2 Peter 2:3
In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
In their greed,
Greed is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with idolatry and a departure from God's will (Colossians 3:5). In the context of false teachers, greed indicates a self-serving motive that contrasts with the selflessness expected of true spiritual leaders (1 Peter 5:2-3). The love of money is described as a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10), and here it drives the false teachers to exploit others.

these false teachers
False teachers are a significant concern in the New Testament, as seen in passages like Matthew 7:15 and Acts 20:29-30. They often arise from within the church, distorting the truth for personal gain. The early church faced numerous heresies, such as Gnosticism, which denied the humanity of Christ and promoted secret knowledge. These teachers are contrasted with true apostles who faithfully transmit the teachings of Jesus.

will exploit you with deceptive words.
Exploitation through deception is a hallmark of false teaching. The Greek term for "exploit" suggests making merchandise of believers, treating them as commodities rather than souls. Deceptive words are crafted to sound plausible, often mixing truth with error, as seen in Satan's temptation of Eve (Genesis 3:1-5). Believers are warned to test the spirits and hold fast to sound doctrine (1 John 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

The longstanding verdict against them remains in force,
The "longstanding verdict" implies a divine judgment that has been established from ancient times. This echoes Jude 1:4, where certain individuals are marked out for condemnation. The Old Testament provides examples of God's judgment on false prophets, such as in Jeremiah 14:14-15. God's justice is portrayed as unwavering and certain, reinforcing the idea that false teachers will not escape accountability.

and their destruction does not sleep.
The imagery of destruction not sleeping suggests an inevitable and active process of divine retribution. This aligns with the biblical principle that God is not slow in keeping His promises, including those of judgment (2 Peter 3:9). The phrase may also evoke the relentless nature of God's justice, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25), serving as a warning to those who pervert the truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
The apostle and author of this epistle, addressing the early Christian communities and warning them about false teachers.

2. False Teachers
Individuals within the early church who spread heretical teachings and exploit believers for personal gain.

3. Early Christian Communities
The recipients of Peter's letter, who were facing challenges from within due to false teachings.

4. God's Judgment
The divine verdict against false teachers, emphasizing that their destruction is certain and imminent.

5. Greed and Deception
The motivations and methods of the false teachers, highlighting their moral corruption.
Teaching Points
Discernment is Essential
Believers must be vigilant and discerning to identify and resist false teachings.

The Danger of Greed
Greed can lead to exploitation and deception, both in the church and in personal life.

God's Justice is Certain
Despite the apparent success of false teachers, God's judgment is assured and will be executed in His timing.

The Power of Words
Deceptive words can lead believers astray; therefore, grounding in Scripture is crucial.

Community Accountability
The church community should hold each other accountable to prevent the spread of false teachings.
Bible Study Questions
1. How can we develop discernment to recognize false teachings in our own context?

2. In what ways can greed manifest in our lives, and how can we guard against it?

3. How does understanding God's assured judgment on false teachers impact our response to them?

4. What practical steps can we take to ensure our words align with biblical truth and do not deceive others?

5. How can we foster a culture of accountability within our church community to protect against false teachings?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 7:15-20
Jesus warns about false prophets, describing them as wolves in sheep's clothing, which parallels Peter's warning about false teachers.

1 Timothy 6:3-10
Paul discusses the dangers of false teachings and the love of money, which aligns with the greed mentioned in 2 Peter 2:3.

Jude 1:4
Jude speaks of ungodly people who pervert the grace of God, similar to the false teachers Peter describes.

Acts 20:29-30
Paul warns the Ephesian elders about savage wolves who will come in among them, not sparing the flock, echoing Peter's concerns.

Revelation 2:2
The church in Ephesus is commended for testing those who claim to be apostles but are not, showing the importance of discernment.
False TeachersU.R. Thomas 2 Peter 2:1-22
False TeachersR. Finlayson 2 Peter 2:1-22
People
Balaam, Beor, Bosor, Noah, Noe, Peter
Places
Asia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, Galatia, Gomorrah, Pontus, Sodom
Topics
FALSE, Asleep, Business, Canting, Condemnation, Covetousness, Damnation, Deceit, Deceptive, Desire, Destruction, Doesn't, Exploit, Feigned, Greed, Hanging, Idle, Itself, Judgement, Judgment, Linger, Lingereth, Merchandise, Moulded, Profit, Punishment, Ready, Riches, Sentence, Sleeping, Slumber, Slumbereth, Slumbering, Slumbers, Souls, Stories, Talk, Teachers, Thirsting, Trade, Traders, Watching, Well-turned, Working
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Peter 2:3

     5115   Peter, preacher and teacher
     5870   greed, condemnation
     6135   coveting, and sin
     8766   heresies

2 Peter 2:1-3

     4123   Satan, deceiver
     5345   influence
     6146   deceit, and God
     7025   church, unity
     8126   guidance, need for
     8706   apostasy, warnings
     8715   dishonesty, and God
     8749   false teachers

