Interpretive Study of 2Peter

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Click on the following links to jump to a chapter within this study: Chapter 1; Chapter 2; Chapter 3; God.

2Peter Chapter 2 Sentence-by-Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:

C2-S1 (Verse 1), C2-S2 (Verse 2), C2-S3 (Verse 3), C2-S4 (Verse 4-10), C2-S5 (Verse 10), C2-S6 (Verse 11), C2-S7 (Verse 12-13), C2-S8 (Verse 13-16), C2-S9 (Verse 17), C2-S10 (Verse 18), C2-S11 (Verse 19), C2-S12 (Verse 20), C2-S13 (Verse 21), C2-S14 (Verse 22)'.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

1-6	He foretells them of false teachers, shewing the impiety and punishment both of them and their followers;
7-9	from which the Godly shall be delivered, as Lot was out of Sodom;
10-22	and more fully describes the manners of those profane and blasphemous seducers, whereby they may be the better known, and avoided.

C2-S1 (Verse 1) the consequence of believing a lie.

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.

This sentence starts with But, which means it is connected to the prior sentences while going in a different direction. (Please see the notes for the prior chapter about those details.) Peter ended the prior chapter by telling us about an incorruptible word of God. Now, he is going to tell about false prophets and false teachers which claim authority above the word of God. He also speaks about damnable heresies which claim to show us the Way of God while they actually go in another direction. This change in direction, while sticking to the subject of the basis of our faith, is what the But introduces. In addition, where the prior chapter told God's people how to act and display a true testimony, this chapter tells how these false prophets and false teachers, along with their followers, act.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

But there were false prophets also among the people: In 2:15 Peter mentions Balaam the son of Bosor as one of these false prophets. Yes, he was a prophet, but he did not remain true to God and he led God's people into error. We are also warned about false prophets in Jeremiah 14:14; Lamentations 2:14; Matthew 7:15; Matthew 24:11; Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; Acts 13:6; 1John 4:1; Revelation 16:13; 19:20; 20:10. In addition, to studying what Peter says here, studying those verses, and the surrounding verses, and associated notes can help the reader to understand the damage caused by these people and how to spot them and avoid their errors.

even as there shall be false teachers among you: A lot of these false teachers will use this verse to claim that a lot of things are heresies, even the Word of Truth. Think of all those people who claim that they have a 'better interpretation' than their Bible because they went to the 'original language'. (God's 'original language' is Hebrew, not Greek. The God of the Bible uses the language that His people understand in the day that He talks to them). The fact is that the But starting this verse links this verse to what Peter was talking about before. Before this verse, Peter was talking about the written word of God and the commandment from our Lord to obey the written word of God and to reject any private interpretation. So the first way that these false teachers deny The Lord that bought them is to reject His authority by teaching people obeying themselves instead of obeying the Lord that bought them. This is the same message as we find in 1John and 2John about antichrists that John warns us are in the world today. Peter warns us that the way that these false teachers justify their stealing the authority of our Lord is that they claim to have a private interpretation. Any private interpretation, such as a better interpretation based upon The original languages is to be rejected as heresy from false teachers and is a rejection of the authority of our Lord.

who privily shall bring in damnable heresies: A heresy is a false teaching which claims to be from the same basis as the true teaching. Peter says that these are damnable because they bring God's judgment upon His people. The example that Peter gives later in this chapter, of Balaam the son of Bosor, is one of 'Liberal Doctrine' which claimed that it is OK to live in lust and other sins because 'God understands'. Look at the fact that the main prayer request in American churches today is about sickness and death while God's people in America cling to 'Liberal Doctrines' and the Bible w3arns that the judgment from God upon His people, who follow 'Liberal Doctrines', is sickness and death.

even denying the Lord that bought them: this is explained in detail in the This sentence within the Lord Jesus Christ Study. Simply put, God allows these false prophets, false teachers and damnable heresies at a test which He will use when we stand before our Lord in judgment. Those people who reject these false prophets, false teachers and damnable heresies by submitting to what God literally wrote in His incorruptible word of God will justify God saving them. They are the ones that Peter identifies as the just. All others will be damned by the Lord as either the unjust or as the ungodly with the Lord (not us) deciding who is in which of those damned categories. Peter's warning is simple: do what is required to prove that you are among the just.

and bring upon themselves swift destruction: 1Thessalonians 5:3 says, For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. the phrase swift destruction does not mean that God brings judgment as soon as they do wrong but that it comes so suddenly that they can not avoid the judgment. God lets people teach damnable heresies as a test to see which people will follow them. God gives the people teaching them enough time to repent so that they can not claim that they didn't have enough time to do so. But, when God does bring judgment, it comes swiftly.

Please see the note for Luke 3:14 about the word false. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Not true; not conformable to fact; expressing what is contrary to that which exists, is done, said or thought'. Please also see the Study called False things according to the Bible.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S5; 1Corinthians C11S4 and 1Thessalonians 5:20 about the words prophecy / prophesy. The New Testament definition is: 'a person who tells us what God actually says, which is usually different from what religion says. In Old Testament times, a prophet of God was verified by his telling a true prediction of future events. In New Testament times, a prophet of God is verified by comparing his doctrine to what the word of God literally says'. Please note that 1Corinthians 14:3 tells us: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. This is what the word of God tells us is the true job of a true prophet of God. It is not 'foretelling the future'. Please note that 1Corinthians 14:3 tells us: But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. This is what the word of God tells us is the true job of a true prophet of God. It is not 'foretelling the future'. Please also see the Prophecies and Prophecy Fulfilled Sections for Bible references to resurrection. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S33; Romans C12S5; Jude and false prophets about the word prophet.

Please see the note for Acts 16:37 about the word privily.Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'adv. from privy. Privately; secretly. --False teachers among you, who shall privily bring in damnable heresies. 2 Pet.2'. Please also see the note for Acts 5:1 about the word privy. Please see the note for Mark 13:3-4 about the word privately. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In a secret manner; not openly or publicly'.

Please see the note for 13:2 which has links to all of the verses in the Bible which use any form of the word damn, along with a short note on each and the Webster's 1828 definition.

Please see the note for Galatians C5S20 about the word heresies. The New Testament definition is: 'A fundamental error in religion, or an error of opinion respecting some fundamental doctrine of religion'. Please also see the note for Titus C3S7 about the word heretic.

Please see the note for 2Timothy 2:11-13 about the word deny / denial. The New Testament definition is: 'To contradict; to gainsay; to declare a statement or position not to be true'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 7:23 about the word bought / buy. The New Testament definition is: 'To acquire the property, right or title to anything, by paying a consideration or an equivalent in money'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 6:9 about the word destruction. It has definitions from more than one dictionary, links to every place in the New Testament where We find this word, and links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'The act of destroying; demolition; a pulling down; subversion; ruin, by whatever means'.

Please be sure to follow the links that are within the sentence outline above to find notes related to those words and to find links to other places where that word is used. Where those links lead to another Study, please also go to the top of the Study (or section within the Lord Jesus Christ Study) to get the definition, the particular application of this verse, and links to other verses with the same application.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'there were. De 13:1-3; 1Ki 18:19-22; 22:6; Ne 6:12-14; Isa 9:15; 56:10-11; Jer 14:13-15; 23:16-17,25-32; 27:14-15; 28:15-17; 29:8-9,31-32; 37:19; La 2:14; Eze 13:3-18; Ho 9:8; Mic 2:11; 3:5,11; Zec 13:3-4; Mt 7:15; Lu 6:26; Ro 16:18 even. Mt 24:5,11,24; Mr 13:22; Lu 21:8; Ac 20:29-30; 1Co 11:19; 2Co 11:13-15; Ga 4:17; Eph 4:14; Col 2:8,18; 2Th 2:3-12; 1Ti 4:1-3; 2Ti 3:1-9; 4:3; Tit 1:11; 1Jo 2:18-19,26; 4:1; Jude 1:18; Re 2:9; 13:14 privily. 2Pe 2:3; Ga 2:4 damnable. 2Pe 2:3; Ga 5:20; Tit 3:10 denying. Mt 10:33; Lu 12:9; Ac 3:13-14; 2Ti 2:12-13; Jude 1:4; Re 2:13; 3:8 bought. De 32:6; Ac 20:28; 1Co 6:20; 7:23; Ga 3:13; Eph 1:7; Heb 10:29; 1Pe 1:8; Re 5:9 and bring. 2Pe 2:3; Mal 3:5; Php 3:19 General references. exp: Le 15:8; Pr 19:27; Mt 24:11'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S2 (Verse 2) the consequence of allowing heretics to stay in the church.

First Step: People naturally follow error.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways;.

Second Step: People speak evil about the things of God.

by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

This sentence starts with And which adds it to the prior sentence. (Please see note above.) Peter is warning us of the consequence of following the damnable heresies taught by false prophets and false teachers. But when someone causes The way of truth (to) be evil spoken of, they bring damnation upon themselves. One of the damnable heresies taught by false prophets and false teachers is that damnation only applies to the lost. However, Romans 13:2 says, Whosoever...shall receive to themselves damnation and Whosoever includes saved people. 1Corinthians 11:29 is speaking only to saved people. Further, the therefore of 2Corinthians 5:11 makes The terror of the Lord a DIREC't result of The judgment seat of Christ (2Corinthians 5:10) and ONLY applicable to saved people AFTER they get to heaven. 1Timothy 5:12 applies damnation to saved widows. While I could go on with many more Bible references, these should be sufficient to show that there is a damnation (other than an eternity in the Lake of Fire) that applies to God's people. There is much more in the This verse in the Study on Truth.

With this context in mind, we should now be able to look at the phrases of our sentence.

And many shall follow their pernicious ways: this is the only place in the Bible where we find the word pernicious. . Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Destructive; having the quality of killing, destroying or injuring; very injurious or mischievous'. Our prior sentence warned us against false prophets and false teachers. Now our current sentence is adding the warning that their ways bring destruction. This matches what we find in Proverbs 7:27; Proverbs 14:12 and Proverbs 16:25 (There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.) these people offer a way that appeals to our flesh and many shall follow because they don't take the time to research what God's Word says and the find our what the end of that way really is. It is simply called being lazy

by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of: I just said that people are lazy. But people get mad if you say something like that about them because they want other people to think well of them. Formany people, the opinion of visible neighbors is more important than the opinion of an invisible God. Rather than seek God's help th change their character, they call the man of God a liar. They honestly believe that they will not be judged by God for doing so because these false prophets and false teachers tell them that 'God will understand their sin' and not punish them for it. Think about someone repeatedly and deliberately hurting your child. You would not love your child if you allowed it to continue with no consequences, especially when you could do something about it. Yes, God does seem to let people get away with this behaviour, but that is only because God is longsuffering and He rewards His people for the suffering that they endure for His name. However, as 2Peter 3:9 says, The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. the people who refuse to change and continue to speak evil of the way of truth will eventually be judged by God for their sin.

Please also see the note for Psalms 119:30; which is the only other place in the Bible where we see the exact phrase of: The way of truth. That note explains this phrase in detail.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S16 about the word follow. The New Testament definition is: ' to go after or behind; to walk, ride or move behind, but in the same direction'. Please also see the note for Romans C14S25 about the phrase follow after. Please also see the note for Mark 2:14 about the phrase follow me. That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find this phrase along with a short note about each usage.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C4S17 and Psalms 119 about the word way. The New Testament definition is: 'How we get from our present condition/place in life to the time that we face the judgment of God upon our life'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 3:10 about the word reason. The New Testament definition is: 'That which is thought or which is alleged in words, as the ground or cause of opinion, conclusion or determination'.

Please see the note for Romans 7:19 about the word evil. The New Testament definition is: 'Both the source and consequence of things which people consider to be really really bad. The source and / or result can be natural or spiritual or any combination thereof. However, even what seems to be a natural source can actually be caused by a devil, especially when the recipient is a child of God. In all cases the result is deliberately intended and caused, which is what separates evil from the accidental'. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please also see the note for Ephesians C4S15 about the phrase evil speaking. Please also see the note for 1Peter 4:15 about the word evildoer. Please also note the conincidence between the Devil and the word evil since the Devil is the source of much evil. That note has links to every place in thew Bible where We find this word. The New Testament definition is: 'one who does evil things'.

Please see the note for Romans C15S15 and 2Corinthians 2:17 about the word speak / spoken. The New Testament definition is: 'To utter words or articulate sounds, as human beings; to express thoughts by words'. We find forms of this word, in 1Peter in: 1:8; 2:1; 2:12; 3:10; 3:16; 4:4 and 4:11.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'many. Mt 24:10-13,24; Mr 13:22; 1Jo 2:18-19; Re 12:9; 13:8,14 exp: 2Jo 1:7. pernicious ways. or, lascivious ways, as some copies read. by reason. Ro 2:24; 1Ti 5:14; Tit 2:5,8 way. 2Pe 2:15,21; Ps 18:21; Isa 35:8; Jer 6:16; Mt 7:14; 22:16; Mr 12:14; Joh 14:6; Ac 13:10; 16:17; 18:26; 19:9; 24:14 evil. 2Pe 2:12; Ac 14:2; 1Pe 2:12; Jude 1:10,15 exp: 1Co 15:33. General references. exp: Le 15:8; Pr 19:27; Eze 12:24; 1Ti 5:15'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S3 (Verse 3) the results of false prophets and false teachers.

Equivalent Section: Results in this world.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you:.

Equivalent Section: Eternal results.

whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not,
and their damnation slumbereth not.

This is the second sentence in this chapter which starts with And. That makes all three sentences a single subject dealing with the damnable heresies taught by false prophets and false teachers. Peter gives us a way to identify these people. When they are all about worldly gain (covetous) and all about the show (feigned words) then we should avoid their doctrine. In addition, Peter says that their judgment now of a long time lingereth not. There have been many religious leaders who have been busted for fraud or immoral acts. The true servants of God condemn them and their acts and help the authorities prosecute them while others of the same type make excuses and claim that they are being 'persecuted'. The true people of God show the difference between the God's true doctrine and the damnable heresies taught by false prophets and false teachers. Meanwhile, other false prophets and false teachers brush over the doctrines and focus on how wonderful their the man is, or on how terrible the authorities are. This is so that they can continue to teach the same damnable heresies. When your religious leader teaches the same doctrine as someone who has been busted for fraud or immoral acts, it is time to find another religious leader. In addition, when your religious leader are condemning government authorities, instead of praying for their salvation, it is time to find another religious leader.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: Our phrase starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence. Here we see that instead of being motivated by teaching people God's way, they are motivated by covetousness. In addition, the word And, adds this sentence to the second prior where we find that these false prophets and false teachers denied the Lord that bought them and that they do so because they want to make merchandise of you. That is: they are concerned with reward in this life instead of eternal rewards. They claim to represent the God of the Bible but their words are feigned ('not real') because their true motivation is the things of this world instead of eternal rewards. Finally, we see that they make merchandise of you. They sell tickets and charge a fee to hear from their famous speakers.

whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not: Here we see that their judgment will come soon and this has already been explained within our note. One thing to pay attention to is that while God will leave them for some time, even for years, God will let His people see their judgment. God leaves them as a test but He brings judgment within their lifetime so that His people are not led astray. Foolish people will go from one false leader who has been judged to another who preaches the exact same thing. They will forget the prior judgment or will claim that the government officials were not fair or make some other excuse to justify, in their own mind, chasing a doctrine which God has judged.

and their damnation slumbereth not: Here we see that not only are they judged in this world but we are assured of their eternal judgment. The Bible uses the word sleep for saved people who are physically dead but spiritually saved. The people whom Peter is writing about are saved people who turned from truth to error. Therefore, the word slumbereth speaks about the tine when these people are physically dead but spiritually in Heaven. That is: this judgment happens after they get to Heaven.

Please see the note for Romans C1S16 about the word covetousness. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; usually in a bad sense, and applied to an inordinate desire of wealth or avarice. Out of the heart proceedeth covetousness. Mark 7. Mortify your members--and covetousness which is idolatry. Colossians 3. 2. Strong desire; eagerness'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S12 about the word covet. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To desire earnestly to obtain or possess. This can be in a good sense. But it also can be a desire which it is unlawful, which makes it in a bad sense'. This sin is grouped with what men think of as the most vile of sins by Romans 1. It is equated with lust and violation of God's law in Romans 7. This is the basis of 'Original Sin' (Genesis 3:5-6). This is the spiritual basis of most sins. Please also see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God. This commamdment is one of the 'Ten Commandments'. This word is also found, in this Bible book, at: 2Peter 2:14.

We find forms of the word feign in: 1Samuel 21:13; 2Samuel 14:2; 1Kings 14:5; 1Kings 14:6; Nehemiah 6:8; Psalms 17:1; Luke 20:20; 2Peter 2:3. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: ', v.t. fane. L. fingo. the Latin forms fictum, fictus, whence figura, figure, also fucus. 1. to invent or imagine; to form an idea or conception of something not real. There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. Neh. 6. 2. to make a show of; to pretend; to assume a false appearance; to counterfeit. I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner. 2Sam. 14. She feigns a laugh. 3. to represent falsely; to pretend; to form and relate a fictitious tale. The poet did feign that Orpheus drew trees, stones, and floods. 4. to dissemble; to conceal'. Please also see the note for 2Timothy C1S2 about the phrase faith: unfeigned.

Please see the note for Colossians 2S2 about the word word. The New Testament definition is: 'a single component part of human speech or language'. However, The word of God is the holy scriptures and in the English language, it is only the KJV-1611. Please also see the notes for Romans C10S22 and Word in 1John about the phrase word of God. Please also see the note for John 1:1 for an extensive note explaining the differences, and similarities, between the capitalized and the non-capitalized word word. When a Bible reference uses an uppercase word, it is referring to Jesus Christ. The uppercase makes this a formal name of the Son of God. However, while the exact definition is different, the properties are spiritually similar to the lowercase word. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 1:8 about the phrase word of the Lord. Please note that The word of the Lord is a sub-set of The word of God. The word of God contains all of God's written truth including recording the lies of Satan. The word of the Lord is that part of The word of God which will be used to judge us. The lies from Satan are not included within the word of the Lord.

Please see the note for Matthew 22:5-6 about the word merchandise. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The objects of commerce; wares, goods, commodities, whatever is usually bought or sold in trade. But provisions daily sold in market, horses, cattle, and fuel are not usually included in the term, and real estate never. 2. Trade; traffick; commerce.
MER'CHANDISE, v.i. to trade; to carry on commerce'. Please also see the note for Matthew 13:45-46 about the word merchant.

Please see the notes for Romans C2S2 and Philippians 1:9-11 about the word judgment. Please also see the notes for Romans C14S16 and 2Corinthians 5:10 about the judgment Seat of Christ (Romans 14:10; 2Corinthians 5:10-11). Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; 1Corinthians 1:10 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the word judge. Please also see the notes for Romans 14:8-LJC and 2Thessalonians 1:9-LJC about the phrase judgment without mercy. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C4S5 about the phrase we are to judge. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. Please also see the note for Ephesians C5S6 about the phrase judgment by us. We find forms of this word, in 2Peter in: 2:3; 2:4-10 and 3:7. Everything that saved people do is judged by God.

Please see the note for 13:2 which has links to all of the verses in the Bible which use any form of the word damn, along with a short note on each and the Webster's 1828 definition.

We find forms of the word slumber in: Job 33:15; Psalms 121:3-4; Psalms 132:4; Proverbs 6:4; Proverbs 6:10; Proverbs 24:33; Isaiah 5:27; Isaiah 56:10; Nahum 3:18; Matthew 25:5; Romans 11:8; 2Peter 2:3. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'to sleep lightly; to doze. He that keepth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Ps. 121. 2. to sleep. Slumber is used as synonymous with sleep, particularly in the poetic and eloquent style. 3. to be in a state of negligence, sloth, supineness or inactivity. Why slumbers Pope?'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'through. 2Pe 2:14-15; Isa 56:11; Jer 6:13; 8:10; Eze 13:19; Mic 3:11; Mal 1:10; Ro 16:18; 2Co 12:17-18; 1Ti 3:3,8; 6:5; Tit 1:7,11; 1Pe 5:2; Jude 1:11 with. 2Pe 1:16; Ps 18:44; 66:3; 81:15 (margin) Lu 20:20; 22:47; 1Th 2:5 make. De 24:17; Joh 2:16; 2Co 2:17; Re 18:11-13 whose. 2Pe 2:1,9; De 32:35; Isa 5:19; 30:13-14; 60:22; Hab 3:3; Lu 18:8; 1Th 5:3; 1Pe 2:8; Jude 1:4,7,15 exp: 2Co 11:15. General references. exp: Le 15:8; Nu 22:19; Eze 12:24'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S4 (Verse 4-10) Why we can know that God will bring judgment upon false prophets and false teachers.

Equivalent Section: God judges all beings.

First Step: God judged rebellious angels.

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;.

Second Step: God judged the rebellious world.

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;.

Third Step: God judged rebellious Sodom and Gomorrah.

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow,
making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;.

Fourth Step: God spared His child.

And delivered just Lot,
vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked :.

Equivalent Section: determines the basis of His judgment.

First Step: a righteous man got into sin that he couldn't control.

(For that righteous man dwelling among them,
in seeing and hearing,
vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;).

Second Step: the Lord delivered the righteous man.

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptations,
and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:.

Equivalent Section: God judges people who challenged His authority.

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness,
and despise government.

The verse format has split this sentence across several verses and then put the next sentence in the same verse as the end of the this sentence. Here we see that the single thought about God's judgment is chopped into verses with the end result being that people think that God's judgment is less than it truly is. The verse format also allows people to think that God judged one group of beings one way and another group another way. That supports the doctrinal error which claims some people will receive special treatment and be judged differently from all other beings. People need to realize how the verse format has a negative impact upon true understanding of the Bible.

The verses in this sentence are the source of a lot of doctrinal error that it taught. In particular, the difference between the Godly, the ungodly, the just and the unjust causes people problems because they don't know the Biblical differences or have been taught error about these differences. The note for this sentence; in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, is quite extensive and covers those doctrinal errors. This note will concentrate upon the structure of these two sentences because a lot of the doctrinal error is due to people picking one phrase (verse) and building a doctrine upon that partial sentence while remaining ignorant of the entire sentence, the structure of the sentence, and the God given limits imposed by that sentence structure. Further, additional confusion is caused by the fact that this sentence sp and several verses while the next sentence is put into the same verse as the end of the this sentence.

If the reader will prayerfully examine the structure above that is laid out above then several things should be evident:

The sentence is divided according to punctuation as seen consistently done throughout this study and site.
The headings of low-order sections of the sentence structure summarize what is said below the heading.
The headings of higher-order sections of the sentence structure summarize what is said in the lower-order headings under the higher-order heading.
The conclusions show in the headings are based upon what that part of the sentence says even though they are possibly different from what the reader may have heard or thought before.

I know that all of this discussion about sentence structure can be difficult for some people to follow. However, God preserved every jot and tittle (Matthew 5:18; Luke 16:17). In addition, our language consists of more than just words. The language has an order and structure. Thus, we can not form a sentence by grabbing words out of a dictionary and cramming them together. They have to follow a defined order that is taught as Grammar. In addition, some words modify other words and do not make proper sense if they are used without the word that they are modifying. Further, some words define a relationship and we can not have the proper interpretation unless we consider both sides of that relationship. Thus, understanding structure and the information that it conveys is a critical part of proper interpretation.

