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.