2 Peter 2:1-4

     4125   Satan, agents of

Library
The Owner and his Slaves
'Denying the Lord that bought them.'--2 Peter ii. 1. The institution of slavery was one of the greatest blots on ancient civilisation. It was twice cursed, cursing both parties, degrading each, turning the slave into a chattel, and the master, in many cases, into a brute. Christianity, as represented in the New Testament, never says a word to condemn it, but Christianity has killed it. 'Make the tree good and its fruit good.' Do not aim at institutions, change the people that live under them and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Ephesians, Peter,John

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
1 There is a bill of indictment against those who declare to the world they are not the children of God: all profane persons. These have damnation written upon their forehead. Scoffers at religion. It were blasphemy to call these the children of God. Will a true child jeer at his Father's picture? Drunkards, who drown reason and stupefy conscience. These declare their sin as Sodom. They are children indeed, but cursed children' (2 Peter 2:14). 2 Exhortation, which consists of two branches. (i) Let
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which they Bewail, and those Who, Abstaining from Them, Bewail them Not.
(Admonition 31.) Differently to be admonished are those who lament their transgressions, and yet forsake them not, and those who forsake them, and yet lament them not. For those who lament their transgressions and yet forsake them not are to be admonished to learn to consider anxiously that they cleanse themselves in vain by their weeping, if they wickedly defile themselves in their living, seeing that the end for which they wash themselves in tears is that, when clean, they may return to filth.
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

What is to be Said of the Sea of Apamia.
'The sea of Apamia' is reckoned the seventh among those seas that compass the land of Israel; which word hath a sound so near akin to the word Pamias, by which name the Rabbins point out the fountains of Jordan,--that the mention of that word cannot but excite the memory of this, yea, almost persuade that both design one and the same place: and that the sea Apamia was nothing else but some great collection of waters at the very springs of Jordan. This also might moreover be added to strengthen that
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Perseverance of Saints.
FURTHER OBJECTIONS ANSWERED. 4. A fourth objection to this doctrine is, that if, by the perseverance of the saints is intended, that they live anything like lives of habitual obedience to God, then facts are against it. To this objection I reply: that by the perseverance of the saints, as I use these terms, is intended that, subsequently to their regeneration, holiness is the rule of their lives, and sin only the exception. But it is said, that facts contradict this. (1.) The case of king Saul is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Of Councils and their Authority.
1. The true nature of Councils. 2. Whence the authority of Councils is derived. What meant by assembling in the name of Christ. 3. Objection, that no truth remains in the Church if it be not in Pastors and Councils. Answer, showing by passages from the Old Testament that Pastors were often devoid of the spirit of knowledge and truth. 4. Passages from the New Testament showing that our times were to be subject to the same evil. This confirmed by the example of almost all ages. 5. All not Pastors who
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

As Many as were Called by Grace, and Displayed the First Zeal...
As many as were called by grace, and displayed the first zeal, having cast aside their military girdles, but afterwards returned, like dogs, to their own vomit, (so that some spent money and by means of gifts regained their military stations); let these, after they have passed the space of three years as hearers, be for ten years prostrators. But in all these cases it is necessary to examine well into their purpose and what their repentance appears to be like. For as many as give evidence of their
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Christian Convert Warned Of, and Animated against those Discouragements which He must Expect to Meet when Entering on a Religious Course.
1. Christ has instructed his disciples to expect opposition and difficulties in the way to heaven.--2. Therefore a more particular view of them is taken, as arising from the remainder of indwelling sin.--3. From the world, and especially from former sinful companions.--4. From the temptations and suggest ions of Satan.--5, 6. The Christian is animated and encouraged, by various considerations, to oppose them; particularly by the presence of God; the aids of Christ; the example of others, who, though
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Believe and be Saved
It is the Holy Spirit alone that can draw us to the cross and fasten us to the Saviour. He who thinks he can do without the Spirit, has yet to learn his own sinfulness and helplessness. The gospel would be no good news to the dead in sin, if it did not tell of the love and power of the divine Spirit, as explicitly as it announces the love and power of the divine Substitute. But, while keeping this in mind, we may try to learn from Scripture what is written concerning the bond which connects us individually
Horatius Bangs, D.D.—God's Way of Peace