The first thing that we see here (in our First Equivalent Section) is that Peter tells us four steps that God took in judgment. Some people might not like how Lot is put in with the others, but that is how God had Peter form this sentence. You argue with God and see how far it gets you. :)

A lot of the problems that many people have with this sentence is that religion gives us a wrong definition of righteous and a wrong definition of just and then people reject what is clearly said here because the Bible corrects their religion and they want their religion to correct God. We first read about Lot in Genesis 11:27. Lot went to Haran with his family. Then when Abram left the rest of the family (Genesis 12:4) and Lot went with him. Later, Lot made a bad choice but his error did not take away his salvation which happened when he choose to follow Abram and believe God's promises like Abram did. (This is the same way that we get saved today.) I'm always amazed when someone who claims to believe in eternal security condemns Lot to Hell. Everyone else in these four steps rebelled. Lot made a foolish mistake, but he did not rebel. Lot was just because that was the judgment of our Lord. Toreject His judgment is a dangerous thing to do. In fact, the rest of this sentence is talking about those who rejected the judgment of our Lord.

One further note: this doctrine of 'No tears in heaven' is a lie of the devil that has been covered extensively elsewhere. Lot went to heaven but I'm sure that he shed tears every week that he has been there and will continue to do so until the Great White throne Judgment. Please see later in this chapter (2:21) for more details on this subject.

Returning to our sentence, we saw that the First Equivalent Section was further divided into four Steps that God took to show how He judged the rebellious. These four Steps are equivalent to the next section where God did not judge but deliver the Godly out of temptations. More than one saved person has ended up trapped in a situation that they believed was totally different when they first got tangled. Peter tells us that Lot vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. When the saved are trapped in a situation, they need to stay righteous, even though the situation is vexing. Where Lot made his second mistake was that when God delivered him, he wanted to hold onto 'just a little sin' instead of accepting complete deliverance (Genesis 19). The judgment which extended to 10 generations of his family, and eventually ended with God wiping out all of his descendants, was that he returned to his sin after God delivered him. However, it does not matter how much sin the saved return to, their punishment will not include losing their eternal salvation.

In our third Equivalent Section of this sentence, people need to understand what the Bible means by uncleanness in order to understand this section of the sentence. In the Bible, uncleanness is used for 'moral corruption'. That is, perverting our personal relationship with God. Now many people might wonder what that has to do with government and the answer is that God had Peter connect these two in a sentence that is dealing with rebellion. We can say that our Lord is wrong or we can ask for help in understanding what God is trying to tell us. The fact is that those people who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness are rebelling against God on a personal level. They are striving for something that God told them they could not have and that it would cause them personal problems (like Lot seeking to go to Zoar). Thus, these people rebelled against the commandment of God. Further, governments were created by God. They had slavery in Paul and Peter's day. (See the Book Study on Philemon and the use of freeman in the Book Study on 1Corinthians and other places in the Bible.) Instead of rebelling against God's structure called government, we are supposed to seek personal guidance from our Lord so that we can bring God glory and He can reward us no matter what the circumstances. Paul and Silas would not have started the Philippian church if they complained instead of singing praises to God inspire of the circumstances. The people who walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and those who despise government are rebelling against God on a personal level. (Please see the notes for Romans 4:5 and 2Peter 2:9-LJC to find links to every place where this epistle uses forms of the word ungodly.) the New Testament definition of the word ungodly is: 'A lost person whose lifestyle shows that they are lost and have nothing to do with obeying and trusting God'. That leads us to the next sentence in these verses.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

For if God spared not the angels that sinned: this is the first phrase of the First Step of the First Equivalent Section. Our phrase starts with the word for and our sentence tells us why the first three sentences of this chapter are true. Here we see judgment upon angels, which are greater than man. Therefore, no person can claim to be too important to be judged by God.

but cast them down to hell: Here we see God's temporary holding place where these angels are held until God releases them during the great tribulation (Revelation 9:2; Jude 1:6). Eventually they will be sent to the lake of fire.

and delivered them into chains of darkness: We also see this said in Jude 1:6. One thing to think about is that these angels were in heaven and God's light until this happened to them. What we see here is that God's judgment is that we get the ultimate consequence of what we choose.

to be reserved unto judgment: this tells us that as bad as these angels have it now, their future is worse. When God lets them free He will let everyone see (or experience) the full corruption brought on by sin. No being will be able to claim that their punishment is unjust after they experience the results of their own rebellion against God.

And spared not the old world: this is the first phrase of the Second Step of the First Equivalent Section. Where the First Step told us the consequence of angels who were in the presence of God and rebelled, now this Step tells us about the consequence of men who could talk to God directly and hear His audible voice. That is what Cain did and these men were in the same dispensation. In addition, 1Peter 3:19 tells us that Christ preached to them as a Christophny. Therefore, these men have less excuse to rebel and probably had the best situation among men and they were not too great for God to judge.

but saved Noah the eighth person: With the phrase The eighth person Peter is including the family of Noah in this salvation. (Please see the note for 1Peter 3:19 for more details on this phrase). These eight persons were the only ones in that day who did not rebel against God.

a preacher of righteousness: With this phrase we see why Noah and his family were saved. We also see that it is not enough to avoid rebellion but that we also need to preach righteousness. This is the commandment of God and if we refuse then we are in rebellion, regardless of what we may claim.

bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly : 2Corinthians 2:16 says, To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? the exact same message which brings salvation to one person also brings condemnation to those who reject God's truth. This account is in Genesis 7.

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow: this is the first phrase of the third Step of the First Equivalent Section. Here we see God bringing judgment upon people who rebelled against God's natural order in the days of Abraham. No, they did not have written scripture but that had God's truth because Abraham was saved. What we see here is that the circumstances of our life do not provide an excuse for our refusal to be saved. Genesis 19 tells this story including that The smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly : the indication is that The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were known by everyone in that time. When God made them an ensample there was not question about Who did it nor did they question why nor could they deny that they understood the ensample. However, people are good at denial and the further away people are in space and time the easier it is to deny reality. Therefore, over time, even this ensample lost its impact over time and people returned to the same types of sin. This is easily seen by fur4ther judgments that God had to bring including judging His people who rebelled against him even as soon as we read about Joseph being sold into slavery. The brothers of Joseph didn't think that their rejecting joseph as God's chosen leader was rebellion against God.

And delivered just Lot: this is the first phrase of the Fourth Step of the First Equivalent Section. Every Step so far has shown God bringing judgment upon His creations starting from angels to almost all men to the obviously sinful. Now we get to God's child (just) of Lot. (Please see the note for this sentence; in the Lord Jesus Christ Study, about the Biblical meaning of just and of related words.) Here we see that he lived a life of sin but he did not rebel against God. We also see the doctrine of 'eternal security'. If Lot had rebelled he would have been killed but he would still go th heaven.

vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: please see the word definitions below about the words vexed, filthy, conversation, and wicked. Basically, our phrase means: 'Lot was continuously provoked and afflicted by the sinful lifestyle of people who deliberately sinned'. A lot of people work a job and live a life that they hate because it provides physical creature comforts. That is what Lot was doing. We also see the judgment upon Lot's wife. Many lost people keep their saved spouse in a sinful situation. What all saved are to do in this type of case is leave the sinful situation and if the lost spouse refuses to go then obey 1Corinthians 7.

For that righteous man dwelling among them: this is the First Step of the Second Equivalent Section. In each Equivalent Section we see people deliberately choosing the live a sinful lifestyle and God bringing judgment upon them. This phrase tells us that Lot choose to live a sinful lifestyle . The remainder of this Step tells us the judgment he received while doing that. It does not tell us the judgment that he received in eternity.

in seeing and hearing: this tells us how a just ma vexed his soul. Lots of people think that if they don't participate then they are innocent. According to this phrase, that is not true.

vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds: this tells us that it went on every day and let Lot did nothing. When we know that wrong is going on around us and we do nothing about it we bring further condemnation upon ourselves.

The Lord knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptations: this is the Second Step of the Second Equivalent Section. Even though Lot did nothing to get himself out of the sinful circumstance, The Lord did do something. If we look at what really happened we can see that it is better to get ourselves out of these situations and best if we avoid them altogether. Please see the note for this sentence; in the Lord Jesus Christ Study for more about this phrase.

and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: this is added to the prior phrase by starting with an and. Where the prior phrase told us how The Lord deals with the Godly, our current phrase tells us how The Lord deals with The unjust. The two phrases together are the Second Step in the Equivalent Section which tells us 'How God determines the basis of His judgment'. God gives 'diplomatic immunity' to the saved within His criminal court system (The great white throne legal system). God the Father allows The Lord (Jesus Christ) to deal with the saved at the judgment seal of Christ. Thus, what we see here is that the judgment given to the saved (just) is different from that given to the lost (ungodly) because they go to two different legal systems. We also see that paying attention to every word makes a doctrinal difference because our sentence uses God for most of this sentence but switches to The Lord for this Equivalent Section where we see a different type of judgment.

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness: this is the first phrase of the Second Equivalent Section. This gives us the general rule that God uses to judge everyone who is not saved (The just). The Lord also follows this rule but the consequence in His court system are different. Please see the word definitions (below) for more on this phrase.

and despise government: this phrase is added to the prior and tells us God's general rule for condemning the ungodly. The importance of this phrase has already been dealt with. The main thing which we see here is that this shows people who rebel against their God-given authorities within this life.

Please see the note for Romans C11S25 about the word spared. The New Testament definition is: ' Dispensed with; saved; forborne'. Thus, these beings were not saved by God.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S1; Significant Gospel Events and Significant New Testament Events about the word angel. The New Testament definition is: 'A spirit, or a spiritual intelligent being employed by God to communicate his will to man'. Please also see the note for Jude 1:7 about the word archangel.

Please see the note for 1:9 about the word sin. The New Testament definition is: 'a violation of God's law' (1John 3:4). Please note that religious people call certain groups of people sinners. because they fit a religious definition which may have nothing to do with God's law. Please also see the note for Matthew 9:10 about the word sinners. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' One that has voluntarily violated the divine law; a moral agent who has voluntarily disobeyed any divine precept, or neglected any known duty'. Please also see it about the word sinner. The New Testament definition is: 'someone who does sin'.

Please see the note for Luke 1:29 about the word cast. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'In general "to throw," with various degrees of violence; usually, with force, but not so necessarily, as e.g. in cast a net," cast lots."'. Please also see the note for Romans C11S19 about the phrase cast away. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:8-10 about the phrase cast down. Please also see the note for Mark 9:28 about the phrase cast out. Please also see the note for Romans 11:1 about the phrase God will not cast away his people.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word Hell. The New Testament definition is: 'Place of torment, in the center of the Earth, where God puts lost people until they are taken out for the great white throne judgment and then cast into the lake of fire'. Please also see the note for Matthew 16:18 about the phrase gates of Hell.

Please see the note for Mark 9:31 about the word delivered. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Freed; released; transferred or transmitted; passed from one to another; committed; yielded; surrendered; rescued; uttered; pronounced'.

Please see the note for Mark 5:2-4 about the word chain. The New Testament definition is: 'A series of links or rings connected, or fitted into one another, usually made of some kind of metal, as a chain of gold, or of iron; but the word is not restricted to any particular kind of material. It is used often for an ornament about the person. It was used as an ornament (Pr 1:9; Song 1:10). Chains were also used as fetters wherewith prisoners were bound (Jg 16:21; 2Sa 3:34; 2Ki 25:7; Jer 39:7)'.

Please see the note for Romans 13:12 and John 8:12 about the word darkness. The New Testament definition is: ''lack of spiritual light and guidance from God including following the guidance of a devil'. Please also the note for Light and Darkness in 1John.

Please see the note for 1Peter 1:4 about the word reserve. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'v.t. rezerv'. L. reservo; re and servo, to keep. 1. to keep in store for future or other use; to withhold from present use for another purpose. the farmer sells his corn, reserving only what is necessary for his family. Hast thou seen the treasures of hail, which I have reserved against the day of trouble? Job 38. 2. to keep; to hold; to retain. Will he reserve his anger for ever? Jer. 3. 3. to lay up and keep for a future time. 2Peter 2. Reserve your kind looks and language for private hours.
RESERVE, n. rezerv'. 1. that which is kept for other or future use; that which is retained from present use or disposal. The virgins, besides the oil in their lamps, carried likewise a reserve in some other vessel for a continual supply. 2. Something in the mind withheld from disclosure. However any one may concur in the general scheme, it is still with certain reserves and deviations. 3. Exception; something withheld. Is knowledge so despis'd? or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste? 4. Exception in favor. Each has some darling lust, which pleads for a reserve. 5. Restraint of freedom in words or actions; backwardness; caution in personal behavior. Reserve may proceed from modesty, bashfulness, prudence, prudery or sullenness. My soul surpris'd, and from her sex disjoin'd, left all reserve, and all the sex behind. 6. In law, reservation. In reserve, in store; in keeping for other or future use. He has large quantities of wheat in reserve. He has evidence or arguments in reserve. Body of reserve, in military affairs, the third or last line of an army drawn up for battle, reserved to sustain the other lines as occasion may require; a body of troops kept for an exigency'.

Please see the note for Romans C11S25 about the word spare. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'pp. Dispensed with; saved; forborne'.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; 1Corinthians C1S19; 2Timothy C1S5 and World in 1John about the word world. The New Testament definition is: 'The world is not the earth but is all of the people in the earth and often is used for the majority opinion / thought process. That opinion / thought process is the result of lost people thinking that they know better than God does and believe Satan's lie'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 for links to every place in that epistle where we find the word salvation along with definitions from three different dictionaries and links from other commentators. Please see the note for Main Menu item for Salvation about the word save. The New Testament definition is: 'to exclude. When used spiritually, it means to exclude from the damned by having God's life in you. When used physically, it means to exclude from what is endangering physical life' .

Please see the note for Hebrews 11:7 for links to every place where we find the name of Noah.

Please see the note for Mark 12:14 about the word person. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An individual human being consisting of body, soul and spirit'.

Please see the note for Romans 10:14; in the Book Study on Romans, for links to every place in the Bible where we find preacher. That note also has a short note for each verse and the definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary. Please also see the note for Romans 11:20-21 for links to the verses in the New Testament which use the word spared. Please also see the note for Romans 12:28 for links to notes on this site which use various words related to government. Please see the note for Romans 13:14 for links to place in the Bible where the word lust is used along with the definition from Webster's 1828 .

Please see the note for 1:1 about the word righteous / righteousness. The New Testament definition is: 'doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time and for the right reason'.

Please see the notes for Luke 6:47-48 about the word flood. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A great flow of water; a body of moving water; particularly, a body of water, rising, swelling and overflowing land not usually covered with water'.

Please see the note for 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the word Godly. The New Testament definition is: 'People who have a personal relationship with God and a testimony that shows that relationship'. Please also see that note about the word ungodly. The New Testament definition of the word ungodly is: 'A lost person whose lifestyle shows that they are lost and have nothing to do with obeying and trusting God'. That note also covers the words just and unjust. That note also has links to where these words are used in 1Peter.

Please see the note for Mark 11:19 about the word city. the New Testament definition for this word is: 'An area where many people live together and have a local government rule over them'. Please also see the note for Romans C13S12 about the phrase city of refuge. Please also see the note for Matthew 4:5 about the phrase holy city.

We find forms of the word Gomorrha only in connection with Sodom and only in Matthew 10:15; Mark 6:11; Romans 9:29; 2Peter 2:6 and Jude 1:7.

Please see the note for Romans C8S1 about the word condemn. The New Testament definition is: 'The judicial act of declaring one guilty, and dooming him to punishment'. Please see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase condemnation of fools.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C10S2 about the words overthrown / overthrew. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word s: 'v.t. See throw. 1. to turn upside down. His wife overthrew the table. a 2. to throw down. 3. to ruin; to demolish. When the walls of thebes he overthrew. 4. to defeat; to conquer; to vanquish; as, to overthrow an army or an enemy. 5. to subvert; to destroy; as, to overthrow the constitution or state; to overthrow religion'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C10S3 about the word example / ensample. The New Testament definition is: 'A pattern; a copy; a mode; that which is proposed to be imitated'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:19-20 about the word life. That note has the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators. Please also see the notes for Life in 1John about the word life. Please see the notes for Hebrews 1:8-LJC and Philippians 1:27-LJC about the phrase life everlasting. We find the phrase eternal life in: 6:12 and 6:19. Please see the note for Romans C10S15 about the phrase belief changes life.

Please see the notes for Galatians 2:16-LJC and Romans C7S16 about the word just. The New Testament definition is: 'The primary sense is probably straight or close, from the sense of setting, erecting, or extending. It also means Regular; orderly; due; suitable'. Please also see the note for Romans 3:20 about the word justify. Please see the Minor Titles of the Son of God in the Significant Gospel Events Study for the title of Just. Please also see the note for Ephesians C1S2 about the phrase just shall live by faith. Please also see the note for Romans C11S6 about the phrase just shall live by his faith. Please also see the note for Romans C3S29 about the phrase justification by faith. Please also see the note for 2Peter 2:9-LJC about the word unjust.

We find Lot mentioned 37 times in 34 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Luke 17:28-29; Luke 17:32; 2Peter 2:7. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The saved nephew of Abraham who turned from serving God to seeking the lusts of the flesh and is used as an example of God judging the saved'.

Please see the note for Matthew 15:22 about the word vex. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'To irritate; to make angry by little provocations; a popular use of the word. 2. to plague; to torment; to harass; to afflict. Ten thousand orments vex my heart. 3. to disturb; to disquiet; to agitate. White curl the waves, and the vex'd ocean roars. 4. to trouble; to distress. I will also vex the hearts of many people. Ezek. 32. 5. to persecute. Act. 12.
VEX, v.i. to fret; to be teased or irritated'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 7:1 about the word filthiness. the New Testament definition is: 'The state of being filthy. 2. Foulness; dirtiness; filth; nastiness. Carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 2Chron. 29 the word of God uses this word for spiritual sin or spiritually motivated sin'. Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S13 about the word filth. As explained in that note, the word of God uses this word mainly for spiritual sin. Please see the note for Psalms 119 about the word defile. Please also see the note for Mark 9:25 about the word foul.

Please see the note for Galatians 1:13-14 for links to place in the Bible where the word conversation is used along with the definition from Webster's 1828 and links from other commentators. The Bible uses the word conversation to mean 'Your way of life. How we live speaks louder that what comes out of our mouth and if the two disagree, we prove ourselves to be a liar'.

Please see the notes for Romans C1S16; 1Corinthians 5:8; Colossians 1:9-17 and Ephesians 6:12 about the word wicked. Please also use the link in the sentence outline, above. The New Testament definition is: 'Departure from the rules of the divine law; evil disposition or practices; immorality; crime; sin; sinfulness; corrupt manners Wickedness generally signifies evil practices'. Please see the note for Ephesians C4S8 about the phrase wicked heart.

Please see the note for Romans C7S24 about the word dwell. The New Testament definition is: 'Continuance; residence; state of life'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C13S9; 2Corinthians 2:17 and Colossians C1S6 about the word see / sight. The New Testament definition is: 'The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view. This word is often used symbolically for spiritual understanding'. Please also see the note for John 6:40-LJC about the phrase see the Son.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C12S14 and Galatians C3-S7 about the word hear. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Perceiving by the ear. This word is often used symbolically for hearing the spiritual message of the word of God, as sound. 1. Listening to; attending to; obeying; observing what is commanded. 2. Attending to witnesses or advocates in a judicial trial; trying'. Please also see the note for Mark 4:9 about the phrase He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Please see the note for Luke 1:5 about the word day. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'The Jews reckoned the day from sunset to sunset (Le 23:32). It was originally divided into three parts (Ps 55:17). "The heat of the day" (1Sa 11:11; Ne 7:3) was at our nine o'clock, and "The cool of the day" just before sunset (Ge 3:8). Before the Captivity the Jews divided the night into three watches, (1) from sunset to midnight (La 2:19); (2) from midnight till the cock-crowing (Jg 7:19); and (3) from the cock-crowing till sunrise (Ex 14:24). In the New Testament the division of the Greeks and Romans into four watches was adopted (Mr 13:35). (See Watches.) the division of the day by hours is first mentioned in Da 3:6,15; 4:19; 5:5. this mode of reckoning was borrowed from the Chaldeans. the reckoning of twelve hours was from sunrise to sunset, and accordingly the hours were of variable length (Joh 11:9). The word "day" sometimes signifies an indefinite time (Ge 2:4; Isa 22:5; Heb 3:8, etc.). In Job 3:1 it denotes a birthday, and in Isa 2:12; Ac 17:31; 2Ti 1:18, the great day of final judgment'. The New Testament definition, of the phrase last day is: '(end of the) Church Age. However, in the life of the individual, it can be used for the day that he dies'. Please see the note for Hebrews 3:13 about the word today. The New Testament definition is: 'obey immediately'. Please also see the note for Matthew 26:55 about the word daily. Please also see the notes for Philippians 1:6-LJC and 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of. Please also see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about the phrase day of the Lord. Please also see the note for John 20:1 about the phrase first day of the week.

The New Testament definition of the word law is: 'A written code or rule that is enforced by God or some government'. Please also see the following notes about law: law of works: Romans C3S27. kinds of laws that apply to us tday: Romans C3S31; 1Corinthians 9:21-LJC. Law defined: Romans C6S16; 1Corinthians C6S1. religious part of Moses' law: Hebrews 19:29-LJC. righteousness of the Law: Ephesians 4:7-LJC. Law and faith: Romans C3S25. Mosaic Law added: Galatians C3S22.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:12 about the word deed. The New Testament definition is: 'That which is done, acted or effected; an act; a fact; a word of extensive application, including whatever is done, good or bad, great or small'.

Please see the note for 1:1-4 about the word know. The New Testament definition is: 'A clear and certain perception of that which exists, or of truth and fact; and the perception of the connection and agreement, or disagreement between various truths and acts. Within the Biblical usage is the knowledge that comes only from personal intimate experience'. There are different levels of knowledge which can vary based upon their source, how the knowledge is obtained and more. True Biblical knowledge includes the most intimate and personal type of knowledge which comes from personal experience.

Please see the note for Galatians C4-S11 about the word temptation. The New Testament definition is: 'Trial; a being put to the test'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C10S6 about the word tempt.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 2:6 about the word punish. The New Testament definition is: 'Any pain or suffering inflicted on a person for a crime or offense, by the authority to which the offender is subject, either by the constitution of God or of civil society'. Please also see the note for Matthew 25:46 about the word punishment.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:5 about the word chief. The New Testament definition is: ' Highest in office or rank; principal'.

Please see the notes for Romans C8S1 and Ephesians C4S1 about the word walk. Please see the note for Romans C9S28 about the phrase live / walk by faith. The New Testament definition is: 'To move slowly on the feet; to step slowly along; to advance by steps moderately repeated'. When applied to faith, the emphasis is upon small movements of faith and repeated continuously. The people that Peter warns us against refuse to live / walk by faith, regardless of what they claim.

