Misrepresent the God of the Scriptures, thus providing an opportunity for others to blaspheme and reject Him.
• Seek to exploit others.
• Act deceptively.
• Are sensual, rather than spiritual.
• Exhibit greed.
• Despise authority.
• Act presumptuously.
• Are self-willed.
• Speak evil of things they don’t understand.
• Are driven by their lower natures.
• Prioritize the pursuit of pleasure in a brazen manner.
• Subvert the gatherings of God’s people.
• Prey upon unstable individuals.
• Are sexually immoral.
• Are eloquent and well-spoken.
• Promise much, but deliver little.

Therefore, it is vital to recognize that these individuals are not simply misguided members of God’s church. Unlike the Biblical example of Apollos, an accurate and eloquent preacher whose knowledge of God’s work was simply incomplete, the teachers mentioned here in 2 Peter chapter two are heretics. In light of this, it is important to make a critical distinction…

“While there is some doctrinal diversity among all Christian churches and denominations, true Christianity will always be unified on the essential doctrines of the Christian faith – particularly on the message of salvation by grace through faith and the fundamental nature, attributes, and identity of God. A cult of Christianity, however, will usually look Christian to the casual observer. They will self-identify as Christian and may be composed of good people doing good works and using Christian vocabulary. Nevertheless, a theological cult of Christianity will depart from one or more of the essential doctrines of the faith.” ₍₁₎

(1) Walker, James K. “Patterns in the Cults.” Watchman Fellowship Profile. Accessed June 21, 2024. https://www.watchman.org/ProfilePatterns.pdf.

“knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

If God wished to convey a message to His creation through the written word, how could He authenticate that message to prove His authorship? One way He could do so involves an act that transcends the limits of human capability: foretelling future events with 100% accuracy before they occur. By examining the fulfillment of predictive prophecy, we can establish the Bible’s credibility as the Word of God.

The Apostle Peter thus affirmed the fact that these prophetic statements were not of human origin. These Biblical declarations were not the product of human thinking or imagination, nor did they emerge from the prophet’s own volition. Instead, these Scriptural prophecies found their origin in a message from God to each Biblical author, and He assumes responsibility for every word that appears in their original writings. This serves to explain the cautionary message given to us in Proverbs 30:6: “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.”

Next, we have a reference to “holy men of God.” This does not mean that the Biblical prophets were superior to other men and women of God. In fact, the New Testament book of James reveals that the great prophet Elijah was a man with a nature like ours (James 5:17). As such, he was susceptible to the same vulnerabilities and weaknesses as anyone else. In this context, the word “holy” conveys the idea of someone who is set apart for a specific office (like the role of a Biblical prophet).

The Biblical book of 2 Timothy offers further insight into this concept when it tells us, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV). The idea is that God “breathed-out” the Scriptures using the Biblical writers as His agents. God is responsible for that content, and each Biblical author wrote what he received from Him.

Finally, one source concludes our look at 2 Peter chapter one with a recap of what we’ve discussed so far, as well as a look at the path that lies ahead…

“In these verses then Peter has made it possible… for his readers to recognize a false prophet when they see one. Now in chapter two he will become more blunt.” ₍₁₎

(1) Edward E. Hindson and Woodrow Michael Kroll, eds., KJV Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1994), 2622.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV).

2 Peter 1:20-21 offers a glimpse into the mechanics of Biblical inspiration and how that process took place. To gain a better understanding of this concept, let’s consider the example of a sailboat as it moves across a lake. Just as the wind fills the sails of a sailboat to move it over the surface of the water, so God also moved the Biblical authors in communicating His message.

The Apostle Peter used a nautical term that means “to move” or “be conveyed” ₍₁₎ to illustrate that process. In other words, God propelled these Biblical authors so they went precisely where He wanted them to go, much like the wind propels a sailboat across the water. And just as a sailor remains active on a ship that is steered by the wind, these human authors were involved in communicating the Biblical Scriptures under the guidance and direction of God’s Spirit.

So, even though human beings played a role in recording God’s Word, their writings were “carried along” by the Holy Spirit. One author offers a useful summary that helps define that process…

“The Holy Spirit moved men to write. He allowed them to use their own styles, cultures, gifts, and character. He allowed them to use the results of their own study and research, write of their own experiences, and express what was in their minds. At the same time, the Holy Spirit did not allow error to influence their writings. He overruled in the expression of thought and in the choice of words. Thus, they recorded accurately all God wanted them to say and exactly how He wanted them to say it in their own character, styles, and languages.” ₍₂₎

For this reason, the Bible can rightfully claim to be authoritative (Exodus 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 2:13), eternal (Psalm 119:89, Matthew 24:35) and true (Psalm 119:142, John 17:17). We can also rely on Jesus’ testimony regarding this subject. According to Jesus, the Scriptures…

• Are the command of God (Matthew 15:3-4).
• Contain no mistakes (Luke 16:17).
• Are reliable (Matthew 26:54).
• Cannot be broken (John 10:35).

