Template:2 Peter 2
2 Peter 2
Comments 2 Peter 2 Despise not Dominion |
In verse 10 we see a warning about despising government. The Greek word kuriotes does not actually mean "government" but "dominion".[1] |
Man was granted dominion by God in Genesis 1:26. That dominion includes our God-given rights to choose to act in a righteous fashion. But many men choose to give up their natural rights and grant that God given dominion to other men in exchange for something like Esau in Genesis 25:34[2] who sold his God given birth right for "bread and pottage of lentiles" because he "despised" it. |
God Hates this disregard for the rights and responsibilities He bestows on man. This is also the error of Balaam and the deeds of the Nicolaitan. |
What does it mean to "speak evil of dignities"? God did not put most rulers into power over you. You and others before you have done that by coveting benefits offered by men who exercise authority one over the other as Peter said you would. |
We are not seeking righteousness while we are giving other men the "power to choose" for us what is good and evil. This is what man does when the Voice of the people reject God and elect rulers like Israel did in 1 Samuel 8 gives power to men in government. |
To "grant dominion to other men" who call themselves Benefactors but who exercise authority one over another is the opposite of what Christ told us. To use any government to take from your neighbor to obtain benefits, social security or welfare is the essence of Covetous Practices that curse children which is the theme of this chapter. |
Is the Constitution biblical? |
While you may have to pay tribute you do not have to seek the Wages of unrighteousness. |
This entire chapter is about doing what is righteous. Taking from your neighbor through the agency of government is not righteous. It is sitting at the table of rulers and an appetite for the desire of their dainties and benefits is not only idolatry but a "fellowship" and "communion" with unbelievers that will yoke[3] you as merchandise and curse your children. |
Polybius and John the Baptist warned us as wells Peter, Paul, James and John. |
No one can seek or apply to these Fathers of the earth for their benefits and still be able to say they are practicing Pure Religion. |
In verse 13 we see Peter say that there are "spots" from the Greek spilos[4] Our care of the needy of society as Christians must be "unspotted" to be Pure Religion. |
People want government to pass laws to make them ave and secure but Tacitus knew 2000 years ago that "The more laws, the more corrupt the state." |
We should be attending to the weightier matters Christ rebuked the Pharisees for neglecting but not by the voice of the people electing more rulers. |
We need to repent and seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousness by coming together according to the perfect law of liberty in free assemblies desiring to serve rather than merely be served. |
2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you[5], who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord[6] that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow[7][5] their pernicious[8] ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
Be not Merchandise
2:3 And through covetousness[9] shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation[10] of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Despise not Dominion
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
Curse not Children
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots[4] they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices[9]; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam[11] [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
Be not Entangled Again
19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions[12] of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled [13]therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known[14] the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb[15] The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
- ↑ 2963 ~κυριότης~ kuriotes \@koo-ree-ot’-ace\@ from 2962; TDNT-3:1096,486; {See TDNT 418} n f AV-dominion 3, government 1; 4
- 1) dominion, power, lordship
- 2) in the NT: one who possesses dominion
- See Ephesians 1:21, Colossians 1:16, 2 Peter 2:10, Jude 1:8
- ↑ Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised [his] birthright.
- ↑ 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4696 ~σπίλος~ spilos \@spee’-los\@ of uncertain derivation; ; n m AV-defile 1, spot 1; 2
- 1) a spot
- 2) a fault, moral blemish
- 2a) of base and gluttonous men
- Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot <4696>, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
- 2 Peter 2:13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots <4696> they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 False Christs
- Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
- Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
- Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
- Mark 13:22 "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect."
- 1 Corinthians 15: 15. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
- 2 Corinthians 11: 13. For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
- Galatians 2:4 "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."
- 2 Peter 2:1 "But 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 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
- 2 Peter 3: 16. "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know [these things] before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness."
- ↑ 1203 ~δεσπότης~ despotes \@des-pot’-ace\@ perhaps from 1210 and posis (a husband); n m AV-Lord 5, master 5; 10 1) a master, Lord
- ↑ Many deceived
- Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many... 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
- Mark 13:6 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
- Luke 21:8 "And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them."
- 2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
- 2 Peter 2:2 "But 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. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
- ↑ Pernicious ways
- 2 Peter 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
- 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
- 2 Peter 2:21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
- Matthew 24:10 "And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."
- Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
- Mark 13:22 "For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect."
- 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would [no doubt] have continued with us: but [they went out], that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
- Romans 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
- Matthew 7:14 Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Covet not
- Exodus 20:17 "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that [is] thy neighbour’s."
- Deuteronomy 5:21 "Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour’s."
- Micah 2:2 "And they covet fields, and take [them] by violence; and houses, and take [them] away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage." Property and inheritance tax.
- Habakkuk 2:9 "Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! 10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul."
- Mark 7:20 "And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."
- Romans 7:7 "What shall we say then? [Is] the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet."
- Romans 13:9 "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
- 1 Corinthians 5:10 "Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But 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."
- 1 Corinthians 6:10 "Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." See Not inherit the kingdom
- Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God." See Not inherit the kingdom
- 2 Timothy 3:2 "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- 2 Peter 2:3 "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
- 2 Peter 2:14 "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:"
- Colossians 3:5 "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:"
- ↑ 391 ~ἀναστροφή~ anastrophe \@an-as-trof-ay’\@ from 390; TDNT-7:715,1093; {See TDNT 752} n f AV-conversation 13; 13
- 1) manner of life, conduct, behaviour, deportment
- ↑ The way of error
- 2 Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
- Jude 1:11 "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots(not "unspotted" like Pure Religion) in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds [they are] without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;"
- Revelation 2:14-17 "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication ("to permit one’s self to be drawn away by another into idolatry"). 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth [it]."
- Ezekiel 16:49 "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy."
- The way of the world is the way of Cain and His city-state, the Corban of the Pharisees and the cities of blood, Nimrod and the Nicolaitan, Babylon and Balaam, Sumer and Sodom, Pharaoh and the foolishness of Saul, and more recently FDR and LBJ and all the welfare States who use legal charity which is not The Way of Christ, the Kingdom of God nor the righteousness of God.
- ↑ 3393 ~μίασμα~ miasma \@mee’-as-mah\@ from 3392 ("miasma"); n n AV-pollution 1; 1 1) that which defiles, defilement 2) metaph., vices the foulness of which contaminates one in his intercourse with the ungodly mass of mankind
- ↑ Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the Elements of the World.
- Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
- Matthew 11:30 "For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light."
- ↑ Lacking Knowledge
- Hosea 4:6-8 “6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. 7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change their glory into shame. 8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.”
- Job 21:13-14 “13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. 14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” Job 21:13-14
- Job 21:22-23 “22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. 23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.”
- Psalms 14:2-5 “2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. 5 There were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous.” repeated in Psalms 53:5.
- Psalms 119:66-67 “66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.”
- Proverbs 1:7-14 “7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: 9 For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. 11 If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: 12 Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:... 14 Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:”
- 2 Peter 2:15-22 “15 ...forsaken the right way... following the way of Balaam ... who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity... 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
- ↑ Proverbs 26:11 ¶ As a dog returneth to his vomit, [so] a fool returneth to his folly.