Please see the note for Romans 8:1 about the words flesh. The New Testament definition, of the word flesh, is: 'Our body and all influences upon our mind, our will and our emotions which come through our body and concerns for our body'. We also find forms of this word, in Hebrews, in: 2Peter 2:10. Please note that most books of the New Testament warn us about outflesh. Please also see the note for Romans 8:8 for the difference between walk after the flesh and in the flesh. Please see the note for Romans 8:8 for the difference between walk after the flesh and in the flesh. Please also see the note for Romans C8S7 about the phrase after the flesh. Please also see the note for Romans C8S7 about the phrase in the flesh. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 12:7 about the phrase thorn in the flesh. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:18 about the word fleshly.

Please see the notes for Romans C13S17; Galatians C5-S18 about the word lust. The New Testament definition is: 'Longing desire; eagerness to possess or enjoy'. While this word is normally used for a sin, as it is in our current sentence, it is not always a sin, especially when it is done by the Spirit of God. We also find this word, in this Bible book in: 23Peter 2:18.

Please see the notes for Galatians C5S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the word uncleanness. Part of the definition found in the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia includes: 'Greek word for "uncleanness" is akatharsia, which occurs 10 times (Matthew 23:27; Romans 1:24; 6:19; 2Corinthians 12:21, etc.). miasmos, "pollution," occurs only in 2Peter 2:10. The adjective akathartos, "unclean," occurs 31 times, 23 times in reference to unclean spirits (Luke once using the expression "unclean demon," 4:33), 4 times to ceremonial uncleanness (there by Peter and one by John the revelator), and 4 times to moral uncleanness (three by Paul and one by John the revelator). Koinos, "common," "unclean," occurs 8 times in the sense of "unclean" (Mark 7:2, 5; Acts 10:14, 28; 11:8; Ro 14:14; Revelation 21:27). The verb koinoo, "to defile," occurs 11 times (Mt 15:11, 18, 20; Mark 7:15, etc.). miaino, "to defile," occurs 5 times (John 18:28; Tit 1:15; Hebrews 12:15; Jude 1:8). moluno, "to make filthy," occurs 3 times (1Corinthians 8:7; Revelation 3:4; 14:4). spiloo, occurs twice (James 3:6; Jude 1:23) and phtheiro, "to corrupt," occurs 7 times in Greek, once in English Versions of the Bible (1Corinthians 3:17)'. Please also see the note for Hebrews 9:13-14 about the word unclean. Please also see the note for Word Study on Spirit; Romans C14S20 and Colossians C3S5 about the phrase unclean spirits.

Please see the note for Romans C2S4 about the word despise. The New Testament definition is: 'o contemn; to scorn; to disdain; to have the lowest opinion of'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'spared. 2Pe 2:5; De 29:20; Ps 78:50; Eze 5:11; 7:4,9; Ro 8:32; 11:21 the angels. Job 4:18; Lu 10:18; Joh 8:44; 1Jo 3:8; Jude 1:6 but. Isa 14:12; Mt 8:29; 25:41; Mr 5:7; Lu 8:31; Re 12:7-9; 20:2-3,10 into. 2Pe 2:11; Jude 1:6 to be. 2Pe 2:9; Job 21:30; Jude 1:13
spared. Ge 6-8; Job 22:15-16; Mt 24:37-39; Lu 17:26-27; Heb 11:7 exp: 2Pe 2:4. The eighth. Ge 7; 1Pe 3:20 a preacher. 1Pe 3:19; Jude 1:14-15 exp: 1Ti 2:7. bringing. 2Pe 3:6 General references. exp: Ge 6:8; 7:7,21; Mt 24:37; 2Pe 3:6.
turning. Ge 19:24-25,28; De 29:23; Isa 13:19; Jer 50:40; Eze 16:49-56; Ho 11:8; Am 4:11; Zep 2:9; Lu 17:28-30; Jude 1:7 making. Nu 26:10; De 29:23; 1Co 10:11 General references. exp: Jos 22:20; Jer 50:40; Lu 17:29; 19:40.
delivered. Ge 19:16,22,29; 1Co 10:13 vexed. Ge 13:13; 19:7-8; Ps 120:5; Jer 9:1-6; 23:9 General references. exp: Ge 19:28.
that. Pr 25:26; 28:12; 1Ti 1:9; Jas 5:16 in seeing. Ps 119:136,139,158; Eze 9:4,6; Mal 3:15-17 General references. exp: Hab 1:3.
knoweth. Job 5:19; Ps 34:15-19; 1Co 10:13 the Godly. Ps 4:3; 12:1; 32:6; 2Ti 3:12; Tit 2:14 and. 2Pe 2:4; Job 21:30; Pr 16:4; Jude 1:14-15 exp: 2Th 3:3. unto. 2Pe 3:7; Ro 2:5; 2Co 5:10-11 General references. exp: 1Sa 29:10; 2Co 1:10.
that. Ro 8:1,4-5,12-13; 2Co 10:3; Heb 13:4 in the. Ro 1:24-27; 1Co 6:9; Eph 4:19; 5:5; Col 3:5; 1Th 4:7; Jude 1:4,6-8,10,16 despise. Nu 16:12-15; De 17:12-13; 21:20-21; 1Sa 10:27; 2Sa 20:1; 1Ki 12:16; Ps 2:1-5; 12:4; Jer 2:31; Lu 19:14; Ro 13:1-5; 1Pe 2:13-14 government. or, dominion'.

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C2-S5 (Verse 10) the attitude of false prophets and false teachers.

Presumptuous are they,
selfwilled,
they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Peter gives us three different descriptions of people who rebel against God's structure. What Peter tells u in this sentence fits all of those types of people who were mentioned in the prior sentence including the angels and even sinful saved people. Peter tells us they are:

Presumptuous: Leaders in government usually have access to facts that they can not reveal to others. Yet rebels presume that they have access to the same info. In addition, they presume that they can make things better and it is possible that God has determined to bring judgment and choose that leader to take the blame. Think of Pharaoh who opposed Moses. Just as he was God's choice, so also are evil people in government. We just need to know what God's will is for our life in all circumstances and recognize that there are some circumstances while have consequences beyond our understanding.
selfwilled: there is much that can be said about this word but the basic concept is simple. Those whose main focus is self should not be in government where the leaders have to put the desires of self aside and concentrate on the good of all. All rebels think that they can do a better job of governing but a selfwilled person in government leads to disaster. Think of the first Jewish king of Saul and the disasters which happened after he became selfwilled and stopped listening to the man of God. Now think of king David who did great sins but was a great king because he always listened to the man of God.
not afraid to speak evil of dignities: Ever Heard someone say 'The Devil made me do it' or 'The man upstairs' (referring to God) or be disrespectful to a government office holder? they are telling upon themselves. They have this attitude which people think is OK to have but which stirs up others to rebel.

We find forms of the word presume only in: Exodus 21:14; Numbers 14:44; Numbers 15:30; Deuteronomy 1:43; Deuteronomy 17:12-13; Deuteronomy 18:20; Deuteronomy 18:22; Esther 7:5; Psalms 19:13; 2Peter 2:10. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'To take or suppose to be true or entitled to belief, without examination or positive proof, or on the strength of probability. We presume that a man is honest, who has not been known to cheat or deceive; but in this we are sometimes mistaken. In many cases, the law presumes full payment where positive evidence of it cannot be produced. We not only presume it may be so, but we actually find it so. In cases of implied contracts, the law presumes that a man has covenanted or contracted to do what reason and justice dictate. PRESU'ME, v.i. to venture without positive permission; as, we may presume too far. 1. to form confident or arrogant opinions; with on or upon, before the cause of confidence. This man presumes upon his parts. I will not presume so far upon myself. 2. to make confident or arrogant attempts. In that we presume to see what is meet and convenient, better than God himself. 3. It has on or upon sometimes before the thing supposed. Luther presumes upon the gift of contingency. It is sometimes followed by of, but improperly'. Thompson Chain Topics provides links for the phrase Presumptuous Plans as: '(of men): Examples of: the Men after the Flood: Ge 11:4. The Natural Man: Pr 19:21. The Luxurious King: Jer 22:13-14. The Rich Fool: Lu 12:18. The Venturesome Business Man: Jas 4:13'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:15-17 about the word will. The New Testament definition is: 'That faculty of the mind by which we determine either to do or forbear an action; the faculty which is exercised in deciding, among two or more objects, which we shall embrace or pursue'. Please also see the note for 1Peter 2:15 about the phrase will of God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Presumptuous. Nu 15:30; Jude 1:8exp: Ps 19:13. selfwilled. Ge 49:6; Tit 1:7 to speak. Ex 22:28; Ec 10:6-7,20; Ac 23:5; Jude 1:8,10 General references. exp: Job 34:18; 1Pe 2:13'.

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C2-S6 (Verse 11) Angels aren't as foolish as some religious men.

Whereas angels,
which are greater in power and might,
bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.

The Whereas that starts this sentence is making a comparison to the prior sentence. The Bible (in several places) tell us that angels have enough power and might to do things that we consider to be miracles. Even the world has an expression for how foolish these people are. ('Fools rush in where angels fear to tread'.) please see The note for this verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study for more details. As noted there, angels have enough sense to not offend our Lord by taking our Lord's place and judging other beings. You may be God's child, but don't be stupid enough to think God will ignore your taking a role and rights that He reserves to His role as Lord and does not allow to anyone else, not even to His roles as Christ or as Jesus.

Please see the note for Romans C13S2 about the word power. The New Testament definition is: 'The primary sense of the verb is to strain, to exert force. 1. In a philosophical sense, the faculty of doing or performing anything; the faculty of moving or of producing a change in something; ability or strength. Power might be physical, spiritual, emotional, moral, religious or of some other nature'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 5:11 for definitions, comments and links related to forms of the word rail. The New Testament definition is: 'To utter reproaches; to scoff; to use insolent and reproachful language; to reproach or censure in opprobrious terms; followed by at or against, formerly by on. Reviling, using harsh, insolent, or vituperative language; scoffing) forbidden'.

Please see the note for Titus 2:3 about the word accuser. The New Testament definition is: 'To charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, either by plaint, or complaint, information, indictment, or impeachment; to charge with an offense against the laws, judicially or by a public process; as, to accuse one of a high crime or misdemeanor. Satan is the accuser of the brethren and false accusers are acting like Satan'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'angels. Ps 103:20; 104:4; Da 6:22; 2Th 1:7; Jude 1:9'.

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C2-S7 (Verse 12-13) Fools shall perish.

First Step: they prove that they have no more understanding than brute beasts have.

But these,
as natural brute beasts,
made to be taken and destroyed,
speak evil of the things that they understand not;.

Second Step: they bring their own physical destruction upon themselves.

and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;.

Third Step: they bring their own eternal destruction upon themselves.

And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness,
as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime.

This sentence is not hard to understand as it is written. The only problem is that fools reject even such a plain and clear message. People just want to deny it because they want to excuse their own sin. According to God through Peter, a rebel is no better than the cheapest whore. This sentence and the next are treated together in the these sentences in the Lord Jesus Christ Study because the next sentence qualifies this sentence.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

But these: Peter is referring back to the false prophets and false teachers of 2:1 and to the people who follow their pernicious ways, which Peter identified in 2:2. These people have ben Peter's main subject for the entire chapter. Our sentence starts with the word but and continues the subject of how rebellious beings act. Where the prior sentence talked about rebellious angels, this sentence is describing foolish rebellious people.

as natural brute beasts: the word as, which starts this phrase, lets us know that Peter is not saying that these people are natural brute beasts, but they act like they have no more brains than natural brute beasts.

made to be taken and destroyed: this is the purpose of natural brute beasts. Fools reduce themselves to the same low value.

speak evil of the things that they understand not: this ends our First Step which started with the phrase which identified these people and ends with their foolish attitudes and actions. Such people will ignore the context of this chapter and complain about the clear message of this sentence as if the sentence was said independent of the context.

and shall utterly perish in their own corruption: this is the Second Step. Here we clearly see the consequence of choosing to be a Biblical fool. This Step tells of their physical reward.

and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness: thus, phrase and the next form the third Step. This Step tells of their spiritual reward. They will not receive this result until they are judged by God but their judgment will be based upon their works, as our next phrase says. Please also see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about our being judged by works.

as they that count it pleasure to riot in the daytime: Most people start out doing riot in the dark where people have a hard time identifying them. These fools not only don't care if people know that they violate God's laws but openly broadcast their sin. They are trying to get others to join them in their sin and that is part of what brings God's judgment upon them.

Please see the note for Romans 11:20-21 and 1Corinthians C11S14 for links to every place in the Bible where any form of the word natural is used. The New Testament definition is: 'things which obey the laws of this physical world'.

Please see the note for Acts 7:42 about the word beast. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Any animal that is not man. Sometimes it means quadrupeds, and not creeping things'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S22 and 1Corinthians C3S17 about the word destroy. The New Testament definition is: 'To demolish; to pull down; to separate the parts of an edifice, the union of which is necessary to constitute the thing'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians 10:10 about the word destroyer.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S2 about the word understand. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'under and stand. the sense is to support or hold in the mind. 1. to have just and adequate ideas of; to comprehend; to know; as, to understand a problem in Euclid; to understand a proposition or a declaration. 2. to have the same ideas as the person who speaks, or the ideas which a person intends to communicate'. Please see the note for Matthew 13:14 about the word understood. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The past tense of understand'.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15-16 and 2Corinthians 4:16 about the word perish. The New Testament definition is: 'To die; to lose life in any manner'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S36 about the word corruption. The New Testament definition is: 'The act of corrupting, or state of being corrupt or putrid; the destruction of the natural form of bodies, by the separation of the component parts, or by disorganization, in the process of putrefaction'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S1; 1Corinthians C15S1 and Colossians 2:6-7 about the word receive. The New Testament definition is: 'To take, as a thing offered or sent; to accept'. In addition, please see the note for Matthew 10:41; which explains that in order to truly receive a person, we must receive their character as our own.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C9S26 about the word reward. The New Testament definition is: 'Recompense, or equivalent return for good done, for kindness, for services and the like'.

The note for Romans 3:5 provides links to every verse which uses the word unrighteousness along with a small note on each verse. The note for Romans 1:29 is part of the summary of Romans 1. That note provides the definition from Webster's 1828 and shows the relationship between unrighteousness and several other sins. There are 535 verses which use forms of the word righteous. The note for Romans 1:18-19 provides links to the 50 times in 41 verses of Romans that forms of the word righteous are used.

Please see the note for Romans 13:13 which has links to every verse in the Bible which uses the word riot along with the definitions from Webster's 1828 . The New Testament definition is: ''.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'as natural. Ps 49:10; 92:6; 94:8; Jer 4:22; 5:4; 10:8,21; 12:3; Eze 21:31; Jude 1:10 perish. 2Pe 2:19; 1:4; Pr 14:32; Joh 8:21; Ga 6:8
The reward. Isa 3:11; Ro 2:8-9; Php 3:19; 2Ti 4:14; Heb 2:2-3; Jude 1:12-16; Re 18:6 to riot. Ro 13:13; 1Th 5:7-8; 1Pe 4:4 Spots. Song 4:7; Eph 5:27; Jude 1:12 while. 1Co 11:20-22'.

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C2-S8 (Verse 14-16) How to identify the unjust.

Equivalent Section: Saved people who receive God's damnation.

First Step: Saved people seeking a life of sin.

Spots they are and blemishes,
sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;.

Second Step: Saved people addicted to sin.

Having eyes full of adultery,
and that cannot cease from sin;.

Third Step: they lead others into sin.

beguiling unstable souls:.

Equivalent Section: Saved people who are cursed children.

First Step: their heart leads them to keep doing wrong.

an heart they have exercised with covetous practices;.

Second Step: God curses them.

cursed children:.

Equivalent Section: Saved people who are judged for forsaken the right way.

First Step: they followed a religious leader who was seeking the rewards of the flesh.

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;.

Second Step: the religious leader was rebuked but did not admit it to those people who followed him into error.

But was rebuked for his iniquity:.

Equivalent Section: God tries to turn the saved from their foolishness.

The dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Our sentence provides more information on the people that Peter talked about in the prior sentence. In the prior sentence it appeared as if these people were lost. Now in this sentence it seems like they are saved. The fact is that we are not capable of separating the lost from the saved when they are lukewarm unjust sinners. (Revelation, 1Peter and 2Peter use these three different titles for the same group.) these people claim to be saved while living lives which give a testimony of their being lost. In Matthew 13:24-30 we read the 'Parable of the Wheat and the Tares'. In it Jesus said to leave the two growing together and they will be separated at harvest, which is the judgment by God. Thus, we are to be aware of them and not follow them and even avoid fellowshipping with them while we try to show them the error of forsaking the right way.

As the This sentence in the Lord Jesus Christ Study explains, Balaam was a foolish prophet. Even though Peter only used unjust in 2:9; that is the main subject of this entire chapter. in this sentence Peter gives us several more descriptions of these people. As said, this sentence is defining the people who will receive the results of the prior sentence. The Book Study on Jude also deals with this doctrine. Jude and Peter both mention Balaam the son of Bosor as an example of this type of people. Balaam the son of Bosor could not curse God's people but he taught them to join with sinners and adopt the sinful lifestyle of those people that God was destroying for their sin (Numbers 22).

In our first equivalent section of this sentence, Peter says that they take three distinct steps. In the first step, they pretend to be as spiritual as anyone else. They have a 'hidden second life' (sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you). In the second step, they become addicted to the sin that they were sure they could control. In the third step, they beguile unstable souls by convincing those other souls that they can get away with sin also.

In the next equivalent section Peter tells us that they have covetous practices but what one person covets may not tempt another. Therefore, it is not always easy to spot their exercise, especially since they are also using deceivings. However, Peter's next phrase should be clear enough for anyone to understand. Cursed is something that we should all understand. When someone is cursed the end result might be slow to come but it is unavoidable. However, what causes people to have problems with this sentence, and with this epistle, is the fact that Peter applies cursed to children. Their religious doctrine does not allow for God to curse His children even though we see it happen many times in the Bible. Just think about Gehazi who brought leprosy upon himself and his descendants in 2Kings 5. As said many times, the doctrine of 'No Tears in heaven' is a lie of the devil. He wants God's children to do his work and when he gets them to turn on their personal relationship with God and seek a sinful lifestyle , God can and does curse His children.

In our next equivalent section, we are told again how God's children end up cursed. They follow a religious leader who loved the wages of unrighteousness. Unfortunately, when these religious leaders are rebuked, they rarely openly confess their error and try to recover those children that they have led astray.

Our last equivalent section is pretty clear. Even a dumb ass knew better than to get involved with this foolishness. It should be pretty obvious to any of God's children that they will be punished for a lifestyle of sin. However, people refuse to use the brain that God gave them and follow fools into destruction.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

Spots they are and blemishes: this is the first phrase of the First Step of the First Equivalent Section. A spot on a fruit or vegetable is a sign of corruption. If not stopped, the corruption will spread until the entire fruit or vegetable is corrupted. The best thing is to watch for worms which cause such and kill the worm before it can cause a spot. In the Mosaic Law, anything with a spot or blemish was not acceptable as a sacrifice to God. We are to get this type of influence out of our church if we want to be acceptable to God. This phrase is also found in Jude 1:12. In addition, Jude 1:23 tells us that it is The flesh which causes these spots.

sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you: this is the second phrase of the First Step of the First Equivalent Section. This phrase and the prior give us the First Step in identifying the unjust within the church. The word deceivings lets us know that these people claim to be one thing while they are actually something else. The sub-phrase of: while they feast with you lets us know that they claim to support and enjoy all of the spiritual things that come from God, but their deceivings means that this is what is not true. The phrase sporting themselves lets us know that they are secretly laughing at the saved and at how easily the saved are deceived.

Having eyes full of adultery: this is the first phrase of the Second Step of the First Equivalent Section. As explained in the Word Study on Adultery; their adultery is vowing to follow the Lord and build up the kingdom of God while they really seek to gain the things of this world. They look to the church, and to saved people, only for how they can use the church, and to saved people, for their personal gain in this world.

and that cannot cease from sin: this is the second phrase of the Second Step of the First Equivalent Section. It is added to the prior phrase by starting with the word and. While people can hide sin for quite some time, eventually it will be seen. We all do some sin but these people can not stop their particular sin because they are addicted to it. While our First Step told us that they were liars (their own deceivings) this Second Step tells us that they are addicted to sins of the flesh. They will swear a vow before God even while knowing that they will not keep their vow. That is what is meant by eyes full of adultery. They will vow to cease from sin but cannot do it.

beguiling unstable souls: this is the third Step of the First Equivalent Section. The phrase unstable souls means 'saved people who have not yet fixed their long-term way that they think, the way that they make decisions and the way that they react emotionally to circumstances of life'. Saved people are to be stablished through their personal relationship with Christ, but that takes time to happen. These people like to seek out The newly saved and lead them into doctrinal error so that they can make merchandise of them. If you pay attention you will see that people are ignored until they make a profession and then it seems like all of the cults are knocking on their door offering to teach them more about the Bible than they are receiving from God's church. Thus, we see our third evidence of these people because they do the same thing even while claiming to be a good church member.

an heart they have exercised with covetous practices: this is the First Step of the Second Equivalent Section. The heart is the short-term things which become our soul. When something is exercised, it is: 'Exerted; used; trained; disciplined; accustomed; made skillful by use; employed; practiced'. Thus, we see that their 'short-term way that they think, the way that they make decisions and the way that they react emotionally to circumstances of life' are all aimed at doing covetous practices and that they have lots of practice in doing these things. Therefore, this is one more way to spot the unjust who are within the church.

cursed children: this is the Second Step of the Second Equivalent Section. They claim to be God's children but they hardly ever boast about God using their life. Instead, they are usually asking people to pray for them because of problems that they have in the flesh and in this world. Even if we don't see the evidence of their being cursed in this world, we will see it at their judgment by God. We will also see that the cause of the curse is their refusal to obey God and their God given authorities in this world.

Which have forsaken the right way: this is the first phrase of the First Step in the third Equivalent Section. The word forsaken means that they started following The right way but then left it to follow the way of the world, the flesh and the devil. Think of Lot, Demas and other examples within the Bible.

and are gone astray: this is the second phrase of the First Step in the third Equivalent Section. The word astray means: 'Out of the right way or proper place, both in a literal and figurative sense. In morals and religion, it signifies wandering from the path of rectitude, from duty and happiness'. Here we see that they seek to avoid duty but end up losing their happiness. A person who claims to be saved but is never happy is giving evidence of being one of the unjust.

following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor: this is the third phrase of the First Step in the third Equivalent Section. Here we see someone who is seeking physical sexual satisfaction. This type of person concentrates on the looks of people instead of the type of person that they are inside.

who loved the wages of unrighteousness: this is the fourth phrase of the First Step in the third Equivalent Section. Do you ever hear someone bragging about how they made a fool of someone else or did something else to lift themselves up in this world by pushing someone else down? they call it competition but you can be competitive without hurting the opposition.