Jesus also promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth and remind them of the things He said and did (John 14:26, 15:26-27). This explains why Paul the Apostle (1 Corinthians 14:37) and Peter (speaking of Paul in 2 Peter 3:15-16) each referred to the God-inspired nature of these Biblical letters.

(1) G5342 – phero, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers https://www.blueletterbible.org/search/Dictionary/viewTopic.cfm?topic=VT0001864 [A-6]

(2) Brian H. Edwards. Why Should We Believe in the Inerrancy of Scripture? Answers in Genesis. Retrieved 24 June, 2024 https://answersingenesis.org/is-the-bible-true/why-should-we-believe-in-the-inerrancy-of-scripture/

“knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).

One distinguishing characteristic of a genuine “prophet” is the ability to offer God’s unerring direction, as prompted by the Holy Spirit. We might also define a legitimate prophet as someone who communicates divinely inspired information concerning a specific situation or future event. One commentary builds upon these definitions with the following insight: “The ability to prophesy may involve predicting future events, but its main purpose is to communicate God’s message to people, providing insight, warning, correction, and encouragement.” ₍₁₎

These realities led the Apostle Peter to communicate an important message in our passage from 2 Peter 1:20-21: “…no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation” (ESV). We can approach this portion of Scripture in two ways. First, we can view these verses from an external perspective in regard to the Biblical Scriptures. However, we can also view this passage from an internal perspective in regard to ourselves.

To start, it is important to recognize that the central theme of this passage revolves around the origin of God’s Word…

“The Gr. word for ‘interpretation’ has the idea of a ‘loosing,’ as if to say no Scripture is the result of any human being privately, ‘untying’ and ‘loosing’ the truth. Peter’s point is not so much about how to interpret Scripture, but rather how Scripture originated, and what its source was. The false prophets untied and loosed their own ideas. But no part of God’s revelation was unveiled or revealed from a human source or out of the prophet’s unaided understanding (see v. 21).” ₍₂₎

This brings us to this reference to “private interpretations.” In Peter’s era, there were those who filtered God’s Word through the lens of their individual preferences or opinions. The same is true today. Because of this, we must be careful to avoid the subtle inclination to manipulate, twist, add, or subtract from the Scriptures to suit our biases.

One source links these two ideas together…

“it is not to other Scriptures nor to other people that Peter would refer us, but to the Holy Spirit. Just as the biblical authors in the first place could not have written what they did but for the Holy Spirit’s activity in and through them, so no reader can properly interpret the OT prophecies without the Holy Spirit’s guidance.” ₍₃₎

(1) Life Application Study Bible [1 Corinthians 14:1] Copyright © 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 2004 by Tyndale House Publishers Inc., all rights reserved.

(2) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:20.

(3) New International Bible Commentary general editor G. C. D. Howley, consulting editors F. F. Bruce, H. L. Ellison. Copyright© 1979 by Pickering & Inglis Ltd [pp. 1566].

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19 NIV).

The Apostle Peter’s counsel to “pay attention” to the Biblical prophets is just as applicable today as it was when he first penned those words. However, this cautionary message held special significance for Peter’s original audience in light of the dangers posed by the false teachers of his era. Peter thus lays the foundation for the message he will deliver in the second chapter of this epistle. That foundation is twofold:

1. Familiarity with God’s Word is critically important.
2. We must pay attention to what the inspired prophets (and other Biblical authors) wrote.

Peter used an intriguing word picture to emphasize this idea by comparing these prophetic writings to a shining light in a place filled with darkness. For instance, it is unwise to descend upon the steps that lead to a darkened basement without some form of illumination. In a similar manner, the Word of God serves to illuminate our lives, as well as the world around us.

Jesus made use of a similar, self-descriptive analogy on several occasions…

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life'” (John 8:12).

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35).

“I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46).

Nevertheless, this passage also reminds us that we have little need of illumination after the dawn breaks, for the light of day overcomes the darkness of night. That dawn is heralded by the morning star, a title that is fittingly applied to Jesus Himself (see Revelation 22:16). So, just as the emergence of the day dispels the darkness, the presence of Christ serves as a “…a light shining in a dark place.” Thus, we would do well to remember the message of John 1:4-5…

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).

