Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
FALSE TEACHERS TO ARISE: THEM BAD PRACTICES AND SURE DESTRUCTION, FROM WHICH THE GODLY SHALL BE DELIVERED, AS LOT WAS. (2Pe. 2:1-22)
But--in contrast to the prophets "moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Peter 1:21).
also--as well as the true prophets (2 Peter 1:19-21). Paul had already testified the entrance of false prophets into the same churches.
among the people--Israel: he is writing to believing Israelites primarily (see on 1 Peter 1:1). Such a "false prophet" was Balaam (2 Peter 2:15).
there shall be--Already symptoms of the evil were appearing (2 Peter 2:9-22; Judges 1:4-13).
false teachers--teachers of falsehood. In contrast to the true teachers, whom he exhorts his readers to give heed to (2 Peter 3:2).
who--such as (literally, "the which") shall.
privily--not at first openly and directly, but by the way, bringing in error by the side of the true doctrine (so the Greek): Rome objects, Protestants cannot point out the exact date of the beginnings of the false doctrines superadded to the original truth; we answer, Peter foretells us it would be so, that the first introduction of them would be stealthy and unobserved (Judges 1:4).
damnable--literally, "of destruction"; entailing destruction (Philippians 3:19) on all who follow them.
heresies--self-chosen doctrines, not emanating from God (compare "will-worship," Colossians 2:23).
even--going even to such a length as to deny both in teaching and practice. Peter knew, by bitter repentance, what a fearful thing it is to deny the Lord (Luke 22:61-62).
denying--Him whom, above all others, they ought to confess.
Lord--"Master and Owner" (Greek), compare Judges 1:4, Greek. Whom the true doctrine teaches to be their OWNER by right of purchase. Literally, "denying Him who bought them (that He should be thereby), their Master."
bought them--Even the ungodly were bought by His "precious blood." It shall be their bitterest self-reproach in hell, that, as far as Christ's redemption was concerned, they might have been saved. The denial of His propitiatory sacrifice is included in the meaning (compare 1 John 4:3).
bring upon themselves--compare "God bringing in the flood upon the world," 2 Peter 2:5. Man brings upon himself the vengeance which God brings upon him.
swift--swiftly descending: as the Lord's coming shall be swift and sudden. As the ground swallowed up Korah and Dathan, and "they went down quick into the pit." Compare Judges 1:11, which is akin to this passage.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Zechariah 13:2
Matthew 7:15
1 Corinthians 6:20
Galatians 3:13
2 Peter 1:12
2 Peter 2:3
2 Peter 3:16
1 John 2:2
Jude 1:4
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