2 Peter 2:1-9 Warnings of False Teachers and Judgment
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Summary of passage
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Text and Translation
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Original Context & Exegesis
A. Passage Boundaries (why are these verses grouped together in this chapter or pericope?)
B. Exegesis of passage as a whole (or verse-by-verse, if helpful).
2:1 Teaching "destructive heresies" "denying even the Master that bought them" i.e. Jesus sounds very much like many of the cults out there today from the Jehovah's Witnesses to the UPC. According to this verse, they bring upon themselves “swift destruction”. This is not necessarily the “swift destruction” that we would expect from those words. The word translated “swift” actually seems to mean something closer to “impending”. Thus, it does not mean that someone who follows Watchtower teachings has thirty days to repent or be destroyed – if so, then the Bible is false. It does mean, however, that their destruction is as sure as if it had already happened. The Bible often states things that have not happened yet as though they already have due to the fact that they are so sure. Since God exists outside of time, His ability to see past, present, and future simultaneously and with equal clarity leads to these declarations.
2:2 People following the evil ways of false teachers will cause Christianity to be mocked and that is exactly what has happened and still is happening. The evil ways spoken of here seem to be primarily forms of licentiousness, which refers to those who allow and even encourage activities clearly taught in Scripture as sin. Thus when greed and covetousness lead to “pastors” fleecing their flock or “evangelists” pursuing adulterous affairs, Christianity is once more served up as the butt of jokes to the world. This should not be. Our lives need to be lived in such a righteous manner that anyone trying seriously to associate us with the aforementioned type of person will be put to shame. If our lives are blameless, these folks will not taint our message as badly as they fall.
2:3 These teachers will say or do anything to get people's money ("make a vow of faith!" "Send for a prayer cloth!” etc.) The terms may change, but the theme remains the same. Their goal is to “make merchandise” of their followers. They will gladly trade the eternal well being of their followers’ souls in exchange for wealth and power. Their destruction is here promised and assured.
2:4 Even angels are not exempt from judgment for sin. Some believe that this refers to demons who sinned by impregnating human women in Genesis 6:2. The evidence supporting the theory that this passage is referring to demons when it says “sons of God” is shaky at best. If Genesis 6:2 does indeed refer to demons, it would also raise a whole host of issues. Demons fell individually by choice and have no hope of redemption. Humans fell corporately in Adam and are offered redemption through Jesus Christ. What about half humans? Also, demons are never portrayed with physical bodies in Scripture. They are spirit beings. Angels appeared with bodies at times, but for the purpose of some special mission from God. Therefore, to say that they can make bodies that function to the point of reproduction gives creative powers to demons that belong to God alone. Some would say that this passage refers to some especially grievous sin that caused them to be sent directly to hell. That is not necessary, however, as the Bible often refers to things that haven't happened yet as though they have because they are so sure.
2:5-8 Here we see several examples of God delivering one or several righteous people out of His just judgment of sin. One interesting note: Lot is called righteous three times in v.v.7-8 despite the fact that he offered his daughters up to be sexually assaulted to appease a mob, didn’t want to obey the angels, and later got drunk twice and fathered two children by his own daughters! (See Genesis 19 for the account of this.) I must admit that my common, finite human mind cannot fully comprehend this, but I believe that it has something to do with 1 Samuel 16:7 “…Jehovah seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart” (ASV). God saw the righteous soul of Lot and here vindicates him despite many obvious sins. We also must remember that this principle works in reverse as well. Many who appear outwardly to be upright, holy people will in fact be consigned to Hell (see Matthew 7:22-23).
C. Literary Features--What genre is it? What literary devices (e.g, metaphor) does it use?
D. Connections to the rest of book—what purpose does this pericope serve in the bigger picture of the book?
E. Connections to the rest of Scripture--How is it referenced or alluded to elsewhere?
Jesus Christ: The Redemptive-Historical Context
A. Where is Christ and the Gospel present in this passage?
B. How does this passage point to Christ or depend on Christ? How does Christ fulfill this passage? How was it fulfilled already? How will it be fulfilled?
C. What does this passage tell us about God’s plan of redemption in Christ?
Current Context
A. What does this tell us about ourselves, our world, and the human condition?
B. What are some modern parallels to the original situation?
C. What is the call/command/invitation of this passage?
D. How does Christ & the Gospel in this passage enable us to see, think, and live differently?
Links/References/Bibliography
A. Representative sermons on the passage
B. Examples and Illustrations
C. Commentaries on this book
D. Articles on this book or passage
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