But was rebuked for his iniquity: this is the Second Step in the third Equivalent Section. Here we see a reference to Numbers 22:22-33 where the story of Balaam, and his rebuke by God, is told. The story tells us that Balaam continued to seek The wages of unrighteousness and refused to pay attention the God's rebuke. Just like Balaam, God will rebuke the unjust but, in most cases, they also will reject God's rebuke.

The dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet: this is the Fourth Equivalent Section. Here we see God trying to show Balaam that even a dumb ass knows enough to stop going that way. The unjust will try to claim that they were not warned but God will have undeniable evidence of God giving warnings which they choose to ignore.

Please see the note for Luke 8:14 about the word pleasure. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'PLEASURE, n. plezh'ur. 1. the gratification of the senses or of the mind; agreeable sensations or emotions; the excitement, relish or happiness produced by enjoyment or the expectation of good; opposed to pain. We receive pleasure from the indulgence of appetite; from the view of a beautiful landscape; from the harmony of sounds; from agreeable society; from the expectation of seeing an absent friend; from the prospect of gain or success of any kind. Pleasure, bodily and mental, carnal and spiritual, constitutes the whole of positive happiness, as pain constitutes the whole of misery. Pleasure is properly positive excitement of the passions or the mind; but we give the name also to the absence of excitement, when that excitement is painful; as when we cease to labor, or repose after fatigue, or when the mind is tranquilized after anxiety or agitation. Pleasure is susceptible of increase to any degree; but the word when unqualified, expresses less excitement or happiness than delight or joy. 2. Sensual or sexual gratification. 3. Approbation. The Lord taketh pleasure in his people. Ps. 147. and 149. 4. What the will dictates or prefers; will; choice; purpose; intention; command; as, use your pleasure. Cyrus, he is my shepherd and shall perform all my pleasure. Is.44. My counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure. Is.46. 5. A favor; that which Please s. Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul. Acts.25. 6. Arbitrary will or choice. He can vary his scheme at pleasure'. please also see the notes for 2Timothy 2:4 and Galatians 1:10-LJC about the word please. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C10S2 about the phrase well pleased.

Please see the note for James 1:27 about the word spot. That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find forms of this word. The New Testament definition is: 'corruption from the world which is symbolically represented by leprosy'. Most of those verses are part of the Mosaic Law dealing with leprosy. All of the New Testament references are symbolic of spiritual leprosy.

Please see the notes for Romans C7S15 and 1Corinthians 3:18 about the word deceived. The note in 1Corinthians breaks down the references, in the New Testament, by how the word is used. The New Testament definition is: 'Misled; led into error; beguiled; cheated; deluded'. Please also see the note for Galatians C6S3 about the phrase deceiveth himself.

Please see the note for John 4:45 about the word feast. The New Testament definition is: 'Celebration involving food and, some times, entertainment. Done on birthdays (Ge 40:20; Job 1:4; Mt 14:6); and on the occasion of a marriage (Jg 14:10; Ge 29:22)'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S13 about the word eye. The New Testament definition is: 'Sight; view; ocular knowledge'.

Please see the note for 4:18 about the word full. The New Testament definition is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please see the note for Romans 1:29 about the word fill. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Properly, to press; to crowd; to stuff. Hence, to put or pour in, till the thing will hold no more'. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:9 about the word fullness. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Replete; having within its limits all that it can contain'. Please also see the note for Romans 15:13 about the word fulfill. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A tautological compound of full and fill. 1. to accomplish; to perform; to complete; to answer in execution or event what has been foretold or promised; as, to fulfill a prophecy or prediction; to fulfill a promise'. Please also see the Studies called Prophecies Fulfilled in the Gospels and Prophecies Fulfilled in the Epistles.

Please see the note for Hebrews 10:2 about the word cease. The New Testament definition for this word is: ' to stop moving, acting or speaking; to leave of; to give over; followed by from before a noun'. Please also see the note for Luke 9:30 about the word decease.

Please see the note for Colossians 2:4 about the word beguile. It has the full definition from Webster's 1828 and links to every place in the Bible where this word is used. The New Testament definition is: 'To delude; to deceive; to impose on by artifice or craft'.

Please see the note for Romans C13S1 about the word soul. The New Testament definition is: 'The long-term result of the short-term actions of our heart in deciding how we will think, how we will act emotionally to circumstances of life and how we will decide the issues of life'. Please see the note for James 1:21 about the phrase save your soul.

Please see the note for James 1:8 about the words stable / unstable. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'a. L. the primary sense is set, fixed. See Stab. 1. Fixed; firmly established; not to be easily moved, shaken or overthrown; as a stable government. 2. Steady in purpose; constant; firm in resolution; not easily diverted from a purpose; not fickle or wavering; as a stable man; a stable character. 3. Fixed; steady; firm; not easily surrendered or abandoned; as a man of stable principles. 4. Durable; not subject to be overthrown or changed. in this region of chance and vanity, where nothing is stable--
STABLE, n. L., a stand, a fixed place, like stall. See the latter. these words do not primarily imply a covering for horses or cattle. A house or shed for beasts to lodge and feed in. In large towns, a stable is usually a building for horses only, or horses and cows, and often connected with a coach house. In the country towns in the northern states of America, a stable is usually an apartment in a barn in which hay and grain are deposited.
STABLE, v.t. to put or keep in a stable. Our farmers generally stable not only horses, but oxen and cows in winter, and sometimes young cattle.
STABLE, v.i. to dwell or lodge in a stable; to dwell in an inclosed place; to kennel'. Please also see the notes for Romans 16:25; 1Thessalonians 3:13; 2Thessalonians 2:17; 2Thessalonians 3:3 and James 5:8-LJC about the word stablish.

Please see the notes for Romans C10S6 and 2Corinthians C2S4 about the word heart. Each of the verses within Romans has to do with our having righteousness or unrighteousness because of our decisions, our attitudes, our thoughts and our actions are determined by our heart. In addition, to these verses, please see The note for Galatians C6-S6 for 'The LORD looketh on the heart' and The note for Ephesians C4-S8 for links to verses which deal with a 'wicked heart'. Please also see The note for Psalms 119:2 for links to where that Psalm deals with our heart and for some additional links from other commentators. Please see the note for Philippians C1S21 for links to where heart is used in Philippians along with a definition and links from other commentators. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 2:4 about the word heart. It has definitions from 3 Bible dictionaries. The New Testament definition is: 'Our heart controls the same things as our soul only where the soul deals with the long term the heart deals with the short term and we control our heart directly while the soul is the accumulated actions of our heart. Both are the way we think (mind), the way we emotionally respond to circumstances (emotions) and the method we use to make decisions (will)'.

Please see the note for Mark 10:42 about the word exercise. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Use; practice; the exertions and movements customary in the performance of business; as the exercise of an art, trade, occupation, or profession'.

Please see the note for Galatians C1-S4 about the word curse. The New Testament definition is: 'Doomed to destruction or misery'. The word accursed is similar the word curse. The difference is that something which is accursed has that state permanently While a curse can be removed. Further, When someone is accursed, they spread the curse to everything associated with them like leprosy did.

Please see the notes for Galatians C4-S1 about the word child. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines child as: 'This word has considerable latitude of meaning in Scripture. thus, Joseph is called a child at the time when he was probably about sixteen years of age (Ge 37:3); and Benjamin is so called when he was above thirty years (Ge 44:20). Solomon called himself a little child when he came to the kingdom (1Ki 3:7). The descendants of a man, however remote, are called his children; as, "The children of Edom," "The children of Moab," "The children of Israel." In the earliest times mothers did not wean their children till they were from thirty months to three years old; and the day on which they were weaned was kept as a festival day (Ge 21:8; Ex 2:7,9; 1Sa 1:22-24; Mt 21:16). At the age of five, children began to learn the arts and duties of life under the care of their fathers (De 6:20-25; 11:19). Tohave a numerous family was regarded as a mark of divine favour (Ge 11:30; 30:1; 1Sa 2:5; 2Sa 6:23; Ps 127:3; 128:3). Figuratively the name is used for those who are ignorant or narrow-minded (Mt 11:16; Lu 7:32; 1Co 13:11). "When I was a child, I spake as a child." "Brethren, be not children in understanding" (1Co 14:20). "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro" (Eph 4:14). Children are also spoken of as representing simplicity and humility (Mt 19:13-15; Mr 10:13-16; Lu 18:15-17). Believers are "children of light" (Lu 16:8; 1Th 5:5) and "children of obedience" (1Pe 1:14)'. The Note in Galatians has links to every place where that epistle uses forms of this word along with links from other commentators. Please also see the note for Galatians C3S9 about the children of Abraham. Please also see the notes for Romans C8S14; God in Romans : Romans C4S12 and 1Peter 2:3-LJC about the children of God. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 3:7-8 about the children of Israel. Please also see the note for Galatians C4-S17 about the phrase My little children.

Please see the note for Romans C15S25 about the word sake. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'The primary sense is to strain, urge, press or drive forward, and this is from the same root as seek'. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 4:8-10 about the word forsake. The words forsook and forsaken are the past-tense form of the word forsake. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines forsaken as: 'Deserted; left; abandoned'. Please also see the note for Romans C15S25 about the word sake. Please also see the note for Philippians 1:29-30 about the phrase for His sake.

Please see the note for Matthew 18:12 about the word astray. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'Out of the right way or proper place, both in a literal and figurative sense. In morals and religion, it signifies wandering from the path of rectitude, from duty and happiness. Before I was afflicted, I want astray. Ps. 129. Cattle go astray when they leave their proper owners or enclosures. See Deut. 22'.

Please see Book Study on Jude at this link for details where Balaam is mentioned in the Bible. He is an example of the unjust.

Please see the notes for Romans 8:39-LJC; Galatians C5-S14; Philippians 1:9-11; love in 1John and 2John 1:3-LJC about the word love. Please also see the note for Revelation 8:35-LJC for a table which divides the various roles of God and gives Bible references for how God loves us through each of His roles. Please also see the note for 1John C3S26 about the phrase love one another. Please see the note for 1John C4S13 about the phrase perfect love.

Please see the note for Luke 3:14 about the word wages. The New Testament definition of it is: 'a recompense for work done'.

Please see the note for Titus 2:15 about the word rebuke. A simple definition of the word rebuke is: 'To chide; to reprove; to reprehend for a fault; to check by reproof'.

Please see the note for James 6:6 about the word iniquity. The New Testament definition is: 'ongoing lifestyle sins'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C12S2 about the word dumb. The New Testament definition is: 'Mute; silent; not speaking'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C14S11 about the word voice. The New Testament definition is: 'Sound or audible noise uttered by the mouth, either of human beings or of other animals'.

Please see the note for Galatians C3S25 about the phrase God forbid.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'eyes. 2Sa 11:2-4; Job 31:7,9; Pr 6:25; Mt 5:28; 1Jo 2:16 adultery. Gr. an adulteress. That cannot. Isa 1:16; Jer 13:23; Mt 12:34; Joh 5:44 beguiling. 2Pe 2:18; 3:16; Mr 13:22; Ro 16:18; 1Co 11:19; Eph 4:14; Col 2:18; Jas 1:8; Re 12:9 an heart. 2Pe 2:3; Jude 1:11 cursed. Isa 34:5; 65:20; Mt 25:41; Eph 2:3 General references. exp: Pr 4:16; Jas 1:8.
forsaken. 1Sa 12:23; 1Ki 18:18; 19:10; Eze 9:10; Pr 28:4; Ho 14:8; Ac 13:10 Balaam. Nu 22:5-7 son of Beor. exp: Nu 31:8; Jos 13:22; Mic 6:5; Re 2:14. who. Nu 22:18-21,23,28; 31:16; De 23:4-5; Mic 6:5; Jude 1:11; Re 2:14 wages. Ac 1:18 General references. exp: Nu 22:19; Mt 26:9.
The dumb. Nu 22:22-33 the madness. Ec 7:25; 9:3; Ho 9:7; Lu 16:11; Ac 26:11,24-25'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S9 (Verse 17) Results of not producing what was vowed.

First Step: Symbolic description.

These are wells without water,
clouds that are carried with a tempest;.

Second Step: Results.

to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

In out First Step, Peter uses symbols to describe the spiritual condition of the unjust who were identified in the prior sentence. There we saw that some saved are unjust and some lost are unjust. The saved who are unjust will be in The mist of darkness according to this sentence. This is a 'relative darkness' which many people misunderstand because of popular doctrinal error. In Matthew 8:12; Matthew 22:13 and Matthew 25:30 we read about outer darkness. The word outer means 'more to the outside'. This describes a relative position within a single group, not a position in a separate group like the word outside describes. The people in heaven get their light from for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23 and Revelation 22:5). Since God is in the center of heaven, those closest to God will have more light than those who are farther away. Those who are the farther from God will be in relative outer darkness. We choose how close we want to be to God while in this life. The people who are truly saved, but are also unjust have chosen to stay far from God. Therefore, they are the people to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever.

The lost will be in the darkness of the lake of fire forever. The Bible says that even though it is a lake of fire, there is no light there. People have speculated that the lake of fire could be like a black hole, which scientists guess is an imploded star which gives out no light. Regardless of the details, we know this truth from the Bible by faith.

Peter has much worse to say about these people, but they are not the same as the ungodly of his next chapter. Read the last of Isaiah and think about Lot, whom Peter already called just. Imagine him sitting in heaven and knowing that most of his descendants for ten generations went to Hell because he left the way of righteousness.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest: in this sentence we see once more that Peter is paralleling the analogies of Jude. (Please see the sentence and related note for Jude 1:12-13.) Peter speaks about these people in one chapter but Jude makes them the center of his entire epistle because of how dangerous they are. In Jeremiah 14 God brought a drought upon the land because the people were religious but had their heart far from God, just like the people Peter is describing. Also, Hosea 6 uses the same analogy to say that if they would really serve God then He would give as the latter and former rain unto the earth. However, since they were like the people Peter is describing, Hosea says that they were as a mourning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Therefore, God brought judgment upon them.

to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever: In addition, to describing these people, Peter tells us their judgment and his statement causes people to say that they are lost. However, in the related prior sentence, Peter called them children. Peter also said that they were cursed. The problem that people have is caused by another wrong doctrine. That wrong doctrine claims that darkness always refers to Hell or the Lake of Fire. They also claim that all of heaven is always all light. While these are true they neglect to acknowledge variable levels of light. That gives us 'relative darkness' within light, as has already been described. See the definition of the word mist, below. The word mist lets us know that the person can see something, just not clearly. Lost people can not see any spiritual truth. No, these are saved people who can not see clearly because they hold onto things which oppose the light of God (darkness) and prevent them from seeing spiritual truth clearly (mist).

Please also see the notes for Light and Darkness in 1John; Romans C13S15 and Hebrews 12:18-24 about the phrase light and darkness. The New Testament definition is: 'light provides spiritual guidance from God while darkness provides spiritual guidance from a devil'. Please also see the note for John 11:9-LJC about the phrase Jesus is our light.

Please see the note for Luke 3:16 about the word water. The New Testament definition is: 'The basic liquid of life. It is used symbolically for more than one meaning. Consideration of the context is required in order to determine the usage in any Bible reference'. Please also see the note for John 4:10 about the phrase waters: living. Please also see the note for John 7:38 about the phrase rivers of living water.

Please see the note for Luke 9:34 about the word cloud. The New Testament definition for this word is: '"A covering," because clouds cover the sky. The word is used as a symbol of the Divine presence'.

Please see the note for Acts 3:2 about the word carried. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Past-tense form of the word carry'. Please also see the note for Acts 5:9 about the words carry / carrying.

Please see the note for Matthew 8:24 about the word tempest. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines this word as: 'tem'-pest (ce`-arah, or se`-arah, "a whirlwind," zerem, "overflowing rain"; cheimon, thuella): Heavy storms of wind and rain are common in Palestine and the Mediterranean. the storms particularly mentioned in the Bible are: (1) the 40 days' rain of ~The great flood of Noah (Ge 7:4); (2) hail and rain as a plague in Egypt (Ex 9:18); (3) the great rain after the drought and the contest of Elijah on Carmel (1Ki 18:45); (4) the tempest on the sea in the story of Jonah (1:4); (5) the storm on the Lake of Galilee when Jesus was awakened to calm the waves (Mt 8:24; Mr 4:37; Lu 8:23); (6) the storm causing the shipwreck of Paul at Melita (Ac 27:18). Frequent references are found to God's power over storm and use of the tempest in His anger: "He maketh the storm a calm" (Ps 107:29); He sends the "tempest of hail, a destroying storm" (Isa 28:2). See also Job 9:17; 21:18; Isa 30:30. Yahweh overwhelms His enemies as with a storm: "She shall be visited of Yahweh of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest" (Isa 29:6). Yahweh is a "refuge from the storm" (Isa 25:4; 4:6). Alfred H. Joy'. If the reader looks at the references, in Acts in particular, for the word tempest they will see that this word describes a storm which wrecks boats and endangers lives. As former fishermen on this lake, the disciples knew this and fully understood that their literal physical lives were at stake. Therefore, anyone who claims that this was a lesser test is wither ignorant, deceived or a liar.

We find forms of the word mist only in: Genesis 2:6; Acts 13:11 and 2Peter 2:17. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines this word as: '('edh; achlus, homichie): Mist is caused by particles of water vapor filling the air until it is only partially transparent. Mist and haze produce much the same effect, the one being due to moisture in the atmosphere and the other to dust particles. Mist or fog is not common on the plains of Palestine and Syria at sea-level, but is of almost daily occurrence in the mountain valleys, coming up at night and disappearing with the morning sun (The Wisdom of Solomon 2:4). It is nothing else than a cloud touching the land. In the account of creation, "there went up a mist from the earth," giving a description of the warm humid atmosphere of the carboniferous ages which agrees remarkably with the teaching of modern science (Ge 2:6). the word is used figuratively in Ac 13:11 to describe the shutting out of light. those who bring confusion and uncertainty are compared to "mists driven by a storm" (2Pe 2:17). See VAPOR. Alfred H. Joy'.

Please see the note for Romans 13:12; John 8:12 about the word darkness. The symbolic definition for this word is: 'lack of spiritual light and guidance from God including following the guidance of a devil'. Please also see Light and Darkness in 1John. Please also see the Message called outer darkness.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'are wells. Job 6:14-17; Jer 14:3; Ho 6:4; Jude 1:12-13 clouds. Eph 4:14 exp: Jude 1:12. mist. "The blackness, zophos G2217, of darkness," darkness itself, says Leigh. darkness. 2Pe 2:4; Mt 8:12; 22:13; 25:30; Jude 1:6,13 exp: Ex 10:21'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S10 (Verse 18) Why God will judge these people like He will.

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.

Peter started this chapter by talking about the people who produce doctrinal error. Peter called them false prophets and false teachers. Teachers are not always preachers. Often they are non-preachers who have had some training at a local church or at a school. They may get a position of trust in the local church or they may go to another church and make claims about what they did in some famous church like the people teaching legalism (in Paul's day) went to churches Paul started and claimed to be sent from the church at Jerusalem. However they get people to listen the first time, Peter tells us how they get into a permanent position within this sentence. Paul tells us ...Knowledge puffeth up.. (1Corinthians 8:1). Peter's great swelling words of vanity are words that make people's head swell with pride because they have some knowledge that feeds their pride. It might be some 'newly revealed secret' or it might simply be revealing the errors in someone else's doctrine while telling them that the doctrine from the false teacher is straight from God. In Matthew 15:7-9 Jesus quoted Isaiah 29:13 when He said But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Jesus used vain and Peter also calls it vanity.) these two older references, along with Peter's warning, show that false teachers have been a problem throughout history.

Peter adds to this thought in the next sentence and then warns us of the consequence of believing these lies from false teachers.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

For when they speak great swelling words of vanity: Our sentence starts with the word For and tells us why God will judge the unjust like the prior sentence says. These people claim to be teachers but instead of teaching God's Word God's way, they teach with great swelling words of vanity. While some of the unjust will claim that they don't do that, they are supporting people who do and are just waiting until they are also swelled enough to become the teacher. Easton's Bible Dictionary defined this word as: 'of Jordan (Jer 12:5), literally the "pride" of Jordan (as in R.V.), i.e., the luxuriant thickets of tamarisks, poplars, reeds, etc., which were the lair of lions and other beasts of prey. the reference is not to the overflowing of the river banks. (Comp. Jer 49:19; 50:44; Zec 11'. We also see swelling used for when someone has an infection or other medical problem. These people are like animals who, when frightened, try to appear bigger than they actually are and get others to back off because of their apparent size. However, like the animals, these cowards run when confronted with someone who is backed by God's truth and is not afraid. Please see the word definitions below about the word vanity. These people tell their followers that they can increase their presence and importance by using the methods of vanity, but that only changes the outward appearance and rots the inner person.

they allure through the lusts of the flesh: Here we see that false teachers make excuses for physical and / or moral sins that people do. As Peter warns us, they offer these excuses to allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness. The allure is the claim that they can be lazy and get all of the same rewards as someone who truly serve God. People want to believe that they don't have to struggle with their personal sin and that God is pleased with them in their current sinful state. They don't want to hear someone who warns them of judgment for their current sin. Peter warns that they not only allure those currently struggling with sin but they also allure...those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. The false teachers tell us to not be 'so fanatical' or 'you have to make sinners comfortable before you can witness to them' and other lies in order to get those that were clean escaped to return to sinful conditions and lifestyle s (them who live in error).

through much wantonness: the word wanton is defined as: 'Without restraint; reckless'. These people preach 'liberty' and 'freedom' but all sin is addictive and the rest of our chapter describes the end result of believing these types of doctrinal error.

those that were clean escaped from them who live in error: this is a continuation of the first phrase and is easier to understand if we ignore the second and third phrase. That is: these false teachers allure...those that were clean escaped. When people get saved they escape from them who live in error by following Jesus Christ. However, these false teachers allure people who are living right into returning to The lusts of the flesh (and) much wantonness.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 12:20-21 about the word swelling. The New Testament definition of it is: 'A rising or enlargement by passion; as the swellings of anger, grief or pride'.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C15S1 and Galatians C2-S16 about the word vain. The New Testament definition is: 'Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance'. Another New Testament definition is: 'Something that looks pretty on the outside but is dead or empty on the inside'. The phrase whited sepulchres is an excellent example of vanity.

Please see the note for Romans 8:1 about the words flesh. The New Testament definition, of the word flesh, is: 'Our body and all influences upon our mind, our will and our emotions which come through our body and concerns for our body'. Please note that most books of the New Testament warn us about outflesh. Please also see the note for Romans 8:8 for the difference between walk after the flesh and in the flesh. Please see the note for Romans 8:8 for the difference between walk after the flesh and in the flesh. Please also see the note for Romans C8S7 about the phrase after the flesh. Please also see the note for Romans C8S7 about the phrase in the flesh. Please also see the note for 2Corinthians 12:7 about the phrase thorn in the flesh. Please also see the note for Colossians 2:18 about the word fleshly.

Please see the note for Romans 13:13 which has links to every verse in the Bible which uses the word wanton along with the definitions from Webster's 1828 . The New Testament definition is: 'Without restraint; reckless'.