Our text from 2 Peter 1:19 builds upon Peter’s earlier reference to Jesus’ transfiguration. A comparative look at some other translations of this passage can help us grasp the full meaning of this reference to “the prophetic word confirmed.” For instance, consider the following translations of 2 Peter 1:19…

“Moreover, we hold the prophetic word to be reliable…” (Mounce).

“Because of that experience, we have even greater confidence in the message proclaimed by the prophets…” (NLT).

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable…” (NIV).

“So we regard the words of the prophets as confirmed beyond all doubt…” (GW).

This verse offers several additional aspects to consider when viewed in conjunction with the verses that precede it…

• First, we have Peter’s eyewitness testimony regarding Jesus’ transfiguration.
• We also have the presence of James and John, two other eyewitnesses.
• Finally we have the voice of God who said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (2 Peter 1:17 ESV).

Thus, we are presented with the corroborative testimony of multiple witnesses to Jesus’ majesty. Nevertheless, Peter upholds the authority of Scripture over that experience here in 2 Peter 1:19. Two sources lend their insight to this critical distinction…

“As sure as Peter was of what he had seen and heard, this was only his own experience and could only be given as a personal testimony to others. Thus, he stressed that God’s written Word, available to all in the Holy Scriptures, was more sure than any personal experience that he or others might have. It is not in Peter or Paul as men, no matter how sincere or holy they may be, that we must trust, but in Christ as revealed in God’s written Word.” ₍₁₎

“This translation could indicate that the eyewitness account of Christ’s majesty at the Transfiguration confirmed the Scriptures. However, the Gr. word order is crucial in that it does not say that. It says, ‘And we have more sure the prophetic word.’ That original arrangement of the sentence supports the interpretation that Peter is ranking Scripture over experience. The prophetic word (Scripture) is more complete, more permanent, and more authoritative than the experience of anyone. More specifically, the Word of God is a more reliable verification of the teachings about the person, atonement, and second coming of Christ than even the genuine first hand experiences of the apostles themselves.” ₍₂₎

(1) Institute for Creation Research, New Defender’s Study Bible Notes [2 Peter 1:19] https://www.icr.org/bible/2Pet/1/19/ Accessed 17 June 2024

(2) John F. MacArthur Jr., The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006), 2 Pe 1:19.

“For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2 Peter 1:16 ESV).

For those who were inclined to dismiss the report of Jesus’ transfiguration as a myth or legend, the Apostle Peter made certain to emphasize the historical nature of that event when he said, “…we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (NKJV).

Peter then reiterated his testimony in the following verse: “For example, we were eyewitnesses when he received honor and glory from God the Father and when the voice of our majestic God spoke these words to him: ‘This is my Son, whom I love and in whom I delight.’ We heard that voice speak to him from heaven when we were with him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:17 GW).

It was that kind of testimony that prompted a contemporary law enforcement officer (now retired) to make the following observation…

“Growing up as a skeptic, I never thought of the biblical narrative as an eyewitness account. Instead, I saw it as something more akin to religious mythology -a series of stories designed to make a point. But when I read through the Gospels (and then the letters that followed them), it appeared clear that the writers of Scripture identified themselves as eyewitnesses and viewed their writings as testimony. Peter identified himself as a ‘witness of the sufferings of Christ’ (1Pet.5:1) and as one of many ‘eyewitnesses of His majesty’ (2 Pet. 1:16-17).” ₍₁₎

So this event was something that was clearly etched in Peter’s memory. You see, this vivid account of what took place on the mount of transfiguration reveals the profound impact of that experience upon Peter. He thus assured his readers that Jesus’ transfiguration was no story, myth, or legend. Peter was absolutely certain about what he saw and heard, and that led him to say in effect, “My statements regarding what happened are based on my personal experience, and I can attest to their accuracy.”

Much like Peter, James, and John on the mount of transfiguration, we may also discover that Jesus is greater than we expected. The miracle that Peter speaks of was not so much related to Jesus’ transfiguration. The real miracle lay in the fact that His power, glory, and majestic perfection had previously remained hidden from view.

(1) J Warner Wallace. Cold-Case Christianity : A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels. Colorado Springs, Co, David C Cook, 2013. [pg. 80] https://coldcasechristianity.com/

“For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain” (2 Peter 1:17-18).

The Gospel of Mark records the event mentioned here in 2 Peter 1:17-18…

“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain by themselves to be alone. He was transfigured in front of them, and his clothes became dazzling—extremely white as no launderer on earth could whiten them. Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’— because he did not know what to say, since they were terrified.