A Preliminary Discourse to Catechising
'If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' - Col 1:23. Intending next Lord's day to enter upon the work of catechising, it will not be amiss to give you a preliminary discourse, to show you how needful it is for Christians to be well instructed in the grounds of religion. If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled.' I. It is the duty of Christians to be settled in the doctrine of faith. II. The best way for Christians to be settled is to be well grounded. I. It is the duty of Christians
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Catholic Epistles.
I. Storr: De Catholicarum Epp. Occasione et Consilio. Tüb. 1789. Staeudlin: De Fontibus Epp. Cath. Gott. 1790. J. D. Schulze: Der schriftstellerische Charakter und Werth des Petrus, Jacobus und Judas. Leipz. 1802. Der schriftsteller. Ch. des Johannes. 1803. II. Commentaries on all the Catholic Epistles by Goeppfert (1780), Schlegel (1783), Carpzov (1790), Augusti (1801), Grashof (1830), Jachmann (1838), Sumner (1840), De Wette (3d ed. by Brückner 1865), Meyer (the Cath. Epp. by Huther,
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Authenticity and Credibility of the Pentateuch.
1. The historic truth of the Pentateuch is everywhere assumed by the writers of the New Testament in the most absolute and unqualified manner. They do not simply allude to it and make quotations from it, as one might do in the case of Homer's poems, but they build upon the facts which it records arguments of the weightiest character, and pertaining to the essential doctrines and duties of religion. This is alike true of the Mosaic laws and of the narratives that precede them or are interwoven
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

The Barren Fig-Tree;
OR, THE DOOM AND DOWNFALL OF THE FRUITLESS PROFESSOR: SHOWING, THAT THE DAY OF GRACE MAY BE PAST WITH HIM LONG BEFORE HIS LIFE IS ENDED; THE SIGNS ALSO BY WHICH SUCH MISERABLE MORTALS MAY BE KNOWN. BY JOHN BUNYAN 'Who being dead, yet speaketh.'--Hebrews 11:4 London: Printed for J. Robinson, at the Golden Lion, in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1688. This Title has a broad Black Border. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn, searching, awful treatise, was published by Bunyan in 1682; but does not appear
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Testimonies.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God."--Heb. xi. 6. In order to prevent the possibility of being led into paths of error, faith is directed, not to a Christ of the imagination, but to "the Christ in the garments of the Sacred Scripture," as Calvin expresses it. And therefore we must discriminate between (1) faith as a faculty implanted in the soul without our knowledge; (2) faith as a power whereby this implanted faculty begins to act; and (3) faith as a result,--since with this faith (1)
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

How those are to be Admonished who do not Even Begin Good Things, and those who do not Finish them when Begun.
(Admonition 35.) Differently to be admonished are they who do not even begin good things, and those who in no wise complete such as they have begun. For as to those who do not even begin good things, for them the first need is, not to build up what they may wholesomely love, but to demolish that wherein they are wrongly occupied. For they will not follow the untried things they hear of, unless they first come to feel how pernicious are the things that they have tried; since neither does one desire
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

The First Wall.
Let us, in the first place, attack the first wall. It has been devised, that the Pope, bishops, priests and monks are called the Spiritual Estate; Princes, lords, artificers and peasants, are the Temporal Estate; which is a very fine, hypocritical device. But let no one be made afraid by it; and that for this reason: That all Christians are truly of the Spiritual Estate, and there is no difference among them, save of office alone. As St. Paul says (1 Cor. xii.), we are all one body, though each member
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

They Shall be Called the Children of God
They shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 In these words the glorious privilege of the saints is set down. Those who have made their peace with God and labour to make peace among brethren, this is the great honour conferred upon them, They shall be called the children of God'. They shall be (called)', that is, they shall be so reputed and esteemed of God. God never miscalls anything. He does not call them children which are no children. Thou shalt be called the prophet of the Highest'
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Under the Shepherd's Care.
A NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS. "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."--1 Peter ii. 25. "Ye were as sheep going astray." This is evidently addressed to believers. We were like sheep, blindly, willfully following an unwise leader. Not only were we following ourselves, but we in our turn have led others astray. This is true of all of us: "All we like sheep have gone astray;" all equally foolish, "we have turned every one to his own way." Our first
J. Hudson Taylor—A Ribband of Blue

Of the Matters to be Considered in the Councils.
Let us now consider the matters which should be treated in the councils, and with which popes, cardinals, bishops, and all learned men should occupy themselves day and night, if they loved Christ and His Church. But if they do not do so, the people at large and the temporal powers must do so, without considering the thunders of their excommunications. For an unjust excommunication is better than ten just absolutions, and an unjust absolution is worse than ten just excommunications. Therefore let
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Education of Jesus.
This aspect of Nature, at once smiling and grand, was the whole education of Jesus. He learned to read and to write,[1] doubtless, according to the Eastern method, which consisted in putting in the hands of the child a book, which he repeated in cadence with his little comrades, until he knew it by heart.[2] It is doubtful, however, if he understood the Hebrew writings in their original tongue. His biographers make him quote them according to the translations in the Aramean tongue;[3] his principles
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

The Tests of Love to God
LET us test ourselves impartially whether we are in the number of those that love God. For the deciding of this, as our love will be best seen by the fruits of it, I shall lay down fourteen signs, or fruits, of love to God, and it concerns us to search carefully whether any of these fruits grow in our garden. 1. The first fruit of love is the musing of the mind upon God. He who is in love, his thoughts are ever upon the object. He who loves God is ravished and transported with the contemplation of
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

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