Please see the note for Matthew 23:33 about the word escape. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To flee fRomans avoid; to get out of the way; to shun; to obtain security from; to pass without harm; as, to escape danger'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 9:7-10 about the word error. The New Testament definition is: 'A wandering or deviation from the truth; a mistake in judgment, by which men assent to or believe what is not true'. Please note: while an error is not necessarily a sin, it still requires an offering to make up for it.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they speak. Ps 52:1-3; 73:8-9; Da 4:30; 11:36; Ac 8:9; 2Th 2:4; Jude 1:13,15-16; Re 13:5-6,11 great swelling. Huperogkos G5246, things puffed up with the wind. wantonness. Ro 13:13; Jas 5:5 that were. 2Pe 2:20; 1:4; Ac 2:40 clean. or, for a little, or, a while, as some read. General references. exp: De 14:7; 1Ki 13:19; Lu 11:35; 17:32'.

Home Start of Chapter

C2-S11 (Verse 19) Sin is addictive.

Equivalent Section: they lie about the end result.

While they promise them liberty,
they themselves are the servants of corruption:.

Equivalent Section: their sin forces then to lie.

for of whom a man is overcome,
of the same is he brought in bondage.

in this sentence Peter explains their motivation. We would think that someone caught in a trap would warn others away from the trap like the rich man tried to send Lazarus to warn his brothers. However, Peter warns us that these people are in bondage to their sin (of whom a man is overcome). Their sin forces them to try to trap others and they do it by lying about the liberty that they claim to have. However, they can't stop their lying, which is not liberty. This is what Paul is writing about in Romans 7. The thing that catches a lot of people is what Peter explains in his next sentence. We may have played with some sin and then walked away and thought that it's no big deal to walk away from. However, (as Peter explains) if we return it can be far harder to break away the next time.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

While they promise them liberty: the they of this phrase is referring to the people whom Peter has been talking about all of this chapter. That is: the false prophets and false teachers. We now have one more way of identifying these people because their message centers on liberty but they only have excuses and blame others when they can not deliver the liberty which the promise.

they themselves are the servants of corruption: Within our sentence we see that corruption brings bondage even while it promise them liberty. Think of all of the Hollywood stars who claim to have liberty but whose lives are later reported to be full of corruption. The end up with so many scandals that people ignore the evidence of corruption except for the gossip mongers. Think of the millionaire preachers who end up in some scandal. Think of the people around you who think these people have 'The life' only when they seek to have the same things they end up with constant problems and keep asking the church to pray for their problems in this life. When someone keeps getting the results of corruption in their life, it should be obvious what the source is.

for of whom a man is overcome: this is the first phrase of the Second Equivalent Section and this Equivalent Section tells us why the prior Equivalent Section is true because it starts with the word for. The word overcome lets us know that this person lost a war and is now a prisoner. Also, the phrase of whom lets us know that it is not the sin which overcomes a person but the being behind that sin. That being might be their own flesh or it might be a devil but there is a thinking being behind our spiritual war and not just some 'force', such as sin, which 'Star Wars' and other philosophies claim.

of the same is he brought in bondage: the word of, at the start of our phrase, refers to the being in the prior phrase (of whom a man is overcome). Notice that he is not overcome by a sin or a sickness but by a being. This lets us know that there is a devil behind the sin that causes the saved person to become addicted. The devil only cares to make the saved person a slave (brought in bondage) in order to prevent their service to God.

Please see the notes for Romans C4S15; Galatians C3-S15; 1Timothy 4:8 and Titus 1:2 about the word promise. The note in 1Timothy has the full definition from Webster's 1828 along with links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'In a general sense, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it, either in honor, conscience or law, to do or forbear a certain act specified; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made, a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of the act'. Please see the section called Promises in the Doctrinal Study called Significant New Testament Events.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 8:9 about the word liberty. Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Besides the common application of this term, it is used in scripture symbolically, as 1. the liberty obtained by Christ for those that were captives of Satan. Isa 61:1; Lu 4:18; Joh 8:36. 2. the conscience set free from guilt, as when the Lord said to several, "Thy sins be forgiven thee: go in peace." 3. Freedom from the law, etc. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free." Ro 7:24-25; Ga 5:1. Jesus said, "I am the door: by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." Joh 10:9. 4. the Christian's deliverance from the power of sin by having died with Christ, as in Ro 6:8-22; and, having reckoned himself dead to sin, experimentally enjoying liberty, as in Ro 8:2-4, after experiencing that the flesh is too strong for him the deliverance is realized by the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, and the love of God is known and enjoyed. Christ is then the object before the soul, and not self'.

Please see the notes for Romans C14S4; 1Corinthians C7S27 and Ephesians C6S4 about the word servant. . The note for Ephesians has links to the main verses within the New Testament, along with a small note for each verse, which give us a good understanding of how the Bible uses this word. The New Testament definition is: ' to keep or hold; properly one that waits, that is, stops, holds, attends, or one that is bound'. Please also see the notes for Romans C16S21 and 2Timothy C1-S2 about the word serve. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:17 about the word service.

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines the word overcome as: 'to conquer; to vanquish; to subdue; as, to overcome enemies in battle. 2. to surmount; to get the better of; as, to overcome difficulties or obstacles'. Many of the following references include promises. Please see the Significant Gospel Events Study, and the Significant New Testament Events Study, for links to other promises which are available to us but which require us to do our part in order to receive them. We find forms of the word overcome occurring 33 times in 30 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in:

Luke 11:22 gives a prophecy, along with Matthew 12:29 and Mark 3:27; that our Lord Jesus Christ will overcome him, and all devils, and rob him of the souls in paradise and The keys to death and Hell.
John 16:33 says that our Lord Jesus Christ has overcome the world. This is a promise that He will help us to also overcome the world, if we seek Him and His power to do so.
Romans 3:4 tells us that we can overcome when thou art judged if we rely on The word of God. Please see the Significant New Testament Events Study for links to other promises found in the New Testament outside of the Gospels.
Romans 12:21 Is a command to Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
2Peter 2:19-20 warns us to not follow false prophets and false teachers because their latter end is worse with them than the beginning. And, if we follow them, then we will become The servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
1John 2:13-14 tells us that young men have overcome the wicked one (Satan) because The word of God abideth in you. This also is a promise to all saved that they also can overcome the wicked one (Satan) if The word of God abides in us. However, if we don't do our part to maintain that relationship, then this promise does not apply to us.
1John 4:4 says: that saved people have overcome that spirit of antichrist because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. This also is a promise to all saved that they also can overcome that spirit of antichrist if our Lord Jesus Christ abide in them and they abide in Him. However, if we don't do our part to maintain that relationship, then this promise does not apply to us.
1John 5:4-5 promises that whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. However, the context makes it clear that the saved must also keep his (God's ) commandments. If we do not do so then we are not truly living in faith and will not receive this promise.
There are 11 promises related to the word overcome in the book of Revelation. Please see the Promises section of the Significant New Testament Events for details on those references and the promises linked to them.

We find forms of the word bondage occurring 39 times in 37 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: John 8:33; Acts 7:6-7; Romans 8:15; Romans 8:21; 1Corinthians 7:15; 2Corinthians 11:20; Galatians 2:4; Galatians 4:3; Galatians 4:9; Galatians 4:24; Galatians 4:25; Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 2:15; 2Peter 2:19. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Slavery or involuntary servitude; captivity; imprisonment; restraint of a person's liberty by compulsion. In ancient English law, villenage. 1. Obligation; tie of duty. He must resolve not to be brought under the bondage of observing oaths. 2. In scripture, spiritual subjection to sin and corrupt passions, or to the yoke of the ceremonial law; servile fear. Heb.2. Gal.2. Rom.8'. In John 8:33 we are told that sin puts us into bondage.

Nave's Topical Bible provides references for the word boundage as: 'Of Israelites in Egypt: Ex 1:14; 2:23; 6:6. In PERSIA: Ezr 9:9'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides references for the word boundage as: 'Bondage, Physical: In Prison: general references to: Ge 40:3; Nu 15:34; Jg 16:21; 2Ki 17:4; Isa 42:22; Jer 52:11; Ac 16:26. IMPRISONMEN't OF SAINTS: Ge 39:20; 1Ki 22:27; 2Ch 16:10; Jer 37:15; 38:6; La 3:53; Mr 6:17; Ac 5:18; 12:4; 16:23; 23:35; 26:10; 2Co 11:23. In Stocks: Job 13:27; Pr 7:22; Jer 20:3; 29:26; Ac 16:24. (A TYPE of the APOSTATE CHURCH when disobedient). (Carried into Bondage): Ex 1:11; 2:11,23; 5:4; Nu 20:15; Ps 105:25; Ac 7:6. Bondage, Spiritual: General References to the Bondage of Sin: Pr 5:22; Joh 8:34; Ac 8:23; Ro 6:16; 7:23; 2Ti 2:26; 2Pe 2:19. Sold under Sin: 1Ki 21:20; 2Ki 17:17; Isa 50:1; 52:3; Ro 7:14. Bonds, Paul's: Eph 3:1; 4:1; 6:20; Php 1:7,13; Col 4:3,18; 2Ti 1:8,16; 2:9. Bondservants: Ge 21:10; Le 19:20; 25:42; 1Ki 9:21; Es 7:4; Ga 4:31'.

Torrey's Topical Textbook provides links for Spiritual Bondage as: 'Is to the devil: 1Ti 3:7; 2Ti 2:26. Is to the fear of death: Heb 2:14-15. Is to sin: Joh 8:34; Ac 8:23; Ro 6:16; 7:23; Ga 4:3; 2Pe 2:19. Deliverance from, promised: Isa 42:6-7. Christ delivers from: Lu 4:18,21. The gospel, the instrument of deliverance from: Joh 8:32; Ro 8:2. Saints are delivered from: Ro 6:18,22. Deliverance from, illustrated: De 4:20. Typified: Israel in Egypt, Ex 1:13-14'.

Thompson Chain Topics provides links for Spiritual Bondage as: 'General References to the Bondage of Sin: Pr 5:22; Joh 8:34; Ac 8:23; Ro 6:16; 7:23; 2Ti 2:26; 2Pe 2:19. Sold under Sin: 1Ki 21:20; 2Ki 17:17; Isa 50:1; 52:3; Ro 7:14'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they promise. Ga 5:1,13; 1Pe 2:16 they themselves. Joh 8:34; Ro 6:12-14,16-22; Tit 3:3 overcome. 2Pe 2:20; Isa 28:1; Jer 23:9; 2Ti 2:26 General references. exp: Le 13:8; De 14:7; 1Ki 13:19; Lu 14:30; 17:32'.

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C2-S12 (Verse 20) Why saved people get into bondage to sin.

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.

Please note that the doctrine in the end of this chapter matches what is found in Matthew 7:21 and Matthew 12:43-45 and Hebrews 6:4-6. Please also see those verses and the notes for those verses about this doctrine.

This sentence has two notes in the Lord Jesus Christ Study which are quite extensive. The note under Saviour tells us how to avoid this fate in our life. The note under Lord Jesus Christ discusses the theological objections that people have to what our Lord clearly tells us. Please see those notes for details. Simply put:

If: the result is dependent upon them meeting the condition. Consider this to actually be: 'If it were possible'. Peter is dealing with a theoretically possible condition that some people argue is true and quite common. This claim is the basis for people claiming that all unjust people are actually saved and 'going to get a mansion in heaven right next door to Peter'. In the next sentence Peter says that what will really happen to anyone who actually is saved and unjust. Then in the last sentence Peter quotes Proverbs 26:11 to say that these unjust people are really lost and just displaying their true condition. Basically, where people want to claim that there are multiple millions who are saved but unjust Peter tells us that it is a lie and that almost all of those people are actually lost.
. Having said that for most of these people, we now come to Lot, who actually was a saved person, according to Peter in C2-S4; and who also lived as the unjust. The first thing to pay attention to is that Peter said that Lot...vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds. He was not enjoying his sin like the sow that was washed (does when she returns) to her wallowing in the mire. Next, we have to realize that, according to the Bible, all of Lot's family and all of his descendants, with the exception of Ruth, were lost and went to Hell. Now read Isaiah 66:23-24 and realize that Lot will be looking at his own family and descendants. Now, people will argue that God wipes away all tears but that does not say that everyone will be full of joy. Further, as anyone who has experienced it can tell you, being in enough pain to want to cry but not being able to do so is worse than crying because crying actually produces relief. Further, this explanation actually matches what Peter says here where the rest are possible only if these sentences are wrong. Since they are part of the Bible, they can not be wrong.
after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge [personal experience] of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: With this phrase we know that Peter is talking about saved people who have actually stopped their sinning (escaped the pollutions of the world). Further, Peter is talking about people who have personally spiritually growth after their initial profession because they did this through the knowledge [personal experience] of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They didn't just make an emotional profession in a church service and then were never seen again. Such people should be considered to have believed in vain (1Corinthians 15:1-2). In addition, Peter doesn't just say that they 'made a profession' but he says that they knew the Lord and through obedience to Him had overcome their sin (escaped the pollutions of the world). Thus, with this phrase, Peter makes it very clear that he is not talking about most people who are unjust. The majority of them Peter would say are lost liars. No, this s the extremely rare person, such as Lot whom false prophets and false teachers use to assure lots of lost people that they will have a mansion in heaven after living a life of sin. This phrase, which actually identifies a very rare person, is the conditional phrase that is attached to our If.
they are again entangled therein, and overcome: these phrases are not identifying just a one time stumble but involved to the point that they can not get free from the sin. These people may be making motions about getting free but there is no longer any real effort to get free because they are, again, addicted to sin and can not get free. The phrase and overcome makes it clear that this person is not a saved person in Reformers Unanimous who is still struggling to return to a right relationship with Jesus Christ. No, they really are not trying to escape their sin any longer and any appearance to the contrary is really just a show.
The latter end is worse with them than the beginning: this is the result of the if which started this sentence and included every phrase before this one. If the conditions of this sentence are met, then Peter is saying that they are worse off than they were before they got saved. Here we see the true end of a saved person who lives as the unjust. Peter adds the next two sentences to make his point clear. People try to claim that these last three sentences in this chapter must be doctrinal error because they really believe the error which goes against the truth of these sentences. However, since these sentences are scripture, they re the truth and anything which goes against them is wrong.

Our next sentence adds more to what we read here. These two sentences go against a lot of what is believed and preached. Yes, we have 'eternal security' as a Biblical concept. However, there is a strongly held, and preached, doctrine which is far more difficult to prove from the Bible. That doctrine claims 'The worst condition in heaven is better than the best condition in the lake of fire'. Now when you decide to attack me, make sure that you have a Bible basis and not just a human natural religious basis. Also, please read the notes already mentioned so that you have Bible based arguments for what is said in those notes.

Personally, I believe Peter is providing an argument in response to the doctrinal error which claims that 'We can make a profession and then live for the lusts of the flesh and end up living a wonderful ever after in heaven'. I personally believe that most of the people who believe that lie are lost. I also believe the sin unto death (Sin in 1John; Romans C2S4; 1Corinthians 8:11-LJC; Galatians C3-S26) will kill most of any trul saved people before they fulfill the conditional part of this sentence. Finally, God does not wipe away every tear until after the great white throne judgment. I believe there is a good chance that even after that people will remember the cause of their more than 1,000-years of tears. Yes, they will be in heaven but in the outer darkness. If we honestly think of all of the consequences to a saved person living for the lusts of the flesh, we would have to conclude that such a person was truly a Biblical fool. Thus, these two sentences could be Peter's attempt to turn truly Biblical fools from their folly. Look at the last sentence of this chapter where Peter quotes Proverbs 26:11 and basically says that anyone who believed this doctrinal error is a Biblical fool.

Please see the note for Galatians C5-S1 about the word entangled. That note has links to all five places in the Bible where We find this word. The New Testament definition is: 'wisted together; interwoven in a confused manner; intricate; perplexed; involved; embarrassed; ensnared'.

Please see the note above about the word overcome.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 11:15 about the word end. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'in Heb 13:7, is the rendering of the unusual Greek word ekbasin, meaning "outcome", i.e., death. It occurs only elsewhere in 1Co 10:13, where it is rendered "escape'.

Please see the note for Luke 11:26 about the word worse. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'This adjective has the signification of the comparative degree, and as bad has no comparative and superlative, worse and worst are used in lieu of them, although radically they have no relation to bad'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'after. Mt 12:43-45; Lu 11:24-26; Heb 6:4-8; 10:26-27 exp: Le 13:55. escaped. 2Pe 2:18; 1:4 through. 2Pe 1:2 the latter. Nu 24:20; De 32:29; Php 3:19 General references. exp: Ge 24:6; Le 14:43; De 14:7; Jer 34:11; Eze 33:18; Mt 7:27; Lu 14:30; 17:32; 1Ti 5:15,24'.

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C2-S13 (Verse 21) Why their end is worse.

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.

This sentence gives us the reason (For) why what Peter said in the prior sentence is true. Our sentence literally says that these people were better off as lost people on their way to Hell. Now, lots of people reject this truth as 'not possible' just like people turned away from Jesus in John 6. However, when we realize that the condition which Peter is talking about is extremely rare and does not apply to most of the people who claim it, then this statement becomes easier to accept. Regardless, it is scripture and a truth which we need to accept. That said, we need to properly understand the if of the prior sentence in order to identify who Peter is really talking about and see that it is not as common as we might think. Please also see the note for The prior sentence; within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, which discusses the theological consequences which include this sentence.

Hebrews 10 explains this same concept in more detail and from another perspective than used by Peter. It tells us how that the Son of God left all of His glory and power in heaven to become a man and then become the sacrifice for our sin so that he could (not just pay for our sins but) change our lives so that we stop our sinning. Then Hebrews 10:26-27 tells us: For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. there is nothing anywhere that can possible equal the sacrifice already given. It is not that we can not stop our sinning but we deliberately choose to continue to sin. as the next sentence in Hebrews says: He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Please see the note for Psalms 1:6 about The way of the righteous.

Please see the note for 1:1 about the word righteous / righteousness. The New Testament definition is: 'doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time and for the right reason'.

Please see the note for 1:18 about the word holy. The New Testament definition is: 'properly, whole, entire or perfect, in a moral sense. Hence, pure in heart, temper or dispositions; free from sin and sinful affections. Applied to the Supreme Being, holy signifies perfectly pure, immaculate and complete in moral character; and man is more or less holy, as his heart is more or less sanctified, or purified from evil dispositions'. In addition, since holy is pronounced the same as 'wholly', we can say that a holy being is complete, singular and faithful to his character in all of his attitudes and actions. We are to adopt these characteristics of God in order to be holy ourselves.

Please see the note for Romans 7:8 about the word commandment. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'a mandate; an order or injunction given by authority; charge'. Please note that a commandment is not always written down and often comes through the human person that God has placed in authority over us. Please see the note for Psalms 119:4 for the use of the word commandment within this Psalm and considerations from several other places within the Bible. Please see the note for Romans C7S11 about the word commandment. Please see the Doctrinal Study on the use Ten Commandments for links to where they are dealt with in the word of God. Please use This link to see the 'Ten (10) Commandments' and references to them in the New Testament. Please also see the note for 1John 5:2 about the phrase keep his commandments. This word is also used in the following sentence: .

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'it had. Mt 11:23-24; Lu 12:47; Joh 9:41; 15:22 the way. Pr 12:28; 16:31; Mt 21:32 to turn. Ps 36:3-4; 125:5; Eze 3:20; 18:24; 23:13; Zep 1:6 holy. Ro 7:12; 1Th 4:2 General references. exp: Ge 24:6; Nu 14:4; De 14:7; Jer 34:11; Eze 33:18; Mt 7:27; Lu 14:30; 17:32; 1Ti 5:15,24'.

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C2-S14 (Verse 22) Peter's conclusion.

First Step: Reference to Old Testament.

But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb,
The dog is turned to his own vomit again;.

Second Step: the pig is like the dog and the person Peter is talking about.

and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

This is Peter's conclusion and the Biblical basis of his statement. Peter is referencing Proverbs 26:11. He is telling us that these people are displaying their true character. They may claim to be saved and show all of the religious things that we use to determine if people are saved, but that does not guarantee that they are saved. In the end, only our Lord can determine the truth and He deliberately withheld that ability from us. In the end, we are all going to reap what we spent a lifetime sowing. Rather than worrying about if we did some religious act correctly we need to concentrate on living a life that displays Christ to the world and trust God to judge us justly.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S1 about the word account. The New Testament definition is: 'an entry in a book or on paper of things bought or sold, of payments, services etc., including the names of the parties to the transaction, date, and price or value of the thing'.

Please see the note for Luke 4:23 about the word proverb. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'a trite maxim; a similitude; a parable. the Hebrew word thus rendered (mashal) has a wide signification. It comes from a root meaning "to be like," "parable." Rendered "proverb" in Isa 14:4; Hab 2:6; "dark saying" in Ps 49:4; Nu 12:8. Ahab's defiant words in answer to the insolent demands of Benhadad, "Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off," is a well known instance of a proverbial saying (1Ki 20:11)'.

Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 for links to every place in the New Testament where we find forms of the word dog along with an explanation of the symbolic use of this word.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The dog. Pr 26:11 General references. exp: Ge 24:6; Le 14:43; Nu 14:4; De 14:7; Jer 34:11; Eze 33:18; Mt 7:27; Lu 14:30; 17:32; 1Ti 5:15'.

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2Peter Chapter 3 Sentence-by-Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:

C3-S1 (Verse 1-4), C3-S2 (Verse 4), C3-S3 (Verse 5-7), C3-S4 (Verse 8), C3-S5 (Verse 9), C3-S6 (Verse 10), C3-S7 (Verse 11-12), C3-S8 (Verse 13), C3-S9 (Verse 14), C3-S10 (Verse 15-16), C3-S11 (Verse 17), C3-S12 (Verse 18), C3-S13 (Verse 18), C3-S14 (Verse 18)'.

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

1-7	He assures them of the certainty of Christ's coming to judgment, against those scorners who dispute against it;
8-9	warning the Godly, for the long patience of God, to hasten their repentance.
10	He describes also the manner how the world shall be destroyed;
11-15	exhorting them, from the expectation thereof, to all holiness of life;
16-18	and again to think the patience of God to tend to their salvation, as Paul wrote to them in his epistles.

C3-S1 (Verse 1-4) Why Peter wrote this epistle.

Equivalent Section: Peter is warning God's people.

First Step: remind us that this is his second epistle.

This second epistle,
beloved,
I now write unto you;.

Second Step: Peter wants us to remember the warning.

in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:.

Equivalent Section: All of the Bible is important.

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets,
and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour :.

Equivalent Section: Scoffers will try to destroy the foundation of our faith.

Knowing this first,
that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts,
And saying,
Where is the promise of his coming?.

