(Chapter 2)
In the latter part of the epistle, Peter sounds a warning against two forms of evil that would characterize the Christian profession in the days when the apostles would no longer be on earth; one is false teaching (chap. 2) and the other is unbelief (chap. 3). The purpose of Peter’s exhortations in these last two chapters is to make the saints aware of these dangers, to the end that they would avoid this drift away from the truth.
The Danger of False Teachers Leading People Astray
Vs. 1—Having set forth, in chapter 1, God’s way of being kept in times when confusion and corruption come into the Christian testimony, in chapter 2, Peter explains how this deplorable state of things would come to exist. He says: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable [destructive] heresies, even denying the Lord [Master] that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Thus, evil would come into the Christian profession through leaders going awry and teaching “perverse things” that would lead “disciples” away after themselves (Acts 20:3030Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Acts 20:30); Rom. 16:1818For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. (Romans 16:18); 2 Tim. 2:16-18; 116But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; 18Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:16‑18)
16The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: 17But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me. 18The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well. (2 Timothy 1:16‑18) John 2:1919Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19)).
At the end of the first chapter, Peter made reference to holy men of God in Old Testament times being moved by the Spirit to communicate the truth, but in this chapter, he tells us that not all who spoke as a prophet in those days were moved by the Holy Spirit. Some were “false prophets” who masqueraded as God’s messengers and did the enemy’s work “among the people” (1 Kings 18:19; 22:6; 219Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table. (1 Kings 18:19)
6Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king. (1 Kings 22:6)
6Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace. (1 Kings 2:6) Kings 10:19; Jer. 28:10-17; 29:30-3210Then Hananiah the prophet took the yoke from off the prophet Jeremiah's neck, and brake it. 11And Hananiah spake in the presence of all the people, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Even so will I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon from the neck of all nations within the space of two full years. And the prophet Jeremiah went his way. 12Then the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah the prophet, after that Hananiah the prophet had broken the yoke from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, saying, 13Go and tell Hananiah, saying, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast broken the yokes of wood; but thou shalt make for them yokes of iron. 14For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; I have put a yoke of iron upon the neck of all these nations, that they may serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and they shall serve him: and I have given him the beasts of the field also. 15Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The Lord hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie. 16Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the Lord. 17So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month. (Jeremiah 28:10‑17)
30Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, 31Send to all them of the captivity, saying, Thus saith the Lord concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite; Because that Shemaiah hath prophesied unto you, and I sent him not, and he caused you to trust in a lie: 32Therefore thus saith the Lord; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the Lord; because he hath taught rebellion against the Lord. (Jeremiah 29:30‑32), etc.). Peter says that it would be just the same in Christianity; corruption would come in through evil men working their way into positions of influence, and then using their influence to bring in evil. Thus, the wholesale departure from God that would characterize the mass of people in the Christian profession, in the latter days, would come in through defective leaders.
The fact that he says that these “false teachers” would rise up “among you” shows that this corruption would not come from those outside the Christian profession who reject the gospel, but from those within the Christian testimony who have professedly received the gospel! He says that these men would do their work “privily”—or “secretly,” as many translations render it. This means that they would use stealth and deception to accomplish their objectives. Peter does not occupy us with the details of their evil doctrines—such an occupation would be profitless and defiling—but he warns the saints that it was coming. In retrospect, we know that this is exactly what has happened.
Peter says that these evil workers would lead their followers into “destructive heresies.” Heresy is an outward division in the Christian testimony, wherein a party separates itself as a distinct company. These groups usually take a religious name to distinguish themselves and will have their own rules and regulations to govern the people involved in them. Thus, “heresy” is the making of a “sect” among Christians, and is translated as such in 1 Corinthians 11:1919For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:19) in the J. N. Darby Translation. It is an evil that emanates from the flesh—the fallen sin-nature (Gal. 5:2020Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Galatians 5:20)). In Scripture, it is applied to divisions that developed in the Jew’s religion (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5; 26:517Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, (Acts 5:17)
5But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. (Acts 15:5)
5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: (Acts 24:5)
5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. (Acts 26:5)), and also to the divisions that would develop in Christianity (1 Cor. 11:1919For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:19); Gal. 5:2020Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Galatians 5:20); 2 Peter 2:11But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)). A person who engineers an outward split of this kind among Christians is a “heretic” (Titus 3:1010A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (Titus 3:10)).