A cloud appeared, overshadowing them, and a voice came from the cloud: ‘This is my beloved Son; listen to him!’ Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead” (Mark 9:2-9 CSB).

This experience revealed a dimension of Jesus’ nature that Peter and his fellow disciples had never encountered before, for it was then that “…His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them” (NIV).

In ancient times, people sometimes brought their clothes to a professional launderer known as a “fuller.” These fullers blended lye, an alkaline mineral, with oil to form a type of detergent. After a thorough cleaning with this solution, the fuller would treat the clothing with vinegar to neutralize the alkalinic properties of the lye. The freshly laundered clothes then received a final rinse and were ready to be worn again.

While this method was effective, it was also very harsh. For example, we commonly use lye to clear blockages in modern-day plumbing systems. The point is that Jesus’ clothes were whiter than even that process could make them.

In addition, the word that describes what took place in this passage is a form of the word “metamorphosis.” This word conveys the idea of a transformation and not a simple change in appearance. Unlike a spotlight that illuminated Jesus from afar, this overwhelming brilliance proceeded from Him. Thus, Peter, James, and John were eyewitnesses to the glorious countenance that Jesus ordinarily kept hidden from view during His earthly ministry.

“For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty” (2 Peter 1:16).

Myths and legends are interesting things, for there is a seemingly boundless array of mythological events that transcend virtually every culture and society. Of course, the problem with myths and legends (whether they be ancient myths or contemporary urban legends) is that the events they describe never took place. That’s why they’re called mythologies and not histories.

In the context of this passage, a “cunningly devised fable” refers to a legendary account or a fabricated religious story. This must have been a recurring issue in the early church, for Paul the Apostle addressed this topic on several occasions…

“When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God” (1 Timothy 1:3-4 NLT).

“A time will come when people will not listen to accurate teachings. Instead, they will follow their own desires and surround themselves with teachers who tell them what they want to hear. People will refuse to listen to the truth and turn to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4 GW).

“…you must be severe when you rebuke those who have followed this false teaching, so that they will come to be sound in their trust and no longer pay attention to Judaistic myths or to the commands of people who reject the truth” (Titus 1:13-14 CJB).

This passage thus clarifies the difference between truth and myth, as the Apostle Peter carefully distinguishes between falsehood and reality: “When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling clever stories someone had made up. But with our own eyes we saw his true greatness” (CEV). This also previews the condemnation of false teachers that will follow shortly in chapter two…

“Peter assures his audience that, in contrast to the lies of false teachers that he will discuss later in the letter, the teaching about Jesus’ return he has passed on is authentic and reliable. Peter’s preaching is not based on something he made up, but on both his firsthand experience of Jesus and the truth of Scripture. Therefore, his readers can be confident of its accuracy.” ₍₁₎

(1) John D. Barry, Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Pe 1:16–21.

“Moreover I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my decease” (2 Peter 1:15).

Despite our natural reluctance to entertain the subject of death, it is important to consider what it represents. You see, “death” relates to the idea of “separation” in a physical or spiritual context. Physical death occurs when a person’s spirit separates from his or her physical body, for “…the body without the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26). The Biblical book of Revelation defines spiritual death as the “second death” that results in eternal separation from God (Revelation 21:7-8).

We can also use sleep as another analogy to help explain this idea. Consider the example of someone who falls asleep at night and later awakes to the dawn of a new day. In this instance, the act of going to sleep involves a transition from one day to another. In a similar manner, death (like sleep) is a transitional state. Just as sundown or midnight separates one day from another, death involves our transition from this temporary, physical life to our eternal destination.

Thus, we can view death as a departure from one kind of life to another. Admittedly, this is a fearsome prospect for many. The idea of an afterlife is frightening to countless individuals as they contemplate their fate beyond this life. Yet, Christians should have little fear of death, for if we know Christ, then we know someone who has experienced death and has returned to tell us about what lays ahead (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, Revelation 1:18).

For instance, Jesus tells us about what we can expect when we arrive at our eternal destination…

“Let not your hearts be troubled. You are trusting God, now trust in me. There are many homes up there where my Father lives, and I am going to prepare them for your coming. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you can always be with me where I am. If this weren’t so, I would tell you plainly” (John 14:1-3).

In Matthew 16:26, Jesus was also quoted as saying, “What profit is there if you gain the whole world– and lose eternal life? What can be compared with the value of eternal life?” (TLB). Thus, it is important to remember that life is short when balanced on the scales of eternity. The opportunities we have to invest our lives for Christ are limited, and this may help to explain why the Apostle Peter found it necessary to leave these instructions in advance of his departure.