This sentence starts a new chapter by giving us three different perspectives of the same warning. That is: men are going to try to destroy the foundation of our faith and of the faith of future generations. Peter put his warning into writing just like God put the Old Testament and the rest of the new Testament into writing. This is so that the warning will also be saved to each generation. Our God put His Word into writing so that we would have a consistent standard by which we can check the claims of what people tell us. 1John 5:13 tells us that God put His Word into writing for two reasons. The second reason is that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. Since John said that God wrote unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, this second believe in the sentence is for an ongoing, ever increasing action of belief that is to continue throughout our life because our personal (ye) relationship of salvation is for all of our life.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

This second epistle: Peter is referenced his first epistle where he told us that the incorruptible...word of God was to cause us each to personally (ye) to purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren (1Peter 1:22-23). This type of action only comes with spiritual maturity which comes from maintaining our ongoing personal relationship with Christ through the instructions found in the word of God.

beloved: Peter uses this word here to remind us of his love and of God's love. He is not saying this to cause us problems or for any negative reason but seeks to help.

I now write unto you: Peter has already written that he is putting things in writing so that these things will be preserved after his death and so that God's people will continue to be reminded about them.

in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: When Peter writes in both he is referring to his prior epistle and to this epistle. Peter says that he wants to stir up your pure minds but that is possible only after we have a pure mind. Of course, in order to have a pure mind we must receive the mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-8; 1Peter 1:13; 4:1). The word pure means '100%'. Our pure mind is 'when we are thinking 100% about the things of God'. Peter is trying to get us to think about these things until that is all we think about while we remember the promises of God. That is what Peter means by I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. After saying that he wants us to stir up your pure minds, Peter tells us how when he says by way of remembrance. We have to get info into our mind before we can remember it. However, we do not need as much detail provided to help us remember something as we required to explain it the first time. Therefore, Peter is not giving us the full explanation but just enough to remember what was taught elsewhere. We saw this at the end of the last chapter where Peter said in a couple of sentences what is covered in a full chapter of Hebrews. Therefore, Peter expects us to search the scriptures for what he references in order to have complete understanding of what he says. Those who will not do so will not have the full understanding. Matthew 13:10-11 says, And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. Just like God's use of parables so also does God give understanding to those saved people who diligently seek him (Hebrews 11:6) while refusing the same to saved people who refuse to diligently seek him.

That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets: Here Peter tells us to pay attention to the Old Testament. Some people believe the doctrinal error that everything from Genesis through Malachi was replaced by the new Testament. However, as explained several places on this site, only the religious part of the Mosaic Law was replaced. In fact, we have already seen many times that the Old Testament was referenced within the Study of this epistle, which would not be right to do if Genesis through Malachi had been replaced.
in this Second Equivalent Section, Peter tells us exactly where we should get what we are to remember. He does not reference famous preachers who came before him. That was the habit of the Pharisees and is the habit of all religious leaders, especially of the false prophets and false teachers that Peter already warned us about. In addition, to all of the direct (and indirect) quotes found in the New Testament, we find that Jesus and the Apostles ask have ye not read ten times (Matthew 12:3; Matthew 12:5; 19:4; Mark 21:16; Matthew 22:31; Mark 2:25; Mark 12:10; Mark 12:26; Luke 6:3; Acts 13:27) and said it is written over 140 times. All of this only supports what Peter directly tells us in this second equivalent part of this sentence where Peter lists two (and) authorities. Peter uses holy prophets for the Old Testament (exclusive of the religious and civil parts of the Mosaic Law) and tells us to be mindful of the words which were spoken before . Peter then adds our next phrase of: The commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.

and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: the phrase of the Lord and Saviour limits which 'apostles' we are to listen to and provides the basis of their authority. People living today who call themselves apostles are liars and are not included in this phrase. The sentence outline above has links to three different notes which are all part of this phrase. (Please see them for more detail.) Here we see Peter give us the authority beneath the New Testament. Thus, Peter is telling us to study and obey the entire Bible. We are to study it until 100% of our mind is on the things that the Bible tells us. When we actually reach that point we will be willing to take the time to diligently seek what the Bible says about God and our Lord Jesus Christ. We will also want to understand everything involved with our Saviour and our personal salvation.

Knowing this first: the prior two phrases were the Second Equivalent Section which told us that 'All of the Bible is important'. All of the phrases before that was the First Equivalent Section which told us that 'Peter is warning God's people'. Of course, all true warnings about eternity are based upon the Bible. Now we come to our third Equivalent Section which told us that which warns us against people who will try to destroy our true faith. With this in mind, we see Peter tell us that this third Equivalent Section is of primary importance (first) within our sentence. Here we are given warning about what will affect us personally. Without a fear of personal danger we will not be diligent enough to truly study the Bible to the point that we stir up our pure minds by way of remembrance. We might think about the things in the Bible and we might read the Bible but we will not remember related portions of scripture and seek them out so that we truly understand how God does not change and that what the Bible says is consistent even though it is said different ways and at different times and to different people. The Fear of the Lord is for God's people and Peter is trying to make it personal so that we have a proper motivation.

that there shall come in the last days scoffers: Here is the warning that Peter tells us is of primary importance. (Please see the word definitions below about scoffers and about scorn, which are related to each other.) Peter tells us that his warning about these people is of primary importance because we all naturally want to avoid receiving scorn and the active tongue from scoffers. This is a primary tactic of the devil to get God's people to stop standing for the truth. Peter is trying to help us to stand regardless of circumstances.

walking after their own lusts: With this phrase we see the primary way to identify these people before they torn their tongue on us or people that we know. The word lust, of course, is speaking of a strong seeking for the things that satisfy the flesh. The word walk is talking about 'taking small repeated steps towards a goal'. We are to look at the 'little things' that people do and see where they lead. When we see those 'little things' heading towards lust we are to beware of those people. in this Equivalent Section, Peter warns us about scoffers that we are to not listen to. We can also pretty much conclude that the ungodly and unjust make up the scoffers because Peter says they are walking after their own lusts just like the ungodly and unjust do.

And saying: Here we see the difference between scorn and scoffers. All of us get led into wrong thoughts and wrong attitudes from time to time. However, our judgment does not (usually) come until we act upon those wrong things. in this sentence Peter is warning us against those people who have decided to act. James warns us about the tongue in James 1:26 and James 3.

Where is the promise of his coming?: this was the primary promise from God that people looked for in Peter's day. This was especially true when they were suffering, like Peter was dealing with. Of course, his coming would end their suffering. Therefore they were really looking for it. That is why Peter mentions this particular promise. If these scoffers could get God's people to doubt God's greatest promise, then they could get God's people to doubt all of God's promises. Peter is warning us against people who try to make us doubt any of God's promise.

In our sentence, Peter says that these scoffers challenge God's Word on the basis that He hasn't come and judged them yet (Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation). Peter provides a couple of answers in the next few sentences. Peter tells us:

For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water tells us that the power of creation backs our written word of God. In fact, there are other verses in the Bible that tell us that the word of God is more reliable than the laws of creation, such as gravity, because creation will be destroyed but the word of God will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8; 1Peter 1:23).
Noah's flood (3:5-6) was brought upon the Earth because too many men believed these scoffers and the next time things get that bad God will judge the Earth with fire. But all of the evidence that exists to show the flood, and that the scoffers try to claim is the result of evolution, shows that God has judged the world and will judge the world as he promised.
In 3:8 Peter tells us that the eternal God doesn't count time like us mortal men do. (Please see that note below.) Peter then tells us that God delayed bringing judgment because He is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and not because The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness. (Please see that note below.)

After answering the false claims of the scoffers, Peter tells his readers what to believe in 3:11-18 and references Paul's writing as part of The word of God that Peter told them to remember (in this sentence). Peter closes with 3:18 where he comes back to the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. As we have seen in other notes, Peter tells us to have this knowledge and in this sentence he tells us to stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance. That is, remember and use this knowledge. Peter starts this chapter with this sentence where he tells us to make the word of God our foundation and continues that same thought through the end of the epistle.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C5S8 about the word epistle. The New Testament definition is: 'A written message which contains several words which are combined to deliver the thoughts from one person to another person when those words are not spoken'.

Please see the note for 1:17 about the word beloved. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:5 for links to every place where the phrase beloved Son is applied to Jesus. The New Testament definition is: 'be and loved, from love. Belove, as a verb, is not used. Loved; greatly loved; dear to the heart'.

Please see the notes for Romans C15S13; 2Corinthians 1:13-14; Galatians C3-S12 and John 20:31-LJC about the word write. The New Testament definition is: 'To form by a pen on paper or other material, or by a graver on wood or stone; as, to write the characters called letters; to write figures'. Please also see the note for Romans 4:23-25 about the word written. In addition, please see the note for John 6:45 for links to where we find the phrases It is written or have ye not read.

Please see the note for 2Peter 1:13 about the word stir. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'to move; to change place in any manner. My foot I had never yet in five days been able to stir. 2. to agitate; to bring into debate. Stir on the questions of jurisdiction. 3. to incite to action; to instigate; to prompt. An Ate stirring him to blood and strife. 4. to excite; to raise; to put into motion. And for her sake some mutiny will stir.
To stir up, 1. to incite; to animate; to instigate by inflaming passions; as, to stir up a nation to rebellion. The words of Judas were good and able to stir them up to valor. 2 Maccabees. 2. to excite; to put into action; to begin; as, to stir up a mutiny or insurrection; to stir up strife. 3. to quicken; to enliven; to make more lively or vigorous; as, to stir up the mind. 4. to disturb; as, to stir up the sediment of liquor'. As already mentioned, One of the main consequences of stirring up, found in the New Testament, was a riot or a near riot. This is a far stronger reaction than most preaching gets today.

Please see the note for 1:3-5 about the word remembrance. The New Testament definition is: 'The retaining or having in mind an idea which had been present before, or an idea which had been previously received from an object when present, and which recurs to the mind afterwards without the presence of its object'.

Please see the note for Romans 14:20 for links to all of the verses in the New Testament where pure is used along with the definition from Webster's 1828 . The New Testament definition is: '100%'.

Please see the notes for Romans C11-S37; Romans C12-S2 and 2Corinthians C1S9 about the word mind. The New Testament definition is: 'Mind signifies properly intention, a reaching or inclining forward to an object, from the primary sense of extending, stretching or inclining, or advancing eagerly, pushing or setting forward, whence the Greek sense of the word includes intention; purpose; design'. Please also see the notes for Romans 11:20; 1Timothy 6:17 and 2Timothy 3:4 about not being highminded. Please also see the note for Philippians 2:5-8 for links to every place in the Bible where we find the words mind and Jesus used together. Please see the note for 1Corinthians 2:16 about the mind of Christ.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C11S28 about the word remembrance. The New Testament definition is: 'The retaining or having in mind an idea which had been present before, or an idea which had been previously received from an object when present, and which recurs to the mind afterwards without the presence of its object'.

This is the only place in the Bible where we find forms of the word scoffers. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia defines this word as: 'skof, skof'-er: the verb indicates the manifestation of contempt by insulting words or actions; it combines bitterness with ridicule. It is much more frequent in the Revised Version (British and American) than in the King James Version, replacing "scorn" of the latter in Ps 1:1; Pr 1:22, etc. "Scorn" refers rather to an inner emotion based on a sense of superiority; "scoff," to the outward expression of this emotion'. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'One who scoffs; one that mocks, derides or reproaches in the language of contempt; a scorner. There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming?" 2Peter 3'. Thompson Chain Topics provides links for this word as: 'Ps 73:11; Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15; Ac 17:18; 2Pe 3:3'.

As our note above says, scorn is strongly related to scoffers. However, where the one is an internal attitude, the other is an outward expression of that attitude. We find forms of the word scorn occurring 43 times in 41 verses of the Bible and, in the New Testament, in: Matthew 9:24; Mark 5:40; Luke 8:53. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Extreme contempt; that disdain which springs from a person's opinion of the meanness of an object, and a consciousness or belief of his own superiority or worth. He thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone. Esther 3. Every sullen frown and bitter scorn but fann'd the fuel that too fast did burn. 2. A subject of extreme contempt, disdain or derision; that which is treated with contempt. Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and a derision to them that are around us. Ps. 44. Tothink scorn, to disdain; to despise. obs. Tolaugh to scorn, to deride; to make a mock of; to ridicule as contemptible. They laughed us to scorn. Neh. 2.
SCORN, v.t.
1. to hold in extreme contempt; to despise; to contemn; to disdain. job. 16. Surely he scorneth the scorner; but he giveth grace to the lowly. Prov. 3. 2. to think unworth; to disdain. Fame that delights around the world to stray, scorns not to take our Argos in her way. 3. to slight; to disregard; to neglect. This my long suff'rance and my day of grace, those who neglect and scorn, shall never taste.
SCORN, v.i. to scorn at, to scoff at; to treat with contumely, derision or reproach. Obs'. Torrey's Topical Textbook provides links for this word as: 'The sufferings of Christ by, predicted: Ps 22:6-8; Isa 53:3; Lu 18:32. Christ endured: Mt 9:24; 27:29. SAINTS ENDURE, ON ACCOUN't OF: Being children of God: Ge 21:9; Ga 4:29. Their uprightness: Job 12:4. Their faith: Heb 11:36. Their faithfulness in declaring the word of God: Jer 20:7-8. Their zeal for God's house: Ne 2:19. The WICKED INDULGE IN, AGAINST: the second coming of Christ: 2Pe 3:3-4. The gifts of the Spirit: Ac 2:13. God's threatening: Isa 5:19; Jer 17:15. God's ministers: 2Ch 36:16. God's ordinances: La 1:7. Saints: Ps 123:4; La 3:14,63. The resurrection of the dead: Ac 17:32. All solemn admonitions: 2Ch 30:6-10. Idolaters addicted to: Isa 57:3-6. Drunkards addicted to: Ps 69:12; Ho 7:5. ThOSE WHO ARE ADDICTED TO: Delight in: Pr 1:22. Are contentious: Pr 22:10. Are scorned by God: Pr 3:34. Are hated by men: Pr 24:9. Are avoided by saints: Ps 1:1; Jer 15:17. Walk after their own lusts: 2Pe 3:3. Are proud and haughty: Pr 21:24. Hear not rebuke: Pr 13:1. Love not those who reprove: Pr 15:12. Hate those who reprove: Pr 9:8. Go not to the wise: Pr 15:12. Bring others into danger: Pr 29:8. Shall themselves endure: Eze 23:32. Characteristic of the latter days: 2Pe 3:3; Jude 1:18. Woe denounced against: Isa 5:18-19. Punishment for: 2Ch 36:17; Pr 19:29; Isa 29:20; La 3:64-66. Exemplified: Ishmael, Ge 21:9. Children at Bethel, 2Ki 2:23. Ephraim and Manasseh, 2Ch 30:10. Chiefs of Judah, 2Ch 36:16. Sanballat, Ne 4:1. Enemies of Job, Job 30:1,9. Enemies of David, Ps 35:15-16. Rulers of Israel, Isa 28:14. Ammonites, Eze 25:3. Tyrians, Eze 26:2. Heathen, Eze 36:2-3. Soldiers, Mt 27:28-30; Lu 23:36. Chief Priests, etc. Mt 27:41. Pharisees, Lu 16:14. The men who held Jesus, Lu 22:63-64. Herod, etc. Lu 23:11. People and rulers, Lu 23:35. Some of the multitude, Ac 2:13. Athenians, Ac 17:32'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'second epistle. 2Co 13:2; 1Pe 1:1-2 I stir. 2Pe 1:13-15; 2Ti 1:6 pure. Ps 24:4; 73:1; Mt 5:8; 1Ti 5:22; 1Pe 1:22 way. 2Pe 1:12 General references. exp: Joh 20:30.
ye may. 2Pe 1:19-21; Lu 1:70; 24:27,44; Ac 3:18,24-26; 10:43; 28:23; 1Pe 1:10-12; Re 19:10 and of. 2Pe 3:15; 2:21; Eph 2:20; 1Jo 4:6; Jude 1:17 General references. exp: Zec 1:5; Joh 20:30.
that there. 1Ti 4:1-2; 2Ti 3:1; 1Jo 2:18; Jude 1:18 scoffers. Pr 1:22; 3:34; 14:6; Isa 5:19; 28:14; 29:20; Ho 7:5 walking. 2Pe 2:10; 2Co 4:2; Jude 1:16,18 General references. exp: Pr 9:12; 14:25; Jer 17:15; Zec 1:5.
where. Ge 19:14; Ec 1:9; 8:11; Isa 5:18-19; Jer 5:12-13; 17:15; Eze 12:22-27; Mal 2:17; Mt 24:28; Lu 12:45 from the beginning. Mr 13:19; Re 3:14 General references. exp: Pr 9:12; Jer 17:15; Zec 1:5'.

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C3-S2 (Verse 4) Why their claim seems true.

for since the fathers fell asleep,
all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

This sentence is the reason (For) that the scoffers give to back their claim that Jesus will not come again. Peter's answer follows this sentence and proves it to be the lie that it is. There Peter reminds us that the world was dramatically changed by Noah's flood. The world was not the same as it was before Noah's flood. As Peter says in the next sentence: For this they willingly are ignorant of. When the devil tempted Jesus he quoted scripture. There was nothing wrong with what he quoted, the problem was with what he left out. Likewise, these scoffers deliberately leave out critical information. We see them doing the same thing today when they claim that 'evolution' and 'big bang' are scientific facts. This claim of theirs is proven to be a lie in the next sentence.

The word fell. is the past-tense form of the word fall. Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To drop from a higher place. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse. Apostasy: unexpectedly moving from a high spiritual position to a low spiritual position. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10'.

Please see the note for Hebrews 1:5 about the word father. The New Testament definition is: 'God or the man who passes his character to the son'.

Please see the note for Philippians 1:25-26 about the word continue. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To remain in a state, or place; to abide for any time indefinitely'. Please also see the note for James 1:25 about the word continueth. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'A lifestyle of continuing'. The difference being that we can continue something once but later cease it while if we continueth the same thing then we never cease it. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians 7:5 about the word incontinent.

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C3-S3 (Verse 5-7) the Flood proves that the claim of the scoffers is a lie.

Equivalent Section: From creation to the Flood.

For this they willingly are ignorant of,
that by the word of God the heavens were of old,
and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:.

Equivalent Section: the Flood.

Whereby the world that then was,
being overflowed with water,
perished:.

Equivalent Section: After the Flood.

But the heavens and the earth,
which are now,
by the same word are kept in store,
reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Peter divides his sentence into three Equivalent Sections which each show God's power of creation / destruction. In each section God uses His Word with Peter explicitly stating by the (same) word (of God) in the First and third Sections. Peter indirectly references Genesis 7 in the middle portion and Genesis 7:4 tells us that God said what would happen (gave His Word).

We already saw in the first sentence of this chapter that God's Word is our foundation and that the main purpose of Peter writing this epistle is to make God's people trust God's Word. Now Peter tells us that scoffers are willingly are ignorant of some things in the word of God. Notice, that Peter says they are selectively ignorant of some parts of the word of God, which implies that they know other parts of the word of God. In Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4 Jesus said It is written, that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. (He was quoting Deuteronomy 8:4.) Both of these references are part of where we read about Satan tempting Jesus and part of the temptation by Satan was to quote the Bible while leaving out part. So we see that these scoffers are following the way of Satan. By remaining willingly...ignorant of parts of God's Word they convince themselves that it says the opposite of what it really says just like the false prophets and false teachers of the prior chapter did.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

For this they willingly are ignorant of: As explained in the note for the prior sentence, this sentence tells us why (for) the prior sentence was a lie. The word this, in our sentence, refers to the remainder of this sentence. The word ignorant means: 'lacking knowledge'. Since Peter says that they willingly are ignorant, we know that they could know the truth but have deliberately closed their mind to the truth.

that by the word of God the heavens were of old: the Bible explains creation and these false teachers are willingly ignorant of what the Bible says. They deliberately refuse to read it and do a true scientific study to see how well it matches the facts of the physical reality. Instead, they deliberately choose to believe the lies of a religion which claims that it is science even while it refuses to use the Scientific Method. This, obviously, is because they refuse to recognize the power of God and the power and authority of The word of God.

and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Peter briefly describes the original creation (The earth standing out of the water and in the water) where there was a layer of cloud (water vapor) covering the entire Earth and a layer of water below the surface. Because of that design, men lived for almost 1,000-years. That design / world was destroyed (perished) by the flood when the layer of cloud (The windows of heaven were opened) came down as rain and the layer of water below the surface (all the fountains of the great deep broken up) came up (Genesis 7:11). Those people who are not willingly...ignorant of true scientific facts see that the true evidence of Geology matches the record of the flood exactly and prove that 'evolution' is impossible.

Whereby the world that then was: When we actually consider the description of the world before Noah's flood, there can be no doubt that the actual world was totally different. My uncle was an engineer who was head of a team which worked on putting a man on the moon. They kept missing the moon every time that they sent a rocket to it until they added into their aiming equation a constant representing all of the time that the Bible reports that God held time still or moved it backwards. Then after they put men on the moon, someone ran the equation backwards and found that the orbit of Mars took it between the Earth and the Moon at the time of Noah's Flood and that the stresses of things like the gravity fields of the two planets interacting would cause the physical changes described within the Bible that occurred with the flood.

being overflowed with water: this is a direct reference to Noah's flood found in Genesis 5-9.

perished: this does not say that 'everything in the world that then was perished' but it says that this happened to the whole. That mean that a majority of life in the world then perished and that the world as a whole perished even while a minor part of the life in the world, such as fishes, continued to live.

But the heavens and the earth: this is the start of the third Equivalent Section. With it starting with the word but, which comes right after the colon, we see the polar opposite of the prior Equivalent Section. Where the prior Equivalent Section talked about what perished, this Equivalent Section talks about what lived and is kept in store for future judgment. Here we see that it is The heavens and the earth which will suffer future judgment. The plural form of heavens means our atmosphere and outer space. The details of this prophecy in in places like the book of Revelation.

which are now: Where the prior phrase identified the subject of this Equivalent Section, this phrase described the current condition and the next phrase tells us how and the last phrase tells us of the future.

by the same word are kept in store: this tells us that it is God's Word which preserves the current heavens and the earth in their current condition. The same power that was in The word of God and used to create the heavens and the earth is what is used to preserve them. While people deny the power of God, they are willingly ignorant of how that same power is what keeps the heavens and the earth like they are. These people assume that the heavens and the earth are billions of years old and are self preserving even as they observe destruction of parts of the universe. While they should be able to figure out that utter destruction is possible, they close their minds to that possibility and to the evidence of God's power doing the preservation even while they deny and try to destroy the very power that is required for their own ongoing existence.

reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men: the phrase The day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men is another way of saying the great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15). Thus, our phrase is telling us that the current heavens and the earth will continue to exist as they are until the great white throne judgment. All that will happen during the great tribulation ill not completely destroy the current heavens and the earth. Therefore, they are reserved unto that day. Since these men can not remain ungodly unless they reject the promised day of their judgment, they must remain willingly...ignorant of certain parts of God's Word that tells them about that judgment. If they accept this truth then they must stop being ungodly.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S42 and 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about the word ignorant. The New Testament definition is: 'lacking knowledge'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:9-11 about the word heaven. The New Testament definition is: 'According to the Jewish notion there were three heavens, (a) the firmament, as "fowls of the heaven" (Ge 2:19; 7:3,23; Ps 8:8, etc.), "The eagles of heaven" (La 4:19), etc. (b) the starry heavens (De 17:3; Jer 8:2; Mt 24:29). (c) "The heaven of heavens," or "The third heaven" (De 10:14; 1Ki 8:27; Ps 115:16; 148:4; 2Co 12:2)'. in this epistle, the word heaven is used for the Earth's atmosphere.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 5:1 and Philippians 2:9-11 about the word earth. The New Testament definition is: ' In the sense of soil or ground, the whole world (Ge 1:2); the land as opposed to the sea'.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15-16 and 2Corinthians 4:16 about the word perish. The New Testament definition is: 'To die; to lose life in any manner'.