Heresy is commonly thought to be defined as bad doctrine and has been popularized as such by the Roman Catholic Church. Historically, that system has labeled everyone who would not uphold its doctrines as heretics. Bible teachers sometimes use the term in that way in reference to doctrinal error, but they are speaking conventionally. Heresy, as to its Scriptural meaning and usage, does not necessarily involve bad doctrine at all. G. V. Wigram tells us that the worst and most difficult kind of heresy to deal with is that which doesn’t involve bad doctrine, yet the spirit of party-making and division are there (Memorials of the Ministry of G. V. Wigram, vol. 2, p. 91). Heresy has become synonymous with bad doctrine in the minds of most Christians because heretics usually form their sect around bad doctrine.
Peter says that these heretical men would “deny the Master that bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.” Some think that this means that these men were saved at one time, but because they denied the Lord they lost their soul-salvation, and as such, they will be judged along with all the rest of the world who reject the gospel. However, this is not what Peter is saying; such a notion denies the eternal security of the believer—a doctrine which Scripture clearly teaches (Luke 15:3-63And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (Luke 15:3‑6); John 6:37-40; 10:28-2937All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:37‑40)
28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29); Rom. 8:30-3930Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:30‑39); 1 Cor. 1:7-87So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:7‑8); Phil. 1:66Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6); Heb. 13:55Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5); 1 Peter 1:55Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:5), etc.). He was saying that even though these men will assume a leading role among God’s people as teachers, they will not be real believers at all (Matt. 7:21-2321Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21‑23)). Being shams, Christ is said to be their “Master” but He is not their Lord and Saviour. (See also Jude 44For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 4).) Such a class of men are the most responsible persons on earth because they know the gospel and profess to have believed it but are not real. Since these men pose as teachers and traffic in Christian truth (the greatest light that God ever gave to man) with a design to further their own fleshly ambitions, their judgment will be the greatest of all (Luke 12:47-4847And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47‑48)).
Thinking that this verse is teaching that these men lost their soul-salvation betrays an ignorance of the Scriptural difference between the terms “bought” and “redeemed.” Bought refers to what Christ did on the cross to purchase all persons and all things in the world. He tasted death for “every thing,” and thus, has paid the price to be the Master of all (Heb. 2:99But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9)). As the Lord indicated in a parable in Matthew 139Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matthew 13:9), He bought “the field,” which, as He explains, is the whole world and all who are in it (Matt. 13:38, 4438The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; (Matthew 13:38)
44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44)). This does not mean that all men are saved, but that they all belong to Him. Bought, indicates that there has been a change of ownership (a change of masters), but not necessarily a change in a person’s condition of being lost: Redeemed goes further than being bought, to include being set free. This is a blessing that is entered upon “through faith in His blood” (Rom. 3:24-2524Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:24‑25)). That is, all who in faith own Christ’s purchase on the cross are consequently redeemed, and as such, they are set free from the penalty and judgment of their sins (Eph. 1:77In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7); 1 Peter 1:18-1918Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (1 Peter 1:18‑19)). These false teachers that Peter speaks of here were “bought,” but it doesn’t say that they were “redeemed,” because they denied Him who made the purchase.
Their Evil Ways
Vss. 2-3—Peter then informs us of their evil ways. He says: “And many shall follow their pernicious [dissolute] ways; by reason of whom the way of the truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned [well-turned] words make merchandise of you.” The fact that “many” will follow these false teachers shows that these heretical movements would not be small-scale endeavours; they will attract large followings. In saying that “covetousness” will play a part in these religious movements, he shows that these teachers will be in “the ministry” for personal gain, even though they will cleverly hide their motives. They will use “well-turned words” to undermine the truth and to put forth their error. Their favourite ploy is to redefine Biblical terms and expressions by putting their own false interpretations to them. These false teachers will “make merchandise” of the poor people who join their destructive heresies. This shows that money will have a large part in it. Peter assures us that “judgment” is waiting for them, and that it is well deserved.
