“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/