2 Peter 2:1 - Meaning and Application

Peter had just spoken at the end of the previous chapter about holy men of God in Old Testament times, men whom the Holy Spirit used to write Scripture. Here he says that even then, there were false prophets in the church as well as true ones. In every age, when God sends true messengers, the devil also sends people to lead others astray, false prophets in the Old Testament, and false Christs, false apostles, and misleading teachers in the New.

About these false teachers, notice this. Their work is to bring in destructive errors, even deadly false teachings, while God’s true teachers point people to the way of truth, the true way to eternal life. There are deadly false beliefs as well as deadly sinful actions, and false teachers work hard to spread harmful ideas. These destructive teachings are usually brought in quietly, under the cover of truth. Those who spread them deny the Lord who bought them. They refuse to hear and learn from the great Teacher sent by God, even though he is the only Savior and Redeemer of people, and he paid a price enough to redeem as many sinners as there are in the world.

Those who bring harmful error to others also bring swift, and therefore certain, destruction on themselves. People who destroy themselves are soon destroyed, and those hardened enough to spread error that ruins others will surely and suddenly be destroyed, without escape or remedy.

Peter then speaks of the effect on other people. Corrupt leaders rarely fail to gain many followers. Even though the road of error leads to ruin, many are still willing to walk it. People often welcome evil as naturally as they drink water, and they are pleased to live in error. The prophets speak falsely, and the people like it that way.

When error spreads, it also brings a bad name on the way of truth, that is, the way of salvation through Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. The Christian faith comes from the God of truth, leads to true happiness in knowing and enjoying the true God, and works truth in the inner person so we can serve God rightly. Yet those who embrace and spread destructive error slander and speak against this way of truth. Peter has already said this would certainly happen. So we should not be surprised when we see it in our own day. Instead, we should be careful that we give no reason for enemies to speak against the holy name we bear, or to speak evil of the way by which we hope to be saved.

Notice also the way deceivers try to win followers. They use made-up words. They flatter people, and by smooth talk and fine speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple. They lead people to give themselves fully to the opinions they are pushing, and to put themselves under the teaching and rule of these false teachers. Such men make money from those they turn into followers, serving themselves and gaining something for their own benefit. They do all this out of greed, wanting more wealth, more influence, or more praise by increasing their number of followers. Faithful ministers of Christ want what is best for the people they lead, that they may be saved. But these deceiving teachers want only their own temporary gain and earthly success.