Please see the note for Matthew 28:3-4 about the word keeper. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'of anything. 1. One who retains in custody; one who has the care of a prison and the custody of prisoners. 2. One who has the care of a park or other inclosure, or the custody of beasts; as the keeper of a park, a pound, or of sheep. 3. One who has the care, custody or superintendence of anything. In Great Britain, the keeper of the great seal, is a lord by his office, and one of the privy council. All royal grants, commissions and charters pass through his hands. He is constituted lord-keeper by the delivery of the great seal. the keeper of the privy seal is also a lord by his office, and a member of the privy council'. Please also see the note for 1Timothy 5:22 about the word keep. Please see the note for 1John about the phrase keep his commandments. The New Testament definition is: 'To hold; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose or part with; as, to keep a house or a farm; to keep anything in the memory, mind or heart. 2. to have in custody for security or preservation'.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the word fire. The New Testament definition is: 'The primary sense is, to rage, to act with violent excitement. It is also An extremely painful type of injury that is used by God to cleanse and purify. This word is often used symbolically for different purposes which all result in something being consumed'. Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from Heaven. Please also see the note for Revelation 19:20 about the phrase lake of fire. Please also see the note for Romans C12S18 about the phrase coals of fire. We also find this word, in this Bible book in: 2Peter 3:12.

Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 about for links to every place in the New Testament where the phrase day of deals with a significant event such as prophecy. We see this phrase used in 2Peter in: 2:9 (day of judgment); 3:7 (day of judgment); 3:10 (day of the Lord) and 3:12 (day of God).

Please see the note for Philippians 1:27-28 about the word perdition. The New Testament definition is: 'The utter loss of the soul or of final happiness in a future state; future misery or eternal death. the impenitent sinner is condemned to final perdition. If we reject the truth, we seal our own perdition'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'they willingly. Pr 17:16; Joh 3:19-20; Ro 1:28; 2Th 2:10-12 by the word. Ge 1:6,9; Ps 24:2; 33:6; 136:6; Heb 11:3 standing. Gr. consisting. Col 1:17 General references. exp: Ge 1:9; Ps 104:6; 136:6; Mt 24:39.
General references. 2Pe 2:5; Ge 7:10-23; 9:15; Job 12:15; Mt 24:38-39; Lu 17:27 exp: Ps 136:6; Mt 24:37.
The heavens. 2Pe 3:10; Ps 50:3; 102:26; Isa 51:6; Zep 3:8; Mt 24:35; 25:41; 2Th 1:8; Re 20:11; 21:1 against. 2Pe 2:9; Mt 10:15; 11:22,24; 12:36; Mr 6:11; 1Jo 4:17 and perdition. Ro 2:5; Php 1:28; 2Th 2:3; 1Ti 6:9; Re 17:8,11 General references. exp: Ps 114:4; 136:6; Pr 27:12'.

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C3-S4 (Verse 8) the saved are not to act like the ungodly.

But,
beloved,
be not ignorant of this one thing,
that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years,
and a thousand years as one day.

Peter is continuing the subject of the prior sentence while going in a different direction (But). Where ungodly scoffers are willingly...ignorant of God's Word, Peter tells us to not be that way. When Peter says a thousand years as one day he means nothing more than 'God doesn't measure time like we do so don't put any significance upon the passing of time'. However, even here we see ungodly scoffers try to twist this into some lie by finding some count of days in the Old Testament and matching a thousand years to a day and predicting when judgment will come when Jesus tld us But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32).

When most people look at this verse they concentrate on the phrases which say: that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. Please see The note for this verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study which deals with those phrases. While those phrases are used to preach doctrinal truth by many people, their use generally ignores the context. As already mentioned, the context, and true message of this sentence, is that God's people are to be not ignorant. Peter is telling us, in this sentence and in the surrounding sentences, that the Bible uses the word day symbolically to represent a significant event and not for a length of time. God is a Spirit and His Word is spiritually alive. It was written to teach us spiritual truths which are different from physical truths. In order to do this, spiritual truths are often symbolically represented by physical things which are similar but not the same. We need God's Holy Spirit to show us the symbolic meaning of these things. Lost people are ignorant because they don't have God's Holy Spirit to show them the true meaning of these spiritual symbols.

The lost people try to use the phrase one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day, as a way to measure time. They want to do this so that they can live in sin and pursue the lusts of the flesh and then turn to God for salvation at the very last instant. While there is so much wrong with that belief, what matters here is their wrong thoughts concerning time. Our next sentence tells us that The Lord is delaying judgment so that more people will get saved and not because there is a fixed length of time before He can bring judgment. Then the sentence after that warns that judgment will come when we least expect it and that we can not determine a length o time for when judgment comes. Those lost fools who think that they can live in sin and pursue the lusts of the flesh and then turn to God for salvation at the very last instant, will be caught unprepared and still lost. In the third next sentence Peter warns us with Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. These things are what our current sentence is warning us to be not ignorant of.

While I could go on through the end of this chapter and show the reader how all of it is related to this phrase (be not ignorant of), I will leave it to the reader to finish reading the rest of the notes within this Study.

Please see the note above about the phrase day of.

Please see the notes for 1Corinthians C14S42 and 2Corinthians 2:10-11 about the word ignorant. The New Testament definition is: 'lacking knowledge'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'be not. Ro 11:25; 1Co 10:1; 12:1 that one. Ps 90:4 General references. exp: Job 10:5; Ps 114:4; Heb 10:37'.

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C3-S5 (Verse 9) the truth about the delay of judgment.

First Step: the Lord keeps His Word.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise,
as some men count slackness;.

Second Step: the lord delays judgment if some might repent.

but is longsuffering to us-ward,
not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.

This sentence is written in a way that it can be used as an independent precept. What is said here is always true regardless of circumstances. However, while that is true, it is also presented within a context. As pointed out in The note for this sentence; within the Lord Jesus Christ Study, the sentence before this one and the sentence after this one and this sentence all use Lord and tell us about judgment by the Lord. So while this sentence can be used independently, it is better used within the context of what Peter tells us.

That note also points out that the main way which this sentence is true. That is: that God measures time differently than man does and that God's main measurement is not the length of time but how many people come to (true) repentance. With that in mind, we need to consider the context, which includes the next sentence, and which applies this precept to the specific promise of judgment by The Lord. Our next sentence tells us that we can not know when The Lord's judgment of us will come (But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night). Therefore, the second-next sentence tells us how to live based upon these truths (Seeing then...what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness). So then we do see that this sentence is a precept which can be used independent of the context but we also see the proper way to apply it by the use of it within the context.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise: please see the word definitions below about the word slack and the word promise. The New Testament definition forthe word slack, is: 'not using due diligence'. Thus, our phrase is telling us that The Lord does 'use due diligence'. It may appear otherwise, but that is because people are looking at the actions by The Lord the wrong way. This is where our context makes a difference. The prior sentence explained that The Lord doe not deal with time like we do. Therefore, His delay does not have the same significance that a similar delay, in a short-lived human, has. In addition, our next sentence tells us that judgment by The Lord comes suddenly and without prior notice that the natural man can detect. So a lot of the claims about slackness are based upon people looking at the wrong thing. Then the Second Step of this sentence explains what the natural man can not understand because it is spiritual and requires God's Holy Spirit to provide the true understanding. Basically, selfish self-centered sinful natural men want the promise of God now and don't care about the impact upon others and ignores the fact that they themselves have not fulfilled God's requirement for them to receive the promise. Thus, they are criticizing God for taking too long to give them a promise that they will never get because they have not done their part.

as some men count slackness: the word as means 'in the same way'. Here we see a major problem. We are not supposed to judge The Lord 'in the same way' as we do men. The fact is that many of the promises, from The Lord, are not meant to be fulfilled within this life, especially for people living in the Church Age. Most of the promises made to people living in the Church Age are spiritual in nature and are to be fulfilled in eternity. In fact, his epistle talks about how we will suffer now in order to increase our reward in eternity. Therefore, we have a major problem when men judge The Lord as some men.

but is longsuffering to us-ward: this is the first phrase of the Second Step. Our First Step told us the wrong way to judge The Lord, and old us to not do that. Now, after removing the wrong way to judge, we are told the right way to judge The Lord. We are to see His goal and His way of getting as many people as possible to that goal. Our first phrase tells us His way when it says that The Lord is longsuffering to us-ward. Here we see the main problem that most people want to hide. When we claim to be Christians, we claim to be 'Christ like'. When He is longsuffering, and we refuse to be the same, we prove ourselves to be liars.

not willing that any should perish: Here we see the motivation of The Lord. Since He is not willing that any should perish, He is taking active steps to prevent this. However, as people who claim to be Christians, we have another problem when the attitudes and actions of our life proclaim that we are willing (to let people) perish. Once more we see this sentence condemning many who call themselves Christians.

but that all should come to repentance: Here we see the action of The Lord. God has chosen to work through His people so that He has an excuse for blessing us. However, if we don't do our part, or do our part wrong, then the action of The Lord is not done. That is why The Lord has preachers trying to motivate God's people to participate in the 'Great Commission'. While The Lord motivates people, the devil discourages them. In addition, the devil has false prophets and false teachers telling God's people to do the 'Great Commission' the wrong way. They tell people the 'repentance is turning 180 degrees'. However, our relationship with men is horizontal while our relationship with God is vertical. Men 'turn 180 degrees' by changing from one set of religious activities to another set of religious activities. However, true Biblical repentance is always towards God. Therefore, men can 'turn 180 degrees', by changing their religious activities, and appear to repent while they have not done what God and the Bible require.

We find forms of the word slack only in: Deuteronomy 7:10; Deuteronomy 23:21; Joshua 10:6; Joshua 18:3; 2Kings 4:24; Proverbs 10:4; Habakkuk 1:4; Zephaniah 3:16; 2Peter 3:9. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines this word as: 'Not tense; not hard drawn; not firmly extended; as a slack rope; slack rigging; slack shrouds. 2. Weak; remiss; not holding fast; as a slack hand. 3. Remiss; backward; not using due diligence; not earnest or eager; as slack in duty or service; slack in business. 4. Not violent; not rapid; slow; as a slack pace'.

Please see the note for Romans 1:1 about the word concern. The New Testament definition is: 'Pertaining to; regarding; having relation to'.

Please see The note for this verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. Please also see the note for Romans 9:22 which has links to every verse which uses longsuffering along with a short note on each verse and the definition of from Webster's 1828 . Please also see the note for Romans 11:29 for links to every place in the Bible where the word repentance is used.

Please see the notes for 2Corinthians 2:15-16 and 2Corinthians 4:16 about the word perish. The New Testament definition is: 'To die; to lose life in any manner'.

Please see the note for Romans C11S32 about the word repentance. The New Testament definition is: 'A turning away from the attitudes and actions of sin and turning towards God and accepting His attitudes and actions about sin'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'is not. Isa 46:13; Hab 2:3; Lu 18:7-8; Heb 10:37 but is. 2Pe 3:15; Ex 34:6; Ps 86:15; Isa 30:18; Ro 9:22; 1Ti 1:16; 1Pe 3:20 not willing. Ex 18:23; 32:32; 33:11 but that. Ro 2:4; 1Ti 2:4; Re 2:21 General references. exp: Ps 114:4; Lu 5:32'.

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C3-S6 (Verse 10) the truth about The day of the Lord.

First Step: We can not anticipate the arrival.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;.

Second Step: events following the Great white throne Judgment.

in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,
The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Back in 3:8 Peter started his last subject of this epistle. (At a minimum, all of the sentences and associated notes from 3:8 through the end of the epistle should be considered together in order to get the full message of the context.) Our sentence starts with the word But, which means it is continuing the same subject as the prior sentence while going in a different direction. Many people come to this sentence and treat The day of the Lord as a subject completely independent from the context. However, with our sentence being connected to the prior sentence by starting with the word But, we see that such action is doctrinally wrong. In addition, many people treat The day of the Lord as a subject completely independent from the rest of the Bible and call it something that it is not or confuse it with other days which we find in the Bible. With our epistle warning us about false prophets and false teachers, who need to avoid teaching which takes things out of context. In particular, the context of this sentence lets us know that Peter is correcting doctrinal error with this sentence. We3 certainly do not want to take what is given to correct doctrinal error and use it to teach other doctrinal error.

Please see the note for 3:8 which tells us about the different days which are mentioned within 2Peter. Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 for links to different places in the Bible where we find the phrase day of and for identification of different days which are found within the Bible.

1Thessalonians and 2Thessalonians were both written to correct doctrinal error which claimed that prophecy / future promises from God were not reliable and that God's people would not receive them. Like Peter is dealing with here, the false prophets and false teachers were lying to those people in order to get those people to support their lusts of the flesh. Simply put, when people know the truth they will not support a lie. Thus, the sentences from 3:8 through 3:12 are correcting the doctrinal error. Then 3:13 starts with Nevertheless we, according to his promise and tells us how to act based upon God's truth after we have rejected the doctrinal error. Thus, we see that our sentence is only part of Peter's teaching which is designed to correct doctrinal error. While we can treat it as an independent precept, we are better off considering the full context in which it is found.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night: As already explained, this sentence is connected to the prior by starting with the word but. The reader should consider all of the contextual requirements already mentioned in order to avoid further doctrinal error. With that said, Peter is dealing with The day of the Lord and correcting doctrinal errors which claim that it will not come or that it has already come or that we can know exactly when it will come and, therefore, live for the lusts of the flesh until the last instance before it comes. In Matthew 24:43; Luke 12:33 and Luke 12:39 Jesus warns us about the thief and how he comes unexpectedly. In John 10 we are warned that the devil is a thief. People might wonder why Peter equates The Lord to a thief but he does so because The Lord will steal His people away from the control of the devil before he brings judgment. Also The Lord will steal away the peace and safety which false prophets and false teachers proclaim. Thus, we see that God's judgment, on sin, which is identified as The day of the Lord, will catch everyone by surprise. The day of the Lord is: 'The Great Tribulartion and when God destroys this heaven and Earth to create new ones'.

in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise: this is the first phrase of our Second Step and it tells a truth which I have never heard preached. The day of the Lord has two Steps and the First Step must be completed before the Second Step is started. Between these two Steps we have the 1,000-years reign of Christ. That is at least part of why Peter said one day is with the Lord as a thousand years back in 3:8. Our First Step tells us about the great tribulation while our Second Step tells us about God replacing The heavens and the earth after the great white throne judgment. This is obviously a different time from the great tribulation. (I did not realize this until I was doing a detailed analysis of this sentence. I apologize for any other place on this site where I might not have separated these two Steps.) However, in both Steps we see God bringing judgment upon lost people who refused to get saved and stop their sinning.

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat: Obviously, the current earth will have to be completely destroyed don to the elements before God creates a New Earth because this one is completely corrupted by sin.

The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up: Peter uses three phrases in this prophecy to make it clear that God will completely destroy what was corrupted before He replaces it with a new version.

We already dealt with the phrase day of and the word day earlier in this note.

Please see the note for 1Peter 4:15 about the word thief. The New Testament definition is: 'One who secretly, unlawfully and feloniously takes the goods or personal property of another. the thief takes the property of another privately; the robber by open force'. The Morrish Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'robber, bandit.' Used by the Lord in reference to those who bought and sold in the temple. Mt 21:13; Mr 11:17; Lu 19:46. In the parable of the Good Samaritan the traveller fell among robbers. Lu 10:30,36. When the Lord was arrested He asked if they had come out as against a robber. Mt 26:55; Mr 14:48; Lu 22:52. the two malefactors crucified with the Lord were also men of this character. Mt 27:38,44; Mr 15:27. the same Greek word is translated 'robber' in the A.V. in Joh 10:1,8; John 18: 40; 2Co 11:26.M
2. 'thief.' those who break through and steal secretly. Mt 6:19-20. this is the word employed in the expression "as a thief in the night," to which the unexpected coming of the Lord to the world is compared. 1Th 5:2,4; 2Pe 3:10; Re 3:3; etc. It is applied to Judas. Joh 12:6. the word 'thief' in the A.V. is always this word except in the passages quoted under No. 1'. Please also see the note for Matthew 15:19 about the word theft. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'n. the act of stealing. In law, the private, unlawful, felonious taking of another person's goods or movables, with an intent to steal them. to constitute theft, the taking must be in private or without the owner's knowledge, and it must be unlawful or felonious, that is, it must be with a design to deprive the owner of his property privately and against his will. theft differs from robbery, as the latter is a violent taking from the person, and of course not private. 1. the thing stolen. Ex.22'. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines this word as: 'Punished by restitution, the proportions of which are noted in 2Sa 12:6. If the thief could not pay the fine, he was to be sold to a Hebrew master till he could pay (Ex 22:1-4). A night-thief might be smitten till he died, and there would be no blood-guiltiness for him (Ex 22:2). A man-stealer was to be put to death (Ex 21:16). All theft is forbidden (Ex 20:15; 21:16; Le 19:11; De 5:19; 24:7; Ps 50:18; Zec 5:3; Mt 19:18; Ro 13:9; Eph 4:28; 1Pe 4:15)'.

Please see the note for 1Thessalonians 5:2 for links to different places in the Bible where we find the phrase cometh as a thief in the night.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:13 for links to every verse in the Bible that uses the phrase passed away.

Please see the note for Luke 1:65 about the word noise. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'Sound of any kind, or proceeding from any cause, as the sound made by the org and of speech, by the wings of an insect, the rushing of the wind, or the roaring of the sea, of cannon or thunder, a low sound, a high sound, etc.; a word of general signification. 2. Outcry; clamor; loud, importunate or continued talk expressive of boasting, complaint or quarreling. In quarreling, it expresses less than uproar. What noise have we about transplantation of diseases and transfusion of blood? 3. Frequent talk; much public conversation. Socrates lived in Athens during the great plague which has made so much noise in all ages, and never caught the least infection'.

Please see the note for Galatians 4:3-5 for links to place in the Bible where the word elements is used along with the definition from Easton's Bible Dictionary.

Please see The note for this verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study. Please also see the note for Romans 12:10-13 for links to every verse in the Bible where forms of the word fervent. The New Testament definition is: 'Hot; boiling; as a fervent summer; fervent blood. Ardent, hot in emotional temper; vehement'.

Please see the note for Matthew 20:11-12 about the word heat. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To grow warm or hot by fermentation, or extrication of latent heat. Green hay heats in a mow, and green corn in a bin. 1. to grow warm or hot. the iron or the water heats slowly'.

Please see the notes for Romans C9S8; 1Corinthians C3S13; Galatians C2-S10 and Philippians 1:1 about the word works. Please see the note for Romans C3S27 about the phrase law of works. Please see the note for Philippians 3:2 about the phrase evil workers. Please see the note for Romans C11S10 about the phrase works are seen of men. Please see the notes for Romans 8:1-LJC; Galatians C5-S6 and Revelation 19:2-LJC about the phrase judged by works. The basic Biblical definition of work is: 'to move, or to labor'.

Please see the note for Luke 24:32 about the word burn. Webster's 1828 defines this word as: 'The primary sense is, to rage, to act with violent excitement. 1. to consume with fire; to reduce to ashes by the action of heat or fire; frequently with up; as, to burn up wood. 2. to expel the volatile parts and reduce to charcoal by fire; as, to burn wood into coal. Hence, in popular language, to burn a kiln of wood, is to char the wood. 3. to cleanse of soot by burning; to inflame; as, to burn a chimney; an extensive use of the word. 4. to harden in the fire; to bake or harden by heat; as, to burn bricks or a brick kiln. 5. to scorch; to affect by heat; as, to burn the clothes or the legs by the fire; to burn meat or bread in cookery. 6. to injure by fire; to affect the flesh by heat. 7. to dry up or dissipate; with up; as, to burn up tears. 8. to dry excessively; to cause to wither by heat; as, the sun burns the grass or plants. 9. to heat or inflame; to affect with excessive stimulus; as, ardent spirits burn the stomach. 10. to affect with heat in cookery, so as to give the food a disagreeable taste. Hence the phrase burnt to. 11. to calcine with heat or fire; to expel the volatile matter from substances, so that they are easily pulverized; as, to burn oyster shells, or lime-stone. 12. to affect with excess of heat; as, the fever burns a patient. 13. to subject to the action of fire; to heat or dry; as, to burn colors. Toburn up, to consume entirely by fire. Toburn out, to burn till the fuel is all consumed.
BURN, v.i. to be on fire; to flame; as, the mount burned with fire. 1. to shine; to sparkle. O prince! O wherefore burn your eyes? 2. to be inflamed with passion or desire; as, to burn with anger or love. 3. to act with destructive violence, as fire. Shall thy wrath burn like fire? 4. to be in commotion; to rage with destructive violence. The groan still deepens and the combat burns. 5. to be heated; to be in a glow; as, the face burns. 6. to be affected with a sensation of heat, pain or acidity; as, the heart burns. 7. to feel excess of heat; as, the flesh burns by a fire; a patient burns with a fever. Toburn out, to burn till the fuel is exhausted and the fire ceases.
BURN, n. A hurt or injury of the flesh caused by the action of fire. 1. the operation of burning or baking, as in brickmaking; as, they have a good burn'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'The day. Isa 2:12; Joe 1:15; 2:1,31; 3:14; Mal 4:5; 1Co 5:5; 2Co 1:14; Jude 1:6 exp: Eze 13:5; 1Co 1:8; 3:13; Php 1:6; 1Th 5:2. as a. Mt 24:42-43; Lu 12:39; 1Th 5:2; Re 3:3; 16:15 in the which. Ps 102:26; Isa 51:6; Mt 24:35; Mr 13:31; Ro 8:20; Heb 1:11-12; Re 20:11; 21:1 the elements. 2Pe 3:12 melt. Ps 46:6; 97:5; Am 9:5,13; Na 1:5 exp: 2Pe 3:12. The earth. 2Pe 3:7 exp: Ge 6:13; Isa 13:13; Na 1:5. General references. exp: Ps 97:3; 114:4; Pr 27:12; Mt 24:36; Mr 13:24; Lu 12:39'.

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C3-S7 (Verse 11-12) How our life is to be affected by The day of the Lord.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,
what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,
wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?.

Peter told us that God doesn't compute time like man does, so we can't tell when God is going to do something according to how man computes time and people try to use that statement to compute when God is going to do something. (Can we ask for greater evidence that someone is a Biblical fool?) then Peter tells us that we can only know the order that things will happen in The day of the Lord, but not the time interval between events and people try to use that statement to specify the time interval. Yes, we do know that the 1,000-years reign of Christ will happen within this time interval but we do not know the length of time involved in Satan's rebellion after that nor do we know if there are other time-affecting factors.