Their Condemnation
Vss. 4-9—The Apostle then produces three examples from history that prove that this kind of wickedness will be justly recompensed with an intervention of divine judgment.
Firstly, there are the “angels” who sinned at the time of the flood. They tried to co-habit with the daughters of men and to create a sort of super race (Gen. 6:2-42That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 3And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years. 4There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown. (Genesis 6:2‑4)), but God intervened and cast them into “the deepest pit of gloom” (Tartarus) in the abyss where they await the great day of judgment (Jude 66And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. (Jude 6)). At that time, they—along with the devil and all the other fallen angels—will be cast into “the lake of fire,” which is Hell (Matt. 25:4141Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41); Rev. 20:1010And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)). This 4th verse is not referring to the fall of Satan and his angels when they were cast out of the abode of God (Ezek. 28:11-1911Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, 12Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. 17Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. 18Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffic; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee. 19All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt thou be any more. (Ezekiel 28:11‑19)). It is referring to certain ones among those fallen angels who engaged themselves in this great wickedness at the time of the flood, and consequently, were taken and confined in the abyss. The rest of the fallen angels are still at liberty and are doing their evil work. They, too, will be captured and cast into the abyss when Christ appears (Isa. 24:21-2221And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones that are on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth. 22And they shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited. (Isaiah 24:21‑22); Rev. 20:1-31And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:1‑3)). They will remain there through the Millennium until the great day of judgment at the end of time, when they will be cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:1010And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Revelation 20:10)).
Secondly, there are the unbelievers who lived at the time of the flood who were judged by God when the waters overflowed “the world that then was” (chap. 3:6). Judgment came upon them because they refused the message of Noah, “a preacher [herald] of righteousness.” When the judgment came, Noah and his family were delivered by God’s mercy in the shelter of the ark (vs. 5).
Thirdly, there are the men of Sodom and Gomorrah who were judged by God raining down fire and brimstone upon them (vss. 6-8). As Noah’s family was spared, so also was “Lot.” He escaped the city before the judgment fell (Gen. 1915And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. (Genesis 19:15)). Peter does not call Lot godly, but he does say that he was “righteous,” because he was a man who had faith in God. He had a saved soul, but sadly, a lost life, because he chose to live for the things of the world rather than for the things of God. Consequently, he lost everything that he lived for! Verse 8, tells us that Lot lived an unhappy life in Sodom; his soul was “vexed” on a daily basis by the corruption that surrounded him. His life stands as a warning to all Christians who seek the world and who live for it (1 Cor. 3:1515If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:15)), and his wife stands as a warning to all merely-professing believers (Luke 17:3232Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:32)).
Vs. 9—Peter comforts our hearts by reminding us that “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of trial, and to keep the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished.” This shows that the Lord will sort out the mess and confusion present in the Christian testimony, for He knows who is real and who is not (2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)). If we are truly exercised about being preserved in an evil day, regardless of how dark and difficult the times may be, we can count on God to do it.
Their Character
Vss. 10-17—In this next series of verses, Peter shows that bad doctrine leads to bad practice. It is a fact that bad doctrine affects one’s moral ways (2 Tim. 2:1616But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2 Timothy 2:16)). Peter divests these false teachers of their cloak, showing us their true moral condition as it is before God. The purpose of his expose` is not to occupy the saints with failure and evil—for those who are occupied with failure become a failure themselves—but to simply show us the seriousness of holding erroneous doctrine and what it leads to.
Being characterized by insubjection, these men vaunt themselves against all authority—whether human, angelic, or divine (vss. 10-11). They attack the “truth” (vs. 2) and “speak evil of the things that they understand not” (vs. 12). Consequently, they will receive “the reward of unrighteousness” in a coming day of judgment (vs. 13). Having hearts “full of adultery” and “covetous practices,” they are “children of curse” (vs. 14). Having “forsaken the right way,” they have “gone astray” after “the way of Balaam,” which is to seek riches and honour in this world (vs. 15). Balaam was rebuked, and these false teachers will be rebuked too, by way of God’s judgment (vs. 16). They are “wells without water,” promising their audiences great things, when they really have nothing to offer spiritually (vs. 17).