Now Peter tells us the perspective that we are to have about The day of the Lord, and people completely ignore his instructions and, again, draw the opposite conclusion. Peter is telling us that everything in this world will be dissolved. Peter's conclusion is that things of this world aren't worth worrying about but what we need to worry about is what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness. The only thing we will take out of this world is our self and any reward that the Lord has laid up for us. We are to forget stuff of this world and concentrate on building spiritual things. That's Peter's basic message but people ignore that message and look for some 'hidden knowledge' that they can sell on the religious talk circuit. Yes, some Physics Scientist might find some relevant truth here but most of us should forget all of this so-called 'prophecy' and concentrate on Peter's basic question. How will God judge you personally (ye) when you stand before Him and He measures your life against His standard of holy conversation (lifestyle ) and of godliness?

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved: Peter uses the word seeing for a true Biblical vision, which is a truth from God that is spiritually seen. Peter uses the word dissolved to let us know about the complete destruction of this corrupted physical reality. Peter then goes on to let us know that we are wasting time trying to hold onto what will be completely destroyed. Instead, we should hold onto what can not be lost.

what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness: Here Peter asks us to consider our lifestyle (conversation) and verify just exactly how holy it is and how much godliness does our lifestyle display. Obviously, Peter does not think that anything less than a lifestyle which is holy and displays godliness is acceptable. Peter's question is not if we should be this way but how we are going to live this way. In addition, with his use of the word ye, Peter makes this a personal question. This is because Peter is talking about our judgment, which is also personal.

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God: the phrase The day of God is only found here and in Revelation 16:14. There it appears that The day of God is the battle of Armageddon. Here it is said to be the destruction of the current corrupted heavens and the earth. In both cases we see the total destruction of what has been corrupted and once more we see the word day used to identify an action by God instead of a time period. Regardless of that, what we see in this phrase is that Peter is telling the saved that they should be Looking for and hasting unto the coming of God's total destruction of what is corrupted and what will corrupt all around it if not totally destroyed.

wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved: the word wherein lets us know that the rest of this phrase will be in The day of God. With that said, there are people who love to detail prophecy, so I will leave the details to them while I move on.

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?: Our phrase starts with the word and, which adds it to the prior phrase. Like the prior phrase, I will leave the details to people who love prophecy while I move on.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 5:1 about the word dissolved. That note has links to every place in the Bible where we find forms of this word. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines dissolved as: 'Melted; liquefied; disunited; parted; loosed; relaxed; wasted away; ended'.

Please see the note for 1Peter C1S4 about the word manner. The New Testament definition is: 'Form; method; way of performing or executing'.

Please see the note for Mark 12:14 about the word person. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'An individual human being consisting of body, soul and spirit'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:4 about the word look. The New Testament definition is: 'To direct the eye towards an object, with the intention of seeing it'.

Please see the note for James 3:6 about the

Please see the next sentence about the word fire. The New Testament definition is: 'The primary sense is, to rage, to act with violent excitement. It is also An extremely painful type of injury that is used by God to cleanse and purify. This word is often used symbolically for different purposes which all result in something being consumed'. Please also see the note for Revelation 20:9 about the phrase fire from Heaven. Please also see the note for Revelation 19:20 about the phrase lake of fire. Please also see the note for Romans C12S18 about the phrase coals of fire.

Please see the note for Galatians 4:3-5 for links to place in the Bible where the word elements is used along with the definition from Easton's Bible Dictionary.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'all these. 2Pe 3:12; Ps 75:3; Isa 14:31; 24:19; 34:4 what. Mt 8:27; 1Th 1:5; Jas 1:24 in all. Ps 37:14; 50:23; 2Co 1:12; Php 1:27; 3:20; 1Ti 4:12; Heb 13:5; Jas 3:13; 1Pe 1:15; 2:12 godliness. 2Pe 1:3,6; 1Ti 3:16; 6:3,6,11 General references. exp: Ps 97:3; 114:4; Pr 27:12.
Looking. 1Co 1:7; Tit 2:13; Jude 1:21 hasting unto the coming. or, hasting the coming. 2Pe 3:10; 1Co 1:8; Php 1:6 the heavens. 2Pe 3:10; Ps 50:3; Isa 34:4; Re 6:13-14 exp: Isa 51:6. melt. 2Pe 3:10; Isa 2; 64; Mic 1:4 General references. exp: Ps 97:3; Pr 27:12; Mr 13:24; Lu 12:40'.

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C3-S8 (Verse 13) the promise of new heavens and a new earth.

Nevertheless we,
according to his promise,
look for new heavens and a new earth,
wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Let me rephrase this sentence as:

Nevertheless: Never less important than other considerations.
according to his promise: You have to know the promise before you can do anything according to it. You also have to know God's requirements before you can 'claim' it. Yes, I mean 'you'. My knowing the requirements does 'you' no good.
we, look for new heavens and a new earth: All of us are supposed to be looking for the new, not for enhancing our position in the 'old'.
wherein dwelleth righteousness: Doing what God says is right God's way, not acting according to our favorite religious leader.

The phrase according to his promise lets us know that there is a proportional relationship between how much we...look for new heavens and a new earth and how much we believe God's promise. Since wherein dwelleth righteousness, the true measure of these things is how much righteousness we bring into our life now. If we are not willing to bring righteousness into our life now, then how much honesty is there in our claim to be looking to go to a place wherein dwelleth righteousness?

Please see the note for Philippians 2:4 about the word look. The New Testament definition is: 'To direct the eye towards an object, with the intention of seeing it'.

Please see the note for Romans C7S24 about the word dwell. The New Testament definition is: 'Continuance; residence; state of life'.

Please see the note for 1:1 about the word righteous / righteousness. The New Testament definition is: 'doing the right thing, the right way, at the right time and for the right reason'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'according. Isa 65:17; 66:22; Re 21:1,27 General references. exp: Ps 37:29; Pr 27:12; Lu 12:40; Heb 13:14'.

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C3-S9 (Verse 14) Peter's conclusion.

Wherefore,
beloved,
seeing that ye look for such things,
be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace,
without spot,
and blameless.

Let me rephrase this sentence as:

Wherefore: As a direct result (for) of what came before and wherever you find your self (in all circumstances).
beloved: the saved and sanctified who have a holy conversation and are living godliness and are Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. Most so-called Christians might have a hard time meeting this qualifier.
seeing that ye look for such things: Ye is 'each and every one of you personally'. Read this phrase again as applied personally and then repeat any objections to my comments of the prior point.
be diligent: Study and work for God's kingdom really hard and consistently. Run a dozed Energizer Bunnies into the scrap heap.
that ye may be found of him in peace: We will be found of him our whole life but especially at the instant of death. Yah I know, It's usually the other driver that needs an attitude adjustment. We are to be in peace with other people and whatever circumstances we find ourselves in.
without spot: Stop your sinning.
and blameless: Never give the gossips an opening.

Please see the note in the Romans intro about the word wherefore. The New Testament definition is: 'what follows the wherefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the wherefore and seen wherever you look'.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:4 about the word look. The New Testament definition is: 'To direct the eye towards an object, with the intention of seeing it'.

Please see the note for 2Corinthians 8:7 about the word diligence. The New Testament definition is: 'Steady application in business of any kind; constant effort to accomplish what is undertaken; exertion of body or mind without unnecessary delay or sloth; due attention; industry; assiduity'.

Please see the notes for Romans C12S16 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word peace. Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel. Please also see the Gospel of Peace in the Word Study on Gospel. The New Testament definition is: 'In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind'. Peace is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:22). Please see the notes for Romans 10:15 and Hebrews 12:14-LJC about peace with God.

Please see the note for James 1:27 about the word spot. It has links to every place in the Bible where we find any form of this word. Most of those verses are part of the Mosaic Law dealing with leprosy. All of the New Testament references are symbolic of spiritual leprosy.

Please see the note for Philippians 2:14-16 for links to every place in the Bible where we find forms of the word blameless along with a definition from Webster's 1828 Dictionary and links from other commentators. The New Testament definition is: 'Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure. A bishop then must be blameless. 1 Tim.3'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'seeing. Php 3:20; Heb 9:28 be diligent. 2Pe 1:5-10; 1Jo 3:3 in peace. Mt 24:26; Lu 2:29; 12:43; 1Co 1:8; 15:58; Php 1:10; 1Th 3:13; 5:23 General references. exp: De 6:17; Pr 27:12; Song 4:7; Mt 25:7; Lu 12:40; Heb 13:14'.

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C3-S10 (Verse 15-16) Steps to take in order to grow spiritually.

Step One: Look at what the Lord has to put up with from you.
1. And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation;.
Step Two: Read the New Testament as a personal letter from God written to give you wisdom.
1. even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;.
Step three: Study all of the New Testament.

As also in all his epistles,
speaking in them of these things;.

Step Four: Don't twist the scriptures to be what you want or it will destroy you.

in which are some things hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest,
as they do also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.

This sentence is added to the prior by starting with the word And. The prior sentence started the conclusion of this epistle and this sentence completes that conclusion. After this sentence is a Final Warning, a Final Blessing, a Final Worship and Amen. Thus, this sentence is the last of the true message for this epistle and is the most important part of Peter's message. in this epistle, Peter warned us about false prophets and false teachers. Now this sentence tells us about the 'Steps to take in order to grow spiritually' because true spiritual growth is all that will protect us from false prophets and false teachers.

Please take the time to realize that our sentence has four Steps. All Steps must be done in the order presented and we cannot do the next Step until we complete the prior steps. Therefore, please consider the order in which Peter tells us to do these Steps.

With this context in mind, we will now look at the phrases of our sentence.

And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation: please see the word definitions below and the note for this verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study for more details. As pointed out in those notes, our salvation is not a one-time event or our Lord would not need to be longsuffering. Our Lord needs to be longsuffering because our salvation is an ongoing relationship with Him that only starts when we accept Him as our Lord. in this relationship we continue to sin, which is why He most be longsuffering. Our phrase is only the First Step in our sentence which tells us 'Steps to take in order to grow spiritually'. As the First Step, we must realize that our sin makes our Lord to suffer. He does this in order to help us to mature spiritually. Further, our phrase starts with the word And, which adds it to the prior sentence where we were told to be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. This will only happen as we do our part to mature spiritually. When we refuse to mature spiritually we increase His suffering and motivate Him to punish us instead of extending mercy.

even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you: Realize that Peter wrote this after Galatians 2 happened where Paul hauled Peter before the entire church and rebuked him for teaching doctrinal error. Here we see the true heart of a spiritually mature person. Instead of being upset with Paul for embarrassing him, Peter calls him our beloved brother Paul and recommends his epistles to all saved. It is highly unlikely that Peter knew which of Paul's epistles would be preserved by God, as part of scripture, and which epistles would not be preserved. However, Peter is recommending the epistles from Paul, especially when they teach us about The longsuffering of our Lord and salvation. In addition, Peter is recognizing that the wisdom which is in Paul's epistles was given unto him, which means that Peter recognizes that it came from God.

As also in all his epistles: this is the first phrase of our third Step and both phrases need to be considered together as a Step. That is: our second phrase says speaking in them of these things, which means: 'Paul is speaking in his epistles about the things of God's wisdom'. Therefore, we should read the epistles from Paul with the idea of finding God's wisdom. In addition, Peter tells us to do this with al of the epistles from Paul. Our current phrase tells us that God's wisdom is in every epistle from Paul that we still have.

speaking in them of these things: this phrase was dealt with in the note for the prior phrase.

in which are some things hard to be understood: this is the first phrase in our last Step. The sub-phrase of: in which refers to the epistles from Paul which Peter was talking about earlier within this sentence. The sub-phrase hard to be understood means that we will not understand the epistles from Paul just by reading them. We must Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2Timothy 2:15). One of the major mistakes that saved people make is believing that the Christian life will be easy or believing that understanding all of the Bible will be easy. That were true then we would not have all of the confusion about the Bible nor would we have all of the heresies and doctrinal errors that are believed.

which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest: the New Testament definition, for the word wrest, is: 'Twist to force into an unnatural shape or form'. One reason that they that are unlearned and unstable love to hear about prophecy is because they want to claim to be knowledgeable without putting in the effort required to truly understand. The unlearned do not know the truth and do not know how to find the truth. The unstable are children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (Ephesians 4:14).

as they do also the other scriptures: Peter is telling us that the unlearned and unstable wrest with scriptures. That is the main message from this phrase. However, this phrase along with the rest of this sentence tells us that Peter regarded epistles from Paul as scripture.

unto their own destruction: Here we see the result of remaining unlearned and unstable. Most unlearned and unstable people refuse to believe that their attitude causes their own destruction, but that is what our phrase literally says. Thus, we see the motivation to mature spiritually. Our Bible says that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge / wisdom / treasure (Job 28:28; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 15:33; Isaiah 11:2; Isaiah 33:6). A true fear of our own destruction is The fear of the Lord. The unlearned and unstable do not have this fear, which is why they reap their own destruction.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C4S1 about the word account. The New Testament definition is: 'An assignment of reasons; explanation by a recital of particular transactions, given by a person in an employment, or to a superior, often implying responsibility'.

Please see the note for This verse in the Lord Jesus Christ Study which explains it in detail. Please also see the note for Romans 9:22 which has links to every verse which uses longsuffering along with a short note on each verse and the definition of from Webster's 1828 .

Please see the note for Romans 12:10-13 for links to all of the verses in the Bible which use the word brotherly. Please also see the notes for 1Corinthians C6S10 and Galatians C1-S1 about the word brother. Please see the note for Matthew 1:2 about the word brethren. The New Testament definition is: 'Pertaining to brothers; such as is natural for brothers; becoming brothers; kind; affectionate; as brotherly love'.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 1:12 for links to where Paul is named within the Bible for links to every place where the phrase I Paul is used. Please also see the second half of the book called SbS-Preacher Missionaries about how God used Paul to show us how He uses a pastor / missionary to build the ministry. . We see Paul mentioned 163 times in the Bible but this is the only place in 1Timothy.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians C1S12 about the word wisdom. The New Testament definition is: 'The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them'.

Please see the note for Romans C5S9 about the following words. The New Testament definition of the word give is: 'Bestowed; granted; conferred; imparted; admitted or supposed'. The New Testament definition for the words gave and given are: 'the past-tense form of the word give'. The New Testament definition of these words is:'the past-tense form of the word give'. The New Testament definition of giving is: 'the ongoing form of the word give'. The New Testament definition of giveth is: 'a life-style of giving'. The New Testament definition of the word giver is: 'the person who gives'. Please also see the note for 1Corinthians C14S19 about the phrase giving of thanks.

Please see the note for 1Corinthians 14:31 about the word learn. The New Testament definition is: 'To gain knowledge of; to acquire knowledge or ideas of something before unknown. We learn the use of letters, the meaning of words and the principles of science. We learn things by instruction, by study, and by experience and observation. It is much easier to learn what is right, than to unlearn what is wrong'. The word unlearned have not done this and are ignorant.

Please see the note for Ephesians C6S8 about the word wrest. The New Testament definition is: 'Twist to force into an unnatural shape or form'.

Please see the notes for Romans C16S33; Galatians C3-S10 and 2Timothy C3S10 about the word scripture. The New Testament definition is: 'invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2Ti 3:15-16; Joh 20:9; Ga 3:22; 2Pe 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: account. 2Pe 3:9; Ro 2:4; 1Ti 1:16; 1Pe 3:20 our beloved. Ac 15:25 according. Ex 31:3,6; 35:31,35; 1Ki 3:12,28; 4:29; Ezr 7:25; Pr 2:6-7; Ec 2:26; Da 2:20-21; Lu 21:15; Ac 7:10; 1Co 2:13; 12:8; Jas 1:5; 3:17 General references. exp: Pr 28:23.
in all. 1Pe 1:1 speaking. Ro 8; 1Co 15; 1Th 4-5; 2Ki 1 hard. 1Ki 10:1; Heb 5:11 unstable. 2Pe 2:14; Ge 49:4; 2Ti 3:5-7; Jas 1:8 wrest. Ex 23:2,6; De 16:19; Ps 56:5; Hab 1:4 the other. Jer 23:36; Mt 15:3,6; 22:29 unto their own. 2Pe 2:1; Php 3:19; 1Pe 2:8; Jude 1:4 General references. exp: Pr 9:12; 28:23; 1Ti 5:15; Jas 1:8.

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C3-S11 (Verse 17) Peter's Final Warning.

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.

Notice that this sentence says: Ye, ye, ye. Three times Peter makes this personal. If we are not personally diligent in following Peter's last instructions then we will fall from (our) own stedfastness.

This sentence is clear enough that I can't imagine anyone needing a phrase-by-phrase explanation. The main thing which we need to pay attention to is the fact that Peter keeps making this warning personal. 1Corinthians 10:12 warns Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Peter tells us that we can be fall from your own stedfastness ( 'backslide') if we are being led away with the error of the wicked. People think that they will study the doctrines of false prophets and false teachers, in order to lead their followers bask to the truth. However, that has led the downfall of many people. Jesus did not refuse to deal with these people, but neither did he go looking for a fight with them. Jesus left them alone unless they came attacking Him. We also need to follow the doctrine of: What Did Jesus Do?

Please see the note in the Romans intro about the word therefore. The New Testament definition is: 'what follows the therefore is a future result that is based upon what came before the therefore and only seen there'.

Please see the note for Colossians 2:67 about the word beware. It has the full definition from Webster's 1828 and links to every place in the New Testament where this word is used. The New Testament definition is: 'Literally, to restrain or guard one's self from. Hence, to regard with caution'.

Please see the note for 1Timothy 3:6 about the word fall. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To drop from a higher place. Rain falls from the clouds; a man falls from his horse. Apostasy: unexpectedly moving from a high spiritual position to a low spiritual position. I beheld Satan as lightning fall from Heaven. Luke 10'. The word fell. is the past-tense form of the word fall.

Please look at the note for 1Corinthians 15:58 which has links to every place in the Bible where we find the word stedfast. The definition from Webster's 1828 is: 'stead and fast. 1. Fast fixed; firm; firmly fixed or established; as the stedfast globe of earth. 2. Constant; firm; resolute; not fickle or wavering. Abide stedfast to thy neighbor in the time of his trouble. Him resist, sted fast in the faith. 1 Peter 5. 3. Steady; as stedfast sight'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'seeing. 2Pe 1:12; Pr 1:17; Mt 24:24-25; Mr 13:23; Joh 16:4 beware. Mt 7:15; 16:6,11; Php 3:2; Col 2:8; 2Ti 4:15 being. 2Pe 2:18-20; Mt 24:24; Mr 13:22; Ro 16:18; 2Co 11:3,13-15 from. 2Pe 1:10-11; 2:18-22; Ac 2:42; 1Co 15:58; Eph 4:14; Col 2:5; Heb 3:14; 1Pe 5:9 General references. exp: Pr 16:29'.

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C3-S12 (Verse 18) Peter's Final Blessing.

But grow in grace,
and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Please see the notes for this verse under Saviour and under Jesus Christ in the Lord Jesus Christ Study which explains this sentence in detail. As pointed out in those notes, the main emphasis of Peter's letter is that Jesus Christ is Lord and Saviour. Many claim Him as Saviour; but Peter emphasizes that He must be Lord to be Saviour. Over and over Peter warns about judgment by the Lord of those that reject His commands where He tells us how our lives are to be different than they were before our initial profession.

This sentence is titled 'Peter's Final Blessing' because obeying this command is the only way to get ongoing blessings from God. The false prophets and false teachers that Peter warned us against try to claim otherwise but, as Peter explained in this epistle, they are unjust or ungodly. Both types of people are cursed. Only the Godly receive God's blessings on an ongoing basis and they obey this command in order to get those blessings.

Please see the note for Mark 4:26-27 about the word grow. The New Testament definition for this word is: 'To enlarge in bulk or stature, by a natural, imperceptible addition of matter, through ducts and secreting organs, as animal and vegetable bodies; to vegetate as plants, or to be augmented by natural process, as animals'. The word groweth is: 'a life-style of growing'.

Please see the note for Romans C4S5 about the word grace. The word grace is usually presented as 'God's riches at Christ Expense'. However, that obviously does not fit in James 1:11. So while that is the main application within the Bible, the true definition is: 'that which makes the source look good'. We are given God's grace for the expressed purpose of making God look good. If we don't make God look Good then He wasted His grace on us. In addition, the New Testament definition of the word gracious is: 'Favorable; kind; friendly; as,the envoy met with a gracious reception'. Please see the note for Galatians 1:1-3 for an outline on how grace is used in that epistle. Please see the note for Galatians C5S4 about the phrase fallen from grace. Please see the note for Galatians C6S18 about the phrase grace through Christ. Please see the note for Romans 11:5 about the phrase election of grace.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'grow. Ps 92:12; Ho 14:5; Mal 4:2; Eph 4:15; Col 1:10; 2Th 1:3; 1Pe 2:2 knowledge. 2Pe 1:3,8; 2:20; Joh 17:3; 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:17; Php 3:8; Col 1:10; 3:10 exp: 1Co 14:6; 2Pe 1:5'.

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C3-S13 (Verse 18) Peter's Final Worship.
To him be glory both now and for ever.

All glory belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ and we end up being ungodly or unjust any time we touch what belongs to Him alone. Please see the note for Romans 11:36 for links to verses in the Bible which tell us things which are due to God.

Please see the note for Romans C15S14 about the word glory. There is a lot of information about this word in that note. The New Testament for this word is: 'Brightness, splendor, luster'. The New Testament for the word glorified is: 'past-tense form of the word glory'. The New Testament for the word glorifying is: 'applying the word glory in an ongoing manner'. The New Testament for the word Glorious is: 'Illustrious; of exalted excellence and splendor; resplendent in majesty and divine attributes; applied to God'. Please also see the note for Matthew 17:1 about the phrase Jesus Christ return in glory. Please also see the Minor Titles of the Son of God to see the title of: hope of glory. All true Biblical hope is based in Him. Think about what was revealed in the 'Mount of transfiguration'.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'To him. Joh 5:23; 2Ti 4:18; 1Pe 5:10-11; Jude 1:25; Re 1:6; 5:9-14 General references. exp: Pr 4:18; 9:9; Isa 43:11'.

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C3-S14 (Verse 18) Amen.

This word is used to double the prior command and make it something that all saved are to believe and accept as a command that they will be judged for how well that they obey. Please also see the Significant Gospel Events for this, and other, Minor Titles of the Son of God.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge provides Bible references for this sentence as: 'Amen. Mt 6:13; 28:20 General references. exp: Pr 4:18; 9:9; Isa 43:11'.

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Interpretive Study of 2Peter

Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

2Peter Chapter 2 Sentence-by-Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

2Peter Chapter 3 Sentence-by-Sentence

links to sentences in this chapter:

Chapter Summary from Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge

Contact: Webmaster@LJC1611KJV.com. Member of Tower Road Baptist Church, Abq., NM, U.S.A., 87121. Copyright 2009 Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV. All rights reserved. Revised: 10/31/24.

Contact: Webmaster@LJC1611KJV.com. Member of Tower Road Baptist Church, Abq., NM, U.S.A., 87121. Copyright 2009 Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV. All rights reserved. Revised: 10/31/24.