In saying that these evil teachers would be “among you” (vs. 1) and “with you” (vs. 13), we might wonder why Peter wouldn’t have instructed the saints to “judge” their ministry for what it was and to excommunicate them (1 Cor. 10:15; 14:2915I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. (1 Corinthians 10:15)
29Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge. (1 Corinthians 14:29)), for surely, no assembly that is Scripturally gathered should allow such wickedness to exist in its midst (1 Cor. 5:11-1311But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:11‑13); Gal. 5:7-127Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. 10I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. 12I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (Galatians 5:7‑12)). However, Peter was not using the words “among” and “with,” to indicate the fellowship of the saints at the Lord’s Table, but to indicate the saints’ outward association with all that exists under the Christian banner. These men would not be in fellowship at the Lord’s Table; being heretics, they would go out from the fellowship of the saints and start their own sects in Christendom.
Their Converts
Vss. 18-22—A change in the use of the pronouns occurring in the latter verses of the chapter indicates that Peter has turned to speaking of the victims of these false teachers. He has been using the words “these” and “they” to denote the teachers, but now, in these verses, he speaks of “those” and “them” who swallow their evil teachings. He says, “While speaking great highflown words of vanity, they allure with the lusts of the flesh, by dissoluteness, those who have just fled those who walk in error, promising them liberty, while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a man is subdued, by him is he also brought into slavery [bondage].” This shows that there is a certain kind of people who fall for these evil teachings. These are “unstable [unestablished] souls” (vs. 14) who are characterized by “the lusts of the flesh” and “wantonness” (vs. 18). Being dissatisfied with the things they have pursued in the world, they turn to religion, and being of such a character as Peter describes, they will be attracted to what these men teach (2 Tim. 4:3-43For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3‑4)). The false teachers will encourage these poor souls to indulge in the “liberty” that they themselves indulge in—which is not true Christian liberty (Gal. 5:11Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)), but liberty for the flesh (Gal. 5:1313For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)). In doing so, they are brought into the same bondage that the teachers are in (vs. 19).
Vss. 20-21—Peter goes on to show us how responsible these people are. They come into the Christian profession, and thus, momentarily “escape the pollutions of the world.” In taking such a stand, they will be enlightened with “the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” This does not mean that they will be saved, for knowledge of Christ and faith in Christ are two different things: knowledge brings enlightenment (Heb. 6:44For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (Hebrews 6:4)), but faith brings salvation (Eph. 2:88For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8)). Not being satisfied with this knowledge of Christ, and having no faith, they will turn from it and apostatize. As a result, they will become “entangled” in the errors of these false teachers and be “overcome.”
Peter says that “the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” This is because in their “beginning”—before they identified themselves with Christianity—they were less responsible. But having assumed a place in the Christian testimony wherein are great privileges and much spiritual light, they have made themselves more responsible, for the greater the light that one has received, the greater his responsibility becomes (Luke 12:47-4847And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47‑48)). To turn away from the light that one has professed to have received only brings greater judgment in their “end.” Peter, therefore, reasons that it would be: “Better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment.”
Vs. 22—He points to two unclean animals, according to the Levitical order, that illustrate the true condition of these merely professing Christians. Being enlightened with the knowledge of Christ did not change them. Like a “dog” that has “turned back to his own vomit, and the washed sow to her own rolling in mud,” these people prove by their turning back to their old ways of sin that nothing has changed in them (Prov. 26:1111As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. (Proverbs 26:11)). The washing that Peter speaks of here is a superficial thing—the cleaning up of one’s life outwardly—it is not an inward cleansing of the soul resulting from new birth (John 3:5; 13:105Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
10Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. (John 13:10); 1 Cor. 6:1111And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)) and salvation (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7); Rev. 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5)). Thus, these people will undergo an outward reformation of sorts, but it won’t last long, because there has not been an inward work of God in their souls in conversion (Luke 8:1313They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (Luke 8:13)).
Summarizing chapter 2, Peter has foretold of the rise of false teachers within the Christian testimony who will teach perverse things, and as a result, will bring in destructive heresies whereby the mass of professing Christians would fall into worldliness, lawlessness, and corruption. Living in our day, we see that this is exactly what has happened in Christendom.